Okay, my little one has been asking everyone who will listen to her lately, “Are you on the nice list or naughty list?” It’s actually pretty cute because her speech isn’t super clear when she says, “naughty” and she just sounds adorable whenever she talks.

We’ve never talked with our youngest about Santa Clause. We did all of that with our oldest but the past five years have been hard. We went right from a difficult pregnancy to a having sick child born; I stopped doing anything “extra” with the holidays, I reserved my energy to whatever was a necessity. Then during the last couple years I kind of thought . . . do I really even want to tell the youngest one this Santa business? I mean, basically I’m going to lie to her? We decided we weren’t going to even talk to her about the big fella’. Yes, you read that correctly. We decided no Santa . . .

Then she comes home one day and starts talking about Santa Clause and telling us what she’s going to ask Santa for. She starts talking about the good list and the naughty list. She starts singing “Jingle Bells” and there’s just so much . . . it’s so cute. I sat down with her when her dad was at work and told her she should write Santa a letter telling him what she’d like for Christmas, so she did. I told her I could help her with it, since she’s just 4, so of course I was privy to finding out what she was asking for . . . and just like that, Santa was coming to our house again – after all. I ordered the items on Amazon (if you’re wondering, she wanted three things . . . all “Frozen” themed). I’ll provide the link here if you need the Elsa and Anna dolls for your love bugs, too!

So we’ve just decided to let her think what she will and we’re going to just set out all  the gifts on Christmas Eve after she goes to bed. 

I started thinking about how just being at school she’s learned about Santa and gotten so excited about the reindeer. It’s pretty adorable. But mostly I’m just really thankful that the first thing she tells me about Christmas is that it’s when Jesus was born . . . she understands that it’s the time of the year that we celebrate His birth. I hope she continues to be as excited about celebrating Jesus each year as she is about the new gifts under the Christmas tree . . . the commercials and consumerism trying to fight for our attention, pulling out all the stops; but Jesus is constant, remains the same, and is unbeatable.

 Back to this tiny tot!

This little one! Like a waitress taking orders she bounced around from person to person, asking what list they were on and then asking what they’d like Santa to bring them for Christmas, when she got to me she just stopped when I told her I didn’t need anything. She looked shocked. I could tell by the expression on her face that I’d given the wrong answer and that I needed to rethink it, so I told her I wanted some socks. She was pleasantly surprised that I’d recanted, and very pleased with my answer . . . mommies favorite things are socks. In fact, the $3 aloe vera socks from Wal-Mart are my jam, they’re amazing, I’m not getting paid to tell you that, I’m just saying . . . if you need a stocking stuffer for someone, that’s a great idea! They are my favorite item. Ever. Hahaha! I buy several through out the year.

My oldest said she wanted some new LuluRoe leggings and anything that had barn owls on it (barn owls are her favorite things). My children are some of the most unusual, but most simple, little humans that I’ve ever met. It doesn’t take much to please either of them, they’re both so content and sweet, and I’m so glad I get to share my life with them.

I hope that you’re all just as excited as I am to celebrate our Risen Savior’s birth! I also hope that your holiday plans go well, I’m believing for safe travels and peaceful and joyous family gatherings among you!

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10