Friday, December 22, 2006

Santa, Real or Not?

Well, I switched over to the "new" Blogger and it looked like it would take an act of congress to get on Blogger again - it didn't. But get ready, I'm just about ready to join the WordPress family. Blogger can be a pain and maybe it's time for something else!


I've been trying to finish up with all the Christmas stuff. I sent a box to Birmingham on Dec. 21! Yeah, that's cutting it close. Just a little. Especially if you're one of the people waiting for a gift!


It's coming....


By UPS.....


I promise :-)


Have I shared here the Santa rule? Our kids get three presents from Santa because Jesus got three gifts (I know, maybe that should be for birthdays... go with it.) - any other gifts are from Jim and I. This does present some problems and I feel like I'm constantly making up new rules. Christmas stocking are from either. Santa's not wrapped. Toys are from Santa, books are from us. It just keeps going.....


This brings me to "Why do Santa?" I thought for a long time about lying to the kids and how wrong that was. I worried when they found out they would accuse us of lying. Sometimes it's hard to keep the lies straight. Then again, I grew up with Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny and I don't remember thinking my parents were liars. I turned out okay - for the most part. So Jim and I decided to carry on the Santa tradition but Kenny knows now. He asked me last year and I couldn't go on. He was 8 years old and that seemed about right. We're still lying to Abbie - all of us. Kenny is under threat of NO GIFTS AT ALL if he tells his sister. It seems to be working.


I don't know how long Abbie has - yesterday two of her friends (4 year olds) told her their mommies said that there was no Santa. One of the mommies is a teacher at our preschool and she asked me how mad I was at her when I mentioned the "telling." Abbie was contented with "Well, Santa must not come to their house if they don't believe in him, right?" How long it will last? I have no clue. Innocence is gone so fast......

6 comments:

Sarah said...

My 2nd graders ask me if Santa is real. I'M sure not going to be one of "those teachers". I tell them, well, I want Santa to come visit me, so YES he's real!! To those who don't believe, I sympathize with them that Santa won't visit them this year.

Thing is, I still believe. Just a little. SOMETHING happens to the world in December and we're all a little nicer. Neither of my children believe, but they aren't allowed to discuss their doubts in front of me. I still believe.

Tammy M. said...

I am all for believing in Santa. I can remember the excitement when I went to bed on Christmas eve, and looking out the window just hoping for a red light leading the sleigh. Those are precious memories to me, they were a gift from my parents and the traditions of our culture. Once I found out about Santa Christmas eve was never the same. I love how Derek is handling the knowledge of Santa this year, he is like my secret pal, he will give me a wink when Santa comes up. He is all for being on the down low about the Santa know.

Anonymous said...

We still believe at our house. It's just more fun and magical. judy

Lisa said...

I think those early experiences of believing in something you can't see actually help with the same process later.

I never went to great lengths to maintain the false belief, though. They asked, I told. But included the story of St. Nicholas and followed up with how we can all be Santa to other people.

So far, no one hates me. :-)

Jessica said...

When my girls say they don't believe I say "if you don't believe you don't receive" ... seems to work! Besides, as my friend Amy says... its all fruit and nuts after Santa... so I think I'll just keep believing!

Anonymous said...

This year was THE biggest Santa year every for Thad--he was REALLY into the whole thing. . .Victoria is 8 1/2 and still believes in Santa as well--I think--she acts like she does, but she has way too much common sense for that. . .I think she's more hoping than believing. We had to combine all of our Christmas traditions to get everything in--the kids get one unwrapped gift from Santa in front of the fire place, and the rest of the presents are wrapped and from us. It seems to work.