SimplyComplexJen

I put off the conversation last year.  I narrowly missed it this past Christmas skillfully distracting to other topics.  Unfortunately, I was ambushed today.  With tears. Real tears, the kind that usually accompanies words like "I think the fish is dead." or "remember that thing from India on the shelf you told me to never touch?".

I don't remember this moment in my life.  I do remember being told by the Kindergarten teacher not to tell the other kids.  I don't remember the real anticipation of seeing what Santa brought.  I also never heard the story of Santa and how he can be so much more than an elf in a red suit.  I wanted more for my little one.  Hopefully today, I put a story in her soul that she can share in 30 years with her tearful daughter asking for the truth.

Long before I had kids (and thought I ever would), I ran across a story about a Dad who shared with his daughter that The Spirit of Santa Doesn't Wear a Red Suit.  It was heartbreaking for the author too.  I'm not sure why the story stood out in my mind, but here I am 10+ years later reading the story to my daughter.

There is no ending to my story that talks about swimming lessons yet again, or my mileage logged for the week, or how in yoga my touched fingers in a pose I had never been able to before (yay me!!).  This is about the type of things that happen in between running, work, and all the other things that are on our neverending to-do list.

How did I smooth over  the broken heart of tonight?  Quite simply lots of hugging, a small glass of sprite, and letting her stay up 1/2 hour past her bedtime to watch an episode of The Simpsons.  It worked.  She is calm, and knows theSanta that is in her heart is shared every time she helps others, and is shared when she thoughtfully gives something of herself.  She came to the conclusion on her own that she can be Santa anytime she wants.... and promptly found me a toy to add to the Hope House pile growing in my room.

Yes, Santa is alive and well in our home long after the red-suited elf has died.

When for the sake of a bargain, you are willing to step over (and on) a lifeless body... these are problems of humanity that go beyond terrorists, defaulting mortgages, and our economic crisis. Humanity in that moment lost its soul.

This man was over 250 pounds, yet people in the search of a tv that is 50% off, decided that their wallet was more important than his life.

I am appalled beyond words.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/nyregion/30walmart.html?em

a few random pics from yesterday...........


Our Tree......




YESSSSSSS!!!!!!


Cinderella snow globe that Santa brought in her stocking.....



Her "pile" from Santa..... believe it or not, it's just all Easy Bake Oven and it's accessories..... looks like much more than it is!


It was a great relaxing Christmas where fun was had by all. I missed my family, but I'll see them soon!

We made these penguins instead of holiday cookies for santa......... it was the project of my 5yo, and I think it wasn't too shabby.

It was her idea that the coconut was to be "snow"

We used....large marshmellows dipped in melted chocolate, let that dry than used a little melted choco to attach an upside down PB Cup on it's head

Then used a knife to cut a little slit in the front so she could attach a candy corn nose

two pecans underneath were the feet

not sure how much of a recipe that is... but that's how it was done.....santa loved them!!!!!

I'm sure with a little more care and a little older kid, they would have turned out not quite as lopsided, but she was VERY proud!