This Christmas is hard cause they understand so much more.
Chris the other day got in trouble for writing on our computer screen with crayon. I told him why did he do it and what if he broke it, then we couldn't use it anymore yada yada.. he says to me in all seriousness and frank, quite sweetly too, "Don't worry mommy Santa will just bring us a new one". You have never seen a more stunned look on my face. I said "no he wont" all annoyed.. as too which Chris asked "but why?" looking all confused.. So how to explain to this little kid now that Santa does not bring you all you ask for, that you should work hard for what he does give you, and you should always try to take care of your neighbor in the process, etc.. esp when they get more than they could ever imagine from all the people we exchange with. Needless to say he didn't get it!
So I went scouring amazon for Christmas books. I mean first I had to decide what to teach them. We are trying to raise them Christian, Greek Orthodox (big, big into Jesus) but very Americanized (less fasting, less church going, less praying etc..) I mean I was looking for something age appropriate to incorporate Jesus Birthday (Nativity scene- reason for the start of)/ Saint Nicholas-Santa (the start of the gifts & charity)/ the magic (the season, lights, trees, ornaments, etc..) I had to buy 3 different books!
So this months family lessons will be interesting. Now how to keep all the presents from spilling out of the closet is another story. And how to convince all my relatives to return some of the gifts they bought us, or save them till our birthdays.
Maybe I should introduce the Kathy Lee Gifford Christmas Exchange rule into our household? only 3 gifts per person at Christmas and save the big parties and tons of presents for our birthdays. I mean she has a point it's Jesus birthday not ours!
So I went scouring amazon for Christmas books. I mean first I had to decide what to teach them. We are trying to raise them Christian, Greek Orthodox (big, big into Jesus) but very Americanized (less fasting, less church going, less praying etc..) I mean I was looking for something age appropriate to incorporate Jesus Birthday (Nativity scene- reason for the start of)/ Saint Nicholas-Santa (the start of the gifts & charity)/ the magic (the season, lights, trees, ornaments, etc..) I had to buy 3 different books!
So this months family lessons will be interesting. Now how to keep all the presents from spilling out of the closet is another story. And how to convince all my relatives to return some of the gifts they bought us, or save them till our birthdays.
Maybe I should introduce the Kathy Lee Gifford Christmas Exchange rule into our household? only 3 gifts per person at Christmas and save the big parties and tons of presents for our birthdays. I mean she has a point it's Jesus birthday not ours!
