Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
Star and angels gave the sign.
~Christina Rossetti
This year is the first one that Alex has really "gotten" Christmas. He has been so excited - to get our tree, to put up the Christmas lights, to play with the manger scene, etc, etc. Today the first presents appeared under the tree and it has been TORTURE for him. I'm totally convinced that you don't really appreciate Christmas until you have kids. But this post isn't about all that...
I asked Alex what he wanted for Christmas. He told me that he wanted "a toy". I'm pretty sure this will be the last year presents for him are so easy. Next year I'm sure he will have a long, very specific list. And if he's anything like his mother, it will be color-coded and sortable by several columns and available in a variety of media. And if he's anything like his father, it will include a price-comparison analysis of several major retailers and detailed specifications regarding why it has to be THIS EXACT MODEL.
On a side note, Alex did volunteer that Mark wants a little donkey for Christmas. (I'm not sure where he comes up with this stuff except that we've been reading the Christmas story and singing this song which I link to mainly because the camel cracks me up.) Conveniently, a while back, I saw a Craigslist ad for a "Real Nice Donkey" that I could purchase for $500 or trade for something worth $500. I'm sure the donkey will fit in nicely in the backyard with the dog and stegosaurus.
Because my son was not specific about what he wants for Christmas, I have created a Christmas list for him. He didn't mention any of these items but, because of the amount of time he spends playing with these types of things, I know he would be totally delighted to receive any of them.
1. Box - any size
2. Rock - again any size
3. Stick - preferably large
4. Cooking tongs
5. Laundry basket - preferably large enough to get in
6. Vegetable steamer basket
7. Rolling pin
8. Tupperware or Gladware - any sizes, with or without lids
I provide this list as a joke but it occurs to me that there are those (Nancy, Michael, I'm looking at you) who would actually give these things to my son. And, while he'll be delighted, I'm going to think it's a little strange.
Have a terrific Christmas!
