[GCFL-discuss] What did you learn this Christmas?

[gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net]

The Merry Merry-thon has drawn to a close for yet another 
year.  I learned a few things this Christmas . . .

Even if you've scheduled a few days off before Christmas, 
you'll still be wrapping mountains of gifts at 3:00 a.m. on 
Christmas morning.  It's inevitable - just accept it.

Never admit to your teenage son that you can't stand a 
particular Christmas carol.  Today's MP3 and IPOD technology 
coupled with his rapidly developing lust for teasing the 
snot out of someone will meld to produce a 24/7 atmosphere 
wherein the song will rear its ugly head at every 
opportunity.  Exploiting HIS hatred for a particular song 
will most likely make the situation worse, as there is 
probably good reason for him to find that song objectionable 
(cases in point:  "Felize Navidad" - the song that sets my 
teeth on edge, vs. "Hoola Ko Wikki Waki" - the song that 
sends him [and us] running screaming from the room).  Best 
defense:  tell him you've undergone desensitization 
training, and you actually LIKE your song now.  Make it 
believable; sway, dance, and sing along when it comes on.  
Turn UP the volume, so everyone can hear it better.  Stopped 
him cold - heh heh heh!!

Be very aware that Xtreme Sports and video gaming has had an 
impact on sledding and tobogganing.   While your kids will 
let you THINK that you're going to take a quiet, controlled 
little solo flight down the hill sitting safely on your 
toboggan, they will implement their buzzing and dodging 
plans seconds after your take-off.  One memorable run 
involved my daughter snowboarding along side my right, which 
was fine, until I realized it was a distraction maneuver so 
that her brother, on my left with a snow saucer under each 
foot, could cut in front of me and attempt to land a 360 
degree spin just as I had reached a speed on my toboggan 
which negated the fine control necessary to avoid running 
him down like hapless road kill.  They found this 
exhiliarating.  I found it heart-stopping.

We adopted a Christmas kitten for my daughter a few weeks 
before the Big Day, and this was a perfect thing.  The 
springy, bouncey, tiny little tiger-stripe has sparkling 
magic that colored everything from decorating, to wrapping, 
to relaxing when we needed to catch our breath.  Note:  my 
Golden Retriever has a completely different opinion about 
our new family addition.

I learned a few other things this Christmas, too; for 
example, gifts that were perfect last July might not cut it 
this December, if you can even remember where you hid them.

What did you learn this Christmas?

Michigan Hockey Mom