Dear Santa...

I had the girls share with me their Christmas wish lists a couple of weeks ago and Ella had at least two items on her list that I would really prefer for her not to have. The first item was an electric scooter (I guess I just prefer for her to use her own leg power—plus the electric scooters seem to break down a lot! I see more at garage sales than you would believe!) Her second item was a jumbo bear that they have been selling at Costco—it is nearly 5 feet tall! It’s astounding really and I have no idea where I would put it. So, I talked myself out of buying the jumbo bear and figured we could just say that Santa only brings gifts that mom and dad approve.

And then…when we took the kiddos to see Santa at Bass Pro shop, Ella said the thing she wanted more than anything was a jumbo bear!!!! I went to Costco the next day and they were SOLD OUT! It turns out they were sold out everywhere in the area except Arlington (a 45-minute drive away)—and they only had a few left and Costo does not hold items for you. I had a very busy couple of days with school events and recitals and piano teaching. So I was very worried about getting Ella her jumbo bear. And then, Stephen walked in the door at noon feeling sick! I yelled, “It’s a Christmas miracle” and I sent him to pick up the bear in Arlington. Poor guy had a cold and a fever, but he really came through for me! And now Ella will get her Christmas wish. Plus, I caved in on the electric scooter too--I kept on thinking about how much of a help Ella has been around the house. She is really such a dependable little girl.

Dessie made her wish list very easy this year. She asked Santa for presents, a Christmas tree and a butterfly dream-lite. Kayla, unfortunately, has been watching Qubo (another reason I love PBS) and has picked up several ideas of gift ideas from commercials. I had to hunt down a glow-dome for her and magnetic pen dots??? Who knows what they are! Anyway, it’s been a crazy few weeks. I’ll be happy when Christmas is finally here and I can relax for a few days. And secretly, I do love how sweet my kids are at this time of the year. I only have to quickly remind them that "Santa's watching" and they "quickly obey." Sigh--I wish I had Santa's super power!