Oliver's Quote of the Day

Oliver jumps off the swivel chair, his face a knot of consternation. Behind him, Ebay glows on the computer monitor.

OLIVER: "Dad, I keep searching for swords but all I get are REAL swords that cut through bamboo and cost a lot of MONEY!"

You Have the Right to Remain Reverent

I'm pretty sure Oliver was the only kid bringing handcuffs to church this week.

In With the New

Our life as a dream,
Our time as a stream
Glide swiftly away,
And the fugitive moment refuses to stay;

For the arrow has flown and the moments are gone.
The millennial year presses on to our view,
And eternity's here.

- Charles Wesley

Left Behind

...on the hearth this morning:

 

Dear Oliver and Brahm,

Thank you for your letter and snacks. Sorry if we left a mess. My reindeer get thirsty flying around so fast. Usually they eat the snow on the rooftops to cool off but there wasn't any snow here! I didn't give you everything on your list. I only give really bad kids everything they want so that their greed prevents them from understanding the real meaning of Christmas.

Brahm, you were honest in your letter. That's a very noble quality. You can tell who is truly brave by how often he tells the truth. Always be brave, Brahm.

Oliver, I've noticed you've been working harder to be good. You have a mischievous side to you, like myself. It is a wonderful quality. Learn to bless people, like I have, and you will always be loved and respected.

Your dad left me a note that you boys have been fighting and asked me to to withhold a few presents. I understand why, but unlike him, I see what you do every day. I know that both of you are FAR more nice than naughty.

Oliver, you asked if I'm real. Well, my boy, I can tell you I'm as real as any dream you've ever had, or any hope you've ever held in your heart! I'm as real as a whisper and the warmth of love.

Merry Christmas to both of you!

St. Nicholas

P.S. Sorry my pen is so bad - and for the sloppiness. Prancer keeps bumping my hand!

And From Oliver

And if you struggle with seven-year-old penmanship, here's a translation:


"Dear Santa Claus,
I hope you give me good presents. I want to know if you are real. I never knew that you were real. Would you please send me note on Christmas? I'd love to make some cookies for you and milk. What kind of cookies and milk do you like? I hope I've been good. Here's my list of things I want:

• battle droid bobble head
• Legos Star Wars and Atlantis
• Detective Set
• Spy Gear Set
• iPad
• iPod
• remote control ATAT
• Legos  submarine set
• Nintgendo DS
• 25 bucks
• any kids robots
• any cool bobble heads that I like
• any rare Pokemon or Pokemon pack
• silly bandz
• lots of Nutcrackers
• Club Penguin membership for a year
• lots of marbles
• Mighty Mugs
• a new bike
• a big Nerf Gun
• to see you
• candy (lots)
• Poptropica Membership
• paintball gun
• Beyblade"

Mailed

via Brahm's stocking:

Posted

...on door of emergency food pantry in my neighborhood.