Aren’t there rules against being sick over Christmas? Rules against boys getting a stomach bug, and parents getting bad head colds?
Anyhow, luckily there aren’t rules about still enjoying it all, despite how raw and sore your throat feels. Because I did enjoy it all, but I especially delighted in yet again watching the differences in ages and temperaments and personalities of Alex and Jameson.
It all started when we put up the Christmas tree. Jameson, a novice at this Christmas-thing, was just so excited that we were putting up a TREE. In the living room. And we played music. That was enough to get him dancing and singing and acting all together almost too cute for words, which pretty much made up for the 20-30 times we had to correct him or grab him before he toppled the tree or pulled off the ornaments.
Alex, on the other hand, is no Christmas novice. He knew that the tree was a precursor for SANTA and GIFTS. So while he did enjoy the tree decorating itself, he was full of musings on just what exactly Christmas Day would bring.
The differences came out yet again while we were shopping together at a small toy store downtown. Santa stopped in for a visit, which delighted Alex, but terrified Jameson. He clung to me in fear and refused to go near him. NO SANTA, he yelled. (No, Jameson, Santa is NICE. He brings TOYS, Alex tried to explain.) NO SANTA, Jameson repeated.
I gave Alex a knowing look, one that said, he’ll figure it out eventually. Alex grinned back. He couldn’t fathom that his brother didn’t like SANTA, of all people.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve, where Alex could barely contain his excitement about what was going to happen that night, about the visit of SANTA to OUR HOUSE.
NOOOOOOOOOO, screamed Jameson. SANTA NO DUM HERE TO OUR HOUSE.
Somehow we managed to calm both boys down, one being full of excitement and the other full of terror. Eventually they drifted off to sleep, but not before the excited one laid out cookies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph.
The next morning, Jameson fed off Alex’s excitement and they were both eager little boys standing under the Christmas tree, admiring the wealth of presents and surprises. Our family rule is that they must have a little bit of breakfast before we start on the gifts… and even then they must open up their stockings.
And this is where their differences came out once again. Jameson had no idea what to do with this “stocking,” thing we presented him. He called it a “purse” and slowly, and I mean slowly, started to inspect every item in it.
Alex, on the other hand, quickly and happily did an inventory of all the items, including all the little toys in addition to the candy and nuts. Then he was ready to move on to bigger things.
But his brother was only just getting going. I mean, there were little candies to delicately and carefully stack. There were almonds to inspect and delight over. There might be another orange in this purse!! And each item required its own discussion, its own showing to Mama.
I’m not sure what was more fun… watching Jameson find so much delight in an almond, or watching Alex nearly jump out of his skin in anticipation of the bigger things to come!! IF ONLY HIS LITTLE BROTHER WOULD HURRY UP.So we enlisted Alex to help crack open a few of the nuts and we let Jameson take his time. By next year, he’ll probably have this all figured out and will find much less joy in the little things. What’s the harm in letting him slow down and enjoy it?
(well, I suppose Alex may have a few arguments against it, but he survived… and then went out to build his new lego set, of course!)
And so there we have it, another Christmas season has passed us... next year the boys will be a little older, a little wiser and just a bit different. So I'm glad I savored the little moments with the boys, despite that pounding head. Next year, though, I'm asking Santa for a clean bill of health!
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