We have had a small photo tradition at my parents’ house with each Macey and Eden. My mom typically hangs Christmas balls with the names of Christ on the the chandelier in their dining room. When both girls were a year old at Christmas (this past year for Eden), we have taken photos of them reaching out and grabbing/exploring the bulbs. Two balls suffered life-ending trauma;-)
Macey-17 months
Eden-15 months
See any similarities?
This year was the 1st year that Macey really began to understand the whole idea of Santa, wishlists, and finding presents under the tree on Christmas morning. We didnt really talk much about it before leaving on our Christmas trip, but did ask her what she’d like for Christmas and she didnt really have much to say. She casually mentioned when we asked that she’d like another teddy bear exactly like her other 2 “Be Bears” and a doll house, but she wasnt overly excited about asking for things and hoping that Santa would bring them to her. When we were in Kentucky, however, Macey’s 6 year old cousin, Jenna, more fully explained Santa to her and she really, really got it in her mind that she really, really wanted another B-Bear!
The story of Macey’s B-Bears goes back to when she “adopted” one as her lovey when we was around 9 months old. He was one of the toys that she received at baby showers. Mom strongly suggested that we purchase a bunch more in case Macey lost her bear along the way. So we purchased more— five to be exact! So, the most bears that Macey ever had was 6, but as the years went on, she lost some and until recently, has just had 2. A couple years ago we got nervous that that if she lost any more that she’d be down to just 1 bear, so we bought another one on E-bay (for twice the cost of the original one).
So back to Christmastime last month….. Macey was a bit disappointed when “Santa” brought her a Lite Bright instead of a new B-Bear. We felt badly about the situation, but didnt know how to remedy it b/c the new bear was in Florida and it was impossible to find a her kind of bear in a store and, although it was possible to find one online, we’d have to rob a bank to get one! (I guess the downturn in the economy has severely affected the cost of B-Bears!)
It was so sad to see Macey crawling under her Mammaw’s Christmas trees to see if there was a new B-Bear hiding underneath. In addition, it seemed that she told nearly everyone that she didnt get what she wanted for Christmas– even the checker at the grocery store!
In addition, Scott and I hadnt really talked through how we wanted to handle the whole Santa thing. We like the fun and imagination surrounding Santa, but we dont like “lying– ok that’s a bit harsh, but you know what I mean and ” the whole “you have to be good” thing. Through talking to other families, we decided that we liked the idea of telling her that Santa is pretend along with the history of the real St. Nick.
So, today was that day….. We looked online and found a little bit of information about this wonderful Christian man (http://www.cbn.com/family/parenting/lamb-santa-situation.aspx) and that the reason that we give presents is because Nicholas (who has the same name a boy in her class;-)), gave to children who didnt have things, much like she gave a box of love to child who didnt have much.
When asked if she knew what st. Nick looked like, she replied by saying that the Nicholas in her class has curly hair;-)
We proceeded to tell her that Santa is pretend (“timber,” as she calls it) and that she never has to worry about getting presents if she’s bad b/c we all do things to disappoint God and the reason that we give presents is to celebrate Jesus’s birthday (much like Nicholas did).
I was wondering if she might be sad about the idea of Santa being pretend, but it didnt phase her much. She asked her patented question, “How do you know?” but that was about it. Im glad that we told her early, as it might have been a bigger deal for her to find out when she’s older.
So then came the fun part! We gave her the new bear:-) She looked a little perplexed as she pulled him out of the bag saying that he looked different. And that was b/c he was NEW and hadnt been sucked on and been throught he washed a bunch of times.
Macey pulls the new B Bear out of the bag!
But he looks different!
A new Bear!
And then came the sweetest part of all– she gave the new bear to her little sister! (Insert small tear of joy here) 
Eden with her new bear!
