Santa Claus

I've been thinking about how to approach Santa in our house.  This year I can slink by but next year I'll have to have a decision.

I don't want to NOT "do" Santa, but I also don't want my kid making a huge list of "I want I want I want" either.  Here are some rather in choerent thoughts of mine on it.

As a kid I remember beliving in Santa.  Though I dont think the issue was ever really pushed.  We wrote a letter to Santa and put it in the stove.  My idea.  My reasoning was that it would float up to the North Pole like the kids letter in Mary Poppins.  (Plus playing with fire was fun)  I remember not really believing in Santa but playing along just for the magical feeling.  I like pretending to believe and the childlike wonder of it.  Even when I was first married and we had no children, I wanted to put out a plate of cookies for Santa...and I did much to my husbands annoyance at my silliness (but he loves me anyway).

I also remember my parents not putting any presents under the tree until we were in bed on Christmas Eve.  The main reason was because we'd snoop.  But I remember the thrill of waking up Christmas morning, to the tree being on and presents piled high.  My parents would turn the tree on before they went to be and when I'd get up I remember thinking "Santa came and he turned the lights on!"  That was the only logical explanation right??  Then there was the year Santa broke an ornament....lol

My mother in law and grandmother in law love Santas.  They have a collection, and I mean a HUGE collection, so for one, not telling my kid about Santa....well it just ain't happening.

I'm thinking that we'll have Santa fill the stocking, or maybe give just one gift.  I dont want Isaac making a big deal over "Santa bring me this, and this, and this, and this."  But I do want him to enjoy the magic and the wonder of it.  Getting up and seeing presents under the tree.  Half eaten cookies.  The thrill!

I am also not crazy about the idea of "Santa" giving all the gifts that the parents worked so hard at selecting and purchasing.  Not that I want all the credit, but it gives kids a lack of appreciation for the parents, in my opinion.  Which is why maybe Santa will give one gift.  Or just the stocking.  Isnt that how the orignal Santa stories go?  Santa would fill the kids stockings?

I don't think "doing" Santa takes away from reason of Christmas.  I don't think it detracts from Christ's birth.  I think it can be part of the celebration of Christ's birth.  Additionally, I don't think families who don't "do" Santa are depriving their kids.  I think its a personal choice for each family.  On of my favorite prints/figurines I have ever seen is Santa bowing before the Christ child.  Its a beautiful image of how I feel about Santa in our home.  Santa Clause brings gifts to children in celebration of the birth of the Savior. 

Happy Holidays

This has been milling around in my head for a while. 
Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas

Let me start off by saying that I DO think there is an attack on Christmas and Christianity in this country as a whole.  But, I do NOT think every person that says or company that runs an ad saying "Happy Holidays" in lieu of Merry Christmas is anti Christian and anti Christmas.  I just don't. 

People buy gifts for lots of reasons in December.  Hanukkah comes before Christmas.  Then Christmas.  Then Kwanzaa (I think there are gifts for Kwanzaa).  By that standard there needs to be Happy Hanukkah ads for the first couple weeks of December.  Then switch right into Merry Christmas ads.  Then right after switch to Happy Kwanzaa ads.  We live in a country of religious freedom and that freedom should apply to everyone.  Whether or not we agree with or celebrate any of the other Holidays in Decemeber, they are special events for certain groups of people.

Now, I don't buy into the whole, don't say Christmas because you might offend someone mentality.  I mean, I am not offended by "Happy Hanukkah" (not that I recall hearing that any, which is actually kinda sad).  I tell most of my customers "Merry Christmas" however, if one turned to me and said "Happy Hanukkah" I wouldn't have a cow, I would say...."Ooops...Happy Hanukkah to you!"  Then I might try to remember and tell them the same next year, I might forget, I would HOPE they wouldn't get offended, but they might, and that's too bad.   

I've also been guilty of telling people "Happy Holidays" when they come in in November to pay a quarterly bill.  Its much easier than saying "Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year".  Makes much more sense to say "Hope you guys have a good Holiday season"  It doesn't mean I am afraid of offending. It doesn't mean I want to take Christ out of Christmas.  It means it just make more sense because I hope they have Happy ALL Holidays. 

I don't buy into American Family Association's "Naughty and Nice" list.  Where they list "Christmas friendly" stores and "Anti Christmas" stores so we know who "not to give our business to." 

What DOES bug me...where employees are discouraged from saying "Merry Christmas."  Where companies have "Holiday Trees" and stuff like that.  I guess we can have "Holiday Trees" and "Holiday Candle Holders."  That annoys me to no end. 

I think we need to quit worrying about offending someone and live our lives.  People need to quit being offended so easily.  And when we walk on eggshells around those people we only feed their problem.  Say it like it is.  Say what you mean.  Stand up for what you belive.  If someone believes differently, embrace your differences.  And if you both are up to it, debate them in a friendly way.  One of you may be swayed the other way.  Or you may not, if you are not, hug (or shake hands) and agree to disagree.  Doesn't mean you can't still live in harmony and Peace on Earth! 

As for me and my family.  I send out CHRISTMAS cards, which I insist say "Merry Christmas"  (Though mine DID say something this year about the "Holiday Season" but the heading was MERRY CHRISTMAS)   I put up a Christmas tree.  And well, I also do the whole "Santa thing" (I might blog about that later). 

So MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!!

Nighty Night

Ok, I'm riled up today.  This is why.
CPSC Bans Drop Side Cribs

Let me see if I can get my thoughts into a coherent manner...

First off, I am sorry for parents who have lost their children to this.  I am sorry for parents who have lost a child for any reason.  But freak accidents happen.  I'm sorry, they just do.  Its sad, but we live in a fallen world.

When this was first starting about banning drop side cribs, I asked someone who was all for it, what moms, such as myself at a mere 5ft 2inches were supposed to do.  I mean I did good to get the kid in and out of the crib WITH a drop side.  (even then it usually resulted in "dropping" him the last inch and him waking up....grrr.)  I was told, "just get a stool."  Umm...okay.  Lets think about this.  I am clumsy, I mean really clumsy.  I have a tendency to hurt myself in freak ways.  (Seriously, I BROKE my foot stepping off a step...a step much lower than many step stools).  I'm just cringing at what would happen should I attempt to climb on a stool, with a sleeping baby, in the middle of the night...that folks, is a recipe for disaster if I ever heard of one.

It also says in the article that the cribs aren't made to hold up to kids who can run, climb, and pull on the sides.  Umm..ok...seems to me, if the kid can run, climb, jump, rattle the sides, it may be time to look into a toddler bed.  But..wait....kid might get up before the parents, or you won't be able to put them in bed and let them cry until they fall asleep.  Well folks...let me tell you about this little thing called PARENTING!  Its really quiet grand, its kinda hard but very rewarding.  You should try it sometime!

Another thing, my inlaws still have their crib from when the hubs was a baby (folks this thing is a good 30+ years old!).  Guess what, the drop side parts are METAL!  Wanna guess what the parts on Isaac's crib are made of....you guessed it PLASTIC.  Also, wanna guess where Isaac's NEW crib is made...I'll give you a hint, its starts with "C" and ends with "hina".  I don't know for a fact but I'm confident hub's crib was made a little more locally...like in this country.  Would it have made sense to maybe mandate that quality parts be used to construct a safe sleeping place for our children rather than just banning them and opening up other issues that could be dangerous?  No...its the government, that would make WAY too much sense.  Besides, if we ban all cribs people will run out and buy NEW ones!  (just not this mama!)

Here is what will happen.  Parents will stop lowering the mattress because the mattress on the lowest setting makes it near impossible to get baby in and out of, so just keep it high where you can reach.  Kids will pull up, fall out, get seriously hurt, some might even die.  In a few years the CPSC will start wanting to ban all open top cribs.  (and also elevated cribs)  We will start putting our kids to bed in a dog crate.  Problem solved! 

But really, this changes nothing for me.  We already have a drop side crib that I have no intention of getting rid of.  It was recalled, we ordered the parts but I have no intention of installing them.  Its not like we use our crib anyway right now.  Didn't use it much before.  Isaac slept in a high class $2,000+ a day room for two months.  In the basinette next to our bed for another 4.  Then after that in our bed most of the time except a few short hours a night.  Then at 18 months I said forget it and set up a toddler bed.  Now he still sleeps with us.  And after the first of the year (at age 2 1/2) we are setting up a twin bed...then he'll still probably sleep with is.  I know...we did/do that horrible thing called co-sleeping!  Yeah...you must feel sorry for us right?  I mean my kid is SO utterly clingy and intolerable.  And me and hubby get "couple time".  (Can you "hear" my sarcasm...seriously..my kid is well adjusted, friendly, likable, and me and hubs...we'll we are "creative" I'll leave it at that..."

Here is a good solution if you are worried about the crib issue.
Children Should Sleep...

I want to add...I may have just offended a ton of people with my over generalizations and the like, but um...this is my blog, I say what I want.  And IF you are my friend and fall under any of the things I mentioned, take heart because if you are still my friend then well, I wasn't talking about you! :-)  I feel strongly about some thing, and you may feel strongly in another direction, which is fine.  I blog about things to keep myself from yelling them into the faces of perfect strangers or casual acquaintances. :-)   

I'm DONE!!  Christmas shopping that is.  I'm shocked!  Still like 11 days until Christmas and I have nothing else I HAVE to buy!  And even better...havent set foot in Wal-Mart...amazing huh?  Now the UPS guy might not like me very much, and he probably won't show up at my door until Christmas Eve at like 7pm, but hey...shopping is DONE!

Also, all the presents I DO have purchased...all wrapped nicely under the tree!  Isaac hasnt found them yet.

I also want to take wonderful pictures of our cute little tree, but....well my house is kinda trashed...maybe later!

Bratty-ness

I'm having some struggles right now.  Struggling between what I WANT and what God wants.  I know God will give me the desires of my heart and take care of me, but I'm a bratty child and want what I want when I want it.  I've been throwing temper tantrums, its not pretty.  But God is being a good Father and not giving in to my tantrums.  I mean, no matter how Isaac whines over wanting a cookie when he refused to eat his supper, he just ain't getting it.  God is the same way.  He is abundantly blessing me, giving me everything I need and most of what I desire, yet I still can't be content.  Just like it breaks my heart when I see Isaac act bratty, I'm sure God isn't thrilled with me.  I mean, I don't deny Isaac a cookie because I am a "mean Momma" I do it because I know, because I am his mother, that a cookie when he won't eat his food is not good for him.  And that's what God does too, I mean, its not that he doesn't WANT me to have what I want, when an extra cookie will make me happy, it it (for whatever reason) may not be good for me RIGHT NOW.  I mean, its not that he wont ever give me a cookie, just I don't need a cookie right now.  

I'm going to try to do better.   But I would still really like a cookie.

New Blog

I have a new blog.
No, not ditching this one, the new one is more an informational blog.
Check me out!
http://confusingconundrum.blogspot.com