Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!

Mini ninjas. Christmas angels covered with playdoh and smothered in icing from decorating christmas cookies.Laughing and bargaining and fighting and fussing. Making up games from the land of  imagination; ninja-princess-mermaid-gymnast-fairy-reindeer-”Who’s from Whoville”.

This was the scene upon wearily entering my doorway
last night. Many times (too many for my liking) I’m
hitting the door running after a long day of work.
I think of them all day long and how I long to be
at home playing princess ninja. Life catches up and
there’s only so many hours in the day.

Clean clothes for school, lunches to be packed,
the Six and under hurricane has trashed
my otherwise tidy house. Cook and clean and
homework and all that “Mom” stuff. Too little
“Mommy” time. The time where nothing else
matters and I immerse myself in the world of hugs
and kisses and pictures for that very tiny last spot
on the refrigerator that is not filled with wonderful
artwork.

So. Last night we watched the 53rd showing of the Grinch
at Ninja house. (It’s a crowd favorite) Every single time,
my six year old and I cry. The four year old and two year
old are too busy fighting over who’s gonna be Cindy Lou Who
in the land of make believe. MY heart grew three sizes and
I remember what makes a good parent.

Being PRESENT in the present. Time spent. Full attention
with NO distractions. Giving me to them is all they want.
“Mommy play with us.” Favorite current game: run at mommy
full speed and jump on her (it’s the newest ninja tactic
they think the faster they run the more invisible it makes
them. They could be right) The lessons I learn from giving
them my attention are priceless.

They fight over toys and resolve it two minutes later.
Bicker and negotiate and then you hear a small “I love you”
said to each other and all is forgiven. Pretending there
are monsters to scare the two year old but then whispering
“I’d never let the monster get you cause you’re the baby
sister and it’s my job to protect you.” Pure and total
revelry in imagination and utter contentment with being
in the moment.

Isn’t that a lesson we can all learn? Christmas gifts are
lovely yes. But being “present”? THAT is something that
cannot be purchased at Tiffanys. Keep your blue box with
shiny things. I’m getting pink plastic jewelry for the
“Queen Princess Mommy Butterly Fairy Ninja”.
And it suits me.

Merry Christmas from the Ninja House. Wishing you affection,
attention, and lots of heartfelt hugs.