I have decided there are few moments of bliss that are less wonderful than watching your child open any present and have them be so excited and just, well, happy. And there is a petty part of me that gets jealous of Santa - who gave the really cool gift. "Really mom? a tee shirt. Thanks." is not nearly as cool as "WOW!!! MOM MOM MOM LOOK WHAT SANTA GOT ME!!!!" Doesn't matter that we're the same. And hopefully will be perceived as 2 different people for years to come. Though, I must take the time to write a note to my science teachers of the past who have enabled me to create a believable fiction of how and why Santa is able to perform his duties -- and only having to rely on a because God made him that way as a last resort. It was the polar express year, and fortunately, Elijah can still hear the bell for which I am so glad.
Even for Franklin, my savvy 18 year old - being able to suprise him with the gift that he wanted and there was no way that we couldh've afforded if I didn't happen to be one of the savviest coupon finders on the internet that I know (acknowledging openly that I only know a handful of people who shop on the internet and they all have more free cash and don't care to pay full price). There is just such a wonderful amount of joy and pride in finding that gift and knowing that it is something they wanted and like -- EVEN if they are going to flip the XBOX 360 the wrong way and forever mar the game so that it can't be played anymore.... there was 2 weeks of being the best mom ever -- or knowing that SANTA rocks because he knew exactly what to get!
I sort of wish there was a way to garner that sort of praise for my everyday kind of stuff. Don't think it's going to happen any time soon.
