Dear Santa

We recently attended Lucy's school Christmas Program. Having grown up in California, the land of being politically correct, this was shocking to me. A school CHRISTMAS PROGRAM??? What happened to Hannakah, Kwanzaa, The Chinese New Year???? Do Wisconsin schools not have HOLIDAY PROGRAMS that are non-discriminating??? That seemed strange to me.

As it turns out, Lucy has yet to learn about Hannakah. She has NO IDEA about a manorah, or draddle, draddle, draddle. She has no idea what Kwanzaa means. Chinese New Year- forget about it.

When I was growing up, in California, the land of feelings, hippies, and cultural awareness- I never saw a Christmas Tree in the classroom. We didnt talk about Santa Claus. We colored pictures of Manorahs, played with draddles, learned about St. Nick, and read ethnic history lessons on the meaning of Kwanzaa. I didnt mind. Some of my friends were Jewish. Draddles seemed cool. St. Nick was way fancier than my vision of Santa Claus. And Kwanzaa, well who doesn't love beating a steel drum in a circle of friends???

So. When I received a letter from Lucy's school inviting friends and family to their ANNUAL Christmas Program, I was intrigued. People in Wisconsin aren't afraid of insulting other cultures? Hurting any little Jewish child's feelings? How could that be? It couldn't be true. I had to see it for my own eyes!

The week of the Christmas Program, Lucy walked around the house singing CHRISTMAS CAROLS. Where did she learn those??? I had to ask.

Me: "Lucy, what are you singing?"
Lucy: "Rudolph"
Me: "Wow, you are a beauiful singer. Where did you learn the Rudolph song?"
Lucy: "At school. Today we even got to practice in the gym!" And off she sang, running and playing with Hudson. Who was now singing "Rudolph" too.

I sat thinking, to myself, that maybe a Christmas Program still exsisted in the world. Still skeptical, I waited to see for myself.

The night of the program, Lucy picked out her very own version of a Christmas outfit. She looked great. At least she thought she did. She was so excited to show everyone her classroom and sing her songs.

When we arrived, I noticed a Christmas Tree in the front entrance, tinsel and paper chains hanging- counting down the days until christmas. This was definetley and Christmas Party!

We were ushered to our seats where we listened to children sing Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Feliz Navidad, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Lucy stood proud in the front row, belting the words she could remember, and waving to us Schueys in the back row. I was so proud of my little Christmas Elf.

this is G wrangeling Hudson, who wanted to be on stage singing with sissy.

After the singing was done Lucy took us through her classroom, introduced us to her teachers, and showed off all of her art work and school projects. One project that caught my eye was a letter to Santa that hung on the Christmas Wall. Not only was there a Christmas Wall, but there were letters to Santa!!!!

There wasnt a dradle, a manorah, or a kwanzaa candle in sight.

I am officially a (has been) Mormon, now non-denominational liberal, married to a Lutheran, and living in a Catholic run, public school district. Im not offended. Just disappointed really. I mean, who is going to teach Lucy how to spin a dradle or make a kwanzaa feast? I mean, do I have to do everything?

Happy Christmas and Merry Hannakah

With love-

Fear of God

I was doing laundry the other day, shocking- I know, and I found this crinkled up in with Lucy's clothes.

I carefully opened it and was a little bit confused. Since I work on Sundays and G wont allow us to worship with the Mormons, it is up to big daddy G to get the kids to church. And by that I mean- it is really up to Grandma Schuey.

Confused, but interested- I took this (beautifully) colored picture of Issac and Abraham to Lucy, you know, for explanation.

This is how the conversation went.

Me: "hey Lucy, what's this?"
Lucy: looks up and then back down at her dolls, "that's babe-ra-ham and Isaac. God made babe-ra-ham put baby Isaac on the stones."
Me: "really? Why did God do that?"
Lucy: "because God said so. But it's okay mom, a goat came and babe-ra-ham put down his knife. And him and Sarah got to keep baby Isaac."
Me: "why did they get to keep baby Issac?"
Lucy: standing up, she placed he hand out like a crossing guard and said, "because God came and said STOP."

As a (has been) Mormon seminary student I understand this story of faith and sacrifice. But as a mom this story made me think twice. What a terrible story to tell 4 year olds. Mormon, Lutheran, or not, how scary. To think that a daddy would sacrafice his son- ON STONES. WITH A KNIFE!

But then I thought, could I use this to my advantage? To instill the fear of God in my kids, literally.

Just a thought.

Peace and love-
Mama

Xmas Pic

I haven't send out my Christmas card yet this year. Why? Because this is what happens every time I try to take a Christmas picture of my kids.