things my children teach me

sometimes i think that the holidays are too commercial and too this or too that. then i watch my kids are realize that each holiday is pretty much going to be whatever i make of it.

this past Christmas i thought to myself, "toys for very little kids are pretty cheap. so i can buy more things and it can be a really fun morning of gift opening for the girls." on Christmas morning we woke the girls up and brought them down to the front room to see all the presents. it hadn't been too expensive and the tree looked great. the girls got to the first gift (little einsteins play sets) and there they sat. in fact, every time we tried to get them to move to the next present they were really mad.

finally after 45 min of waiting, we distracted them and hid the sets and handed them new gifts. and there they stayed for 2o min. we distracted them again and handed them the next gifts. but they weren't happy. they wanted their other toys back.

so, here's what i figured out. my girls are happy grateful girls. they only expect what i teach them to expect. they are happy with one. they don't need many. I needed lots. i won't make that mistake again. i love the idea of one really nice gift for Christmas. i love the thought of real gratitude for a special, thoughtful gift.

now on to the 4th. we went to a big empty, grassy field with some friends and watched fireworks that were partially obscured by gigantic trees. it was the first 4th that the girls could really enjoy. and they did. they played and laughed and ran around and had a great time. no mobs, no loud scary noises... just fun.

i think these kids of mine might be on to something. simplicity. they really are so clever.