Hold Up There Sunshine: You Are Six and Santa Can't Bring That

My son will turn six years old next week. It seems impossible this is so but it is. He was born the week of Christmas in 2003, creating for me the most amazing gift ever. I have never been that hard to please in regard to Christmas presents. My parents knew I would ask for a toy and be happy if I got the toy I asked for. I was no little angel and asked for every toy I was remotely interested in but it was always obvious which I wanted the most. My son of course trounced every happy Christmas and present I received when he was born making 2003 untouchable in Christmas happiness. Because he and his sister are so important to me, I wanted to be sure to bring them what they ask Santa to bring.

My daughter's request is fairly easy. She has asked for a Baby Alive: Real Surprises Baby This doll will pee and poop in its diaper. It has only been a year since my daughter quit pooping in her diaper/underwear so I am a little concerned she will not change it. She does not help my situation when she says if she doesn't change it, "mom will!" Extreme fast forwarding to having grandchildren occurs in my mind when she says that. Not a big deal though, Santa can handle the cost of a baby doll albeit barely. Santa has had a rough year.

My son is a little more difficult to please. He took a circular from the mail and decided he would circle what he wanted for Christmas. He circled a GPS system, a smart phone, and a few other adult items. He told his dad, "you will get me a real phone for my birthday." At first, I thought his dad asked him to circle these items as a request from him but my son proved otherwise. A few days ago, he asked his grandparents for a car he could drive. He meant a car like GM or some other company makes. He did not mean a car like you can buy at Walmart that is made for children. He is five years old, almost six. When I was his age, I asked for a Cabbage Patch Kid though that was the Christmas there were literal riots over those dolls. Still, an age appropriate request.

My son was so angry learning he would not receive the "grown-up" phone, car, or GPS that he told his sister she would not receive the doll. Santa shops at Walmart after all (the only store in our home town) and at the time they were there Santa did not have a chance to buy a doll for my daughter that pooped its pants--only the kind that pees its pants. I told my son Santa might be able to bring that doll regardless so now he wonders if he will have a cellular phone or GPS under the Christmas tree.

A smile escaped me the other day when he tried to tell his sister Santa could not bring her the doll she wanted. He looked at me with his bright, blue eyes and said with all his being, "Mom we saw the real Santa at Walmart!" He IS real--he even had candy canes! Mom hopes for the magic of Christmas and Santa to kick in and for him to be happy with his toys. Even if he received a GPS, phone, or other adult item he would never feel the joy I do each time his birthday comes around and Christmas follows a few days later. Instinct tells me he will be as happy with his toys as he would the other items and that may not be so in a few years.

I think I will enjoy these years while they last.