Christmas morning Lady Kitty woke up when it was still dark and went in to Lake’s room to wake him up. Together they went downstairs to discover what the night had brought.

“I think Santa has been here,” Lady Kitty said to Lake. I was eavesdropping from under my downy covers, still in bed, but I imagined I could hear her eyes widen as she and Lake took in the bulging stockings and the replenishment of gifts “from Santa.”

The Christmas magic is alive and well with our skeptical and pragmatic children, helped a bit this year by a rewatch of The Polar Express and Nana’s late night energy. Lake had already decided that in our house, in our family, Santa only fills the stockings, because as he explained he observed the gifts are from friends that drop by and family we visit so they can’t be from Santa. But this year, after opening gifts on Christmas Eve as is the European tradition, more presents appeared Christmas morning!

What delightful magic and the reindeer’s bells’ twinkling could be heard by all— loud and clear this year!