The Christmas Card that was NOT

so we got a flurry of Christmas cards in today's mail, and to each of you, I say, THANK YOU and WELL DONE.  For the first time in a long time, I have not done a Christmas card.  I had high hopes and high expectations, but the picture never got taken, and the thoughts did not get written, so here we are at the eve of New Year's Eve and, well, sigh, no Christmas Card.  Good thing is that I have a low tolerance for personal guilt and I end the year with - I'll try again next year.

What I really wanted to post is the wish list that we all think about but do not admit to:

Let's start with Andrew.  Andrew, our sassy little 4 year old man with Down Syndrome.  He is magical in his own way and his needs are few.  What he really wishes for is to sleep in the "big bed" EVERY night without being sent back to his lousy toddler bed.  He would like to dine on waffles and chicken nuggets all the time (no matter the time of day) as well as popsicles, fruit roll ups and cookies. He doesn't want to have to "do" speech therapy (although he loves hanging out with his therapist) and would prefer to eat junk, watch TV (Veggie Tales and Clifford), and sit in his mama's lap.  I agree, Andrew, rock on.

Brantley.  His true Christmas wish is to live at LEGO land and have every LEGO ever made.  He really does not want to eat anything other than Chick-fila and Burger King and would live off Goldfish and milk if that was an option.  He does not want to be bothered by others and would like to watch Sponge Bob and hang out at home.  He loves school but hate the mornings. He loves his bed and woobies and getting in the big bed around 6 am.

Blake.  His true wish is for world peace.  Seriously, he loves God and loves his mama.  He plays hard and works hard.  He is irritated by the tedious daily tasks that life requires and has a question for every answer out there.  He would love to exist off of love and root beer and football and any other outdoor sport.

Jeffrey. a.k.a. Jeff.  His wish is for his mama to call him Jeff and not Jeffrey. His mama's issue is that daddy is Jeff and he is Jeffrey, but is trying, none-the-less.  He, too, would exist off of root beer and sugar.  He loves Rock Band, Football and being with his buddies.  His Christmas wish would be for all play, no work, no school.  He is growing up too fast and too beautifully.  Watching him work at the food bank over the holidays was something his mama will always cherish.

Jeff a.k.a. Daddy. His wish is for a debt-free existence, happy children and a naked wife. (did I just post that?)  His Christmas wish is for more time on the camper and less time on the clock.  He continues to love his boys and his woman and we all adore him for both.

Molly a.k.a. Mama - Her true wish would be to eat whatever she wants and not get fat.  To never have to go to an I.E.P. meeting or parent/teacher conference again.  To sleep late, read lots of books, play with her kids, decorate her house, and not have to worry about work, budgets, family harmony or life in general.

So, there you have the true nitty-gritty of our Christmas list. There is no picture.  There is no tidings of joy.  We do wish for world peace, but so does every Miss America's contestant.

Aw, forget it, I'm going to play Rock Band II with my kid.