***WARNING: SANTA SPOILER AHEAD****

and I know, I've been an absentee blogger lately. But we've had a house full of family and between visiting, shopping, eating, working out, eating, shopping, and chatting, I haven't had time to blog

For the past few months, Olivia has been asking me over and over again if Santa is real. I've been responding with the same technique I always use when I don't like a question...ignore and distract. For example:

Olivia: Mom, is Santa real
Me: Do you want some lip gloss?

Conversation over. Works great.

Now, it's important to remember that I've been asked this about 10 times a week for the past 3 months...

On Saturday, while we were in the van halfway to Edmonton, the dreaded question arose again. I hate to lie. But I also remember how great and exciting it was to believe in Santa. And to wait for him all year. It was a real conundrum...and it went like this:

Olivia: Mom, is Santa real?

Me: (trapped without enough distractions to last the entire 3 hour trip) Well, when you hang up your stocking on Christmas Eve, what do you find the next morning?

Olivia: A bunch of presents.

Me: So, what do you think?

Olivia: I think you fill it. So, do you? Or is Santa real?

Me: (looking to an oblivious James for help - but none was forthcoming) Well, it's us. Dad and I fill the stockings.

Olivia: So, Santa ISN'T real!?!?

Me: Blah, blah, blah....this is a long speech about the "idea" of Santa, and the goodwill/love feelings that come at Christmas...anything to fill the "Santa Void" I've created.

James: (oh, he was paying attention) Does it make you sad to know that Santa isn't real?

Olivia: Yes

James: Has someone told you that Santa isn't real?

Olivia: Yes

James: (thinking that other kids at school have prompted this whole conversation): Who?

Olivia: Mom, just a minute ago.


And there is nothing like dashing the hopes and dreams of a 5 year old to make your whole Christmas season bright!