Datebook: Monday, October 30th ~ 2006

With the holiday season just around the corner I thought we might want to go over the gift list again. Oh, not for the kids.

You know how the offspring always ask you, “What would you like this year mom?”

And we always answer, “Oh, nothing. I already have everything I could possibly want. I just enjoy watching you open your presents.”

This year I think we should do some inner reflection and give them something solid to put in our stockings.

So I’ve made a list which you can cut and paste and hand out to your dancing diva or divo. As you can tell, most of these are without cost since gifts with cost are merely an added expense to, well, us.

But remember, this makes them priceless.

Top Ten List of Presents That Kids Can Give Their Parents. A “top 8” spot on your Myspace list. Even if we do not have an account, the symbolism would be appreciated. I know there is much jockeying for position so I would not expect a 1 to 4 ranking. But please, even Tom is on 64% of teen Myspace accounts—so why not mom?

A “thank you” card that you have prepared in advance to be handed out during the year for exceptional parenting. This might be for something like a seven hour trek in the rain to watch SkateAmerica, giving you the suede boots before Christmas because they would look so cute with your jeans, or just for the extra fifty bucks so you don’t have to eat vanilla yogurt without fruit for the entire week.

A photo that you have requested during the year of the two of us. I know, I know, these are not as good as the 963 photos that you self shot at arms length of yourself with friends, but the gesture would be appreciated.

A photo that you have allowed to be taken during the past year when you actually did not complain, or roll your eyes, or sigh like you were taking a breathing analysis test. After this photo you would continue to smile and ask, “Was that good, would you like to take another one just to be sure?”

A coupon for a dinner with us, the parents. This would be used at our discretion and would involve dining, dinner conversation, and never looking at your watch to see how much longer you think you will have to sit there.

Breakfast at home, at the table, with everyone sitting down at one time. No one would have on pajamas and nothing with a Kellogg’s label would be on or near the table. Whatever was on the table would have pure vanilla as an ingredient,

A night at the movies—in a real theater for a just released, long awaited film—ah, yes and not a matinee, you might be seen out with me in the night hours. Afterwards we could go to Coldstone and try a new ice cream creation. This is best offered in the winter.

A snow day. Actual snow optional. This is a pajamas on the couch with blankets morning where we watch old movies like Dirty Dancing or something the Olsens were in when they were under 15 or one of the Mutant Ninja Turtle movies.

A book discussion. This is really an extended gift—you know, I get you a book you asked for sometime during the year--one that you have been dying to read and then you are so enthused about the plot and character development you ask me to read it too. I do and then we have this long discussion on the common threads the theme weaves through the book and the implications they have on the social connections in our real world.

And the Number One Gift we could ask our kids to give us…..if we suggest a song to skate to, don’t act like we tried to pair up 50 Cent and Charlotte Church—at least mull it over, consider making it an exhibition piece to be skated at the local rink if nothing else. Oh yeah, and numbers 2 through 10.

Remember, sneering and ridicule have no place amongst the mistletoe.

Mombo