Christmas Spirit

I love Christmas. I really do. For the most part, I am one of those cheesy moms who starts playing Christmas music just after Thanksgiving and proceeds to hum, whistle, and sing Christmas songs under my breath for the next two months. I love my big ole' artificial tree with the popcorn strings, multicolored lights, homemade ornaments, and giant star. I check the mail eagerly for the weeks leading up to Christmas and LOVE reading all of the Christmas letters and hanging up the pictures we receive. We hang stockings, make wish lists, and talk for weeks about what the girls will ask Santa for when they see him.

This year my holiday spirit has been tested. It started with the tree. I got it up in stages. The first day I put it up, the next day I put on the lights and star, and a few days later Eden helped me put the ornaments on. She was totally adorable in her pony walker, tongue poking out in concentration, studiously putting all of the unbreakables on the bottom two layers of branches. She commented on each ornament, saying "is this one special too Mom?", and telling Holland "not right now Holland, I'm helping Mom decoration the tree."

Well, we literally got the last ornament on when I heard two loud cracks and the tree starting falling! We ended up having to undecorate the tree and take it down. I had to buy a new tree stand, and about a week later I finally managed to get the tree back up and redecorated. Now don't get me wrong, I do love the finished product, but having to go through the whole process of actually getting it up TWICE was not my idea of fun.

The second test of my holiday spirit was during our visit with Santa. The girls had been prepping for weeks and knew exactly what they wanted to ask for. Holland was asking for "The Mickey Racetrack" and Eden was asking for "Aurora and the Horse." They were both very excited. As I was helping Eden onto Santa's lap I mentioned that she might need a little support sitting. Santa was cool with that. Then he looks at Holland and asks what she wants for Christmas, and she replies "The Mickey Racetrack." Then, still looking at Holland, he asks "And what does your sister want for Christmas?"

Say what?

So, in swoops Mom to say, "Eden, tell Santa what you want for Christmas." And Eden of course replies, "Aurora and the Horse." Perfect. Then Santa asks, "Does she has muscular dystrophy?" And I say, "No, she has cerebral palsy." And Santa nods and replies, "Oh, yes, I used to work with the CPs at one of my jobs."

Are you kidding me?

The girls smiled at the camera for the first time this year, we thanked Santa, and went on our merry way. In fact, Santa asked the photographer to throw in a few extra pictures for us because he really liked the girls, so we ended up with about double the pics for the same price. It was sweet really, and I know that Santa meant no harm.

But come on. Santa! Of all people, Santa should know better. First, my daughter is NOT a "CP". She is a little girl. And second, come on dude. Please look at her and address her directly. Especially when asking the most important question of the year!