Take that, Mr. K

The other night we were watching The Year Without a Santa Claus and there was a part where Santa hops on one of his reindeer and flies off to look for his elves. Aidan said to me "Mr. K says there is no such thing as flying reindeer". Well, I have just about had it with Mr. K and his bits of information he shares with the children. First it was 'if you do not eat healthy foods and take care of your body, you will die'. Now this may be true, but I don't think a five year old can quite grasp that concept and for weeks Aidan was walking around asking me if he was going to die. Then, Mr. K brought the whole race aspect into the presidential election. Now, it was a historic election because of that but again, five year olds have no frame of reference for this. I don't think it needed to be accentuated. Especially when Aidan came home talking about how "many, many people are losing their jobs because of this last, white president" (Aidan's words).

And so now, it is "no such thing" as flying reindeer. I am of the opinion that kids grow up way too fast and how many years will they believe in the magic of Christmas? At five, I am afraid there are very few left for them. So I was a little annoyed that he is putting some doubt in Aidan's head and taking away some of that magic.

Then a friend gave me a link to the Portable North Pole . You can set up a personalized video for your child from Santa. You can even provide a picture so Santa can show the child he/she is on his Good List. You can also choose from a few specific questions that Santa can answer for your child. One option was How Do Your Reindeer Fly? and launches into a little informational video about how elves go into the field and pick a special lichen off the trees that the reindeer like to eat. Then they take it back to the workshop and mix it with some magical potion and voila! flying reindeer. I was so happy he got a little of that magic back even though he didn't really say anything after watching the video. I know he was still amazed.

Wouldn't you know it?

So, my computer has been on the fritz lately. The monitor is completely gone on the laptop so I had been waiting for Sean to bring one home from work. In the meantime, I was trying to get the Christmas card set and started getting nervous as days went by with no monitor. I couldn't upload all the photos I had been taking (see previous post) and so I had to resort to using photos from this summer in Maine. I just hate doing that because I like using Christmasy pictures plus I like to send the most up-to-date photo possible because this is the only time our out of state/country relatives see the kids. But, whatever. The card came out alright, I don't love it but what are you going to do?

Then when I finally got the computer squared away and uploaded my photos, I saw this one. I thought it was so cute except for the bright spot in the corner. I don't know what was going on with my camera that day.

I love how Ciara has her arms aroung the boys and Aidan is kind of leaning in. And, this is a good picture of Gavin for once. He usually does the squinty eyes-cheesy grin when you try to take his picture.

Outtakes

One day. Three locations. Not one picture suitable for the annual Christmas card.

There's always next year.

And so it begins...

Today I am taking the kids to a local garden center that is always beautifully decorated for Christmas. I am hoping to get some ever-elusive pictures of the three of them together for the Christmas card. Stay tuned...