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CREATING
MEMORIES THAT LAST FOREVER
This last Christmas we were trying to decide what to get our 4 children
for presents and we had a huge revelation. We have been talking for
months (years really!) about how we seem to keep accumulating so much
stuff, some bought and much given to us. Too many toys make it more
difficult to keep rooms clean and much harder for the kids to decide
what to do……….just too much to choose from. There were
no particular items that the kids were dying to have and the things
they did want, we knew would end up under a bed or hidden in a closet
in a matter of weeks after opening. We just couldn’t justify spending
money on things that were not going to last much past the New Year.
The revelation came to us to ask the kids if they could DO anything
(vs. buying anything) what would each choose. Much to our surprise,
they all had something they were really interested in. We decided to
do a little investigating, found information for each of their desires,
and bought tickets for each child’s Christmas “Event”.
Now each of the kids would not only get to do something really special
that they normally didn’t get to do but also, we would be having
very special parent/child time together. Darrin would take 2 of the
boys on their events and I would take one son and our one daughter.
Jill is 15 and said she would love to go to an opera in Seattle. Neither
of us had ever gone to one and it sounded like it would be very interesting.
We did some internet research, read all about the new renovation of
the Seattle Opera House and learned it is now called the Marion Oliver
McCaw Hall. We looked through the schedule and picked the opera “Carmen”
and ordered tickets. We both had lots of anticipation and excitement
as we read about what people wear and how they are to act during an
opera. I found a double set cd at Costco that came with a book explaining
the whole “Carmen” opera including all the words in English
and the original language. Jill was able to read about it and listen
to the music before we went. I wrapped up the tickets, cds and book
for her Christmas present.
On the special day, Jill and I started off as early as we could get
out of the house. We began with a mocha from Starbucks and then spent
the day shopping together at the Super Mall and IKEA, finding some really
great buys (a whole other story!). We went to lunch together and it
was such a special talking and bonding time for us. That night, the
opera was even more awesome than we had expected! The surroundings,
the people, the clothes, the music, the performances…….it
was too cool! We even rented the binoculars so we could see every detail!
We could not get the smiles off our faces as we drove home about midnight.
I took lots of pictures of everything we did that day and am putting
them in a photo album for Jill to keep of her Christmas present from
2003. She still talks about what a memory she will have forever!
Jeff is 12 and he wanted to ride go-carts. I found a place that actually
teaches the kids in a 90 minute driving class all the rules, flags,
etc…and then lets them drive around in high-performance go-carts.
They get a certificate and “license” after they pass the class.
Darrin and Jeff left early to spend the whole day together, just like
Jill and I did. They started at the glass museum in Tacoma and then
went to the race track and school. Jeff passed the class and had a blast
as he raced around the track. He bought a cool race hat and Darrin took
lots of pictures of him. After that, they went to lunch and then looked
through a Harley-Davidson shop and sat on lots of motorcycles and dreamed
together! They ended the day with a movie. The smile on Jeff’s
face when he got home and the excitement in his voice as he re-lived
the day for us let me know it was his best Christmas gift yet. I put
all the pictures of his day into an album which he now proudly shows
anyone who will look at it with him!
Brandon is 8 and he wants to go see the motorcycle races at the Tacoma
Dome which he still has one more month to wait for. It has been VERY
hard for him to wait this long for his “big” Christmas present
but the excitement is building up! Darrin plans to take him through
some Army Surplus stores and a military museum since he is so in love
with the military. Eating out will be a big highlight for him also!
Darrin will take lots of pictures for me to put in an album for Brandon
to look at year after year.
Andrew is 6 and is our train lover. He got his Christmas present early
because he wanted to ride on the Santa Train that runs from Snoqualmie
to North Bend. He and I started out the day with a cinnamon roll and
trip to see reindeer at IKEA. We ate lunch at McDonalds (his favorite)
and then had a blast spending a few hours riding the train, eating cookies,
drinking hot chocolate and sitting on Santa’s lap at the train
station. He got a really cute train toothbrush and snow globe and puzzle,
which I ended up holding onto and wrapping up and putting under the
Christmas tree for him. I took lots and lots of pictures with Andrew
next to many different trains and people dressed in train outfits. I
let him pick out a train that ran on batteries at a toy store where
I was able to take a picture of him with a marine in uniform collecting
Toys for Tots. We went to the Auburn Supermall and he had pizza and
we split a cinnabon. His favorite part was watching them make the cinnabons,
which I also took a picture of. He rode on the carousel and then fell
asleep as we drove home in the dark after a very fun day. I put all
the developed pictures in an album for him and he unwrapped that along
with the train memorabilia on Christmas morning. He was SO excited all
over again and he, like his siblings, loves showing anyone who will
look at his special train album with all the memories of our day together.
I find him on many afternoons just sitting looking through the pictures,
re-living his special Christmas gift.
This had to have been our most fun gift-giving time for our children
and one that we intend to do each year now, if possible. The memories
and bonds that we built together will not only last into this new year
but for a lifetime!! One of the best benefits was being able to spend
one-on-one time with each child and getting into their world. Their
guards were down and they shared their hearts and dreams with us. It
was their day and they got to choose where we went and what we did.
They each felt not only special and treasured but valued by us. Toys
and games might fulfill some immediate gratification, but time spent
together, talking and laughing and doing something that they really
wanted to do, will create memories and grow relationships with our children
that will last forever!
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children
of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7
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