Friday, December 23, 2005

Christmas is Upon Us

Update:

We interrupt our normally scheduled posting to bring you this breaking news. Check out Moni's new song. She's been telling us about it for a while now and due to much encouragement from her friends, she has finally put it online for us to check out. I am impressed, so drop by, have a listen, and let her know what you think.

Now, back to business...

***

Christmas is almost upon us. I looked at the mountain of gifts we bought for our kids, and thought, man, this really bites! After wrapping five or so, I got into a groove. Not a wrinkle or tear, and all my lines straight. My mind started wandering to a long ago time when my brother and I couldn't sleep, my eyes drooping like Adrienne Barbeau's breasts, anxious to catch Santa in the act--but I never could stay awake. The morning came and my eyes popped open, the sun cast striped beams through the slats of my window, dust dancing in and out of its swath. I kicked the upper bunk and my little brother jumped to the ground as if jolted with a cattle prod.

"Did he come?" I asked him.

His body was a coiled spring--like a wide receiver waiting for the quarterback's signal. "I'll go see!" And off he shot, through the door, his feet padding through the hallway and stopping at the entryway to the living room--then back again.

"He did come--and he ate the cookies!"

I was already sitting up by now, and my feet found my slippers. "Let's get mom and dad!"

We ran into their room. The air rumbled from dad's snoring, but that ended with a loud report as we jumped between them and announced that Santa had really come, and they had to see.

And even dad, the crusty old crab-legged curmudgeon, couldn't resist our infectious enthusiasm, even though the battle was hard-fought behind those brown eyes.

Now I have my own family, and my own two boys who wait impatiently for Christmas morning. We've tantalized them further by setting up a bed by the Christmas tree and letting them sleep there on Christmas Eve. Jackson told me a secret that he is going pretend to be sleeping so that he can catch Santa in the act. But I know another secret. Jackson could sleep through an earthquake.

So Christmas morning the kids will awake to cookie crumbs and a thank-you note, and a mound of colorful packages that were carefully wrapped to be thoughtlessly torn open.

Christmas is for the kids--at least that's what I always thought. There is no greater joy than to see your children laugh.

***

To all my blogger friends: thanks for dropping by with all your words of encouragement. I'm not sure how to wish you the best this Christmas without sounding like a Hallmark card, so consider yourself told. Here's to you my friends, may we still be going strong next year.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Adrienne Barbeau's breasts" How funny!

I wish you joy this holiday season - and may the pleasures of Christmas morning be worth all of the wrapping (at least you did it without a cat *g*)

Scott said...

Why thank you Miss Eve. I don't know how you can handle so many cats!

mr. schprock said...

I liked the Adrienne Barbeau line too. Have a Merry Christmas and make sure little Jackson isn't faking it before you do the Santa Claus thing.

Sadie Lou said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Scott. I've come to enjoy your blog so much. We have a lot in common with our parenting styles.
My children have to wait in their beds while mom and dad get up, make coffee and a fire. Heh heh--prolonging the agony is payback fro what I went through with my parents. It's tradition.

Scott said...

Mr Schprock - I'm all over it Mr. S. Never fear! And thanks for the spelling correction. It's Barbeau! Already reposted.

Sadie - That was sweet, but you are such a torturer! It is kind of fun though, to watch the kids squirm.

Anonymous said...

With the brood coming to join mine - I don't know how I'm going to cope! At least the three "additions" are only for 4 to 6 months. And once the no kill shelters get rid of some more Katrina pets I can get rid of two more. Hoh boy - whew! Meanwhile, I will be slowly losing what bit of mind I have left.

Moni said...

"drooping like Adrienne Barbeau's breasts." Rotfl!!!! "crusty old crab-legged curmudgeon," Ahhh! I love it! Your descriptions are fabulous. ;)

Merry Christmas! ;)

Shesawriter said...

Merry Christmas, Scott! :-)

Hugs,

Tanya

Anonymous said...

the Cowboys gave me a great birthday present!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I wondered why you hadn't said anything - I had to listen to it on the radio because I was at work. Exciting game - but Cundiff messed up again - I think we might have a new kicker next year. But it was a great birthday gift anyway.

The Zombieslayer said...

Jackson told me a secret that he is going pretend to be sleeping so that he can catch Santa in the act. But I know another secret. Jackson could sleep through an earthquake.

That's classic.

Christmas is for the kids--at least that's what I always thought. There is no greater joy than to see your children laugh.

Queen wrote a good song called "These are the days of our lives." It's true how we can enjoy living through our kids. I love seeing Junior open presents. I got him a slingshot and on Christmas (we open presents on Christmas Eve), we went down to the river and I showed him how to use it. Good times.

Kathleen said...

My parents always hung a sheet to the entrance to the living room, so we couldn't see what Santa got us (Santa doesn't wrap) until after church. And then we had to proceed in with the youngest child in the lead holding baby Jesus who had to be put in the manger with the proper respect before looking to see what Santa brought. And this was all captured on film (not video) with the huge hot as heck light and no sound.