Victor Whistles

Victor learned to whistle this year. It's adorable.

He comes from a big family of whistlers. My dad whistles. I whistle.* My sisters whistle. I don't know if my brothers whistle.

But this week I was surprised to hear him whistling the December to Remember Lexus Sales Event jingle.

*I learned in 8th grade, embarrassed that I couldn't keep up with the rest of the family.

A Mother-Son Compromise

A few years ago, my cousin Jana posted a blog entry about her internal conflict over Santa Claus. That is, to do or not to do.

At the time, I thought her concerns were unusual. Perhaps she was over-thinking this part of childhood.

But as Victor grew old enough to appreciate Christmas, I found myself similarly conflicted about promoting a belief in the jolly old elf.

I wasn't trying to make Christmas less commercial (I love presents) or more religious (we are clear about the religious nature of the holiday). But I didn't want to actively promote something that, although fun, is not true. Maybe it stems from the same part of me that hates practical jokes.

This year, Victor has asked me flat out a number of times is Santa is real. I always respond, "What do you think?" He always responds that Santa is real and gives reasons. I ask if he can think of any other explanations for his reasons. (Not to kill his Santa-love, but because it's an important thinking skill.)

A few weeks ago, Victor, in frustration, told me that I didn't believe in Santa, but he did. Because Santa is real. I told him--expressing support, not exasperation--that it was fine to believe in Santa. It was a nice compromise.

So now Victor believes in Santa, but also believes that his parents do not believe in Santa.

Jeremy thinks I'm being a little silly about all of this.

Victor, though, tested me the other day by ringing a jingle bell from Santa's sleigh that he got at school. He demanded to know if I could hear it.

I could hear it.

My Christmas Craft

We spent Thanksgiving with my aunt in Virginia this year.

She firmly believes in making memories, so she prepared a Christmas Craft for the women-folk to do while the men-folk went to the dump.

Here is my finished product. I am quite proud of it.

I also made this wreath. Again, quite proud.

Presents for Zeke

Zeke's birthday is Christmas Eve, but he doesn't have many presents for either occasion yet because all he wants is (1) a jet pack and (2) a helicopter hat.

Both items are for flying around the house.

Victor and Zeke Express Thanks

Although I try with some frequency, I can rarely get Victor or Zeke to tell me what they are thankful for.

Fortunately, they were willing to inscribe their thanks on school projects.

Victor made a construction-paper turkey. On each colorful tail feather he wrote something he was thankful for.

In his own words and with his own spelling, he is thankful for my famlee, Zeke, mom, Daddee, me, sooh, toys, bus, and (my favorite) rf.


Zeke told his teacher what he was thankful for. Then he drew a picture.

He is thankful for Victor and for Dad's Car.