Growing up, Susan's family exchanged presents on Christmas Eve. In my household, that was the ultimate sin. As a result we've ended up with this conglomeration of a holiday ritual. It starts on Christmas Eve when both of our families get together to eat, exchange gifts, and eat some more. The key here is that only gifts are exchanged with Susan's side of the family; we give them our gifts and open theirs from them. For three hours we open gifts and let the kids eat cookies, chocolate, and candy before telling them, "Now hurry up and go to sleep." Yeah, right. From my laptop I can hear Morgan in her room, singing to herself. Mason has vowed to stay awake "until Santa comes."

Yeah. About that. Mason's been asking "questions" this week. "If Santa's real, how does he do all that stuff?" I know he is on the cusp of figuring it all out. I'm just trying to get one more Christmas out of him. Just let him suspend belief for one more day. He's got the rest of his life not to believe in magic anymore -- please, just let him make it 24 more hours.

So now, the waiting game is on. I'm hoping the kids conk out soon; Santa's got a bike to put together.