The Man Behind The Curtain

I know what you're thinking...and yes...my hair does still look like this in the morning.
Santa...No...More like an elf.

I don’t know how Santa treated you as a kid, but he was kinda-sorta-totally awesome at the LeMasters’ house. He would always ate the cookies, he would leave a trail of leaves around the living room (mom was peeved about that), and one year I wrote him a note on Christmas Eve asking for an Easy Bake Oven…and he brought it! He was magical.

Let’s be honest, Nick and Robyn LeMasters did a brilliant job with the whole charade. I can’t imagine the amount of time that went into setting up the night before. No, wait, hold that thought…I can totally imagine it! Why? I got a glimpse of what I believe Christmas Eve used to look like back in the good old days.

Last week we went over to Ryan and Emily’s to watch the kiddos. It came complete with baby-proofed cabinets (damn things), my mom building a fort in the basement, and my dad putting together a toy for Mr. Nick. It took him a good amount of time to put it together…this is how our conversation went.

Me: You all right there? It looks like you’re struggling with the seat.
Dad: These directions are misleading. Look at the picture. What is that? This is ridiculous.
Me: I think you may need to turn the seat inside out and fold it over.
Dad: No. That doesn’t seem right.

A Little Later…
Dad: Oh. You know what I think? I think we have to turn this inside out.
Me: Wow. That is brilliant. I bet that will work perfectly.
Dad: It’s working! Wow. Done. This is great. Glad I worked that out.
Me: Yeah. You are awesome. Brilliant.
Having the time of his life.

Nick’s 1st birthday is coming up in a week and I was sent out to buy a present. What did I buy? A fantastic car that he controls with his feet. Yes, assembly was required.

Me: How long have you been working on this?
Dad: A little while. I’ve stopped to watch football as I go.
Me: Wow. Glad you’re paying attention. I bet a wheel will fly off when Nick sits in it.
Dad: I’ve been building things for years. I know what I’m doing.

A Little Later…
Dad: Are you kidding me?
Me: What’s happening? How’s it coming?
Dad: These decals are ridiculous. The adhesive is too strong.
Me: Wow. That sounds terrible. You know what was also not fun? Carrying that box to my car.
Dad: Wow. I bet that was a real struggle for you. I mean honestly, you practically built this.
Me: I think those eye stickers go on the windshield.
Dad: I’m not there yet. I follow the directions.

A Little Later…
Dad: Done!
Me: I like it. Nicely done.
Dad: You know? Most grandpas or pops or granddads would have just given this to him in a box. I am a Gramps. Gramps builds things!
Me: Ugh. Please don’t refer to yourself in the third person. It’s totally creepy.
Dad: Gramps is awesome.

I would like to add that I just know that my future husband is going to love my commentary at midnight on Christmas Eve.