First, he must choose the proper writing implements. Cameron started out with a pen, but since he couldn't erase his mistakes, he went for a Christmas pencil. However, when the Christmas pencil kept breaking, he chose a Halloween pencil. But, since he had to erase and rewrite his work quite often, he found it necessary to brush away the eraser shavings. So, he went on the hunt for a paint brush. After searching the backyard (and I have no idea why he thought there would be a paintbrush in the backyard), I found one for him in the craft box . . .
Not being in kindergarten yet, Cameron cannot spell, but he does know all his letters. So, I sat with him and spelled out each of his gift requests as he painstakingly wrote them. . . Upper case "P" (write "P", erase, brush away the shavings, write it again), lower case "i" (write the "i" and then engage in discourse as to how Santa will know which pirate ship he wants), lower case "r" (write the "r", erase, brush away shavings, have mom assure him that we will make a note that it's the Fisher Price one he saw at Target) . . . you get the idea. One of the funniest moments came when he was writing "Dear Santa." I spelled it out for him, "D-e-a-r space S-a-n-t-a comma." He looked at me seriously and said, "Who's Comma?'
And finally, after a LONG time, we have a Christmas letter!
Take a look here to see photos of the entire process . . .
P.S. These lucky items made the cut:
Pirate Ship (Fisher Price one at Target)
Shuttle (space shuttle)
Army Rifle
Scooter
Pirate Book (Pirates of the Caribbean)
and a couple "after the fact" additions, a Transformer and a Drum Set.
