As some of you know, we are going to Hawaii for Christmas this year. My family (Mom, sister, brother and families) have been planning this trip for YEARS. It started when my mom found out that she'd have her condo on Kauai over Christmas day. She didn't want to use it unless everyone wanted to join her in paradise to spend Christmas together as a family. We all agreed that it would be fun. That was 5 years ago. And now it's here. I can hardly believe it!
Since tickets were so expensive Jer and I decided to forgo Christmas presents this year. We asked everyone to leave us off their lists so we could focus on the spirit of the season and family and spending time together and not the presents. I started a few months ago explaining to the kids that Santa was going to take a break this year. He probably wouldn't be able to find us anyway since we wouldn't be home. Tre took it pretty well. He's just excited to boogie board with Braden and spend time with his cousins. I think he's getting smart about Santa anyway. Belle on the other hand isn't taking it so well. The thought of no presents on Christmas morning makes her tear up. And she's not a "crier". I've been trying to talk up the trip and how it will be fun in it's own right, but she just wants to stay home if that means she'll get presents from Santa.
But that was then and this is now. I had this conversation with Belle yesterday:
Since tickets were so expensive Jer and I decided to forgo Christmas presents this year. We asked everyone to leave us off their lists so we could focus on the spirit of the season and family and spending time together and not the presents. I started a few months ago explaining to the kids that Santa was going to take a break this year. He probably wouldn't be able to find us anyway since we wouldn't be home. Tre took it pretty well. He's just excited to boogie board with Braden and spend time with his cousins. I think he's getting smart about Santa anyway. Belle on the other hand isn't taking it so well. The thought of no presents on Christmas morning makes her tear up. And she's not a "crier". I've been trying to talk up the trip and how it will be fun in it's own right, but she just wants to stay home if that means she'll get presents from Santa.
But that was then and this is now. I had this conversation with Belle yesterday:
Me: Belle, if Santa happened to find us on Christmas Eve and wanted to give you one small gift, what would you ask for?
Belle: Hmm...*pauses to think*...maybe a gumball. Not a gumball machine, that's too big, but just one gumball. You know the big ones.
Me: No toys, books or movies? Just one big gumball? *smiling to myself*
Belle: Well...maybe 5 gumballs. Would that be too much?
Me: *now feeling a little emotional* No, that wouldn't be too much.
I am so proud of this girl. She is excited about Christmas not for the presents, but for the spirit of the season. I think Santa will find us this year. And you better believe there will be 5 BIG gumballs in Belle's stocking!
4 comments:
That sounds like a great trip. Belle is so sweet. We are doing Disneyland this season! So we're having similar talks with our kids!
What a sweet story!!
Thats awesome!!! Im trying so hard to remember the real meaning of Christmas and teaching it to my kids so they dont focus on the presents. Thanks for being another great example for me :)
haha oh man, that girl is a keeper :)
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