Santa Claus was good to my boys this year. Ryan's prized gift was a Little Tikes grill. Liam's prized gift was formula! Haha! It was the first year that Ryan was actually into the whole Santa thing. I wonder how long I can keep that going and when he figures it out, how will we bribe him to keep his mouth shut for the benefit of Liam. I can't remember when I actually figured out that Santa Claus actually lived with me all year long, it was probably around second or third grade, maybe sooner or a bit later. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever told my parents I knew their secret. In my house, if you didn't believe in Santa you didn't get anything. My lips were sealed! It could very well be the biggest secret to keep of one's parental career. My personal belief is that Santa Claus is alive and well in spirit. He's the whole concept of giving... more like personifying a verb.
The day after Christmas, Mama, Ryan and I went to the mall. We were walking passed the Apple store and there was a life-size (and very life-like) Santa standing in their window. Ryan says, "Look! There's Santa!" My mother quickly responded with "Oh yes! He must have had another stop before going back the to North Pole!" Ryan's response? "Yeah!"
That's all well and good now when he's 3 and doesn't really put it all together, plus this was a display, but what about later? It would just prompt a conversation that I will more than likely not be prepared for. So, my solution: My children will not be allowed to venture out to shopping venues between December 25th and Jan 1. :)
Here are some Christmas pictures, since I haven't shared any in a while...
I don't usually make New Year's resolutions. I lack will power for myself. Now, when it comes to my children, I have all the will power in the world, but for whatever reason it doesn't spill over to me. So, I've taken a different approach: no resolutions, just changes... for my children.
My list:
1. Be less of a pushover and a bit firmer. Ryan pretty much does whatever he wants to do. This is masked in public by the fact that he's a pretty good kid. Let the boundaries be made! This is pretty obvious how this will help my children.
2. Exercise. Yeah, I know. This is so predictable but aside from the "exercise" I get by not sitting down from the time I walk in the door until I go to bed, there is none. I am changing that. Every day I will do something. Whether it's walking/running the dogs, an hour on wii Fit, going to the gym or perhaps attempting Brett's P90X... I'm doing something. How does this benefit my children? Well, I'll be healthier, thus around a lot longer than I would be if I turn into a blob of nothingness which they will have to take care of later.
3. Responsible pet owner. Raise your hand if your pets have taken a back seat to your children. (I hope your hand is raised!) Well, forget the backseat. Dakoda & Carter have ventured into whole different vehicle! I will walk/run them at least 5 out of the 7 days a week. Koda is fat and lazy, Carter is just big mass of bottled energy... this must change. Positive child-related result: dogs are a better behaved, mommy and daddy are happier, children don't witness murder of said pooches. (*sarcasm* - I would never hurt my dogs.)
4. Drink more water. I hate water. No, I loathe water. How boring can you be, really? There's no taste, no texture. Nothing. I have found though that I like Smart Water. I have expensive tastes. (No pun intended) It's simple. Less soda & sweet tea... more water. Same effect on children as #2... plus, maybe I won't pass out anymore. My fainting talent is a topic for a different day, but there is a theory that I do it because I'm dehydrated. I think "they" can shove that theory. Nonetheless... more water for me.
5. Be on time. My clock is off. I have no concept of time. Frankly, I never have. It seriously takes an act of God to get me anywhere on time, with kids or without. Of course, it is much easier to arrive promptly without children, but that is rarely the case. I can hardly use them as an excuse though. I wasn't on time before I had children. However, I'm working on fixing this problem. I know it's not acceptable. It's a lifestyle change... I ask for patience from all parties involved. This will positively effect my children because I won't be dragging them into daycare at the speed of light, dropping them off and running out the door only to arrive at work 1 minute after the time I was supposed to.
Here you have it. My commitments to change - for my children. No resolutions here. They just get broken. I have yet, in my 28 years of existence, to keep a New Year's resolution.
I will report back in 12 months.
