Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus

So the concern in the house lately was whether the elf (on the shelf) and the tooth fairy might run into each other in the middle of the night. Yes, Evelyn lost her very first tooth, and it was very much in Evelyn fashion.

 She discovered the less than secure tooth one day and since then, was fixated on it’s movement. The thought of it falling out was upsetting to her, but we reassured her that it was a natural process and a sign of growing up. Well, weeks went by and she stopped talking about her loose tooth. I figured it wasn’t as loose as we thought and that it still had some time before making it’s exit. 

However….one night from the bathroom, I heard a blood curdling scream. Evie ran out of the bathroom, blood dripping down her face and a little space in the front of her mouth. Levi  came running after her, screaming in absolute terror as well. “I had the washcloth in my mouth and Levi came and yanked on it...and my tooth fell out!!!!!!!!"

Evie was screaming because her tooth fell out. 

And there was blood. 

Levi was screaming because Evie’s tooth fell out. 

And there was blood. 

And they both really didn't know what to make of it.

But to me this was just another marked milestone for the eldest Patton child. The reminder that a lost tooth meant a visit from the tooth fairy seemed to make everything right again, and Evie decided that this was a good solution to her tragedy. 

John and I debated awhile about how much is appropriate for a tooth fairy visit. When I was little, I got $1.00; I also got paid $2.00/hour for babysitting. I held firm on my position of $3.00.  But John thought we should pay her more. We had to consider inflation he said. 

So we settled on $5.00. 

SO I started doing the math on how much this whole loosing teeth thing is going to end up costing us. 

If each child looses 20 teeth, we are paying them each $100 for a new set of chompers. Times  that by four, and we will be out $400.00  at least by the end of this all... That is if by the time they are done loosing teeth there isn't anymore inflation. 

Furthermore,  if we consider braces and all that orthodontic work that is deemed a necessity for most children these days, we are talking big bucks for those pearly whites! 

Well, then while our dear daughter slept peacefully, we doled out our first installment in this process, $5.00.  

Christmas vacation happened and every year it makes me consider and stress about summer vacation because I realize what a luxury it is to have some sort of semblance of schedule and activity for my kids. But alas, we are all home, and against my better judgment, I broke down and took my kids one day to one of those germ infested jump houses. 

Thirty hours later, James was up half the night vomiting in the toilet.

 Luckily, the virus stopped at James, but I got a horrible respiratory infection which even now as I type burns my chest. 

My parents arrived from Chicago at the end of the week for Christmas. 

I always have these beautiful ideas of how exactly our family Christmas will unfold. Don't get me wrong, Christmas was great, but there are always things (ie. illness, exhaustion, moods, unforeseen obstacles..) that cause us to recalibrate occasionally. 

For example, the night before Christmas Eve I had the brilliant idea to pack out our mini van and drive all the way to Portland International Raceway to look at the light display. I didn't consider just how packed the mini van would feel after the 25 min drive there, the 45 min wait in a car line to get in, the snails pace drive around the track, and the accident on 1-5 on the way home that completely shut down the road and created a complete stand still  for about an hour. All things considered, the kids were really good, but in the stand still traffic jam, Levi suddenly cried out that he had to go potty. After several minutes of debating what to do and realizing that we were going no were quickly, John tossed back his stainless steel coffee canister and my mom and I guided Levi in how he may empty his full bladder into the mug. The mission was a success, but the mug went promptly into the trash when we got home. 

Christmas magic was in its full glory this year. All four kids fully believed, embraced and anticipated Santa Claus. I savored all the moments of Santa sightings in the sky, reindeer noises on the roof and elf mischief around the house. With every year that goes by the veil is striped away a little bit more and this year was so so magical for us. 

Cookies, Carrots and milk for Santa and crew

Right to bed. They didn't want to miss Santa....

The boys got new bikes from my parents, remote control cars from Santa, and Evie received her first chapter books. 

Then at the very end, we sat everyone down on the couch and John played a PowerPoint on the TV, revealing the final surprise from us, to them: Legoland! This Spring we will enjoy our first family vacation together and I couldn't be more excited. 

 I got so animated telling them about it , Evie started crying, "Mom's shouting too loud!" 

We had Christmas dinner (perfectly seared steaks from John), Christmas pie, and then Caleb asked to go to sleep. All the kids were in their beds, sleeping soundly by 7:30, dreaming of their magical day of reindeer hooves and Santa cookie crumbs. 

Christmas Adulting

Sap stained, pine needle embedded, and just plain tired, my super star husband lay under the massive evergreen in our living room, trying to center the thick trunk into the Christmas tree stand and tighten the bolts so it didn't lean. The kids excitedly jumped around him, occasionally landing on his legs, which were still thawing out from putting up Christmas lights in the cold drizzle just an hour earlier.
Sometimes it's hard to keep a positive attitude this time of year. It's the most wonderful time of the year, right?! What's not to love?!
Let's face it, Christmas changes a lot when you grow up; and, when you have your own children, creating Christmas magic for them can be a full time job, on top of everything else going on!
"Christmas Adulting" is exhausting.
It's draining.
It's just a lot. 
         A lot of pulling out heavy boxes with tangled lights and chipped ornaments.
A lot of sticky pine needles, frost bitten hands, and cookie crumbs.

Where has all the magic gone?!

 I start planning Christmas magic for my family right after Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong; I never overlook Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Family Time

Cousin Love

 But Thanksgiving night, after the plates have been cleaned and turkey gravy sopped up, I strategically sneak upstairs and lay out  Christmas 'jammies' on each of my children's beds. Unable to wait for them to notice themselves, I casually mention that "there might be a surprise on their beds."
 Running up stairs, they burst through their bedroom door and squeal in delight, Christmas has officially commenced! The rest of the weekend is devoted to hanging stockings, putting up lights, and making the house a Christmas wonderland.

Christmas started off with a bang. We did Zoo Lights with the cousins the night after Thanksgiving and I have to say, it was magical. The kids were at the perfect age to enjoy the animals and the twinkling lights.

Saturday, we took them to the IMAX to see the Polar Express. Again ,  Magical.

On a completely different note, I had a personal magical experience this November: A trip to Hawaii all by myself to visit one of my dear friends, Kristin. She and her husband have lived on the island for two years in a lovely little house right on the ocean. I fell asleep to the waves clapping against the house each night and woke up to the serenity of a ocean sunrise and a dark cup of kona coffee.
Kristin planned out everything for us. Over the four days I was there, we hiked rocky ridges over turquoise water, feasted under palm trees, rehydrated with coconuts and even became surfing enthusiasts at a surfing competition on the North Shore.
She took me to the best: the best shaved ice; the best white beach; the best banyan tree; the best relaxation!

She appropriately named our collective escapades as "Mom's Big Adventure." It was "Mom's Big Adventure" in so many ways, namely that everything I got to do was without little people hanging on me.
 It was so nice seeing my friend too. Kristin got married to a military man six years ago, and since then, she has lived all over. We haven't had concentrated time together like that since she's moved, and we caught up on everything. There was non stop talking, laughing and story telling.

 It was a perfect Mom's Adventure.

But, coming home to the beginning of the holiday season was really something to get excited about too...
I don't think there is anything cuter and more irresistible than kids in Christmas pajamas. They are at the age when they totally embrace it and take Christmas very seriously. Our visit to Santa was serious business too. I took them one clear chilly evening to the little house at the outdoor mall. In proper Evie fashion, she lined the boys up single file and made sure each one presented Santa with a well thought out list.

 Visits in the past were not met with such enthusiasm as was this year's meeting.
The kids looked Santa in his kind eyes and explained very matter of factly what they desired and why. Santa listened, gave them a candy cane, and sent them on their way.

Evie is not totally convinced Santa got everything, so she is constantly requesting to take pictures with my phone with the intention of texting Santa reminders a few days before the big night.

Then, of course, there is the elf on the shelf.
Last year, the elf was full of generosity, kindly leaving goodies and treats for the kids in the morning. This year, he is a bit more mischievous, stealing toys and eating candy in the night. He may or may not have caused one or more of my children to cry with his obnoxious antics the year.

 

Now that the house is properly decorated and the lights up and the tree displayed magnificently in the window, I am in no rush to get to Christmas. I'm savoring every Christmas pajama cuddle and every request to drive slowly past the houses with the crazy Christmas blow up reindeer. I am so aware that this Christmas is so very magical for the kids, and I want to hang on to this window of wonder. I love delighting my kids with magic, and the build up to the big day is filled with so many joyful moments.
....And that naughty elf.... Levi wants him to go back to the North Pole early.

I say he stays a little longer.