We woke up Christmas morning and opened presents.  Then we went to spend the day with family.  We got home late and this morning was the first chance the boys had to play with their Christmas toys.  It’s been a whirlwind of Hot Wheels, Ninja Turtles, Pirate Ships, dinosaurs and a toy alligator.  For Mami and me it’s been a morning of picking up wrapping paper, packaging and scrapes; and generally getting the house back to normal.

Unwrapping present is, of course, one of the highlights of Christmas for our boys.  Nowadays though, the unwrapping process has two stages.  The boys take off the wrapping paper and scream, “Oh cool, just what I always wanted.” (We hope.)  Then we, the parents, try to get the toys out of the Space Age High Security Plastic Wrapping, which includes removing untold numbers of twisted wires that hold the toys in place. 

If Santa were smart he’d have taken the toys out of the S-A-H-S-P-W (which stands for Space Age High Security Plastic Wrapping- I wish it were a cooler acronym).  Santa would save parents and children alike the stress of waiting the extra minutes before beginning the play portion of the Christmas activities.

And why does Santa wrap his toys in S-A-H-S-P-W anyway? So they can look more like store bought toys?  Aren’t elf-made unwrapped (un-plastic wrapped) toys that much more interesting?  I think so.  The idea behind all that plastic wrapping and wires is to prevent shoplifting in stores.  Who’s going to “jack” Santa in a flying sleigh?  Does he expect some rogue elf to stow aboard the sleigh, pilfer a toy and parachute to safety somewhere over Des Moines, Iowa?  Maybe, but that sounds like more of a Toy Shop Human Resources issue to me.  Why should the good boys and girls (and parents) have to pay the price? 

Nevertheless, the boys eventually got their toys and they seem content.  To be honest we do push the true meaning of Christmas angle on the kids quite a bit.  You know, family, loved ones, baby in a manger, rain dear with a red nose; oh wait, scratch that last one.  But we’re also suckers for two boys running around the living room in their one-piece pajamas; and our oldest screaming, “This is what I’ve always wanted all my life.”  We think of it as that little something extra that comes with the true meaning of Christmas.

Santa brought Mami pajamas (which she’s returning), a new coat and a purple sweater.  I got jeans and a shirt, pajamas (which I’m not returning) and a purple sweater.  Sitting together on Christmas morning we were the picture of what Christmas is all about.  Actually, Mami and I looked like two grapes sitting on a sofa watching our boys play with their Christmas surprises.  But ain’t love grand?  And love is the point.

Merry Christmas

(Posted a day late due to Christmas overload)