Christmas Eve

This year, Isaac was starting to really understand Christmas. He knew Santa might bring him a present, and most of all, he knew it was exciting. He loved the lights, the tree, the music, and the anticipation. But age three must be that perfect middle ground, because he still had a beautiful innocence and lack of expectations too. My dad was struck by his comment when they were looking at the pile of presents under the enormous tree in the family room - presents to and from 13 people, including some mailed from faraway relatives - a lot of presents! My dad was helping him find a few with his name on them, and Isaac stopped and said, "Do you mean there's more than one present for me?"

Oh, the innocence. And the chance to focus on giving more than receiving. I smiled when my dad told me, but I was also wary of Isaac's discovery the next morning of the piles of presents for him. As much as we tried to keep the holiday low-key for the boys, 13 people inevitably adds up to a lot of presents. And what I hope both boys can learn is that each person's gift is a way of showing his or her love. With that in mind, we open one present only every few hours, in order that each one can be appreciated and connected with the thoughtful person who gave it.

But first was Christmas Eve. Now that we have little boys, we are too tired to go to the midnight service and have been going to church before dinner. We are always forced by overflow to sit in the gym, but at least it's casual and full of families. While Isaac was content to snuggle with DeeDa in the candlelight and eventually fall asleep in her lap, Jonah sat in my lap for all of 5 minutes before he was ready to take a walk. He was an adorable little elf in his Christmas outfit, and he spent most of his time on the move - shuffling between the fold-out chairs, climbing in the stairwell, padding along the carpeted upstairs and exploring dark classrooms.

It's our tradition to open the first present on Christmas Eve, so while we were preparing dinner, each boy picked out one gift.


For Isaac, it was a Tiger mask and set of big paws from Jane and Greg.




Jonah (troublemaker face)


opened a rocket, also from Jane and Greg, complete with space dog, moon rover, 2 astronauts and an alien.


Isaac adored the rocket from the beginning. Jonah loved it too by the next morning, once he'd watched Isaac play with his new toy for long enough that he was ready to do a perfect imitation. But initially, he just loved the bow.


Santa came that night and took pictures for us. Isaac had a play kitchen waiting for him in Denver, as the letter explains, but here in Charlotte they had stockings full of lovingly-selected presents.


I think Santa was proud of his work.


And I think he loved every minute of it.