The Return of Hector

Hector, our Christmas elf named after a Saint Bernard that frequents our local Starbucks, arrived at our house this morning, the first of December. How he penetrated the locked doors and closed up fireplaces is a mystery to the girls but anything can be explained by "Christmas Magic" when you're 3 and 5 years old.

Sam was the first to discover him sitting atop one of the hanging lights in our kitchen. I believe the words out of her mouth were, "What is that?!" Apparently she didn't remember him well from last year. When reminded that he is Hector, Santa's elf that visits us at Christmas, who flies off to Santa each night to report on the girls' wishes and then reappears each morning in a new spot, who can't be touched for fear of losing his magic, Sam's eyes grew big and she ran upstairs to wake Ryan and share the secret. Still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Ryan started laughing and jumping up and down when she saw him.

"How does he fly if he doesn't have wings?" wondered Sam.

"Can I tell him I want Lulu, the cat that loves you like it's real?" asked Ryan, my child that talks in slogans and jingles.

"Can I touch him with just my head? With my toys? Is that okay, mom?" Sam asked, always pushing the envelope.

All morning the questions continued as the girls took in the return of Hector. They wondered if they could change it's name to Frisbee or would that be confusing, if Hector would report on them to Santa if they didn't share toys (yes!), if he could walk or only fly, and does he take a bath at night. They stared at him and circled around him warily. They waved at him and said "hello Hector" before running back to the couch and collapsing in giggles. Indeed, it is the happiest time of the year!