I engaged in the annual hmmming and hawing over what to get the kids this year. I torture myself by overthinking what they may want, what they do want, what they should get in order not to spoil them, what they should get to spoil them….
I long for the days they were babies and toddlers. It was so simple! I could get ten $1 toys, wrap them, and we’d be set Christmas morning. This year was especially strange because they really didn’t “want” for anything. Realistically, they should never “want” for anything since they have all of life’s necessities at their disposal and much more; but alas, they are kids bombarded by advertisements friends with cool gadgets. Maria had been begging for an iPhone 7 for her birthday but she cooled her heels about one for Christmas. I think I assisted her in this change of heart by talking about how I believed experiences were more special than “things.” I asked her what she remembered more – her new iphone she received two holidays ago or her trip to Oaxaca. Oaxaca without a doubt.
Mario was even perplexed about what he wanted – at first it was an Apple computer, then any type of computer, then a pug puppy, then any type of puppy. At one point, Maria talked with him about the experiences bit and almost had him convinced to just wish for them and not ask for any “things.” But Mario couldn’t quite get there at age 9; he still wanted to open gifts on Christmas.
And there lies the dilemma – as a parent, do you put your foot down and re-purpose Christmas to the holiday it should be: a holiday about giving to others and appreciating family, and sacrifices made, and peace, and love, and goodwill? Or do you give “things” that the kids can madly unwrap on Christmas morning? Tradition gets the best of me and I inevitably err on the side of “things”. However, this year I did not go as overboard as years’ past and tried to mix the things with some experiences. Oaxaca will be a destination for us in 2017 as well as DC. I also want to take some good camping trips.
We asked Santa to stick with a room décor theme for Ri this year. She got a new desk and hutch, dresser and nightstand as well as some pictures and framed quotes. Mario got a new Dell computer in order to vlog and listen to his jams. He also got some Cowboys attire since that is his new favorite team thanks to Ezekiel Elliott). I ended up getting him a dresser, too, since I found one for cheap on line, and he has never had one before. Yeah, not kidding. He has just used the three tiny drawers in his steps going up to his bed. Of course, I ordered all the kids’ furniture on line so Jon and I get to assemble it ourselves. We worked on the dresser the day after Christmas and 3 hours later, we were still slaving over it. I was ready to ship the assembly off to a contractor but was not ready to pay $150 so we kept working. We finally finished 2 hours later, and now we can walk in Mario’s room and admire our work….
Maria’s desk and hutch was a bit easier to assemble, thank god. I actually assembled the hutch all by myself; I screwed all the parts in backwards and had to dis-assemble it all and start over, but I finally got it. It does feel good to know that you built something from scratch (especially when you are typically inept at such creations). And I now know what a cam screw is!
We enjoyed Susie’s house for Christmas Eve. Patty drove down with us this year and we first stopped at my mom’s to exchange gifts. Patty got to admire her new home, and my mom got to ask Patty about her potential new home in Marietta. My mom enjoys the company. The kids loved on Lou and took a few trips down the stairs in their comforters before begging to open presents. They got spoiled beyond belief: Mario got a desk chair and Ri got new boots. Rocco got a new hedgehog playmate (which he did not destroy within the first ten minutes of playing with it – miracle).
The kids loved playing with Cy and Robert at Susie’s house. They ran around and around with them playing with nerf guns and wrestling. The fun had to cease when Cy turned to run away from Mario and rammed his head on the dip in the ceiling. He got a nice gash. Jane and Olivia rushed him to Urgent Care and a few staples later he was good as new. It’s not a Heile party until someone starts bleeding. The kids also love participating in the White Elephant game. Mario got a puzzle and was less than impressed. He had his eyes on a bag that had a Polo watch and a pair of “USA” socks in it because he thought they would be the perfect gifts for his dad. He was finally able to steal the bag after Aunt Julie helped him out and took his puzzle. Ri scored a Starbucks card.
Ri and Mario loved holding baby Harper. Mario thoroughly enjoyed it for about three minutes and then was ready to move on. Ri would have held her all night.
We all sang Christmas carols with Aunt Susie towards the end of the night – one of the highlights of the evening. Susie plays the piano while we try our best to keep a tune.
Mario was the first to get up on Christmas morning at 7 am. We made him wait until 7:30 to wake Maria up. We laid in bed trying to prepare for the day ahead. At 7:29, Mario woke up Ri and they both walked into our room commanding us to awaken and head downstairs. Patty had been up since 6 am, and was showered and ready to head out to church. Ri distributed the gifts to everyone, and the opening began. Big smiles planted on their faces. It took about 45 minutes to get through gifts this year, which was pleasantly longer than last year. I swear we were done opening presents in 10 minutes last year.
The kids were more mature this year in both the approach to opening presents and in the actual opening of the presents. In years’ past, they would have been up at 6 am and jumping on our bed incessantly until we arose and trekked down the steps with them. They would have been shaking each present and thinking heavily about which one to open first. They would have torn through them in seconds unable to soak in appreciation for each gift one at a time. But this year, they wokr at a reasonable hour. They waited patiently as we got on our sweatshirts and brushed our teeth.
They still showed enthusiasm, when passing out the gifts under the tree but it was a more measured, calm enthusiasm. They carefully tore the wrapping paper off their gifts and took their time scanning each present. And they showed appreciation for each gift (even if it wasn’t something they particularly wanted (i.e., hats and gloves).
So here we are, setting up a computer and a desk rather than a train set or a Barbie house. The day was bound to arrive at our doorstep. But I am going to work hard to celebrate it rather than bemoan it. True, my babies are growing up and no longer require constant attention, and I miss that greatly. But my babies are growing up and no longer require constant attention, and I must appreciate that as well.
I just wish we could go back to ten $1 gifts….
"MOM!" 