Waste and Want, and do it again Wednesday

 It is Wednesday, but we aren't conserving. It is far from waste not, want not. It is more along the lines of waste, covet and brainwash.... and certainly want. But it makes really cute pictures.

 Our annual Toys 'R Us catalog arrived in the mail yesterday. With that as a bribe the boys whipped (well, almost) through their school, then eagerly devoured it from front to back, and then in reverse.
 Canaan chose a green marker, Zion an orange, and they enthusiastically circled everything they were interested in. Which was pretty much everything in the entire catalog. Why, even on the "girl" pages there were thing worth circling. Cute little stuffed animals, an amazing play kitchen (which Zion is completely in love with because it has a pretend washing machine and laundry basket) and on the Barbie page Zion insisted on circling the giant three story Barbie house because he thought I needed a toy too. Why wouldn't mommy want Barbie? Every little girl does, right? Even a few baby toys were circled, because they want a baby sister or brother and it made sense to them to be prepared, just in case.

 In preparing his Christmas list, Canaan looks at the catalog from a slightly realistic point of view. Yes, he likes to circle everything in it, and have some dreams, but he also looks at the price and considers the potential of actually receiving some of the items. He makes his prioritizes and lets them be known.
 Zion, however, believes in Santa. I really don't know how, or why. We have never spoken of Santa as a reality. We have never made a big deal about him. We read "The Night Before Christmas"every year, but we have also talked about the "history" of St. Nicolas, and how the idea of someone who shares with those in need is what Santa is about. I am realizing this week however that Zion believes that his presents are going to come from Santa. Money doesn't matter. Location doesn't matter. Reality doesn't matter.
 Santa will take care of it all.
 Somehow, that puts a lot of pressure on me. I hate to break his heart.
 It was much easier with Canaan, who never believed. I certainly didn't plan for Zion to think that a fictional character was real....
 How did this happen to me?!?!

 In the meantime, Zion put on his homemade hat, just because it made him happy, and proceeded with another run-through of the book of brainwash.

 At least he circles things he thinks others will like too!