Believing

The girls sending their letter in the Santa Mailbox at Macy's

What a fun time the Christmas season is!  Casey wakes up each morning and the very first thing on her mind is, 'Where's Jake?'  It is so funny to see her fight her internal battle between excitement and being just a bit spooked about a plastic-faced elf with a perma-grin flitting about our house each night while we're sleeping.  She's a little hesitant as she tip toes around the house searching like she's preparing herself to not be taken by surprise.  I am dying to hang him from the ceiling fan in her room one night, but given she wakes up at 6:15, I'm afraid the blood-curdling scream would wake Emily up. And maybe the neighbors, too. 

 

Jake made snow covered donuts!

 

Be Good

 

Putting pictures of himself on the walls

 

 

Casey's enthusiasm has not been lost on Emily.  Emily now wakes up and asks 'Where's Jake?'  I know she doesn't understand like Casey that the little Elf magically flies to the north pole each night then gets into mischief, but she still is excited when Casey shows her where he is at.  Wherever Jake is at, he ultimately has to be moved by Tom or me because Emily is determined to get her hands on this little guy.  She doesn't understand that if a kid touches him he will lose his magic.  I don't blame her, really.  We make such a big deal out of Jake and his escapades, that I'm sure she figures he must be fun to play with.  It's got to be like putting wrapped gifts under the tree for a month and telling her not to open them.  It's funny to watch the little protective dance Casey will do around Jake when Emily spots him and he's within reach.  She'll be all arms out, trying to prevent Emily from getting her hands on him and asking us in a panic to move him.  So funny!!!

Stuck

 

Praying to Jesus

 

Last year about this time I called Mandy in tears, upset about the prospect of Casey not believing in Santa any more.  She's shown no signs of it this year, much less last year, but I had myself all in knots, worried that when she does stop believing, this magical time of believing would be over for our family.  That Emily just would not be able to grasp the concept of Santa Claus coming to our house with a bag full of presents.  That the excitement and anticipation of just maybe hearing jingle bells on Christmas Eve would be out of Emily's reach of understanding.  Because last year Emily did not grasp these things.  And in my usual form of over-reacting and worrying, I was not sure she ever would. 

So I was sad about a couple of things: Casey growing up and out of one of the sweetest phases of childhood and the realization that Emily might never get to enjoy the same sweet, magical phase.

While the first is something I will have to eventually deal with, let me say the second is not true.  Sister gets Santa.  She may not in the same way Casey does, but she understands in her own way that there is magic in Santa and Christmas.  For the first time, she is asking Santa to bring her something without us prompting.  When she sees the pretty decorations and lights, she declares, 'Merry Christmas!' for us all.  When she hears jingle bells, she laughs and says, 'Oh! Santa.'  And, as with most things, she follows big sister's lead.  As each day comes closer to Christmas, Casey gets a little more excited, and so does Emily.  When Emily is doing something not nice, Casey reminders that she needs to be good if she wants Santa to bring her toys (like Casey has it in the bag ;).  Mom and I drove the girls through Sharon Woods to see the lights and Casey never missed a moment to point out something new to Emily.  For Emily, the magic of Christmas is learned from Casey.  And I know whole-heartily, when the day comes that Casey no longer believes in Santa, she will try her hardest to make it the most magical experience for Emily.  And I believe, as a parent, that will be magical, too.

Casey playing beauty shop with Emily

Nice fro, sister