Archive for the ‘kids do’ Category

Last Christmas our family received a wonderful gift from a friend.

It was called The Elf on the Shelf.  And it was an instant sensation at our home.  After a short debate, the little red elf who came in the box was named Ralphie.  (With a nod to A Christmas Story.)  And he was placed in a strategic spot in our home that very day.

Ralphie comes with a book that describes the tradition and  warns the kids not to touch him, or his magic would go away.  Ralphie’s job is to observe the children of the house and report back to Santa every night.  Each new morning he will “hide” in a new spot so he can keep an eye on the kids.

Every morning last Christmas season the kids woke up and looked for Ralphie first thing.  They delighted in the funny and clever spots Ralphie found to spend his day.  The kids even took to having little chats with Ralphie… asking what it was like at the North Pole, and whether Santa was going to give them toys or coal.  On Christmas Eve, Ralphie left our home and headed back to the North Pole to spend the year with Santa.  He left a note that he would be back again next December.

Around the beginning of November the kids started thinking about Ralphie again.  Would he come to our home again… or, gasp, choose another family.  I was amazed they remembered him.  Ralphie apparently made quite an impression.

Ralphie returned as promised on December 1st.  And today, I am pleased to announce that my kids have once again turned over a new leaf. Not because of my exemplary parenting skills (I wish) but instead due to one little red elf.  Who knew an elf could be so effective?

All you’d need to do is drop by my house for a visit, and while you are here try putting one toe out of line.  You will promptly be told that Ralphie is watching… and he is going to tell Santa that you were mean, or not sharing, or not doing your jobs on time.  Welcome back Ralphie.

Every year,  since my husband and I were married we have bought a new Christmas book.

We’ve bought some wonderful books over the years, but Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed is one of our most beloved books.

My husband won’t be happy that I’m writing about this, but he gets choked up every time he reads Red Ranger aloud to the kids.  (Personally, I think it’s because he sees himself in the main character of the book… Prickly.)

It’s a tale about a cynical young boy named Red and his skepticism of the existence of Santa Claus.  As Red says, “… a kid’s life was one long opportunity for having the rug pulled out from below him at every step.  Myself, I was determined to stay on my feet.”

The story is set during the Great Depression and the struggles of those times are woven deftly into the plot.  As are themes of resourcefulness, gratitude and faith.  Red wants nothing more (or less) than a bicycle.  Well not any bycicle, but a “Buck Tweed Two-Speed Crime-Stopper Star-Hopper Bicycle…. but it was 1939, and although Christmas Eve had arrived, dreams were unaffordable.”

This book is as witty and funny as it is wise.  And in the end, Red discovers sometimes our dearest wishes are granted… just not the way we expected.  When the last pages are read, I challenge even the most cynical reader not to feel a bit of wonder and even hope at this delightful story.