Would you believe that I tend to mess something up almost each Christmas? Thankfully I’ve had a lot of practice dancing on command as this happens more frequent than I’ll admit throughout the year, not just this special season. Yeah me, right? No!

My friend Jodi of Paintchips and Cupcakes recently shared her disorganized approach to teacher appreciation gifts this year which inspired me to expose my slackerness. Thanks Jodi. Here goes.

Two years ago we signed up the kiddos for a day camp on December 22nd so that my husband and I could enjoy a leisure lunch together and put the final touches on our Christmas festivities. Right before we left for lunch, I brought all the wrapped gifts downstairs to place carefully under the tree. As we mentally took inventory we realized (crap!) we didn’t but any presents for the kids from us! We were so focused on gifts for nieces, nephews and other family, along with those special gifts from a certain man dressed in red that we totally overlooked gifts for our own kids. Guess how we spent our afternoon together two days before Christmas?

Last year we came home from celebrating Christmas Eve with family and the children started preparing for Santa’s visit by pulling out our special “Santa’s Cookies” plate. We typically put out carrots and celery for the reindeer, and cookies and milk for Santa. Guess who failed to make sure we had cookies for Santa? Yep…not a single cookie in the house! I convinced the kids that Santa would probably really appreciate a little fuel for his long night and we gave him an energy bar and a bottle of water.

Energy bars for Santa

 It is unbelievable to me that I pulled that one off with the kids with no whining or complaints.

When I look back at Christmas’ past, there are special memories each and every year, and a few of these slacker-mom moments sprinkled around too. We may never have the Norman Rockwell Christmas, but somehow it all comes together to create these snapshots that I hope we’ll all remember forever.

Like the first time my kids waited in anticipation for Santa and his reindeer to make their first appearance on the day after Thanksgiving in Sunriver, Oregon. We watched the dark sky patiently until we saw Rudolf’s nose leading the pack into the local airport.

Watching for Santa to Land

There he is! I can see Rudolf’s nose!

 Or sprinkling sparkle dust on the front lawn to make sure the reindeer see our house.

Sparkle Dust

 When I signed up for this parenting gig, I knew that a big part of this role is keeping the spirit and magic alive so that my children always believe. These are the memories that I cherish, almost as much as I love the kiddos that make them.

And who knows, maybe someday my kids will leave Santa energy bars with their kids.

Update from December 23, 2011: We just learned that treats + Christmas cards for our families went to the wrong house. My parents received the cards for my husband’s family and vice versa. Wonderful! It wouldn’t be a Rau Christmas without a blunder. Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!