The end of an era….or……he’s been playing the game for my sake

Christmas shopping has become such a chore. I used to be so stealth with my gift purchases when the kids were around using my coat to cover the booty in the cart from their prying eyes. Now, I seem to lack the energy or patience to play this cat and mouse game.

Last night we were in Target and Jacob saw me put a DVD that he only moments earlier had asked for in the cart. He paused by the cart and exclaimed "how come you are buying that for me and it's not coming from Santa".

I was SOOOO BUSTED.

Scrambling and annoyed at his alertness I said "it's not for you it's for Frank". "WHO is FRANK" he shouted.

And then, it began….I started to spin this web of lies and deceit all about this kid “Frank” that I am buying gifts for because his family cannot afford them. He looked at me and laughed and said "I guess we will see on Christmas morning WHO Frank really is". I knew the jig was up but I just kept going with the fabrication.

Part of me was relieved that maybe the hoax of Santa could be shut down now and a lot of the pressure would be off my back. The other part of me hated the notion of his childhood passing me by. He continued to berate me with “So, what does Frank Look like”, “Does Frank Like Cheese”, “Is Frank on the nice list or the naughty list like I am”. 

We get in the car and he will not give the Frank questions a rest. I make the mistake of saying, “Do you want me to show you a picture of “Frank” so you can stop with all the questions” (of course I was hoping he would just start to perseverate about some other topic) and OF COURSE he says yes.

I quickly open my Google app on my I Phone and type in the name FRANK in the search box. Then I select the Images and Viola….tons of pseudo “Franks” for me to choose from! I pick one that I think resembles a needy kid and I hope that Jake buys my continued deceit.

He takes one look and the picture on my phone which I am still holding in my hands and he says “click on that picture so I can see where it came from because I think he is some kind of an actor or something”….

Busted x’s 2!

His father and I exchange a sideways glance at one another, he is too smart for us it seems. Then I decide I will just put it all out there. I mean he IS 14….even though developmentally he is still more around the age of 10 and don’t 10 year old’s still believe in Santa?

“Jake, be honest with us, DO YOU STILL BELIEVE IN SANTA?” He was quiet for the first time all night and after what seemed like 5 minutes he said quietly “if I say no will he be mad”? I explained to him that I wanted him to just be honest (funny since I’d spent the past 45 minutes telling him one long ass lie….) and I asked him again “Do you think that Santa is real or do you think that Mommy and Daddy buy you the presents under the tree”? I held my breath as he said “I think it’s mommy and daddy”.

Sigh…..

With a heavy heart I admitted that he was correct and that Santa is in fact a long standing story and that yes his gifts are from his dad and I. “So, Santa is NOT real then mom, Right”. “Right” I said feeling conflicted but also proud that he was maturing.

Then he hits us with “Well how about Jesus, is HE real”?

He may drive me crazy, but he always
keeps me on my toes.