Priority at the Pole

Determined to keep the ball rolling, I tackled more Christmas shopping yesterday.  Before hitting the stores, Punky and I went for lunch and chatted about the holidays.

She keeps asking for one specific toy and I keep putting her off, partly because both Christmas and her birthday are coming up quickly, partly because I don't want her to expect a toy every time we go shopping, and partly because the toy is extremely loud and annoying and I'd rather not listen to it for the next two weeks straight until the batteries suddenly die (meaning one of us removes the damn things because we can't stand it any longer). 

So, when she mentioned the toy again over lunch, it was the perfect opportunity to tell her all about making a list for Santa.  I explained how we'll write a letter to tell him she's been a good girl this year, and that in the letter she can tell Santa a couple wishes she has for Christmas.

"Christmas is still two months away," I told her, "but we need to get started on your letter soon.  It will take a long time to get to where Santa lives."  In other words, we need time to shop.  

"Can we mail it to him?" she asked.

"Yes, that's exactly what we'll do.  When we finish the letter, you can put a stamp on it and we'll take it to the post office.  You can put it in the mailbox all by yourself."  

 

"Wow!"  That peaked her interest.  "But how will it get to Santa?" she asked.

"I'm not sure, sweetie.  Santa lives so far away, the letter may travel by truck, boat, train, and plane to get all the way to the top of the world.  But don't worry, Santa will get it in time for Christmas."  

Her blank stare told me I needed to elaborate a bit more.  She has a ball with a globe printed on it.  Many times we've talked about where we live, where we went on vacation, where China is, etc.  I thought it may be a good reference.

"Think about your earth ball," I said.  "When you look at the globe, Santa lives all the way at the tippy-top of the world at the North pole, so your letter has a long way to travel to Santa's house."

I could see the wheels spinning as she thought for a minute.  I waited patiently to hear what questions she would have about the North Pole and Santa's house.  And once again, my child managed to leave me speechless.

"Mommy?" she asked, "Does he get cable?"

So, either I'm the proud mom of an extremely smart two-year-old who thinks way outside the box for her age, or I've failed miserably as a parent by allowing her far too much time in front of the idiot box.  Think what you will, but I'm going with the first one.