Preparing for the Man in the Big Red Suit

We helped the kids do their Christmas lists to Santa. I gave the kids a sheet of paper and told them to glue pictures of what they wanted Santa to bring them. I had pre-cut pictures of items I already knew they wanted and have already been bought. These were in a pile to pick from. When they were gone, I told them they could choose from sales flyers or toy magazines we sometimes get. The only rule was whatever they chose had to fit on one page. Aden went to town cutting almost everything he saw and had a huge pile of pictures. He had a hard time choosing what he wanted to glue on his page. We gently explained he wasn't going to get everything, so he had to choose for Santa what he wanted the most. "But I really, really want everything", he wailed. Eventually he glued some pictures on his one page and then the other pictures on paper strips for "next year". However when it came time to put their "lists" in an envelope to mail he insisted on sending Santa all his lists.

Okay, I'll admit. This year's list got a little out of hand for Aden compared to last year, but last year the kids weren't exposed to commercials on TV. We were still watching the commercial-free kid channel Noggin. This year we graduated to Nickelodeon and have been inundated with commercials hawking "stuff". Scott made a very good rule. The kids are not allowed to yell, "I want that!" while the TV is on. If they do, the TV goes off. If they can remember the thing they wanted after the TV has been off for a while, then it must be something they truly wanted. That's basically how Santa knew what to buy.

Aden's school hosted a Holiday Market for the kids to buy Christmas presents for family members. Presents ranged from 50 cents to $11. The school sent home an envelope with a checklist on who the items were for (Mom Dad, sister, etc.) and what the maximum price the child could spend on each person. Aden used his own money (plus a few dollars we slipped in). He paid the money to Scott who wrote a check to the school. Aden picked out three gifts for his immediate family. I'm glad the school offered this. Aden felt so proud and we are too. He's learning to make wise money choices at a young age that I hope will carry him through later in life.

Danielle's daycare had their Christmas program at school. They were all so cute.



Once a week a music teacher comes to her daycare. After the show, the music teacher introduced herself to me and had nothing but praise to say on how well Danielle was doing. She was glad to meet us because even last year when Danielle was two, she had done so well. It will be interesting to see what musical talent may blossom.