G'ronklies, ev'one.

Hugs and hairpats to all who need 'em

Congrats to all who deserve them.

I need some tea.

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Santa exists in Laura's house. We have discussed this before! There will be no dissing of the Santa! The boys in my house know that they dare not speak of the possibility of Santa being anything but real. Santa exists. They will mess with me occasionally to get the Evil Mom Glare. But being fans of finding presents under the tree they always confess their true belief.

Yes. This. In my house, you don't believe in Santa (or at least the spirit behind the man), you don't get a stocking filled with goodies. No bad mouthing the fat man.

Not really sure where CJ is on the belief bit. Even with the above, we have always treated it with a wink, wink and K-Bug has taken on the role of making sure MY stocking doesn't go empty (as it used to).

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Jessica, health~ma to your grandfather.

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So what do you all think?

I think I'd present it as a story and play it like a game.

I'm not sure just how I'd go about that, mind you.

And I'm pretty sure I'd act like Laura.

Yeah, it'll be tricky.

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I have two days off.

In a row.

wonders never cease.

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Kristin, tell me that eventually you have enough assignments written up to reuse them. I'm so tired of creating assignment sheets from scratch, figuring out what information should be included, how to grade it, how to communicate it... blah.

Yes! Not to say that you never make up newer, better assignments, but you definitely will have a foundation to draw on after a year or two.

Stephanie, I used to think that I wouldn't do the Santa thing because I didn't want my children to think I would ever intentionally lie to them, but seeing friends and family raise their children has changed my mind. I like the idea of preserving the magic of Santa and treating the revelation that Santa isn't real as an initiation into the adult side of maintaining the magic for the children. I don't know if I'll ever be lucky enough to have a child, but I think I'll be telling him or her about Santa if I do.

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I'm with Laura and Suzi on the Santa issue. Growing up, we were exactly as Laura's family and still are. We still get Santa gifts, we still put out cookies. I'll bring Em and any others that come our way up the same.

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See, if I had kids of my own I'd be tempted to come up with a totally new tradition. Like how every year, Acting Secretary of Agriculture Charles F. Conner stocks his briefcase with presents that he brings to all the good children of North America....

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Ok - this conversation has me thinking why do I keep up with the Santa gifts and such.

To me, it is the spirit of the season. Giving. It is my chance to step away from being mom, wife, daughter, friend, whatever and give anonymously. Since each family member (except CJ at the moment) contributes to the stockings and any Santa gifts, it is often hard to tell who chose what for whom...(yes, organizing this is a PIA).

But the bottom line is that I'm not looking for personal recognition or thanks for finding that special something. Seeing their smiles is enough.

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Andi and I were supposed to have all of next week off.

Five people have quit at the helpdesk in recent weeks.

I'll have three days off with Andi next week.

Only one will be a paid vacation day. I had to give up my usual biweekly sunday off to have the three days grouped together next week.

I may need a better job.

I'd settle for better pay. And better benefits.

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