As Christmas time approaches fast and furious, we prepare for the chimney descent of The Man in the Red Suit. I'm not sure that either of you quite understand the Santa ritual, although there are lots of questions from Connor about how Santa is going to get past the dragon in our fireplace, (I had to tell them SOMETHING to keep them from opening the fireplace doors) and how will he know he's not a bad pirate and not beat him up.
I explain about The Sleigh Bell Early Detection System and that there's not really a dragon in the fireplace. I explain about Santa leaving gifts for you both, but I'm not sure Connor's buying it. You've sat in Santa's lap already and received a letter in the mail from Sir Jolly himself, but I think the concept is just too abstract.
This Christmas is SO much better than last Christmas. Last Christmas there was no income and after a year of stress, it all became quite existential to me. I went through the motions more of an observer than a participant. I'm not sure either of you noticed at all, but in retrospect, how could you not have felt at least the slightest residue of panic or a wisp of despair. Maybe you weren't able to put it into words, but certainly you noticed the elephant that wasn't just hanging out in, but had taken up residence in every place meant for Christmas cheer.
You're Dad and I are hoping that this year will be far more magical for you both.
You both have done extremely well with the Christmas tree in the living room, not breaking any ornaments or unwrapping any presents underneath. Tristan, you just came over to me, baffled because you had somehow managed to get the hook from a glass ornament stuck between your bottom two teeth and couldn't get the ornament back out. I removed it with no injury and am hoping that you'll only do that once.
Connor, you've been allowed to plug the tree in, something that breaks our very strict rule of no children touching plugs and the the first time you did it, it was probably more exciting to you than seeing an elf.
The two of you love to play any game that invovles pretend monsters, you both love art, especially painting and computer games. I think as soon as little brother has the dexterity to operate a mouse, he'll be a computer prodigy all from watching big brother play on the computer. We try to teach the proper names for the elements that you both see on screen. For example, you both know what a link is and that the top bar of the page is called a title bar.
The two of you seem to be playing more and fighting less. There is so much fighting that it's hard to believe that there could have ever been more. But finally we've increased the threshhold of threats so that it's not worth losing dessert over. Plus, now that Tristan's speech is coming online a little bit clearer, communication with Connor is easier so it's easier for you both to make up games to play together. Now the only problem is that you both gang up on Mommy and Daddy or combine your efforts at sneakiness. That's ok though, we need the practice for when you both are teenagers.
I love you,
Mommy
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