Christmas Wrap Up

This Christmas was a good one for the Mayes (and Hanson) family. There is nothing quite like a really excited three year old to bring some fun to the holiday season. Lana met with Santa twice this year to make sure he remembered to bring her “Pet Shop Toys” and to reassure him that she’d been a good girl this year. Meanwhile, we discovered the wondrous behavioral tool known as Santa’s Naughty List and milked it for all it was worth. And though Lana was counting the days until she could open presents, she went to sleep on Christmas Eve without too much protest and slept until we woke her at 8:30 am. A far cry from a little girl who once upon a time jumped up and down on her bed on Christmas Eve yelling, “SANTA IS COMING!” until she threw up.

Samantha, on the other hand, pretty much slept through the entire holiday. We tried to exercise restraint in buying presents for her since at just two months old she really didn’t know the difference between a new toy and an empty toilet paper roll, but we still ended up with a pretty big pile of baby clothes, shoes, and toys.

Here’s a sampling of what we found under our Christmas tree and at the grandparents’ houses:

Lana: Littlest Pet Shop toys, My Little Ponies, Barbies, a dollhouse, Hungry, Hungry Hippos, and a Wonder Pets Flyboat.

Samantha: Baby rattles, onesies, Robeez shoes, and lots of Pampers Swaddlers.

John: Clothes, shoes, Wii accessories, and Rock Band 2 for Wii.

Jennifer: Clothes, gift cards (for when I find my waist again), and a Flip HD video recorder.

Rico: A penguin toy and yummy dog treats.



To conclude, here’s the transcript of Lana’s first ever letter to Santa, composed with some help from Daddy. Anyone who knows Lana at all will recognize her contribution to the letter.

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas! Thanks for coming. Here are some cookies and milk for you and the reindeer. Remember, don’t pour the milk because it will spill and make a big mess. Have a safe trip home and I will see you next year.

Love,
Lana and Samantha