Dumb Angels

Our family had a low-key Christmas. Months before the actual celebrations began we kindly informed "Santa" that his services would not be needed at our house. Any presents he had for our kids should be taken to the local shelter to be given to children whose parents couldn't afford to give them presents. As a family we have discussed on many occasions whose birthday we were actually celebrating. We decided (as a family) that since Jesus received three gifts, that was the most we would receive.

.

We also decided that since it was Jesus' birthday HE should receive presents from each of us. Our Savior is an easy person to get a gift for. He has told everyone over and over which presents He most wants...service & love to others and our wills to be more in line with the Father. Each member of our family chooses two things they will work on for the year as their gift to the dear Savior.

.

We have followed this same pattern for a few years now and we always have the most wonderful Christmas celebrations. The focus is always on Christ and we always have fun trying to think up which acts of service would be most appreciated by our Savior and which bad habits He would most like to see us give up.

.

(I need to note here that I have nothing against Santa. He was a lovely man who lived many years ago. His actions, while on earth, were charitable and kind. But he is dead now. And the elves I want my children to believe in are more in line with Tolkien's ideas than the North Pole version. I know...I am a very mean Mom and a horrible person. Sorry.)

.

But this year was different.

.

Angels got in the way.

.

.

.

Our family has participated in the Christmas Angel program before. We felt that it was a wonderful program that truly benefited children in need. That was before the Angels came to our house!!!

.

I haven't mentioned it on the blog before, however it must be mentioned now so you can fully understand the situation. In addition to Miss Q (our 17-year old foster daughter), we have a 16-month old foster son. He has been with us since Veteran's Day. He is a darling boy and his Momma is working very hard to get him back. I will refer to him as Mr. J.

.

My caseworker called in November to get information on both foster children. She wanted their clothing and shoe sizes, favorite colors, and any ideas of items they would like to receive for Christmas.

.

"How Sweet!" I naively thought.

.

I already had Miss Q's Christmas gifts ordered (her own set of scriptures & some clothes) back in October. I knew her Mom and Aunt were planning on giving her a few items each, so she was taken care of. Since we only got Mr. J in the middle of November, I had no presents ready for him. Now I wouldn't have to worry about it. The Christmas Angels would take care of his presents.

.

Ey-yi-yi! Those rotten Angels!

.

I know they were probably sweet people, just trying to do a bit of service around the holidays. But this is how I think they chose their gifts...

.

"Hmmm. This item sings songs, talks incessantly, and honks. I bet that darling boy would love this!"

.

"Oh Look! This item makes loud wind noises and popping sounds, all controlled by the infant. How wonderful!"

.

"Oooo. This item would be such a good learning tool. It sings the alphabet over and over and over at an un-holy pitch. I'm sure he'll love it."

.

I can just picture the sweet people who picked these gifts. Thinking how much Mr. J would enjoy them. I just wish they would have thought of his poor Foster Mom having to listen to all those toys the whole day long. *sigh* Of course, each person only bought one item. They had no way of knowing that the other Angels would also give noisy toys.

.

And yes, I am the same Mom who bought our family a drum set last year. But that is totally different! Drums are a musical instrument. And the pitch of them is fine for my ears. However, the un-holy pitch on Mr. J's toys is at the gratingly high level. The one that just eats away at your ear drums until you go insane.

.

There is good news though. I have a screw driver. And I know how to use it. After the first week I removed the batteries from every toy I could find.

.

There is bad news too. Joe knows how to use a screwdriver. He also knows where the batteries are kept. And he felt very sorry for Mr. J when his toys mysteriously stopped working. He put the batteries back in the two main toys.

.

I am doing my best to cope. As soon as Joe goes back to school, the batteries will be coming out for good!

.
In the meantime, Mr. J and Cakes are having a blast making as much noise as possible. I guess I should consider hearing their deep belly laughs as a good consolation.
.
Nah! Those batteries are coming out...SOON!
.
.
.

Restored Toy #1

.

.

.

.

Restored Toy #2