Overheard on Christmas

1. Last night Lucas was very inquisitive about Santa's visit. He peered up the chimney chute, squinting: "Santa comes down there?" Before bed he seemed concerned about this stranger entering his house. "Can Santa come in my room?" Mom answered that Santa is too busy to come anywhere but the Christmas tree. This morning he looked at the chimney again and pointed: "He went through here? He's too big!"

2. We left cookies and milk out for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. This morning there were lots of crumbs all over the empty cookie plate, and when Lucas saw it he was very animated: "Santa is messy!" Later, in the middle of opening presents, he remembered the carrots: "Let's go see if the carrots are gone!" We opened the door and found an empty plate on the front patio. Lucas was very satisfied, holding up the empty plate and announcing matter-of-factly, "all gone."

3. Lucas has been talking about candy canes all week so dad got him one for his stocking. This morning when Luke came downstairs and found a full stocking we asked him what he thought might be in it. "Maybe a candy cane -- but I don't want to get my hopes up!"

4. After presents, mama asked Lucas: "Did you like the presents that Santa and the Elves brought you?" Lucas responded: "Mama, Elves aren't real!!" (When he asked Dad last night if Elves were real, Dad said no, Elves aren't real; Santa makes presents at a factory. Clearly dad is conflicted about repeating Christmas mythology as fact.)

5. Santa, on the other hand, is a rock star. After opening one particularly exciting present Lucas announced earnestly: "Santa is a really nice guy!"

6. Yesterday in the car Lucas told Grandma Sally, "Grandma, I have a secret!" She leaned over and he whispered in her ear with a smile: "Ho ho ho!" He repeated this routine to other people at least twice today.

7. Bedtime meltdown: "I DON'T WANT CHRISTMAS TO BE OVER!!!!!!"

We may update this post with additional details as our fatigued memories recover.