Dear Santa

Part of our countdown to Christmas activities included writing a letter to Santa. Here is Ben’s, as he dictated it to Mom (and yes, he dictated it in third person):

Dear Santa,

Ben has been very good this year. He would like you to come here. Please bring presents to Ben. He would like a toy that goes up and down with squishy stuff. He would also like a jumper from school.

See you soon!

Ben

Wow, that is a tough order to fill when Santa has trouble knowing exactly what to bring. After the letter, Mom questioned Ben extensively. The jumper from school was probably the inflatable jump castle that was at their fall carnival. Not hard to figure out, but a little big for Santa’s sleigh this year. The other item was described with hand motions that made a box or sphere shape. So the size was established. Here is a series of questions and Ben’s answers that followed the letter.

Q: What is this toy called? Does it have a name?

A: I don’t know. Santa will have to make it first.

Q: How will you play with the toy? Is there something you do with it to make it work?

A: I don’t know. I have never played with it before because Santa hasn’t brought it yet.

Q: Is it the same toy that goes up and down and is squishy or are you talking about different things?

A: It is all one thing, Mom. It will go up and down and is squishy.

Q: Where have you seen this? How did you know you want it?

A: Santa will make it like this with his hands. I have never seen it before because it isn’t made yet. I want it because Santa is making it for me.

A week or so goes by and when asked what he wants from Santa, Ben politely replies “Something that goes up and down and is squishy.” This is the standard answer now to anyone that asks. Santa is getting nervous as Christmas is approaching and a more specific description of the toy (especially a name) would be very useful. Finally, we are at school one afternoon and one of the volunteers at the front desk is making conversation with Ben while we are all getting coats on. She innocently asks what Ben would like for Santa to bring, while Mom is somewhat hopeful that he doesn’t hear her or gives a different answer for once. He launches into the same description and she politely accepts the answer and proceeds to become interested. She began guessing things that it might be called, and listed jack-in-the-box as one of her ideas. Ben exclaimed, “Yes, a jack-in-the-box! That is what I want!” What else could it have been? Of course it was a jack-in-the-box!! The volunteer responded how fun that would be and began to recount a year she got everything she asked for from Santa and listed the items. Mom tuned out as she was now doing a victory dance in her head and wanting to race up and hug the volunteer and let her know how precious this information exchange had been. Mom could not wait to tell Santa the news and update him on Ben’s list.

Santa was updated in time and Ben was thrilled to find a jack-in-the-box by his stocking. He was pleased that the toy jumped up and down and that he could squish him back into his box. He has played with him quite a bit and seems to be satisfied with Santa’s presents. Thank you, Santa! You came through yet again!