Daddy, now I KNOW that Santa really exists!

This season, with Mary Grace at 9 and William at 8, we expected the inevitable question:  "Is Santa Claus real?"  I can see the school-bus conversations from the kids with older and much-older siblings telling my children that Santa isn't real, along with all the shaming questions like "do you really think it's not your parents?"

So on Christmas morning at 7:50am, the kids came barreling down the stairs to find a multitude of presents under the tree, cookies and milk left for Santa consumed, and carrots and celery left for reindeer munched.

The day was spent opening gifts, playing with gifts and eating a big Christmas dinner.  (Ham this year)  At the end of the day, finally at bedtime, Mary Grace confided in me...

"Daddy, I wasn't sure if Santa was real or not, but now I know he is, because of the different wrapping paper on presents from Santa. I mean, Mommy wouldn't go off and buy special wrapping paper and hide it from us just for Santa's presents, that would be crazy!"

William said something similar:

"Daddy, now I know that Santa is real because I wanted Tetris Bop-It but it was out 

of stock in every store Mommy went to and even on-line but somehow Santa got it for me!"

So, I just want to let the doubters out there know that Santa is alive and well and continuing to fulfill the wishes of children everywhere.