There's one more behind the couch

When we were younger, my dad was famous for using a scare tactic around Christmastime. Instead of the usual "better be good, Santa's watching" thing, he used to say "one less present". Every time one of us would act up, Dad would yell, "One less present!" This was clever because it worked long after we stopped doing the Santa thing. A few years ago, my brothers and I were talking, and we began to wonder where all the presents went that we didn't get because we were bad. Were they never purchased, or were they still in the dark recesses of my dad's closet, all wrapped up with no place to go? Maybe that's where my rock tumbler is.

For several years in a row, I asked for one of those rock tumblers. I know you remember them too. I was convinced I was going to make these gorgeous gems and have my own jewelry business. Years later I found out they were noisy, and took like a week to tumble a rock, and were generally unexciting. So I'm kind of glad I never got one. I also wanted a Barbie convertible, but luckily all my friends had those so I could satisfy my lust when I went to play at their houses. What did you want that you never got?

Everyone keeps asking Evan what Santa's going to bring him, or what he wants for Christmas. He always replies, "presents". I guess he doesn't care what he gets, as long as it's wrapped nicely. I hope he won't be disappointed this year. He's so into the holiday for the first time, and I want to make sure he really enjoys himself. I'm sure in the future, there will be years when he doesn't get what he asks for, and I'll find myself saying "one less present", but this year it's all about the magic. I'm excited to be part of this with him. It's going to be a special Christmas for all of us.