presents

I don't know if a lot of you know the book about 5 love languages.  Later on they came up with 5 love languages for kids which I never read but it is basically the same thing, just for parents to figure out how each of their kids feels loved the most.  Some kids are just happy with a touch, a moment of cuddling on the couch with mom while others are happiest when they spend quality time with their parents.  I realized pretty early on that our oldest Kade's number one thing is receiving gifts.  It can be so tricky though to make him feel like he's getting "gifts" without spending money on toys or stuff for him.  As he's getting older he understands the value of money better and that he can't have something new whenever he'd love to but you know it is his love language when you see his face just light up when he's getting something.  So Christmas time has always been a bit hard because he gets so focused on the gifts and even though a lot of kids do, to me it always seemed like he's more selfish than others and all he can think about is gifts.  So every year since he was able to talk about it I tried really hard to keep reminding and instilling the real reason of Christmas to him and showing him how many kids have nothing and yet they're happy and don't ask for anything.

I'm not sure if he was really hearing me in the past but this year I could not be more proud of my Kade.  He actually for the first time in his life can't even think of anything he'd like for Christmas.  He says he has a lot of stuff and doesn't really need anything else.  He would like some new books to read and the only other thing he  really asked for was a math practice test cd that helps him with his math at school.  I just couldn't be happier when he said that to me, he seems to be growing up so much and getting so much more responsible about everything.  He's at the top of his class for passing math levels yet he wanted the cd so he can get even better. :)  I am pretty sure I'll be spending hours and hours in agony over the math with Anika to make up for not having to do much with Kade but for now I'll just enjoy it.  I'll enjoy our kids growing up and enjoy the Christmas when Kade is not expecting anything at all.  And I'm just excited for him to open the gifts because I'm sure he'll love it.

Kason is too little to really care about the presents, he wants to get something if others are getting a gift but he doesn't care whatsoever what gift it is, it can be a $.99 matchbox car.  And Anika has always been very undemanding and never asks for things even if she'd love to have something.  I love taking her shopping because she never once asks to have something, she is just excited to be looking at all those pretty things. :)  So I guess we're lucky that it is just one child that is a bit more focused on gifts than others and even he is growing out of it.  I feel blessed by our kids and this Christmas I just want to be with them, snuggle together, play games and watch them enjoy every part of it.

Oh, and this is for my mom:  Kade asked if we can have paprikas for our Christmas meal this year. :)  I had to smile because it is probably the most modest meal I know, it comes from Hungary.