Sunday, December 27, 2009

Press Your Luck

One of the traditions at the Christmas Eve service at our church is to have a Children's Conversation, during which all of the kids dress up as the different players in the Nativity scene. There's a Mary, a Joseph, some angels, wise people, shepherds, and animals.

This year, once the kids were in their costumes, our pastors asked a series of questions about the birth of Jesus. Now, this is always an act of faith, as the kids' answers to these questions can range from profound to ridiculous. And the stakes are raised on Christmas Eve, when the kids are giddy with excitement for Christmas morning.

As the conversation started, we could sense in our three kids that that the longer it continued, the more likely their exhilharation would manifest in some silly outburst. It might be after four questions, it might be after eight questions -- and it occurred to me that whether they realized it or not, with each question the pastors were engaging in a game of Press Your Luck. But so far, the kids' responses had all been quite appropriate up until now, and the pastors continued to move the conversation forward.

The next question was asked. "In light of the surprise of God appearing to humankind through the baby Jesus, what could God do to surprise us on *this* Christmas morning?"

Zachary (dressed like a sheep) raised his hand. And then -- somewhat uncharacteristically -- bleated into the microphone. "Baaaaaaa!"

Zach, Ben, and Phoebe erupted in giggles. (Fortunately, the silliness didn't seem to extend to the other kids involved in the conversation.) Linda and I smiled while people in our church family gave us sympathetic looks.

And then, after a few more questions (which Zachary was not invited to answer), the conversation was over.

After getting not nearly enough sleep, Christmas morning came, and the kids had many more opportunities to exhibit the sometimes silly, over-the-top joy and delight that the holiday brings out in our kids.

Thanks to our Pastors, Tom and Laurie, for their patience and willingness to listen to all our kids have to offer, be it profound or ridiculous.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Our Favorite Things in 2009

Instead of sending out a formal Christmas letter, our tradition is to include a short insert with our Christmas cards listing each of the kids' favorite things in several categories.

Here is this year's survey:

book
Zach: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
Phoebe: Bad Kitty Gets A Bath by Nick Bruel
Ben: Here Comes Snoopy by Charles Schultz

game
Zach: Cosmic Encounter
Phoebe: Go Fish
Ben: Checkers

song
Zach: Dreams of an Absolution by Crush 40
Phoebe: Let It Be by The Beatles
Ben: All You Need Is Love by The Beatles

food
Zach: tacos
Phoebe: pasta
Ben: pizza ("And peanuts!")

future occupation
Zach: architect or video game developer.
Phoebe: teacher
Ben: "Blimp pilot. I like being high up in the sky and taking pictures."

Christmas carol
Zach: Deck The Halls
Phoebe: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Ben: Jingle Bells (Batman smells)

Santa Claus: Man or Elf?
Zach: "Elf, according to the Artemis Fowl books."
Phoebe: "Man. Elves have pointy ears."
Ben: "He's the chief elf. All the other elves have to follow him."

Wish for the World
Zach: Peace
Phoebe: Silence
Ben: Toys


BONUS! EXCLUSIVE WEB-ONLY OUTTAKES!!


What is the best thing that happened to you in 2009?
Zach: "Spending two weeks in Maine."
Phoebe: "Getting new kittens."
Ben: "I passed my swimming test."

What does Santa Claus give to trick-or-treaters on Halloween?
Zach: candy canes
Phoebe: toys
Ben: candy pumpkins

How does Santa get inside houses that don't have a fireplace?
Zach: "He goes in through a window"
Phoebe: "He's magical, or whatever."
Ben: "I guess he can't. He probably just leaves the presents outside."

How does Santa Claus keep Rudolph from jumping up on the kitchen counters?
Zach: "Rudolph is locked out of the house."
Phoebe: "He sprays him with a water bottle and puts coal in his stocking."
Ben: "Santa Claus yells at him and scares him."