It usually takes me a couple of years to complete an album because I'm such a perfectionist; so Frank thinks I should start working on it as soon as possible. He agreed that I should have from October to January off because I've been working so much lately and I feel bad because I haven't been able to spend a whole lot of time with Christian.

Today's the first 일 of my vacation and it's going to take me a while to get back into the routine of taking care of Christian completely on my own every day. I woke up around 9 o'clock in the morning because I knew Christian would be awake any 분 now. I walked into the room just as he was opening his eyes and said "good morning buddy!" I think he was surprised that I was there because he asked "you're not going to work daddy?" I said "not for three months."

I picked him up and brought him downstairs. I put him down on the ground and noticed something taped to the refrigerator. I put the 우유 on the counter and grabbed the piece of paper off of the fridge to see what it was. I knelt down 다음 to Christian and asked "what's this?" He said "those are my stickers to show 당신 how many times I used the potty daddy. The red stars are the accidents and the yellow stars are the good ones." I asked "how come 당신 haven't showed me this before buddy?" He said "I want to; but 당신 are tired." I felt really guilty as I looked down at him and I said "I don't want 당신 to ever feel like 당신 can't show me something just because I've had a long 일 at work buddy! I don't care how tired I am; 당신 can spend time with me."

I looked at the piece of paper and noticed that there were significantly 더 많이 yellow stars with about 10 red stars scattered throughout the page. I said "it's definitely getting better. I wish some of those red stars weren't there; but it's getting better! We'll work on it while I'm on vacation. You're still having quite a bit of accidents huh buddy?" He said "yeah; I'm sorry daddy" and started crying.

I picked him up and said "it's okay Christian; why are 당신 so upset? It's no big deal; 당신 know I don't care about that stuff!" He said "but daddy; I don't want 당신 to be mad! I want to make 당신 happy! I didn't do good!" I don't have any idea why Christian is so critical of himself; but it makes me feel horrible!" I grabbed the piece of paper and asked "do 당신 see this? This is so good Christian! Why would 당신 think that I would be mad at you? I'm happy buddy; trust me! We just need to work on it a little bit 더 많이 until there's no red stars!" He said "you're supposed to be mad at me; aren't you?" I said "of course not" and hugged him as tight as I possibly could!

***

I'm a daddy on a mission this week and my mission is to hopefully complete this potty training thing with Christian. He is almost completely trained and I can't wait to put this thing behind us because I'm running out of carpet cleaner.

Christian came downstairs after waking up this morning and walked up to me as I stood at the counter drinking my coffee. I knelt down and gave him a hug as I said "good morning buddy; did 당신 sleep well?" He shook his head yes and I asked "did 당신 already use the bathroom?" He said "yup" and was about to sit at the 표, 테이블 when I said "I'm making breakfast sandwiches instead of just cereal; so when they're finished cooking I will bring one in to 당신 and the two of us can eat in the living room while we watch cartoons."

After the egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches were finished cooking, I came into the living room with them on a plate. I sat down 다음 to Christian on the 침상, 소파 and passed Christian his sandwich. I definitely think Christian likes the idea of having me 집 for three months because I think he was getting sick of eating cereal every morning.

Christian had ketchup on his face; so I leaned over to wash it with a napkin and that's when I realized the 침상, 소파 was soaking wet. I looked at Christian and he said "I think I need to go potty daddy." I rolled my eyes and said "I think 당신 already did." I joked "why did 당신 have to pee on my couch?" I think Christian thought I was mad because he burst out crying.

After cleaning him and the 침상, 소파 up, he was still crying and I asked "what's wrong Christian?" He said in between sobs "I made 당신 mad!!!" I picked him up and said "I'm not mad at 당신 at all Christian; daddy was joking!" He insisted "you're supposed to be mad at me daddy!" I hugged him and said "no I'm not supposed to be mad at you! Do I look mad?" He said "no; but why aren't 당신 mad at me?" I said "because I would never get mad at 당신 for anything! I might get disappointed in 당신 sometimes; but I'll never be mad at you! I thought 당신 went to the bathroom already though." He said "I was going to when I came down here; but then 당신 said that I could watch 만화 and I kind of forgot." I said "well; I'm not too happy that 당신 lied to me Christian. It would've been better if 당신 just said 당신 had to go. It would've taken just a few 분 and then 당신 could have come in here to watch cartoons. Doesn't that make a lot 더 많이 sense than going through all of this?" I think he started to get what I was saying because he gave me a hug and a kiss.

***

I excitedly shouted "high five Christian!" He looked at the chart taped to the fridge and gave me a high-five. I said "I think it's pretty 안전한, 안전 to say that 당신 are officially potty trained now buddy! 당신 haven't had an accident in a week; not even at night and that shocks me. I'm so proud of 당신 buddy!" He jumped into my arms and was way 더 많이 concerned about the bag of 캔디 on the counter than what I had to say.

I passed him some M&Ms and we went into the living room to play with his toys. I usually keep the TV on and a 할로윈 commercial came on. I wasn't surprised that they were using "Thriller" as the 음악 on the advertisement because that song has become sort of a 할로윈 tradition. Christian looked up at the TV and I asked "would 당신 like to go trick-or-treating this 년 like the kids on TV?" He said "get 캔디 daddy!" I chuckled and said "yeah; people will give 당신 candy!" He said "okay" and I was kind of regretting bringing up the idea of trick-or-treating because I just realized that I have no choice other than to disassociate myself from the Jehovah's Witness religion. Sometimes I wish the rules weren't so strict because I want Christian to experience holidays just like any other child. I hope mother won't be too mad at me!

***

Yesterday my paperwork was approved and I've been officially disassociated from the Jehovah's Witness religion. My mother's on the way over and I don't know how she's going to take the news. The worst part is that Christian is taking a nap; so I can't use his cuteness as a distraction from our conversation.

Once she arrived, the two of us sat down in the living room and she asked "what did 당신 want to talk about Michael?" I asked "can I ask 당신 a hypothetical question?" She said "yeah; I guess." I asked "what would 당신 think if I told 당신 that I disassociated myself from the Jehovah Witnesses?" She sat there silently for a few 분 and then she asked "this isn't a hypothetical question; is it Michael?" I let out a deep sigh and said "no; it's not mother." She looked up at me and whispered "why?" I said "I'm not trying to hurt 당신 mother because I know how important me being a Jehovah's Witness is to you; but I want Christian to experience the things that I never got to growing up!" She said "Michael; you're my only good son! I 사랑 my children equally of course; but you're the only one that ever listens to me anymore! All the others got sucked into the world of greed and I think any hope of getting them back is long gone now! I understand why 당신 did what 당신 did and I accept it; but 당신 should know that I'll never agree with it!"

She got off of the 침상, 소파 and walked into the kitchen. I followed after her as she opened the front door and I shouted "mother; wait! I'm not trying to hurt you!" She didn't seem mad at me which was a good thing I guess; but I think it definitely saddens her to have me abandon one of the things that the two of us shared over the years.

I ran upstairs to my room and sat on my 침대 as I started to cry. I always try to make others happy instead of myself and I felt like I had to choose between Christian and my mother. I could either make my mother happy 의해 practicing that religion 또는 make my son happy 의해 letting him experience things like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Part of being a father is putting my son first before anyone else. I'm hoping all this will pay off in the end because right now I feel like the world's worst son.

Suddenly, I noticed Christian climbing onto my 침대 and he asked "why 당신 cry daddy?" I tried my best to dry my tears before he saw me crying; but it was already too late for that. I said "I'm just a little said; that's all." He said "you need a hug daddy" and wrapped his arms around me. I smiled and said "thank you; I think that's exactly what I needed buddy." He said "don't cry anymore!" I chuckled and said "okay; I won't!"

***

Christians surprised me when he said he didn't want to be Mickey 쥐, 마우스 for his first 할로윈 and I'm starting to think that he just wants the 캔디 더 많이 than the whole experience of trick-or-treating. I think he finally settled on being a doctor after changing his mind over and over again. I hope he's okay with that because I just bought the costume and I have a feeling he's going to look so adorable. I got the costume just in time because 할로윈 is today. I came up with the idea of buying myself a costume as a disguise; so I can go trick-or-treating without a giant mob of 팬 knowing that I'm even near them.

I was in the living room opening up the costumes when Christian came in and noticed them. He asked "is that my doctor costume?" I said "it sure is buddy!" He asked "what are 당신 going to be daddy?" I said "I'm going to be Spiderman because that's the only thing with a mask that will cover my whole head." I helped him put his costume on and he looked so cute. The white 재킷, 자 켓 was way too big for him and his hands pretty much got 로스트 inside the sleeves. I think his 가장 좋아하는 part of the costume was the stethoscope and I think he thought it was real because he kept trying to check my 심장 beat.

After I got my costume on, we went outside and Tim dropped us off in the middle of town. I told him to pick us up in about 45 분 because I figure any longer would be too long for Christian; since he just turned three a few weeks ago.

Christian was having a blast knocking on the doors. I was always trying to get him to ask for the candy; but he's way too shy for that. He didn't even really want to take the 캔디 because he was too afraid. He would only take it if I took it from the bowl first and he took him from me.

I looked down at my watch and realized that Tim would be looking for us in a few minutes; so I said "this is going to be the last house Christian because we have to go home." We walked up to the door with Christian holding my hand and the doorknob turned. The door swung open and a teenager wearing a 늑대 mask with a flannel 셔츠 growled at Christian.

Christian immediately freaked out and started hysterically crying as he clung to my arm. I picked him up and looked at this teenage boy as I asked with an irritated tone "seriously? That was so immature of 당신 to scare a three-year-old! I'm glad 당신 think that's so funny dude because I don't at all!"

I carried Christian off of the property and back to the SUV where Tim was. I climbed into the car with him on my lap as he continued to cry. I said "it's okay buddy; I know that boy was mean! He said "daddy; we go home!" I said "yup; we're going 집 right now!" He seemed all shaken up because of what had just happened; so I excitedly asked "do 당신 want me to make 초콜릿 chip 팬케이크 for dinner?" His eyes widened and I chuckled as I said "I thought 당신 would like the sound of that!"

의해 the time we got back to the ranch, it was almost 7 o'clock at night and we usually eat 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 at 5; so I wasn't surprised to see that Christian was getting tired. He was practically falling asleep at the 표, 테이블 while he was eating his pancakes. I sat down 다음 to him and fed him bites from his plate as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

After he had eaten most of the 음식 I picked him up and whispered "are 당신 ready to go night – night Christian?" I patted his back as I carried him upstairs and got him ready for bed. I brought him into his room and put him under the covers. I thought he was almost asleep at this point; but when I leaned in to give him a kiss, his eyes shot open and he asked "are 당신 eating my 캔디 daddy? 당신 smell like skittles!" I said with a guilty grin on my face "maybe!" He said "you are; I can see the red on your teeth and your tongue is purple!" I giggled and said "alright; 당신 caught me! There's plenty 더 많이 left; so I snuck a couple pieces!" He lightly pecked my lips and said "don't eat all of my 캔디 daddy!" I chuckled as I shut off the light and turned the TV on. Christian said "I 사랑 당신 더 많이 daddy!" I laughed as I said "hey; I'm supposed to say that! I 사랑 당신 더 많이 Christian!"

***

It was weird being able to celebrate 할로윈 because I've never been allowed celebrate it before and now I have to figure out how to celebrate Thanksgiving because that's right around the corner. My mother still won't talk to me ever since she found out that I left the Jehovah's Witness religion and I don't know if she's mad at me 또는 not. I wish I could convince her to leave the religion as well; because I want her to be able to be a part of all these new experiences with us.

I was sitting at the 부엌, 주방 표, 테이블 waiting for Christian to wake up and there was a knock at the door. I got up to answer it and my manager Frank was standing there. I invited him inside and he said "I just wanted to stop in and see how you're doing; and I haven't seen 당신 in about a month. How are 당신 enjoying your vacation?" I said "I finally disassociated myself from the Jehovah's Witnesses and now I'm just trying to figure out how to celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm thinking I should invite as many people as possible over to the house for Thanksgiving." He said "I'll definitely come Michael! I usually celebrate Thanksgiving with my family; but if 당신 want me to I can come!" I said "only if 당신 want to Frank and if it's okay with your family. I really think 당신 should celebrate with them instead Frank because they are your family; not me and Christian!" He said "I consider 당신 part of my family Michael; 당신 know that!" I said "yeah; but 당신 don't feel the same way about Christian!" He said "I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't too keen on the idea of 당신 becoming a father; but I'm slowly getting used to it as time passes." I said "Christian is going to wake up soon; so 당신 should probably go. Feel free to stop 의해 on Thanksgiving 일 for a couple of hours; but 당신 really should spend it with your family Frank!" He patted my shoulder and said "will do for sure!" He shut the door behind him and I walked upstairs to check on Christian to see if he was awake yet.

I walked into his room and he was once again hanging off the side of the bed. I ran to catch him before he fell off the 침대 and smacked his head on the floor. I picked him up and said "good morning Christian." He opened his eyes and rubbed them as he said "good morning daddy." I said "I'm going to make 당신 some breakfast and while 당신 eat, I'm going to make some phone calls to invite your aunts and uncles to come over on Thanksgiving."

I went downstairs and made Christian some oatmeal for breakfast. Afterwards, I went into the living room and started to call each one of my siblings. Surprisingly, all of them agreed to come over and I'm hoping it's not because my brothers want to ask me for money to pay for another one of their "get rich quick" schemes. I really hope I don't regret inviting them because it usually doesn't end very well for me!

***

My alarm clock started beeping and I opened my eyes just as the sun started to come up. I got ready for the 일 and went downstairs to make myself a cup of coffee. I went to the pantry and grabbed a bunch of different 음식 to start preparing for our Thanksgiving meal this afternoon. I am a pretty good cook; but I've never tried to make some of these foods before and I hope I don't screw it up. I was at a complete loss about how to cook a turkey and this was one of those times when I wish I could call my mother for advice.

I know that that's going to take the longest to cook, so I put that in first and hoped for the best. I decided that it's probably best if I cook the things that I'm most familiar with first; so I made the mashed potatoes and vegetables before starting the 더 많이 difficult things. I'm not really familiar with baking things; I just hope that these pies turn out okay.

After I had gotten the three pies into the oven, I heard Christian coming downstairs. He walked up to me and I said "hey buddy; I've got to pick out your clothes for the day!" I turned the TV on in the living room and went upstairs to get his clothes while he watched cartoons.

I came back downstairs and helped him get dressed into his little Thanksgiving 일 outfit. It was a pair of 카키색 옷감, 카키색 pants, white socks, and a long sleeve white T-shirt, and a sweater vest with a checkered pattern of brown and orange. I combed his hair because I want him to look good when everybody came over.

I only allowed Christian to eat small snacks because I didn't want him to lose his appetite 의해 the time everyone arrived. When they got here, I invited them inside and we all hurried to set the 표, 테이블 because they were really hungry. I helped Christian get up into his booster 좌석 and sat down in the chair 다음 to him. I said "I guess I'll say grace as fast as possible because I know we all want to eat. A lot has changed in these past couple of months for me and I never thought I would be in this position; but I don't regret it one bit because I 사랑 my son so much. I'm so thankful that God brought Christian into my life because I can't even imagine what my life would be like without him; amen."

I started to fill Christian’s plate with 음식 and Latoya said "that was really sweet Michael! I have to say that you're an amazing father!" Jackie said "yeah Mike; she's right! You're a great dad!" I looked at Christian and asked "do 당신 think they're right?" He said "you're the best daddy in the whole world!" I hugged him and said "you're the best son in the whole Christian!"

All of us went into the living room to eat 디저트 and we sat on the floor. Christian is addicted to Oreo 쿠키 and that's his 가장 좋아하는 food; so I made an Oreo cookie flavored pie. The 분 he started to eat his piece of pie, I could tell that he was going to make a huge mess. I took the plate from him and said "here; let daddy feed 당신 because I don't want 당신 to make a mess buddy!" Janet said "you must be excited celebrate 크리스마스 with him Michael! 당신 and him get to celebrate your first 크리스마스 together! Do 당신 have any plans for 크리스마스 Michael?" I said "I don't really know what I'm going to do yet; but it's kind of irritating that it doesn't snow here in LA! Christian won't get to experience a white Christmas!" She suggested "why don't 당신 take Christian to Canada and rent one of those fancy log cabins; that way there will be snow on the ground when he wakes up on 크리스마스 morning?" I said "actually; that doesn't sound like a bad idea!" Jermaine looked at Christian and asked "what do 당신 want for 크리스마스 Christian?" He quietly whispered "clothes." All of us were completely baffled 의해 his response and I asked "you really want clothes for Christmas? I can afford to buy 당신 anything 당신 ever want for a toy; but 당신 want clothes?" He said "I like clothes daddy" and Randy said "I definitely wasn't expecting to hear him say that! What three-year-old wants clothes for Christmas? My kids just throw any clothes they get behind them and 옮기기 on to something else!" He joked "can I swap kids with 당신 Mike?" I laughed and said "sorry; he's here to stay!" Christian said "kiss daddy" and I puckered my lips as he leaned in to 키스 me. Rebbie said "he's seriously the cutest thing ever Michael!" Christian sat in my lap and I asked "Christian; who is your best friend?" He pointed up at me and Marlon asked "you 사랑 your daddy; don't 당신 Christian?" He whispered "yeah; I'm daddy's boy!" I said "and I 사랑 my buddy so much!"

***

I really like the idea of renting a 선실, 캐빈 in Canada for a few days and I am going to rent one after all. I was upstairs getting Christian ready to take a nap when I said "okay buddy; I'm going to go shopping for your 크리스마스 presents and Tim is going to watch 당신 while I'm gone!" I turned the TV on and walked out of the room.

My other bodyguard James took me to a department store that was closed just so I could go shopping for the day. I bought so many clothes for Christian that it filled up three shopping carts. After I had gotten a bunch of clothes, I went to the toy section to buy him some fun things. At the back of the store, I saw a huge 300 piece train 표, 테이블 with tracks and Christian has recently developed an interest in "Thomas the Tank Engine"; so I knew he would 사랑 this.

This wasn't just any train table, it's a $1500 train 표, 테이블 with pretty much every character that is on the "Thomas the Tank Engine" TV show and I think the cashier at the store was shocked that I was actually going to spend that much money on one item. I ended up spending $15,000 on all of Christian's 크리스마스 presents; but it'll be well worth it when I see his face on 크리스마스 morning when he sees all his presents!

***

My bodyguards James and Tim pulled up in front of a huge 선실, 캐빈 that I had rented in the Canadian countryside. Christian I got out of the car and I said "have a good holiday 당신 guys; we'll see 당신 when 당신 come to pick us up in three days!" James said "we already had someone drop off all the gifts 당신 bought and they are in one of the spare bedrooms waiting for 당신 to 덮개, 랩 them Michael!" I said "okay guys; thanks for all the help! Say hello to your families for me!" They both said "we will Michael; have a good Christmas!" I quickly grabbed the cardboard box from the back 좌석 with all the cookie baking ingredients inside it and waved goodbye to them as they pull out of the driveway.

I carried Christian inside with one hand as I carried the cardboard box with the other. I turned on the light with my elbow because both my hands are full and put the box on the nearby counter. It was way past Christian’s bedtime 의해 the time we got to the cabin; so I carried him upstairs to get him ready for bed.

I found a room that was perfect for Christian to sleep in because it had a TV and a big 침대 that I think would be hard for him to roll out of in the middle of the night. I covered him up with the blankets and kissed his forehead after I turned the TV on. I don't even think he will be awake long enough to even watch one episode of cartoons.

I walked down the hall and found the room where all the presents were. That's when I realized how many presents I had actually bought because this entire room was covered with stuff. I walked into the room and sat down on the small 우주 of the 침대 that wasn't covered with anything. In one corner of the room, I noticed over 30 rolls I'm wrapping paper and a bucket full of rolls of tape. I whispered to myself "this is going to take forever to 덮개, 랩 all of this stuff! Why did I wanted do this all of this on my own?" I must've spent most of the night wrapping gifts and when they had all been wrapped I counted about 250 presents. I know what you're thinking; I'm crazy!"

***

I was downstairs cooking 베이컨 and eggs for breakfast when Christian walked down the stairs of the cabin. He walked up to me and I picked him up as I said "good morning buddy! Are 당신 ready to have fun today?" He asked "what are we going to do today daddy?" I said "well, before we do anything we're going to eat breakfast. Then we're going to go outside to play in the snow and go sledding. We're going to decorate the 크리스마스 나무, 트리 and bake 쿠키 to leave out for Santa Claus. Then we're going to go get ready for 침대 because tonight's 크리스마스 Eve and 당신 have to be asleep for Santa Claus to come."

After we were done eating breakfast, I said "okay; let's get 당신 ready to go play in the snow!" I went to the closet and grabbed everything we needed. I began to get him dressed in his snowsuit, jacket, gloves, hat, and boots. I looked up at the clock on the 벽 and realized that it had taken me 45 분 to get him ready to go outside. I asked "are 당신 ready to go outside now?" He asked "daddy?" I responded "yeah?" He said "I have to go potty." I covered my face of my hands and asked "are 당신 serious? Do 당신 really have to go?" He nodded his head yes and I couldn't help but laugh at how much time I had just wasted getting him ready to play in the snow; just to have him tell me that he needed to go to the bathroom before we even made it out the door.

Afterwards, we finally made it outside and it didn't look to me like Christian had ever seen snow before. He wouldn't let go of my hand and I said "it's okay buddy; it's just snow! It isn't going to hurt you!" He started freaking out and said "my boot is stuck in the snow daddy!!! I can't move; help!!!" I said "okay; how about we try something with a little less walking involved?" I climbed onto the sled and put him on my lap. We slid down a huge 언덕, 힐 and thank God I was on the sled with Christian because I had to swerve out of the way so we wouldn't hit a tree. Christian thought 진행 상태, 썰매 타기 was the best thing in the world after that and I must've carried him up that 언덕, 힐 over 30 times; so we could slide back down!

I brought Christian back inside and fed him some lunch before I put him down for a nap. While he was sleeping, I started to set things up so we could make cookies. An 시간 later, he woke up from his nap and came downstairs. I picked him up and said "okay; are 당신 ready to make some 쿠키 for Santa?" The 쿠키 were already in the 오븐 because I knew Christian was far too young to actually help me make the cookies; so it's better just to have him decorate the cookies.

When they came out of the oven, I let them cool down for a few minutes; so they were still warm but not warm enough to burn Christian. I passed Christian a cookie and he put SO MUCH frosting on those 쿠키 that it was overflowing off the sides. I had to stop him because if I didn't there wouldn't have been enough frosting for the other cookies. After the 쿠키 were decorated, I asked "do 당신 want to lick the spoon that I used to make the cookie dough with?" He smiled and I passed in the spoon as he walked off into the living room.

I followed after him with boxes of decorations and sat down on the floor. The smell of the pine needles from the 크리스마스 나무, 트리 filled the entire living room as I started to put ornaments and lights on the tree. I made sure to not buy any glass decorations because I wanted Christian to be able to help me decorate the tree. Once that it was decorated, I passed Christian the 별, 스타 and put him on my shoulders. I said "go ahead; put the 별, 스타 on the 상단, 맨 위로 of the 나무, 트리 pal!" Even though he was on my shoulders, he was just barely able to reach high enough to put the 별, 스타 up there!

I took Christian off of my shoulders and noticed that it was starting to get dark; so I said "let me switch on the lights on the tree." I think that's when Christian really got excited and I said "okay; let's go eat some macaroni and cheese!"

After he was done eating, we went through his typical bedtime routine and he climbed into 침대 afterwards. I lie down 다음 to him and read him "the night before Christmas." I kissed his forehead and said "sleep well buddy! Don't go downstairs until I tell 당신 it's okay! 당신 have to go right to sleep after the show is over because if 당신 don't Santa Claus won't come." He said "okay daddy; I will! I 사랑 you" I shut off the light and said "I 사랑 당신 more" as I shut the door.

I waited about an 시간 and a half and went to check on Christian to make sure that he was sleeping before I started to bring things downstairs. It took me about 50 trips up and down the stairs to bring everything into the living room. The final trip was for the train 표, 테이블 that I still needed to put together. I tried my best not to make noise as I pushed the gigantic box down the stairs.

I dumped the contents of the box onto the floor as gently as I could; but it still made a racket. I was so worried that that woke Christian up; so I ran upstairs to double check on him again. Once I realized that he was asleep for the rest of the night, I went back downstairs and lay down on my stomach. I opened up the instructions and started to flip through the pages as I said to myself "Spanish, French, Japanese, German; where the hell is the English version of these instructions?" I found them at the very end of the manual; but that just confused me. It took me from 9 o'clock at night to 3 o'clock in the morning to put together that train table! The box said "some assembly required" when actually it should have read "all assembly required!” I had to set up the tracks, built the 표, 테이블 itself, and put the trees in the area they were assigned to going 의해 the number written on the train table. I'm just glad that I built this thing because I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to figure out how to do it; I'm not a very handy person at all and I'm surprised that I figured out how to put this train 표, 테이블 together all on my own!

***

I heard "daddy, daddy, wake up daddy" as I felt Christian jumping on my chest. I opened up my eyes slightly and groaned in pain as I said "okay; okay I'm up!" I rubbed my eyes and looked over at the alarm clock as I noticed it was only just barely 7 AM. I got out of 침대 and chased after Christian as he ran to the 상단, 맨 위로 of the stairs. I said "wait for daddy Christian! Don't go downstairs yet because I want to take pictures.

I grabbed my camera as I followed behind Christian and said "okay; let's see if Santa Claus came last night" his mouth dropped wide open as he walked in so living room and I snapped pictures with the camera. I knelt down 다음 to Christian and chuckled as I whispered "what is that Christian?" He said "choo-choo train!" He walked over to the train 표, 테이블 and I knelt down 다음 to him again as I pointed to one of the trains. I quietly asked "who is that Christian?" He looked at it and said "Thomas!" I gasped and said "wow; Santa Claus must know that 당신 like Thomas the Tank Engine!"

I grabbed the empty plate of 쿠키 and said "wow; he ate all your 쿠키 buddy!" He didn't even look up from the train 표, 테이블 and that's when I realized it probably would've been a better idea to cover that up with a blanket and have him open it at the very end because I think I 로스트 him.

I sat down on the floor and said "come here Christian; look at all these presents 당신 have to open?" He whispered "no; I play with my choo-choo train daddy!" I said "you can play with your choo-choo train later buddy; look at all these presents that daddy spent hours wrapping!" I started to tear open one of the presents and that caught his attention because he took the present out of my hands. Once he realized that there were toys and clothes underneath the wrapping paper, he was unstoppable. He ripped through everything like a tornado and before I knew it, the entire living room floor of the 선실, 캐빈 was covered with stuff.

Once everything had been opened, Christian started to come up to me and was asking me for help taking things out of the packaging. I said "I'll open this for 당신 but I want a hug first." He gave me a hug and lightly pecked my lips and I said "thank you; did 당신 have a good first 크리스마스 with me?" He said "yeah daddy; but how did Santa Claus get that big train 표, 테이블 down the chimney?" I said "I don't know; Santa is just magical like that I guess!!!”