The Good Ole' Days

Do you remember when we were children and would keep ourselves occupied by playing outside, coloring or playing board games? What happened? One word-Technology! My kids, although I am ashamed to admit it, are hooked on technology. Can you blame them though? Portable video games, Laptops, Cell phones, texting, itouches, ipods everything under the sun is new and improved, full of gadgets that most people can't resist. However, these gadgets come with a hefty price tag. I remember wanting a new bag of marbles, lip smackers in the pop flavors, all different shapes of colored beads to craft with and maybe a new cabbage patch doll. My kids asked for items so expensive that we had to assess the Christmas list this year. They need to learn to appreciate the things they get and understand the value of a dollar, not to mention the true meaning of Christmas. Macen the other day, asked me why we give gifts to each other on Christmas, when it's actually Jesus' Birthday..."shouldn't he get the gifts?"...huh...yep, words of wisdom from an 8 year old. He went on, and on about Jesus and what he did for us, and the true meaning of the holiday. Not sure where he heard all this, I can't imagine he remembered this from Religious Education (2 years ago)..LOL! However, he was right on. I am back to my earlier post where traditions are more important than the superficial gifts that we received from each other. So, as I write this, I am putting off sitting down and filling out the Christmas cards that need to go out, cookies that still need to be baked, and the few things that need to go out in the mail, that have all became traditions in our family to do because I am getting burned out already, but I better get moving to keep the tradition alive! Christmas IS only 10 days away-EEK!