The lad is on his way home as I posted this. He called me from the car using his brand new blackberry, which is a present I had no knowledge of. It appears that the secrets are still intact and there are probably a couple of items still tucked in the trunk of his Dad’s car. Excellent ! 

I can’t wait, I can’t wait, I can’t wait!!!

Merry Christmas!

-Walter
Sugar Mtn Farm
in Vermont

Merry Christmas, again lol. We all survived with no scars!

The secrets are so well intact that I have no idea what you’re talking about. Did I miss a critical post? Will you enlighten your denser readers some day?

Well yes, I have been a little oblique the past couple of days. Christmas intrigues and all. The gist of the matter—the Dad and I totally caved 6 days ago. Although I think we rationalized it amazingly well considering our previous hardline approach...I bought a shiny new computer on Tuesday and the Dad tricked it out with cool geegaws and accessories. Since the lad was opening presents at his Dad’s house first, he couldn’t open computer related presents there or he’d know what was waiting for him here. We pulled it off. The lad was so shocked he stuttered and stood here with such a look of befuddlement (when he saw the computer) that it was a priceless moment to go into the annals of Christmas memories never to be forgotten.

As for our rationalization—*I* need a new computer. Very badly. So, the new computer is technically mine. The lad gets exclusive use of it until his Dad gets him his new laptop sometime this summer. He has readily agreed to get a laptop as or more powerful than the computer I bought so that the lad won’t require the desktop computer. Upon receipt of the laptop this summer, I assume ownership of my shiny new computer with all its bells and whistles and it should last me a very, very long time.

This arrangement has made everyone quite happy. And the last 6 days have been awash with intrigue and lots of secret smiles. This was a Christmas that made the parents way more excited than the lad, who was not expecting very much at all. It was a ton of fun.