Magical Christmas

Change is indefinite, that's for sure. Every year, Christmas seems to change a little more. I will say that it is definitely improving. For a while, before I had children of my own, Christmas had lost some of its charm. This really bothered me, especially since I was always the child playing Bing Crosby Christmas tunes in April, wishing and counting down the days until the arrival of the glorious holiday season. Christmas was about the most magical thing ever until I turned 12 (yes, I know its a bit old for finding out that Santa is indeed a figment of my imagination) Sure, my brothers informed me earlier, however I just didn't want to believe them, I found it more enjoyable to believe in Santa than not. Everything seemed more enchanting knowing that jolly old Saint Nick was going to be in my house.
So....I turned 12, Junior High was on it's way. My Dad sat me down and said "Honey, come on, there is no Santa. No Easter Bunny, No Tooth Fairy." "Really?" I replied, with tears in my eyes. I could tell from the look on his face that it was true. In fact, I had known it all along. Too many things just didn't line up. I remember crying a lot that day.Not so much about that loss of Santa but more about the loss of innocence and magic that surrounded that big guy in the red suit.
Time has a way of both healing and changing things for the better. After having my son in 2003 and my daughter in 2005, I came to realize the true beauty behind this holiday. Nothing brings me more joy than watching their little eyes twinkle as they see the Christmas tree for the first time lit up. Or, the joy in their laughter as they open their presents. This year, I took both of my children to see Santa Clause, and although Macy cried her little heart out because as she says "Santa is a naughty guy" both her and Jackson had a wonderful time visiting with Santa.
After their visit, we went into another store across the way from Santa's station. I was busy shopping and then, I looked over to see something so dear to my heart, so innocent and pure. My son Jackson looking over at Santa just trying so hard to get his attention. "I need to tell him something," he said very eagerly. I looked up at Santa he smiled, waved and then got up out of his big chair walking over towards Jackson. "Go on honey," I said to my son. Of course, Jackson went running into Santa's arms for a big hug and then they exchanged whispers and smiles. Mall Santa or not, this guy was good. Any person on earth Santa or not, who can make my little boy beam like that is worth something great in my book. Jackson returned with a candy cane and a huge grin on his face. "What did he say, I asked? Still glowing, Jackson said "He told me to have a Merry Christmas." I looked up at Santa, he was still looking our way, I smiled and suddenly felt that giddy little feeling coming back inside my heart. The true spirit and magic of Christmas.
Things in your life may change, but if you look a little closer, you will find that although things may appear to be different, the true feelings and spiritual emotions that you have always had are still there, it just sometimes takes something extra special to re-awaken them.

Tap Dancing Is For Boys!

As parents, we are constantly trying to find new and interesting activities for our children that will both enrich and add fun to their little lives. I have always imagined involving both of my children in the magical world of dance. I have secret little fantasies of them performing numerous numbers that would just wow the pants off of any Broadway reviewer. Although my kids are still young, my son is 4 and my daughter 2, in my mind there is simply no reason why I shouldn't get them started like...now!
It all started when my son saw a video clip on Disney of a little red headed boy named Daniel Cook. You see, Daniel goes around Toronto discovering new things to try. On this particular day, he was trying out tap dancing, and boy did he love it. As soon as my son Jack saw Daniel dancing, he hopped up off the couch and began moving his feet, arms and I will say it wasn't bad. "Do you like that sweetie?" I asked. He smiled and said "Yeah, I want to tap dance." You can only imagine how my mind started moving. I pictured a young Fred Astaire, or more modern Justin Timberlake. In my opinion, there is nothing more attractive than a man who can dance. It just demonstrates dedication and a love for the arts. Wait, hold on....I still have to talk to my husband about this.
So, as you can imagine when I told my husband, who I will say is very sensitive, although at times I think to myself where did I find Mr. Caveman? You see, I don't think he has a real problem with it even though his first words were "tap dancing is for girls." Of course I rebutted with "Hello...what about Fred Astaire, Jack Haley from the Wizard of Oz, Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks in Annie, and numerous other male tap dancing legends, did I mention Justin Timberlake? Come on, the ladies love him." Point taken, that was actually pretty easy. "Just don't put him in ballet." Which then brought up the very interesting question of what a male ballerina is even called.
My Father, Jack's grandpa on the other hand wasn't so convinced. I had mentioned earlier that day to my Mom that I was going to put Jack in tap dancing. Sitting at the table with a very concerned look on his face he asks me, "are you really going to put that boy into tap dancing?" Wow, you would have thought his world just crashed around him, this coming from the father who has raised two excellent hunters (my brothers), I am a vegetarian go figure. "Yes, Dad I am." I then went on to give him my whole "Tap dancing male legends" schpil. He wasn't buying it. The funny part came when he suggested that it was me who wanted to put Jack in tap and he was sure there was no desire from this young 4 year old to do anything of the sorts. "Do you really want to tap dance Jack?" asked my father. Just then Jack did the most amazing, little shuffle that would make your heart smile. "Does that answer your question?" Was all I needed to say.
As you can imagine, I hate gender roles. I will be the first to say however that when my son picks out a pink balloon over a blue balloon (he's only done this once) I do feel a little urge to say, "Oh honey, don't you want the blue one, pink is for girls." Instead though, I stop, and take a look at that little boy's face who is just so happy to have a balloon regardless of the color. I see a little man that has no clue that colors are associated with certain stereotypes and that to be a "tough man" you should always choose something green or blue. He is alive, happy and most of all he is unique. For the most part he chooses trucks over dolls and green over purple but if he wants to try on his sisters tutu and tap dance his little heart out all over the kitchen then by golly that is what he is going to do.
He starts tap lessons next month...Ahh, the satisfaction of the sound of little clicking heels.