MyThreeDaughters

The appeals to Santa for more gifts have now reached the Praise Phase. Straight from the corporate management books, Fontaine’s throwing morale-boosting sentiments at the Jolly Old Elf.

“Dear Santa,” she began her fourth amendment to her Christmas list, “thanks for your hard work!”

(Not to mention, I could really use two more things.)

You have to pump up the Big Man when your first list contains 18 items, not counting numbers 19 and 20 that were added to the back of the envelope. (I took the opportunity to scan the list, before sending it to the North Pole.)

Now, here’s one of the many great things about really young kids. Her entire list could be had for, probably, less than $250. If I listed 18 items – a new car, Bose surround system, some exciting home improvement like gutters or a new AC unit – it’d probably run $2.5 million.

I’d have to say my favorite item on Fontaine’s list is: “Black kids telescope,” referring to the desired color, not that it should be made for use by African-American children.

I also like that the items are not prioritized by number, but by number of times the word “please” is written below an item. I have to assume, “would be nice” makes it a completely optional item.

But if I were Santa, my feelings of self-worth would have rocketed higher than my sleigh when I was thanked for my hard work, and I’d probably bring her even the “would be nice” items.