Santa Clause is not coming to this house....

We have been parents for 7 1/2 years.  One of the first decisions we had to make about being parents is how to handle Christmas and Santa Clause.  We thought about it, talked about it, and prayed about it.  And, then we made our decision.

We decided that we would not participate in the Santa Clause story.  We knew it would be counter cultural, and even at times hard, and almost always awkward.  But...we knew this was the best choice for our family.
From the beginning, we shared with our children why we celebrate Christmas.  It is the day that we remember, honor, celebrate, and share Christ's birth.  We know it's not the real day He was born...but it's the day we chose to celebrate it.  It was always about Jesus.

Fast forward 7 years and we are in 2013.  Life has changed.  We have three children with three very distinct personalities.  But, the same is true, we do not celebrate or encourage Santa in our home.  Santa does not bring presents, we don't leave out reindeer food, or even milk and cookies.  The kids know that when they go to bed, we (well, I'm pretty sure it's always been I) stuff their stockings.  However, last year we did incorporate some of the fun "traditional" Christmas movies such as Rudolph, the Grinch, the Night Before Christmas, etc.  And we received two very different reactions.

Hannah loves to pretend.  She is almost always lost in some pretend world (even if it is at home).  In her eyes, we "play" school every day, I don't actually homeschool her.  She really is flying to Pluto when she swings, and her toy horse gallops through the field like Black Beauty.  She has a vivid, and beautiful imagination.  Hannah loves Santa.  She loves the idea behind him.  Every time she could possible see Santa, she did.  She took pictures with him at Bass Pro Shop, Sea World, and probably one more place.  She took pictures with people dressed as reindeer and elves.  She watched The Polar Express with no qualms.  She loves the fanciful ideas of Santa.  She knows he is not real, or true, and that he doesn't visit our house...but she has so much fun pretending.

On the flip side...Nicole Hates Santa.  She hates everything about him.  She hates songs about Santa, or flying reindeer, she hates movies with him in it, she hates cookie and even chocolate that is in his shape.  The very idea of Santa upsets her to the core.....I'm talking tears.  Not just a few tears, but big huge tears.

We have had a hard time reconciling the differences.  Honestly, we teased Nicole quite a bit.  She would ask about something and I would tell her that we would have to wait and see if Santa brings it (to this, she would cross her arms, turn down her face, and start to cry).  We couldn't figure out why this made her so upset.

We never bad talked Santa.  We told our kids that some people like to talk about Him, and even encourage their children to believe that He brings presents.  It's not our job to correct others on this story, they will figure it out one day.  We have shared the story behind St. Nicholas where the Santa story originated, and yet she was still upset.

Finally, we did something we should have done weeks ago.  We asked why.  Why do you become so angry when we joke about Santa?  Why do you cry and get so upset?

The answer:  "I feel like every time someone talks about Santa, they are taking the Lord's name in vain.  Christmas isn't about Santa, or flying reindeer.  It's about Jesus.  I don't like Santa, because it seems like he takes the place of Jesus, and it makes me mad."

Oh.  Yes, my sweet child.  You are right.  She has a righteous jealously for Jesus, because he is overshadowed by Santa and all the other "fun stuff" about Christmas.  I am thankful that my 7 year old has the discernment to see the error there.  She is upset because all of this other "stuff" gets in the way at Christmas.  It's not about those things, or stories.  It's about Jesus.  It's always been about Him, and it always ought to be about Him.  Lessons from a 2nd grader.

(For the record, we told Hannah that we understand her fun in pretending about Santa and desire to take pictures with people dressed in funny outfits.  She can still pretend, but that we were not going to do it as a family, or tease Nicole anymore.)

(Also for the record in case anyone else reads this....I really don't care what you choose to tell or not tell your kids regarding Santa.  There is no condemnation here from us.  This was a choice our family made for us personally....and I'm happy with that choice, you do as you are led ; )

Christmas Memories 2013

To be honest, Christmas did not come easy this year.  I'm not sure why.  I don't know if it was because of busyness in our lives, lack of planning on my part, the warm weather, a late thanksgiving, or what.  I didn't get into the Christmas "spirit" until just a few days before...and by then, it was a little to late.  We did get a Christmas tree put up (it was in the mid 80s when we bought it).  I let the kids decorate, which meant streamers, garland, and ornaments scattered throughout the house.  And, that was about it.  No lights outside. I barely made Christmas cookies (until a friend reminded me about our annual Christmas cookie decorating party).

That's when it all started.  Christmas cookie making day.  We spent a whole day making a variety of cookies.

We made coconut macaroons, Reindeer cookies, Mint Brownie cookies, Christmas cutout cookies, Mint dipped cookies, and puppy chow

It was fun.  the kids took part in every bit of it (except the cleaning : /  Gotta work on that).

The next day, we had some friends come over for our annual cookies decorating day.

Friends: Carly, Nicole, Ally

 It was a wonderful morning/afternoon.

Friends: Claire, Ana, Hannah, Nate

We really enjoyed the time with everyone and we are thankful for the friends we have made up here.

A few days later, we headed down to Naples to spend a few days with my family and visit a few friends.

We saw Teri and two of her boys for a morning at the park.

Friends: Levi, Hannah, Nicole, Hunter

We went to an ugly sweater Christmas party at Brooke & Bryan's house.

Jeremy's ugly sweater, Bryan's "ugly sweater"

Jeremy's sweater tied for the win, but he gave up his prize because he had taken his sweater off by then.

And, we had a full Christmas morning/celebration with my family.

Mom's beautiful table

fun utensil holder

Aunt Eric & Hannah

puppets

work it Nate

Traditional scratch off lottery tickets

 My parents got the kids a motor bike for Christmas.  The loved riding it.

 Both Nicole and Hannah did a great job riding.

 Nathan had fun trying to help papa change the tire on his bike.

Jeremy had the next few days off, so we spent some much needed family time together.  We ran errands, and played golf.  Lots of golf.  We played golf every day for three days.  It was fun (for the most part ;)

Christmas morning came in our house and I struggled with putting my heart in the right place.  It seemed like another day with bickering, whining, and begging for more food (ps, I feed my kids....a lot, they are not starving).

We spent some time singing Christmas carols, reading the story of Christ's birth, and talking about the importance of the day.  By then, all of our hearts were in the right place and we spent time leisurely unwrapping each others gifts.  I love to watch people open a gift I have picked out for them.

Hannah is continuing my family's tradition of decorating the tree with underwear....Hannah put it on the presents ;)

The most special gift was for Hannah this year.  She got her own, big girl Bible.

She was very excited to have her own Bible.  We read the Christmas story out of her Bible, and I think she really liked that.

Daddy got lots of golf stuff, and a nice camping chair.

Nicole got a ton of "adventure gear".

Hannah had a ballet Christmas

And, Nate had a sports Christmas.

I got some really nice items for my kitchen

The kids also received a bow & arrow/target, and a BB Gun.

The rest of the day was spent playing with our new toys, golfing, and eating.

We walked a local golf course...which was mostly fun, with the occasional whine.

Nicole found some cool insects and deer tracks,

Hannah had fun pulling Nate in the wagon, and Nathan tried to nap.

Even dinner was an untraditional Christmas dinner.  We decided to forgo the typical Ham and potatoes side dish and bought ourselves some delicious grass fed rib eyed steaks.

Grass fed beef rib eyed steaks, loaded baked potato, steamed green beans

homemade bruschetta (it looks kind of Christmasy, doesn't it?)

Coconut Shrimp

Although, not our typical Christmas, it was filled with family, memories, and good times.