The True Meaning of Christmas

I made a birthday cake for Luke the other day because for various reasons he didn't get one on or near his birthday. I hate being too busy to make a cake for my boy! But part of the reason he didn't get one was because we were out celebrating with him.

So I made a cake, and put 7 candles on it. Becky asked who the cake was for and I said "Me!" Luke said, "Jeee-sus." He very nearly got backhanded because we do not allow that kind of talk around here. My very strict rule is that we use God's name when we're talking to Him or about Him. Thanks, public school, for teaching this disprespectful language!

And then it occurred to me that he meant it was Jesus' birthday cake. I'm so very proud of him.



Christmas is just plain ole' fun around here. I think things like this may be the reason I couldn't get into decorating this year.

I mean, come on. When you wake up to find diapers under the tree you know things are doing downhill fast. And you'll notice all those pine needles laying around? The tree sheds as much as the dog does, and I'm here to tell you that I do water it. The dogs know I do - they are all about getting in under that tree to drink it out. And in their attempt to get to better water than is in their own bowl, they rub entire branches bare. It's next thing to a physical impossibility to keep up with both shedding dogs and shedding trees. My vacuum would surely die of exhaustion if I tried, and that's a chance that I simply cannot take.

And see this? This is one of life's great mysteries. A few years ago (actually many, many years ago) I made the kids a stuffed Nativity set to play with. It's been a huge hit every single year since and even the near-teen is caught walking the wise men up to the manger on occasion. I keep it on a low shelf well within their reach to encourage play. But for some reason Baby Jesus is not allowed to be in the manger this year. I've caught him bedded down under the tree many times. Every time I put him back with his family and friends on the shelf, he mysteriously turns up under the tree again. The kids that can talk adamantly declare that they didn't do it. (That's their answer to everything, though. I'm not really sure they even hear what I ask anymore.) My only guess is that Micah somehow thinks that Baby Jesus is, indeed, the Best Gift of All. And I'm lovin' it.

14 comments:

Burgh Baby said...

You're making me appreciate my fake tree more and more. I have always wanted a real one, but Mr. Husband is opposed to the idea. I was going to push the issue this year, but figured I should wait and see if the Toddler was going to climb it/shred it/destroy it. She probably would have left it alone, but I bet I would still have pine needles everywhere. I seriously doubt that my vacuum would appreciate any more abuse.

Oh, and the Jesus' birthday cake thing had me in stitches. I love Luke!

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I love your blog!! So glad you stopped over at mine and left a comment for CJ. (a very nice comment btw)

And I agree about the dress blues. CJ took my breath away when I first saw him...

Hallie
http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/

AutoSysGene said...

I love your blog! You make the most frustrating things sound funny and like they're no big deal.

I love that your son thinks Jesus in the Best Gift of All. I think I would go with that idea, too. ;)

Kellan said...

This was a "Jesus" themed post - I love it! I love the little stuffed Jesus that keeps wandering back under the tree - too cute. Hope you have a good day, Karen. See you later. Kellan

Madame Queen said...

Awww. That's so sweet.

I don't know how I've managed it, but somehow our real tree hasn't shed very much this year. Of course I'll probably go home tonight and the thing will be bald!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

My older two have both come home home after starting school saying "Oh my G**" Of course, it shocks you so much that you ask "What did you say?!" then when they repeat it they get in trouble! I don't even allow Oh my gosh because it's too confusing. So we say Oh my goodness. We also sat around one day thinking of silly sayings to say instead.

I just bought the Little People Nativity so my kids could play with it. I've wanted it for years but you can only get it on line.

One final note, I read in a magazine that the water from a tree can be dangerous to the dogs. I just thought I'd pass it on, but I know how hard it is to keep them out of it!

Sorry for the long post, I get a little wordy at times!

Karen said...

BBM - I hate fake trees with a passion. Repositioning branches ranks right up there with filing my toe nails. But if I get multiple trees next year I may have to invest because who can afford that many real ones? Grrrr.

Anyone ever experience the memory branch ones? I hear they don't need reshaped. I cannot believe it's actually that good though.


Hallie - I love your blog, too! Thanks for visiting. And many happy returns to you! (hopefully)

Melissa - I've learned a few kids ago not to sweat the small stuff. And if I can't laugh at the big stuff I'd lose my mind.

The Sports Mama said...

I love your theory on why the baby Jesus keeps ending up under the tree!

And just like in that classic Family Circus cartoon strip, Ida Know and Not Me both live at my house as well! :)

Zoe said...

what a sweet post! cade keeps wanting to take blankets to the baby jesus in the neighbors yard. he just knows he is cold.

Karen said...

Zoe - I love it! That is the sweetest thing ever!

Burgh Baby said...

Not at all related to this post, but to answer your question, I think they are pretty true to size. They run a tiny bit smaller than New York and Company (maybe 1/2 a size?) and a little bit bigger than Old Navy.

Kelly said...

I love when they do things to show you they actually are paying attention to what you are trying to teach them!

Andrea said...

Micah is so sweat! I love it!!

Shellie said...

SO cute, it reminded me of my kids in a less sweet, more bizarre sort of way, see my post A Typical Christmas Chez Nous- there is a link on my side bar to it and you will see what I mean about the nativity. I also have another ceramic nativity that got even more interesting last year. I agree, He's the best gift of all!