Mark and Marissa have really caught the Christmas bug.  Before Mark was a bit detached from it and so it was easy to just celebrate the day and move on.  It seems that they do not want to let it go this year.  Mark is constantly wanting to talk to Santa and wants to know what he is doing now.  "Is he sleeping Mom?" "Is he in heaven?"  Non-stop questions about the welfare of this elusive character that he has finally incorporated into his little head.  What to do now?  Seems that we have been swept into the Santa aspect of Christmas and now I have to explain why the Christmas tree must be taken down and all the decorations have to be put away.  Needless to say both of our children want it to linger as long as possible.  The magic of Christmas has taken ahold of my children.  At least they now understand that we give presents because we are celebrating Jesus birthday and the wise men brought him presents.  So from this Mother...Good-by Santa.  Now I can get on with teaching my children the true meaning of Easter!!!