Gratitude: Santa...

(Disclaimer:  If you do not participate in "Santa" with your family, that is awesome.  No argument about that here.  This is our family and our decision.  Each family has to make their own choices.)

Today, we met Santa.

Heavens, you would have thought Aubrey Kate was gonna explode with excitement.  She hopped from the car into Bass Pro.  Then she jumped up and down in line.  Girly couldn't even eat her mac and cheese for dinner because she wanted to go see Santa "nnnooooowwwww!"

Rhys was all chill about.  Whatev' Mom.  I'm down.

We didn't even attempt to take Pumpkin her first Christmas.  She was eight months old and not interested in strangers.  Separation anxiety has perfect timing.

Chris took her last year and while she had a blast at Bass Pro (she loves the fish), she was not at all interested in meeting Santa.  There were tears.  

This year, she seems to be more aware of Santa.  Although we haven't really pushed it.  But when we go to Hobby Lobby for Thanksgiving plates and there are twelve paintings of Santa in the entry, I have to answer "Who's that?" a lot.  

She catches on.

So she was excited to go see him this year.  We had to give her a little lesson on telling him what she wanted for Christmas.  And I have to say, that was a new concept.  I don't think we've ever asked her what she wanted for...anything.  Well, maybe lunch.  But even then, we generally give her two options.  

After tens of seconds of thought, she announced she wanted an Elmo.  I attempted to remind her she already owns four Elmos but that only made her laugh and say, "No, I have FIVE!"  

She might be right.  I've lost count.

Honestly, it doesn't really matter what she wants.  She's two.  She's getting what I want her to have.  We've decided to only give three gifts from Santa.  One for each of the gifts the wisemen gave Jesus.  I like the idea of giving a gift to play, to wear and to read.  We'll give her one gift from us.  

Simple.

And to make it even better, we're adopting my parents approach to Santa.  They always made it clear they had to pay Santa for the toys.  Nope, nothing free in the Jones' house.  We (or at least I remember) being reminded each year that Mom and Dad had to write Santa a check for the presents he gave us.  

Makes total sense to me. 

Anyway, the closer we got to actually meeting Santa, the calmer Pumpkin got.  Maybe it's his magic.  Maybe its a toddler realizing she has to actually meet that strange, jolly man in the big chair.

When all was said and done, Rhys sat in Santa's lap and Aubrey Kate stood next to him.  

As long as I was standing beside her.

But she did say "Thank You" when he gave her a candy cane and that made this momma happy.

Check out how stinkin' cute my kids are.

So here's the bottom line:  We like Santa.  He's kind, caring and thinks globally.  It's fun to pretend.  

One day far too soon, Aubrey Kate and Rhys will learn that not all the children of the world get toys.  For Christmas or any other time for that matter.  They will learn children in our own community are hungry, cold and sick.  They will meet children in their church and school who were adopted from places all over the world because not all children have parents.  

They will know because we will teach them.  We will teach them because God commands us to take care of them.  And we will take care of them in many ways all year long.

Aubrey Kate learned this summer not all children have colors and coloring books.  How?  Because Mrs. Eartha's little miracle, James, always asks for school supplies for a local elementary school for his birthday in August.  This year, she was so excited to take colors and construction paper to James but I explained he was giving them to some kids who didn't have colors and paper.  

She was confused at first but was then even more excited.  

She talked about those kids for weeks.  And still will mention it when she finds the Sesame Street bracelet Mrs. Eartha sent home as a party favor.

Kids learn.  Fast.  

We want Aubrey Kate and Rhys to have fun pretending.  And have fun giving.  We can do both.  And maybe one day, the lesson learned about Santa is that everyone, anyone, can be someone's Santa.  

It just takes a package of colors and construction paper.  And the willingness to give them.