Merry Christmas, everyone! Sorry to be one day late in posting this week’s prompt responses, but it seemed fitting to post your Christmas lists on Christmas Day. Very early Christmas day, I might add. Here’s what it looks like in the barn right now. Everyone else is fast asleep, and I am waiting as patiently as I can to open the presents.

As for presents, lets see what you asked for. Later, you’ll have to let us know whether Santa came through.

Tyler

I want a Christmas tree for Christmas because If I didn’t have a Christmas tree, where would all the present go? On my head? In my mouth? In the bed? In the toilet? I don’t want a burp for Christmas even though I wrote that in the picture.

Clearly, Tyler is focused on the long game. Though presents are his ultimate goal, he recognizes that the tree is an essential prerequisite. After all, one does not ask for a drink of egg nog unless one has a cup to put it in. Also: I’m glad that Tyler did not ask for a burp for Christmas. Though I’m sure Santa would have been willing to oblige, I’m guessing that burp would have smelled a lot like milk and cookies. Which is not the worst kind of burp in the world, admittedly, but a burp nonetheless.

Spencer

I want a computer because then I can do code.org. I also want an ipad for playing video games on it. And I can play video games on the computer but that’s not what I’m going to do with it. I want a car so I can drive myself to school because then I can always be early. And I want toys because I LOVE toys, especially hot wheels, toy water guns, and board games. I also want thousands of hundreds of dollars because then I could buy whatever I want. The end.

I admire Spencer’s list. He’s covering all the bases. iPad for recreation, computer for edification, car for transportation, toys for endless delight, and piles of cash money for ongoing comfort and freedom.

I am a bit sorry that I wrote my own Christmas list before reading Spencer’s. I asked for six pairs of socks and a blender. I really, really hope Santa gets Spencer’s and my lists mixed up.

Don

The above is from Don, who seems to want (if I may be so bold as to interpret) peace, love, and money for Christmas. That about covers the bases, I think. Though I’m wondering if we should read anything into that scribble across the middle of the heart. And that tiny tear in the dollar symbol.

Alden

Alden wants dolls. Barbie dolls. Princess dolls. And a baby doll. Will she get dolls. Only Santa knows.

And Santa never tells.

August

It appears that August wants a Jackson Pollock for Christmas this year. But since we can’t afford one, perhaps we’ll just crumple up a bunch of paper and throw it on the floor instead. I’m guessing he won’t be able to tell the difference.

Kato

Kato, consistent as the North Star, wants an airplane for Christmas. He wants it to be a remote control airplane. When we explain the delicacy of remote control airplanes and the difficulty of flying (and landing) them successfully, he’ll hear none of it. When we suggest that it might be advisable to wait a few years, he tells us that Santa thinks he’s ready for a remote control airplane now. While I appreciate Santa’s confidence in my child, I wish he wouldn’t build these false expectations.

After finishing her Christmas list, Alden created a Christmas card for Santa.

The front features a drawing of our family. At least I think it’s our family. Robbi, August, Alden, and Santa are labeled, but two other mystery figures are not. Is it Kato and me? I hope so. But perhaps it’s the new dad and brother that Alden is hoping she’ll get for Christmas this year.

Kato shows up on the other side of the card, so the only missing person is me. Should I worry?

Here’s my Christmas list again. I just took a peek, and there are no elephant-shaped presents under the tree.

And here is Robbi’s drawing, all colored in.

These two creatures are characters from a book that Robbi and I made a few years ago. It’s called Nasty Chipmunk, and it’s about a really unpleasant rodent. It’s not really a book for kids because all sorts of not very nice things happen. But in the scene above, Nasty and his friend Give Me Your Money Bunny seem to be sharing a moment of holiday peacefulness.

Just a moment, though. My guess is that the second after Robbi stopped drawing they started being mean to one another again. I guess that’s just what happens when your name is Nasty.

If anyone is inspired to own the drawing above (or is, perhaps, looking for a last-last-last minute Christmas present, the bidding is on over at Ebay. The auction ends at noon next Sunday.