Yay.
We are getting by with spending shamefully little this Christmas. Like, one lord a leaping, which we will split evenly amongst the children. Could be gruesome.
But let’s be real: we don’t exactly have to spend much to please this crowd. Calum made a driedel the other day and the three non-baby children played with it all evening. Have you ever played the driedel game? Not exactly a thrill a minute. My kids get SO EXCITED when I clean the toilets because BLUE POTTY WATER! The boys use teamwork and cooperation to turn the water green. So perhaps I’ll even clean the toilets on Christmas Eve. Boy oh boy. Someone stop me. I’m pulling muscles here reaching this new low.
Though I’m excited because I think Christmas will be just right; we’ll focus on playing with the kids, actually engaging with them, and not on all sorts of STUFF. I mean all that in the most cliché sort of way.
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| The boys helped me repaint an old rocking chair for Willa's present. And by "helped" I mean "triggered a severe nervous tic in which I keep sputtering, 'careful now! don't splatter it! careful!'" |
But before you hate me for too much Christmas spirit, I will also share this: Calum has this silly notion that we will let him win Find Jesus just because he’s—I dunno—a kid? Or something? And it’s Christmas? I’m not sure if he’s simply naïve, or terribly overconfident, but he’s got literally no experience at this game. And the last 24 hours of Find Jesus can be straight up INTENSE, YO. So unless he’s got some secret Jesus Ninja Skillz he’s planning to unleash, I think his rookie year may not have the fairy tale ending he’s expecting. You need to be hardened, STEELED to Find Jesus in today’s Christmas tradition.
And Cal is only six. Because he turned six yesterday! (segue much?) And oh. He is such a great kid, you guys. He is sweet and helpful; he loves other kids and makes friends easily; he is much more tender-hearted than he tries to appear. He is loving school. I feel sincerely proud of everything he’s learning, and I know he’s not like The Smartest Kid In Kindergarten, but he works so hard. SO HARD. And the earnestness is enough to kill me. Or at least humble me. And maybe (MAYBE) make me concede a Find Jesus win this year. Six years old? This is my favorite age yet.
5 comments:
I think I need to come take mom lessons from you. You make it look so easy. And fun!
I just went back to 12/08 to get the Find Jesus lowdown. I have been properly schooled in FJ now. When does the game begin? Is it all of December? Whenever the nativity is unpacked? I think we don't have a nativity... We used to... I wonder if an Elmo or something else would work. Maybe too colorful.
Ahhh, happy birthday, Cal! Feels like yesterday he was born.
Also, everyone except you looks freaked out by the Clauses.
-Colleen
Cute boots!!
I have a lot to learn about entertaining boys. I didn't know about playmobil or the baseball guy game OR make the water green game until your boys and your blog.
Those are just great boots, great outfit. Were you wearing a dress/leggings? I didn't think biologists were supposed to be so pretty! :)
Its a good point you make about large families not being spoiled by gifts. I'll have to remember that!
I am also glad that six is a good age. I am still thrilled by age two. Daniel has learned independent thought and to tell (somewhat) funny jokes. Its good times at two, good to know its not downhill.
Your children will not remember most of the gifts, but they will remember the family fun of Find Jesus. The dreidel game is fun for children, and teaches about another culture/religion. Nice. I know the smartest child in the class is not always the most successful. In the overall picture of life, I have found hardworking children (who want to learn) and "people oriented" children to be successful. Of course, now we must define "successful!!!"
Merry Christmas!
Marsha
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