The Joys of Christmas

I'll always remember 2008 as the year that Lucie and Ryan "got" Christmas. For the first time, they seemed to feel the magic and anticipation of Santa's arrival. They delighted in the simplest pleasures of the holidays, from pretending that their stroller was Santa's sleigh to taking the first bite of Grandma's sugar cookies to sharing in the family tradition of reading Gigi and Papa's well-worn copy of The Polar Expresson Christmas Eve. They had no expectations, and were simply delighted by everything that came their way.

Before we put Lucie and Ryan to bed Christmas Eve, they were so excited to leave out cookies and milk for Santa. When I tried to pour regular milk, they cried out in exasperation, "No, Mommy, Santa only likes chocolate milk!" A Santa we encountered out shopping one day told us this (from a safe, 10-12 foot distance) and Lucie and Ryan were not going to forget it. Their eyes lit us as we put them to bed and Papa reminded them to listen for reindeer hooves on the roof that night. What excitement!

Fortunately for us, this excitement put them right to sleep, and they were not to be heard from until late the next morning. We actually had to wake them up. Chris and I tried to enjoy this, as we figured it was likely the last Christmas we would be giving wake-up calls. If they are anything like their parents, uncles or aunt, 5 to 6 am peeks at the tree are sure to be right around the corner.

Lucie and Ryan had each made one request for their Santa gifts. Ryan wanted a new firetruck (no surprise there) and Lucie wanted a "duckie toy swimming pool". Lucie had seen something like this in a magazine and had her heart set on it. Though it may not have been the same one she saw, Santa, being the resourceful guy that he is, was able to find a toy that Lucie adored, and is actually a great game for the kids to play together.

I don't think Lucie and Ryan had any idea they'd be getting more than one present. With more gifts from family, they were stunned and delighted with their new treasures. Lucie reminded me of the little brother from "A Christmas Story" who falls asleep under the tree among his unwrapped gifts Christmas morning. By the end of festivities, she was overwhelmed by the excitement and was found walking around in a dazed, half-asleep state. What a day like no other.

Thanks so much to our parents for making the trip to spend the holidays with us this year. We were so happy to be with you, sharing in the simple pleasures of the season through two three- year-old's eyes. Though it wasn't Lucie and Ryan's "first" Christmas, I think it was their most memorable.