Christmas is for children. To see the joy in their faces and the astonishment in their eyes as either they have a wonderful time with you or they receive an unexpected Christmas gift.
This past week I had the joy of seeing this magic up close with my two great nephews, Ryan and Callum. They are of different ages; Ryan will be 10 in a week and Callum turned 3 in August so you can understand that it is a bit difficult to find things that is enjoyable to both boys.
On Monday we went to Rockefeller Center and had breakfast with Santa. Ryan had gone last year and he was looking forward to it again. He bought his skates so he could skate on the rink underneath the Christmas tree. There is always a bit of a line while we wait for them to open the doors to breakfast; but, once inside everything is very efficient and the servers are extremely pleasant. Ryan immediately went for the fruit; and, instead of having hot chocolate with whipped cream he opted for tea. Callum who is still deciding what he will eat had his cereal and played with his etch-a-sketch.
Next came the platter of scrambled eggs, French toast, sausage, bacon and hash browns and there was Ryan tucking into a good helping of scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns – he was trying to eat fast so he could go skating. But, he had to wait until Santa came. Before Santa there was his elf giving out stuffed elves and reindeers; Ryan was grateful and Callum was into his etch a sketch as he told the elf, “Me color” and turned down the gifts.
Then the BIG GUY came – Ryan will always ask if it is the “real” Santa. He still believes in Santa Claus and our response is that the real Santa is very busy getting ready to deliver presents on Christmas day; but, that many people help Santa and are his representatives on Earth. He was happy to let Santa know what he wanted and now to skate on the rink.
We put on his skates and onto the rink he went – happy to be skating on one of the most famous ice skating rinks in the world at the most magical time of the year. Meanwhile, Callum continued with his etch a sketch and being a very good boy at breakfast.
When we walked back to the train station Ryan wanted to know if we could go again next year – he thanked me for having a wonderful time and for my taking him. That is a Christmas gift in itself to me.
Do we know how to torture the boys for Christmas or what?? Both Gerard with the boys and I arrived at my cousin’s house at 10:30 for brunch – Ryan was told that we could not open the gifts until after brunch. Well we didn’t eat until 12 noon – we cleaned up the brunch dishes and then started giving out the gifts.
It was great to watch Ryan’s face as he opened gift after gift to see that everything he had put on his Christmas list he received, even a model of the Titanic. Callum liked ripping the paper and was most excited about seeing his “Blue’s Clues” shirt with his name on it and a Leap Pad. But that was it – he preferred being a boy and doing some rough housing and showing his personality.
Each of us received items that were on our list; as well as, things that were a total surprise. Our dinner was wonderful – it was a traditional Puerto Rican meal and we had a good time as a family playing a game, setting the table, eating together and then wishing each other well as we left for our respective homes.
Everyone said “thank you” for their gifts; including Callum, and I am always proud when the boys show their respect and manners.
I hope each of you enjoyed your holiday, carried the spirit of the season in your hearts; and, most importantly, captured the joy of the season like my great nephews did.
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