A Lello Car

So my 4 year old has informed me that he knows that Santa is not real and that me and Daddy really give him his presents. When I asked him who told him that he said, "Grandpa".
But we have still stood in line twice at Christmas parties, (both times landing a spot at the end of the line) to sit on the "pretend" Santa's lap. What did he ask for? A little yellow car.
Just after Thanksgiving, we went to the thrift store to pick out something for him to buy his sister for Christmas. Of course he found some things he wanted too. I told him that I would bring her back and maybe we could get something like them for him. He walked away looking at something else and I tried to hide the little yellow car and another nicer looking tractor in the basket and slyly step away--we both knew the chances of them being there hours later were slim to none. But a couple of minutes later he returned to the shelf and saw the yellow car wasn't there. There was a panic in his face as he looked for me and as our eyes met, the tears welled up. I asked what was wrong and he said with a quivering chin, "a stupid kid took my toys."
I could tell by his mounting emotions that it was not the time for surprises, so I showed him I at least had the car (I hadn't found anything else to put in the basket to hide it anyway). We finished shopping and he never asked me for it. I figured since Christmas was about a month away he would forget. I let him help me wrap presents for his sister and dad and then everyday for about a week he would ask me to wrap his presents and put them under the tree; so I did. Now every time someone asks him what he wants for Christmas, his reply is "a lellow car". Usually the person then asks, if it is remote controlled-- and looks to me for an explanation. No, it doesn't do anything special. Just a 50 cent second hand yellow plastic car-- a 4 year old's delight, and a mother's relief!

Day after thanksgiving shopping

For several years I have stayed out all night in front of electronic stores for some major electronic item that we needed and found in some big door-buster Black Friday sale. I have had fun, usually being able to convince someone to stay out with me. A few years ago I even had my 2 year old camp out all night with me. This year I took a different approach. I slept at home and made it to Wal-mart and a couple of places at about 11 am or so. I was only looking for a few inexpensive items, some pj's, a jacket and a couple of toys all items under $10. I found a whole new crowd. Instead of the gamers and the people rushing to hoard electronic items, I found people finding things that their children needed--many of them trying to fill needs while things were affordable. Instead of the employees barring the door and keeping people from trampling each other in their rush, I was greeted by a distinguished Marine collecting toys for underprivileged families. I was touched by the several occasions I heard comments like, "I still have a teenage boy or a 7 year old girl", or "The family I got has a 5 year old boy and a 9 year old girl" It seemed that most were shopping for others and many for sub-for-Santa gifts. It was a much calmer and more tender experience for me; a nice way to start the holiday season. I think I'll stick with that crowd again next year!