“For we need a little Christmas” (Mame (or Glee))
Sunday, December 26th, 2010Christmas Day 2010. 9:00 PM and two out of three kids are still crying trying to get themselves to sleep. Seems natural enough I guess – it was an exciting and full day with presents from morning till night, large meals that were largely ignored for the candy canes and chocolates that seem to be everywhere.
Christmas for a three year old? Evan was still obsessed with Candy Canes. We considered eliminating all candy canes from Christmas this year, but instead decided to go with the flow. Evan loves candy canes - not eating them really, just collecting them, unwrapping them, and occasionally taking a lick. I have no idea why. Next to the candy canes the holiday was all about Toy Story. Evan asked Santa for 10 triggers, and by triggers he meant laser guns that he used on the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney World. He got two and whatever time he wasn’t obsesses with candy canes he spent happily playing with his favorite Buzz Lightyear Laser. I am pretty sure that other than jelly beans, a few licks of candy canes, and two yogurt parfaits, the only thing he ate was 3 bits of steak at dinner. However he is the only one not crying at the moment, so either a three year old copes better with Christmas, or that is the perfect menu for a kids Christmas.
Christmas for a two year old was pretty much as we expected. Having discovered that she loves everything pink and princess recently, Santa delivered everything with that theme and she loved it all! Sophie had been asking for pink roller skates for weeks, and sure enough they were the favorite gift received today and she did great rollerskating around the house (with the wheels locked) whenever she could. On the way home from dinner at Lolo’s and Lola’s house, a Brittney Spears Christmas song came on the radio. As a gay man I suppose I should be horrified, but as a dad I was very proud when out of the blue Sophie said, “Dad, I don’t like this song, turn it off”. At the end of the day she screamed bloody murder and didn’t want to be left alone to fall asleep. I’ll chalk that one up to being overstimulated and out of routine, hopefully we’ll return to ‘normal’ tomorrow.
Max – 14 months and not really his first Christmas, but too young for a second Christmas. Max definitely has a cold, and despite being quite the trouper, I have a feeling he only half enjoyed the day. Evan and Sophie opened most of his presents while he wandered into the playroom and picked out toys that have been there his whole life. The bright spot of his day was seeing the cousins and having them dote on him all through the end of the day and dinner.
So I should have some lessons for next year, right? What did i learn? Probably not much. I don’t think I would change much – just let it flow, and try to enjoy each moment. Evan saying “Daddy, this is the best present ever” – Sophie’s determination to use the roller skates unassisted, and seeing her dressed up in her Christmas clothes – and Max’s smile as he toddles around the house looking for the next adventure! All priceless reminders of why I love my life!
Max, Kendra, Sophie, Dalton, Evan and Maren on Christmas Eve.
