The girls wrote their letters to Santa the other day. We got it out of the way early. Why? Because …
… mummy wanted to get all of the shopping out of the way early. And I did. It’s done! Really. This is a first for me. I did it (in consultation with Mark) in one big swoop at the Grand River Toy Company. They have a great selection of super toys* and the shipping is cheap. I figured (a) they were all toys I’d buy anyway and (b) online shopping saves me a heckuva lot of time.
So, yes, the letters.
Emma’s is here. Sarah’s is here if you would like to know what they desire most in this world.
But … the jig might be up. Emma’s not buying the Santa act anymore.
I was helping Sarah write her letter and she turned to me.
“Mumma,” she asked. “Emma says that it’s not SANTA who gives the presents, it’s you and dada.”
I was shocked. When had this conversation taken place?
My first instinct: DENY. And deflect the question back at them.
“WHAAAT?!?!” I said. “You cannot possibly think it’s me and dad. Do you REALLY think there isn’t a Santa Claus?”
The girls looked sheepish for a moment. HA! Just the reaction I was looking for.
And then Emma piped up.
“I’ve seen all the toys at the store,” she said. “And the name of the store is sometimes on the toys that are under the tree.”
I flashed back to my own childhood, and the answer my mother gave to me.
“Do you really think Santa and the elves have time to make EVERY SINGLE TOY for EVERY SINGLE child in the whole wide world? Of course they don’t! When they run out of time they go shopping! But perhaps they go at night and slip the money under the door?”
Emma wasn’t buying it, mostly because I can’t lie to save my skin.
She pointed a finger at me, “you’re SMILING MUM!” And of course, that made me smile more. “You’re not telling the truth because you’re SMILING!”
“I’m smiling because you’re so funny! Haha! Like Santa has time to make all the toys! Haha! You’re the funny one!”
DEFLECT DEFLECT DEFLECT!
Sarah was quiet throughout this entire exchange, dutifully decorating her letter. But the hamster wheel of her brain was turning. I could practically hear the squeaking.
Mark walked Emma to school this morning. It was the only thing they talked about. She’s a logical girl. And we’ve never really pushed the Santa thing. We just let them believe and never said otherwise.
So now what? What would you do O’ wise internets. Emma’s in grade two. Tell her the truth? Or wait?
* Mark vetoed the sushi slicing kit I wanted to get for Sarah. :(
