All I Want for Christmas.
Sandler was thrilled when he found a new app that allows him to communicate with Santa. Being so close to Christmas, Santa must be quite busy, however, he has been quick to respond and answer almost all of Sandler’s questions. Fortunately, he has not said yes or no to bringing the requested gifts, but has mentioned it depends on Sandler’s behavior—if he is naughty or nice. I always appreciate a little back up in that department.
Of course, like most kids, Sandler’s list consists of extravagant electronics—like a PS4, a Hover-board, and an electric scooter. He has also asked Santa to remove his sister, take her back to the North Pole where she can make toys through out the year, and come visit him next Christmas. He finished his list by writing he would appreciate anything that has to do with skateboarding and asked that Santa please not forget to make my mommy happy.
The letter warmed my heart, of course, and I even cried a few tears thinking about how thoughtful he was to have included my happiness. After he had added his little picture of Santa and the elves and officially signed it, I folded it up and put it in my pocket to be hidden in a sacred spot where I would hold on to it forever.
After I secured the cherished letter and we were on to the next activity, he immediately begged me to hit the road and head to the skatepark. To get us in the mood we played an upbeat compilation of Christmas songs and tried to keep our early Christmas enthusiasm at a record high. I typically find such joy and cheer nauseating when premature out the holiday gate. As we all hummed off tune and tried to add our own words and dance moves; it started to feel like a Norman Rockwell family drive to the skatepark.
That is until Bootsie started listing off her Christmas desires… including a new doll and a baby crib to go with it. The perfect holiday outing came to a screeching halt when Sandler replied, “Bootsie, wish in one hand, sh*t in the other and see which one fills up first!” I suddenly realized letting him watch Bad Santa was a terrible idea, and I was to blame. As I reprimanded him in the car and explained that saying things like that are exactly what causes Santa to deliver coal; I knew this was going to take more than a verbal lashing and I would have to implement some kind of consequence. Luckily, for us both, his favorite bowl (to skate) needed to be cleaned up and swept out. I told him to hustle in there and grab a broom and make sure he got every single leaf, seed, and twig on the ground—and he did.
Though I was not happy with the language that accompanied the quote from the movie, I have to give him credit for paying such close attention to the film. I also admired his diligence cleaning up the bowl (I think he actually enjoyed the consequence). Going forward, however, I will be much more selective about the holiday entertainment…
- Nikki