Christmas with Jesus AND Santa is very overwhelming for me. I feel like every time I mention Santa or elves or the behavior "list" said creatures keep that I also need to put in a plug for Jesus.

"Yes, Santa's watching...and Jesus is sad when you hit Colin."

It's because I want Audrey and Colin to grow up with the understanding that Christ's birth is the what we are really celebrating at Christmas and this Santa stuff is just another fun thing about the holiday. But obviously the toys are the most important part to a toddler - right? To any kid really? Because of my adding Jesus to every Christmas discussion I worry that Audrey may have the impression that Jesus and Santa are both in on this North Pole, night flight, baby doll chimney delivery thing. How on earth are you supposed to separate the two? Maybe it's not possible with kids this small?


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We are all sick. I didn't want the kids to have cereal with milk this morning because it aggravates the runny nose situation (myth?). So I made raisin toast and cut up bananas and oranges. Audrey ate all this and then requested cereal. I explained that she could have cereal but without milk. After placing the bowl of dry Rice Krispies in front of her I hear her mumble,

"Mom, Santa's watching you not giving me milk."

I don't ever want to have lots of money. I'm not sure when I decided that but I still believe it. I'm happy living in suburbia with an old house and a library card. I'm okay with taking walks instead of having a gym membership. I have no gripes with Toasted-o's instead of Cheerios. But now that I'm shopping for the kids Christmas presents I am increasingly frustrated with my options for inexpensive toys.

I want to find a baby doll crib for Audrey. No problem - there are hundreds out there! Plastic, plastic, plastic and poorly constructed wood/fiber board. I don't think I'm a snob for wooden toys but there is something about plastic that drives me crazy. Of course plastic has it's place in the world of toys. Legos and dump trucks and baby dolls and FP little people - many great and even quality toys are made with plastic. However, I feel like a baby doll bed is a traditional toy that needs to be built to last. I don't want it to play music, it shouldn't be hot pink, and fiber board doesn't count as wood in my book. Why do I have to be rich in order to buy quality toys?Above 8$ vs. 109$ below

And then there's the shopping cart for Colin.

Above 19$ vs. 89$ below


I understand that there are toys in between these low and high ends. That is probably exactly what I'll end up buying. But they seem like a big compromise when there is such nice quality out there. If only Greg and I were up for four more kids. Then I could absolutely justify high-end toys with the reason "it has to last through six kids!"