When is the gig up?

I am sure every parent goes through the conflict of how to handle the "truth" about the famous holiday icons like Santa and the Easter Bunny. In my situation, I thought that the kids would just hear rumors and come ask me for the truth and then I'd deliver the devastating news and give a pep talk about the spirit of the holidays and how we can keep them alive. So far, that is not the case and I am not struggling with whether I should approach my oldest child with the truth.

Benjamin is 9 and since he was old enough to write he has been leaving Santa notes on the tree. They started off mildly with questions like "how many reindeer do you have?" or "how are the toys made?" or "what are the reindeer's names?". These questions were a cake walk. My husband would write the responses with his left hand while I would look up the answers that we didn't know on Google.

Yesterday, I received his list of questions for Santa "so far". Let me tell you, I have some serious homework to do and I am scared to death. I don't know if even Google, Wikipedia or Jeeves can help me this year. The questions are so much more in-depth:
1. How do you get the materials for your toys
2. Do you have any children? and if so what are their names/ages
3. Where do you go on vacation?
4. What is your favorite healthy foods?

Keeping Christmas alive is so important to me but so is having the trust of my son. If I fabricate answers to his latest Santa test will he be so disappointed to learn that they came from me some day? If I tell him that there is no Santa will I have dashed his Christmas spirit? I know I am not the first parent to go through this anxiety and won't be the last. When is the gig up? Who calls the shots? Let it happen? or Make it happen? Hmmmmm.....where is the manual for this job?

Blogging Along

I have had this hang up with the idea of me blogging. I enjoy reading all kinds of blogs but typically they tell quite a bit about the blogger whether or not it is about work, school or personal interests. I wasn't sure if I was comfortable with posting my personal life on the Internet. It is somewhat like my thoughts on Facebook where all if my worlds both past and present collided. Did I really want that to happen? School friends, couple friends, work friends, family.....what happens when they merge? Eeeek! I found out it isn't the end of the world. No one has freaked out on me for the crazy party pictures I have had posted nor have they said they have seen too many photos of my kids. It has provided a great spot to stay in touch and get back in touch with all kinds of friends. Worlds collided, I survived and can still be me.

Today, I was inspired by my bosses 9 year old daughter to start a blog. She is a bright creative girl with some great things to say. I think it is such a good use of time to be able to organize some decent thoughts and spit 'em out. I am guessing this will become a collection of my random thoughts, rants, stories and whatever else springs up from my life as a wife, mom of three rambunctious and fun children and career in a fantastically fun start up company (www.alice.com). Please remember if you chose to follow that you read at your own risk. The usual "opinions of the author only" and "can't be held responsible" disclaimers apply.

Today's random thought is on fear or phobias. I have a friend that is really afraid of flying, one that is claustrophobic and now just learned of the fear of cotton balls. Mine is the dentist. I faced my fear today and went for my semi-annual dentist visit. As usual, I held my breath during the whole thing and walked away with an excruciating headache and was actually sore from being tense the whole time. Fear...its a nasty thing. Just face it!