Product reviews, parenting articles, and advice for first-time moms from the experiences of real-life mommies.

Since we were up late Christmas Eve at Shawn’s sister’s place celebrating with the whole Hesketh Clan (that’s always loud and fun!), we were hoping the kids might sleep in Christmas morning. Luckily, Kate actually slept until 8:30 instead of waking up between 7 and 7:30 like she usually does. She came in our room (in her really cute Christmas pj’s that match Karis’ – I know, I’m a sucker for the cheesy traditions in life) and was about to climb in bed on Shawn’s side like she does every morning, when Shawn told her, “Merry Christmas, baby.” She suddenly remembered what day it was, gasped, and then said, “Merry Christmas, Daddy” with the biggest grin and a little giggle at the end. Then Shawn asked her, “Did Santa eat the cookies we left out for him?” She gasped again, and said, “I don’t know…” as she ran into the living room to see the empty plate with just a few crumbs carefully placed in the middle. (Did I mention what great Daddy Shawn is??)

She came running back into our room squealing, “He did! He did!” and smiling ear to ear! We both laughed and then Shawn asked her, “Well, did he leave you a gift, too?” She ran out of the room, screaming behind her, “I don’t know. I didn’t look…” And that’s when it hit me. My kids are pretty great. I’ve known plenty of kids that all they cared about was what Santa brought them (I’m even sure that I was one of those kids when I was younger, too). I’ve known plenty of kids that thought gifts were something owed to them, not something to be grateful for. About that time, Kate came running back into our room hugging her gift to her chest (how did she know it was hers when she can’t even read yet?), saying how happy she was because now she had a beautiful ballerina dress ornament to put on the tree. She hadn’t even opened the big box. She was just happy with the ornament decorating the outside.

Now, I realize that my kids are still pretty young and one day they might be more into Santa and gifts than they are now… But, for now I’m grateful.