Old Toy Trains

I rearranged my playlist this morning because of this song. It has so much meaning to me, I had to do an entire post around it. As many of you know, my boys are not my biological sons. They came to live with me when they were 7 and 8 years old. Just little boys back then. That was right about when I heard this song for the first time. Maybe I heard as a kid, but I don't remember. And our first Christmas together as a family was so special to me. I've told you all about some traditions in my family. Now let me tell you about one in Kenny's that will live forever in our home.

When Santa arrives in your neighborhood, he knows that little boys should be in bed or he won't be able to leave any presents. Now you could be decking the halls all night, losing track of time, so how do you know Santa is almost ready to visit your house? By the walnuts, of course. When all 8 (or 9 depending on the visibility that night) reindeer land the sleigh on your roof, Santa throws walnuts through your ceiling letting you know he's ready. You must run to bed and quickly fall asleep or he can't come in. Now when I was a little girl, I could never stay up through Midnight Mass. So he never had to throw the walnuts in my house. I was already asleep. But the boys tend to stay up through mass. So this is Santa's way of helping Mommies and Daddies out.

The first time the walnuts came flying through the ceiling, the boys were still wide awake. But the minute they hit the floor, they ran over to us-said g'night-luv you and ran up the stairs. Falling over each other like Ralphie and Randy in The Christmas Story. It was the cutest thing I had ever seen. And don't you know what was playing in the background? Old Toy Trains. Coincidence? I don't know. But the lyrics say: Little boy don't you think it's time you were in bed. To this day, when I hear that song I cry. It's a happy cry. But also a reminiscent, sad cry of when my boys were little. And even though my boys are 13 and 14 now, Santa still throws the walnuts. And he will as long as they live here.

Blessing for the day: I'm blessed to have these little boys in my life. My family is complete. (Except for the grandchildren I hope to have - WAAAY off in the future!)