Christmas is never about grand gifts at our house. We are very modest in terms of gifting and have very much instilled the point of giving rather than receiving in our boy. It was how that I was raised and even though Fran's Christmases were pretty elaborate, it is what we have agreed upon when raising our own. We buy things through the year that he shows an interest in and that way, we are able to keep Christmas morning pretty low key in the gifting department.
This year was no exception. For our boy at least.
After setting out the milk, cookies, and carrots for Santa, Eben went right to bed and slept until the ripe hour of
5:15 am
At which point he rolled over on top of me (YES, I DO still sleep with my boy) and whispered..."Mommy, it's time for you and Daddy to open your present. I spent a lot of money on it and I really really really really want you to open it"(His school holds a gifting day every year where local stores bring in goods at super-discounted prices and allow the kids to shop in secret for their loved ones.) He has been BEGGING Fran and I to open them since he brought them home from school a week ago.
And so he ran into the living room and grabbed two tissue paper packages from under the tree. He placed one each in Fran and my hands and then stood there with his little hands clasped in anticipation. With a HUGE grin on his face, he watched our faces intently for our reactions to his gift giving.
And we were oh so touched at the gesture. Two delicate glass animal figures to go with the tiny penguin that he gave us last year. A little collection that I have a feeling he is going to make a tradition of in years to come.
Only then...after Fran and I had opened our gifts and were happily sitting in our respective chairs sipping on fresh coffee did Eben concede to open his own gifts...three from Santa and four from us...A budget of $50 successfully stayed within, not including the stocking stuffers.
There was a whole lot of "How did he know" and "I've always wanted one of these" and "Thank you so much Mommy and Daddy!"
After every gift was opened and Eben was playing in his room, Fran came upstairs holding a box and placed it in my lap. He sat down in the chair opposite me, hands clasped in front of him... and I couldn't help but laugh to myself at the resemblance he had to our boy. The look of anticipation at my reaction in his eyes.
And so I opened it.
And let out a "Oh my GOD."
He started telling me all about it, using terms like Depth of field, ISO, mega zoom, LCD, megapixels and Aperture. And even though in my head, I wanted to ask... "Ummmmm, did you take a photography class while I was in Vermont with your Dad?!?!?!?!"
I just sat there... half drooling-half panting at the thought of getting the battery charged up and using it.
He did good. So, so, so very good.
And so I went downstairs and got out my I-know-we-said-we-weren't-getting-gifts-for-each-other-but-in-case-he-does-I-don't-want-to-be-the-Shmuck-of-a-wife-caught-without-a-gift-for-Fran-but-if-he-doesn't-I-can-always-return-them stash of gifts. I brought the boxes upstairs and sat in my chair watching him open a pair of OR(outdoor research) mittens and gaiters to use for cross country/back country skiing, two pairs of wool socks, a hunter's cookbook, and a pair of fleece pajama pants. All of which were a hit as well.
Even though this Christmas was a lot more extravagant for Fran and I than we are used to, we are so happy that Eben continues to be inspired by the magic of Christmas. Like he told my dad yesterday at lunch. "Christmas isn't about getting presents it's about being with family....AND SANTA!"
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Turning 31 was as uneventful day as I dreamed that it would be.
I spent the whole day with my Father in law at his house and we had a grand old time just lounging around and visiting while being warmed by the two wood stoves. He is doing very well. Thank you all for not only my birthday wishes, but also for your wishes for him as well.
It will be a week or so until we are able to return to some semblance of normalcy in a rhythm of life, but we are oh so close to that point.
I will be back tomorrow to share some of my birthday gifts.
