After a few unexpected delays, we’ve finally had the new tree up in the house – and this year the kids were actually a help in setting up the decorations, even including the toddler, instead of trying to tear stuff off like last year.
I love the smell of fresh pine in the morning… it smells like Christmas!
And now the whole house smells of pine, especially in the mornings when we head downstairs for breakfast.
Working Hard for the Toys
Separately, we attended a Christmas Party by way of the wifey’s CPA Social Committee over the weekend. We used to help out as it’s run not just for the members, but also for a orphanage the Association supports to let the kids have a little something for Christmas, but kinda stopped when the kids came along. This year though, we’ve brought our kids to attend as well, and I think it managed to make quite an impact on the eldest boy.
Usually there are little carnival-style stalls set up for the kids to play games, and the points they get from winning these games lets them exchange for toys, with more accumulated points for bigger or better toys. The eldest had his eye set on a blue-coloured robot (his favourite colour) and it was the first time I’ve seen him with such determination and intensity going around the stalls playing the games and counting his points after every game and asking me “how many more do I need, daddy?”. Sadly though, some other kid managed to redeem the toy before he could, but he I think he handled it pretty well, and in the end settled for a jigsaw puzzle he seemed to like very much.
As a way to set goals and for the kid to understand the value of work and rewards, I think it worked pretty well, and we may adapt it to get the kids to clean up after themselves or learn things by giving them a “rewards book” with them getting points by way of stickers or stamps for chores done in exchange for a toy or new storybook. It should motivate the eldest and the younger would just follow on general principles thus setting a good foundation.