Be careful, Santa

Editor’s Note: This column originally ran Dec. 15, 2015.

Santa Claus almost messed up this year. And by Santa Claus I mean me.

I have been preparing for the holiday for several months, but more intently the last couple of weeks. As the bags began to pile up in our closet, aka the North Pole, I decided to get them out and organize a bit between the two girls. Also my husband had not seen everything the elves had made so I wanted to clue him in on what would be under the tree.

As I sorted and showed what each girl was getting, I cautiously watched the door to make sure two little girls weren’t going to try to pop their heads in. Overall in life, I am not much of a risk taker, I like plans and lists to feel reassured, so having all the presents out in the open while the girls were home was living on the edge.

I was just about to the last few packages when I heard footsteps running down the hallway and the door starting to come open. It was both of my girls, but only my oldest daughter saw anything.

Because we had a bit of a warning, my husband jumped up and they were out of sight in seconds. I thought we had avoided any contact, but I was wrong.

My oldest daughter began asking about the boxes she saw and what they were for. I thought I was being pretty sneaky and brought out a few toys that we had purchased for an upcoming birthday party, claiming that is what she saw.

Not one to be fooled, she told me straight out that she saw the pig game she had been wanting and wanted to know what it was doing in there. As I started to deny, deny, deny I came up with the idea of writing Santa a letter to let him know everything she wanting, including the pig game.

It proved a successful distraction ,and we set out writing Santa a letter. I have to say, it was one of the most adorable moments I have had with my kids.

We had gone to see Santa earlier that day and she had remembered to tell him about one toy she wanted, but she had a list, along with things for her sister, to give to Santa. As she told me what to write, I knew this letter would be tucked away in her box for her to read when she is in high school or older.

After we finished up the letter, we had to figure out a way to get it to Santa. Since by this time it was evening, I came up with the idea that Santa has elves working at the post office and if we brought the letter there to the special mail box, the elves would take it right away to Santa.

Thankfully, still being young, they believe every word of my story and we set off to the post office where I “delivered” the letter and all was right in the world again. Now I just have to make sure Santa is a little more careful until the big day gets here.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
jpierson@newtondailynews.com