Saturday, December 24, 2011

Fa la la la la

How 4 year old children keep secrets:

MiniMac: Daddy! We did NOT get any presents for you when we were shopping today!
Daddy: Ok.
MiniMac: Ha ha ha, Daddy! We did NOT go to the golf shop and buy you any surprises!

How do 4 year old children keep secrets? Answer: Not well.

But the level of sheer belief in Santa and enthusiasm for the holiday at this age in endearing. Two weeks ago, I took MiniMac with me to pick out toys for a corporate toy drive being held at my office. Not only did he do a great job selecting, he went with me to work the next morning to deliver. My corporate office is high intensity so the likelihood of seeing a child there is about zero on a normal day. So he garnered quite a bit of attention in the elevator with his giant tote of toys. One woman asked him if he was on his way to his "job" that morning. He said, "I am too little for a job. I am just here with the toys." She asked if the toys were his toys and he said, "No. We went and picked them out last night for kids who do not have toys this holiday." A man in the elevator turned to him and said, "How nice!" MiniMac replied, "Well, if you have more than someone else, you should share."

It really is that simple and always will be. And my heart did swell that he is listening to our messages and absorbing them as his own.

But because he is 4, he can go either way. Last night, MiniMac told me he cannot wait until Christmas morning to open all his gifts. (And let's be honest, he is the only grandchild on both sides of the family. The kid makes out like a bandit.) I reminded him of the reason for the season AND that we should be most thankful for being together as a family.

He responded, "I can be thankful and think about Jesus WHILE I am opening presents, Mom."

Well played, young man, well played.

Whatever you are celebrating, I hope it is merry and bright. Wishing you an amazing 2012 ahead. I will be back January 3.

Cheers,
JennyMac

14 comments:

Unknown said...

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, he sounds like a generous, smart & funny young man.

Merry Christmas JennyMac!! Xxxx

Home Girl (Marlene) said...

Merry Christmas JM.

What a lovely post and you are raising a fine, young man.

Kristina P. said...

Merry Christmas, Jenny! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

vanilla said...

Excellent, MiniMac. And well-played MacParents. Merry Christmas! and greetings at
http://vanilla-ststt.blogspot.com/2011/12/tis-night-before-christmas.html

brokenteepee said...

Oh you are in for a long life of debates there. Logical thinking at 4 can only mean extremely logical thinking at 16.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Liza said...

Well played, indeed! Thank you for the large smile I know have across my face. Enjoy your celebration!

Unknown said...

What a sweet boy, that MiniMac is! You have every right to be proud!

Elz said...

What a good boy, sounds like y'all are doing a great job raising him. Merry Christmas.

So. Cal. Gal said...

Awww, the logic and sweetness of a 4 year old.

We've never been able to (nor have we had to) wait til Christmas Day.

Cathy Feaster said...

Merry Christmas! Sounds like you're raising a very sweet little man :)

Absence of Alternatives said...

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We need more kids to be brought up the way Minimac is being. :-)

Happy New Year to you!

Little Ms J said...

What a cool little guy! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you're doing a great job with kiddo! :)

Unknown said...

I've missed you, Jenny. We get so busy (and I've been insanely busy these last 4 months) that we don't always keep in touch like we once did. This was such a fun story to read; you're doing a great job with that little guy. And yes, I totally agree that we can think about ALL of the reasons for the season at the same time. Have a wonderful new year, my friend. I hope to be back more regularly in January!