儿子们的圣诞节趣事 Sons' Christmas anecdotes

路

　　圣诞节又快到了，这已是我移居美国后第28个圣诞节了。大大小小节日中我最喜欢就是圣诞节了！虽然它是一个宗教节日，是以基督教文化为主流的国家的公共假日，与其他宗教节日不同的是它除了宗教活动以外，还兼具了许多传统的文化习俗，成为了一个民俗节日。每到12月有关圣诞老人、红袜子、驯鹿、雪撬…，这些家喻户晓的圣诞节主角们开始盛装上场，圣诞树、圣诞花环、各式圣诞装饰都会布满各家各户的屋里屋外，大街小巷，大商场小商店到处都是购买圣诞礼物的人们，人们除了庆贺圣诞的喜乐外，就是向亲友祝福，表达相互间的关爱。

入乡随俗，几乎每一年的圣诞节我们家也都会买一棵圣诞树竖立在客厅里。装点圣诞树是每个圣诞节最温馨的一刻，从储藏室里搬出两大纸箱圣诞装饰品，一家人聚在客厅里，一边放着圣诞节的音乐，一边将一件件装饰品小心翼翼地挂在树上，这两箱饰品挂件都是每一年圣诞节添置积累起来的，伴随着许多小故事，而有关儿子们幼年时期的圣诞节趣事，也必定是要翻出来的“老帐”……

Christmas is coming again. This is my 28th Christmas since I moved to the United States. Among the big and small festivals, my favorite is Christmas! Although it is a religious festival and a public holiday in a country with Christian culture as the mainstream, unlike other religious festivals, in addition to religious activities, it also has many traditional cultural customs and has become a folk festival. Every December, about Santa Claus, red socks, reindeer, snows..., these well-known Christmas protagonists begin to dress up. Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, and all kinds of Christmas decorations will be covered with houses, streets and alleys, shopping malls and small shops. People except In addition to celebrating Christmas, it is to bless relatives and friends and express mutual love.

When you go to the countryside, you can follow the customs. Almost every Christmas, our family will buy a Christmas tree and put it in the living room. Decorating a Christmas tree is the warmest moment of every Christmas. Two large cartons of Christmas decorations are removed from the storage room. The family gathers in the living room, playing Christmas music while carefully hanging decorations on the tree. These two boxes of ornament pendants are accumulated every Christmas, accompanied by There are many short stories, and the funny stories about the sons' Christmas in their childhood, which must also be turned out...

《乐高圣诞树》

《Lego Christmas tree》

　　1994年12月，我和当年才6岁的儿子任任漂洋过海来到美国纽约，正值圣诞前夕，走到大街上，每一个角落都是各色各样圣诞装饰，欢乐的圣诞音乐充满在耳中，这样浓郁的圣诞节氛围，对我这个出生在六十年代的上海人来说，就如刘姥姥进了大观园，眼花缭乱，应接不暇。

由先到美国已两年的老公领着，我们一家三口穿梭在纽约曼哈顿那几个最有名、最热闹的地方：洛克菲勒广场中心硕大的圣诞树、第五大道SAKS Fifth AVE. 经典的圣诞节橱窗，梅西百货大楼整层的神奇魔幻装饰“圣诞老人村庄"……。

第一次看到圣诞树的儿子，回到家里就立即动手，用爸爸刚刚从曼哈顿著名老牌玩具店FAO Schwarz买的乐高，搭了一棵一尺多高的圣诞树，充分发挥了他的模仿能力和想象力，可惜的是当时忘了将这棵特殊的乐高圣诞树留在照片上，但它留在了我的脑海里，至今仍然十分清晰，我把这棵乐高圣诞树算作我们家的第一棵圣诞树。



In December 1994, my 6-year-old son Ren Ren and I crossed the sea to New York, the United States. On Christmas Eve, we walked to the street. Every corner was full of Christmas decorations, and happy Christmas music was full of my ears. Such a strong Christmas atmosphere made me, a Shanghai man born in the 1960s. In other terms, it's like Grandma Liu who entered the Grand View Garden, dazzled and overwhelmed.

Led by my husband who has been in the United States for two years, our family of three shuttled through the most famous and lively places in Manhattan, New York: the huge Christmas tree in the center of Rockefeller Square, and SAKS Fifth AVE on Fifth Avenue. Classic Christmas window, magical magic decoration "Santa Claus Village" on the whole floor of Macy's...

The first time I saw the son of the Christmas tree, I immediately started it when I got home. I built a Christmas tree more than a foot high with Lego that my father just bought from the famous old toy store FAO Schwarz in Manhattan, giving full play to his imitation ability and imagination. Unfortunately, I forgot to put this special Lego saint at that time. The birthday tree was left in the photo, but it remained in my mind and is still very clear. I count this Lego Christmas tree as the first Christmas tree in our family.

1994年的圣诞节，在曼哈顿的洛克菲勒广场中心游览，观看那棵硕大的圣诞树。这棵著名的圣诞树每年都是从各地精挑细选胜出后，运到这里修整和装饰，每年的12月1号会举行亮灯仪式以及相关的活动。

At Christmas 1994, I visited the center of Rockefeller Square in Manhattan and watched the huge Christmas tree. This famous Christmas tree is carefully selected from all over the world and shipped here for repair and decoration every year. A lighting ceremony and related activities are held on December 1 every year.

小商店橱窗的布置也不会怠慢了这个节日。

The layout of small shop windows will not neglect this festival.

街上的圣诞老人，想与圣诞老人合影非常容易。

It's very easy for Santa Claus on the street to take a photo with Santa Claus.

洛克菲勒广场的圣诞节大型玩具士兵。

Christmas big toy soldier in Rockefeller Square

《世界上最好吃的橘子》

《The most delicious orange in the world》

　　一年以后，任任已经是一年级的小学生了，老公和我都希望儿子能融入美国的圣诞节文化，与他的同学一样，有期盼、也有惊喜、有温暖、也有关怀。传说中的圣诞老人在圣诞前夜会乘着由驯鹿拉的飞天雪橇来到每家每户，从烟囱和壁炉爬进屋内留下给孩子们的圣诞礼物，小朋友们通常还都会准备一个红色大袜子挂在壁炉前，圣诞老人会把礼物放一些在这只袜子里。当然那些礼物都是孩子们的长辈事先准备好的，在圣诞节早晨孩子们醒来之前放在红袜子里，和圣诞树下，让孩子以为是圣诞老人送来的。

那段时间我们居住在皇后区一幢楼房的半地库里，这里有必要先介绍一下什么是地库和半地库，纽约人称的地库，实际上就是地下室，是地面以下的那一层，没有窗，由设在一楼的楼梯作为进出的通道，按照市政府的规定，是不允许住人的，出租地库是犯法的。而半地库顾名思义，就是一半在地平面以上，一半在地面以下的，我们住的半地库又有些不同，几乎全在地面上，进出的大门也在地面上，我们可以从房子的后院直接进出室内。

那年我们也为任任准备了一个大红袜子，但因为半地库是没有壁炉的，任任很沮丧，他觉得圣诞老人是不会来我们家的，我们俩一边安慰他，一边把红袜子挂在了大门上。对我们俩来说这是第一次过圣诞节，第一次冒充圣诞老人为儿子准备礼物，直到圣诞节的前一天我们仍然没有想好应该准备什么礼物合适，老公只能去附近的超市买了几个品质很好的橘子和苹果香蕉塞在了红袜子里。圣诞节的清晨，天还蒙蒙亮的时候老公就醒了，为了不让儿子看见，也为了不让他人顺手牵羊，晚上袜子挂出去的是空袜子。外面正在下雪，气温很低，裹着厚厚外衣、揣着“礼物”的老公蹑手蹑脚打开大门，冷风径直地吹入屋内，兴致勃勃的老公立刻就想叫醒儿子，被我拦住了：“太早了！天还没亮呢！” 半个多小时以后，老公实在憋不住了，把睡得香甜的儿子叫醒，“任任，任任，醒醒，你要不要去看看圣诞老人今天是否来过我们家了？” 任任的睡眼惺忪地走出卧室，几分钟后手里提着红袜子，瞪大了眼睛，一副难以置信的表情，怔怔地站在卧室门口，像呆住了一样，根本不理会我和老公的问话，此时小脑子里一定是：竟然真有圣诞老人！竟然真的来我家了！我和老公还在画蛇添足，编着谎话：“早晨听到门外有悉悉索索的声音” “圣诞老人是不一定必须出入烟囱的，任何地方都可以来去自由的” “圣诞老人是肯定不会忘记学习成绩优秀的孩子的”……等等。

儿子一整天都沉浸圣诞老人来过我家的欢乐中，他一边吃着橘子，一边高兴地称赞着：“这是我吃过的最……最好吃的橘子了”！毫无疑问，儿子对圣诞老人的存在已经深信不疑了。

A year later, Ren Ren is already a first-grade primary school student. My husband and I hope that our son can integrate into the Christmas culture in the United States. Like his classmates, there are expectations, surprises, warmth and care. The legendary Santa Claus will come to every house on the eve of Christmas Eve in a flying sleigh pulled by a reindeer, and climb into the house from the chimney and fireplace to leave Christmas gifts for the children. Children usually prepare a big red sock to hang in front of the fireplace, and Santa Claus will put some gifts in this sock. Of course, those gifts were prepared by the children's elders in advance. They were put in red socks and under the Christmas tree before the children woke up on Christmas morning, so that the children thought they were sent by Santa Claus.

During that time, we lived in the semi-ground basement of a building in Queens. It is necessary to first introduce what the basement and the semi-bankhouse. The basement that New Yorkers call is actually the basement. It is the floor below the ground. There is no . The stairs on the first floor are used as the access. According to the regulations of the municipal government, it is not It is illegal to rent a basement to allow people to live in. As the name implies, half of the basement is above the ground and half below the ground. The half of the basement where we live is a little different. Almost all of them are on the ground, and the gates in and out are also on the ground. We can go in and out of the room directly from the backyard of the house.

That year, we also prepared a big red socks for Ren Ren, but because there was no fireplace in the half basement, Ren Ren was very depressed. He thought that Santa Claus would not come to our house. We comforted him and hung the red socks on the door. This is the first time for both of us to celebrate Christmas. It is the first time to pretend to be Santa Claus to prepare a gift for our son. Until the day before Christmas, we still didn't think about what gift to prepare. My husband had to go to the nearby supermarket to buy a few high-quality oranges and apples and bananas stuffed in red socks. On the early morning of Christmas, my husband woke up when it was still bright. In order not to let his son see it, and in order not to let others hold the sheep, the socks were hung out empty at night. It was snowing outside, and the temperature was very low. My husband, who was wrapped in a thick coat and a "gift", cropped opened the door, and the cold wind blew straight into the house. The excited husband immediately wanted to wake up his son and was stopped by me: "It's too early! It's not dawn yet!" More than half an hour later, my husband couldn't hold back and woke up his son who slept sweetly. "Ren Ren, Ren Ren, wake up. Do you want to see if Santa Claus has come to our house today?" Ren Ren walked out of the bedroom sleepily. A few minutes later, he held red socks in his hand, widened his eyes, and stood at the door of the bedroom with an incredible . He seemed to be stunned and ignored my husband's questions. At this time, it must be in his little brain: there was really Santa Claus! I really came to my house! My husband and I are still drawing snakes and making up lies: "I heard the sound outside the door in the morning" "Santa Claus does not have to go in and out of the chimney, and he can come and go freely everywhere" "Santa Claus will definitely not forget the children with excellent academic performance" ... and so on.

My son was immersed in the joy of Santa Claus coming to my house all day. While eating oranges, he happily praised: "This is the most delicious orange I have ever eaten!" There is no doubt that the son is convinced of the existence of Santa Claus.

当年居住过的半地库和那扇挂过圣诞老人红袜子的大门。

The half basement I lived in and the door hanging over Santa's red socks.

1995年的圣诞节，一年级的优等生与圣诞树，塑料制品的圣诞树是廉价商店买的，$9.99，树上的装饰品也是廉价店的商品，但它们都很珍贵地被保留至今，与之后的每一件精美圣诞饰品一起讲述当年的那些故事。

At Christmas in 1995, the first-year top students and Christmas trees, and the Christmas trees of plastic products were bought in cheap stores, $9.99. The decorations on the trees were also goods of cheap stores, but they are preciously preserved to this day, telling the stories of that year with every exquisite Christmas jewelry.

我的肚子里正孕育着我们家的第四位成员Fischer。

I'm giving birth to the fourth member of our family, Fischer.

1996年的圣诞节，孩子们的爷爷奶奶来美，这是一家专门销售各种各样圣诞节装饰用品的商店。

At Christmas 1996, the children's grandparents came to the United States. This is a store specializing in selling a variety of Christmas decoration supplies.

。

1996年的圣诞节，在曼哈顿中城梅西百货大楼内的第八层，游览神奇魔幻装饰的“圣诞老人村庄"。

At Christmas 1996, on the eighth floor of the Macy's Department Store in Midtown Manhattan, we visited the magically decorated "Santa Claus Village".

排了一个多小时队才见到的圣诞老人，可要把愿望告诉圣诞老人哦！

Santa Claus, who waited in line for more than an hour to see, you have to tell Santa Claus your wishes!

《给圣诞老人留个纸条作引导》

《Leave a note for Santa Claus as a guide》

　　1997年，来美国的第三年、我们又搬家了，从半地库搬入一处称为联排别墅，这种联排别墅在皇后区很普遍，两层楼高，进了大门迎面的楼梯通往二楼，我们这次的房东来自台湾，是七十年代的老留学生，很会精打细算，一楼二楼全部用来招租生钱，一楼的租客是来自福建的移民，整天忙于生计，在我的印象中，一楼总是黑黑的，里面的租客从未与我们照过面，我们与另一个中国女留学生一起合租二楼的三卧一厅，那年我的父母来美国与我们团聚，圣诞节到了，我们利用圣诞节的假期带父母去首都华盛顿DC游览两天，出发前等大家都上了车，我以需要再做一次安全检查为理由，折返回屋内，除了安全检查以外更重要的是把准备好的“圣诞老人礼物”伪装圣诞老人来过我家的现场，能让旅行回家后儿子们又可以惊喜一番。当我折身返回推开大门的时候，发现大门上醒目地多了一张贴纸，上面写着："圣诞老人：我们家没有壁炉，很抱歉只能请您走大门了，进了大门请上二楼，我们家住二楼，进了二楼门以后请左拐，那是我们家的客厅，谢谢！John留言" 还画了简易的导图，啊！原来这是任任留给圣诞老人的留言纸啊！原来当大人们忙忙碌碌准备出发的时候，儿子的小脑袋里却正在担忧：圣诞老人找不到我们家怎么办？会不会把礼物留错了地方？真是可爱极了！

In 1997, in the third year of coming to the United States, we moved again and moved from a semi-basement to a place called a townhouse. This kind of townhouse is very common in Queens. It is two-story high, and the oncoming stairs leading to the second floor. This time, our landlord is from Taiwan. He is an old international student in the 1970s and is very calculating. The second floor of the building is all used to recruit students. The tenants on the first floor are immigrants from Fujian. They are busy with their livelihood all day long. In my impression, the first floor is always black. The tenants inside have never seen us. We shared three bedrooms and one living room on the second floor with another Chinese female international student. That year, my parents came to the United States to reunite with us. Christmas is coming. We took our parents to Washington DC during the Christmas holiday. Before leaving, we waited for everyone to get on the bus. I went back to the house on the grounds that I needed to do another security check. In addition to the safety check, more importantly, I disguised the prepared "Santa Claus gift" as Santa Claus. The scene of my home can surprise my sons after the trip home. When I turned back and opened the door, I found an eye-catching sticker on the gate, which said: "Santa Claus: We don't have a fireplace in our house. I'm sorry to ask you to go through the gate. If you enter the gate, please go up to the second floor. Our house lives on the second floor. After entering the second floor, please turn left. That's our living room. Thank you! John also drew a simple map, ah! So this is a message for Santa Claus! It turned out that when the adults were busy preparing to set out, their son's little head was worried: What if Santa Claus can't find our home? Will you leave the gift in the wrong place? It's so cute!

1997年圣诞节，新年元旦，任任生日，与外公外婆一起吹生日蜡烛，后面的圣诞树仍然是两年前买的那棵塑料圣诞树。

Christmas in 1997, New Year's Day, Ren Ren's birthday, blowing birthday candles with grandparents, and the Christmas tree behind is still the plastic Christmas tree bought two years ago.

1998年圣诞节，我们家的圣诞树终于换成真的杉木树了。

Christmas in 1997, New Year's Day, Ren Ren's birthday, blowing birthday candles with grandparents, and the Christmas tree behind is still the plastic Christmas tree bought two years ago.

《请圣诞老人留下签名》

《Ask Santa Claus to leave an autograph》

1998年，我们又一次搬家，从纽约皇后区搬到了新泽西的Kerney镇，任任已经升入小学三年级了，对圣诞老人的那些传说开始产生了怀疑，但他并不指望从父母那里得到答案，他想用他自己的方式消除疑问。圣诞夜，在他的卧室门口一个他能看到客厅圣诞树而客厅的人不能轻易看到他的角落，他架起了照相机，然后振振有词地宣布今晚他不睡在他的床上，就睡在那个角落的地上，一旦圣诞老人出现，他的照相机就会留下圣诞老人来过我们家的证据，更让我们乐的是在客厅的茶几上除了留给圣诞老人的一杯牛奶和饼干以外，儿子又留了一张纸条，这次的纸条上是这样写的："圣诞老人，谢谢您的礼物，请您吃一点我们给您准备的饼干，喝一口牛奶，在您离开之前请一定在纸条上签名！谢谢！" 除了用照片证实以外，儿子竟还想要亲笔签名佐证！而让我感到不解的是，一向大方的他居然只让圣诞老人喝一口牛奶，吃一点点饼干。任任的解释让我忍俊不禁，“妈妈你难道不知道吗？！每一个孩子都会为他准备牛奶和饼干，圣诞老人当然只能吃一点点咯！”

圣诞节早上任任醒来的时候发现自己还是躺在床上，照相机倒是仍然架在那个角落，但里面是空空的，牛奶像是被人喝了两口，饼干也吃掉了两块，欣喜的是圣诞老人竟然留下了签名！神秘的圣诞老人仍然来去无影，费尽心机的任任有些沮丧。但也就是在那一年，任任最终还是在他的同学那里找到了他疑问的答案。

任任在圣诞节的那些童真童趣也就在那一年嘎然而止了！

In 1998, we moved again and moved from Queens, New York to Kerney, New Jersey. Ren Ren had been promoted to the third grade of primary school. He began to doubt the legends of Santa Claus, but he did not expect to get answers from his parents. He wanted to dispel the doubts in his own way. On Christmas Eve, at the door of his bedroom, he could see the Christmas tree in the living room and the people in the living room could not easily see his corner. He set up the camera and then equently announced that he would not sleep in his bed tonight, but on the ground in that corner. Once Santa Claus appeared, his camera would leave Santa Claus. The evidence of our family makes us even more happy is that on the coffee table in the living room, in addition to a glass of milk and biscuits for Santa, my son left another note. This time, the note reads: "Santa Claus, thank you for your gift. Please eat some cookies we have prepared for you, drink a sip of milk, and leave when you. Please be sure to sign the note before opening! Thank you!" In addition to confirming with photos, my son also wanted to sign and prove it! What puzzles me is that he, who has always been generous, only let Santa Claus drink a sip of milk and eat a little biscuits. Ren Ren's explanation made me laugh, "Mom, don't you know?! Every child will prepare milk and biscuits for him. Of course, Santa Claus can only eat a little!"

When Ren Ren woke up on Christmas morning, he found that he was still lying in bed. The camera was still in that corner, but it was empty. The milk seemed to be drunk twice, and the biscuits were eaten two pieces. I was happy that Santa Claus left a signature! The mysterious Santa Claus still comes and goes without a shadow, and Ren Ren, who has tried his best, is a little depressed. But it was in that year that Ren finally found the answer to his question from his classmates.

Those children's innocence at Christmas suddenly stopped in that year!

1999年的圣诞节 小学四年级的任任已经不会再被大人忽悠了。

On Christmas Day in 1999, the appointment of the fourth grade of primary school will no longer be fooled by adults.

2000年圣诞节

Christmas in 2000



《电话中的圣诞老人》

《Santa Claus on the Phone》

　　Fischer出生在美国，3岁就被送入全日制托儿所，与6岁移民来美国的哥哥相比，英语和西方文化很早就被植入，圣诞节的所有一切对于他来说都是非常自然而然的事，几乎没有过任何疑问，因此他的圣诞节趣事不多，记忆里只有一件事。

我的同事也是好朋友艾迪卡与她的丈夫艾文，非常喜欢Fischer，夫妇俩都是犹太人，艾文幼年时进过德国人的集中营，侥幸存活下来以后生活颠沛流离，直到中年才定居美国，他们没有孩子，平时与我聊天最喜欢聊的就是我的两个儿子，尤其是Fischer。记得是2001年的圣诞节，艾迪卡的丈夫老玩童艾文突发奇想，想要扮演圣诞老人与Fischer通电话，顺着艾文的意思，约定了时间，艾文真的来了电话，我装作若无其事的样子把话筒递给Fischer “找你的” 虽说Fischer从未怀疑过圣诞老人的存在，但当话筒給他的时候，小脸一下子也懵了，拿着电话没有立刻放在耳边，而是怔怔地，约有5秒钟站着一动不动，最后还是电话另一端传来Ho-Ho-Ho的声音时，才怯怯地、小心翼翼地把电话放在耳边，脸部仍然是懵懵的不说话，直到电话的那端问他要什么样的圣诞礼物时，他才用细小的、弱弱的声音回答说：“我可不可以要一个弹性小球？” 坐在一边的我一直观察着Fischer的表情，小家伙自始至终都是处在惊恐、不知所措的状态中，他不敢相信自己竟然接到圣诞老人的电话！挂上电话后他欣喜若狂地告诉家里的每一个人！老顽童的艾迪卡和艾文在听完了我的描述以后也是同样高兴的乐开了花，兴高采烈地花了几天下班后的时间，去那些平日里他们从不光顾的玩具店，寻找Fischer要的弹性小球，当他们找到以后，不免有些失望，原因是这就是一种扔在地上就弹起的简单小球，价格只要$1.99。与老夫妇倆原先想象的完全不一样，他们以为Fischer会要一个高级玩具，而他们也非常乐意满足这个他们钟爱的孩子的愿望。我倒轻松了很多，我的Fischer没让我对两位老人欠下一份人情。

事后艾迪卡不止一次地责怪我、她认定是我事先对fischer有过要求，不准许Fischer向圣诞老人索要昂贵礼物。“不是吗？小孩子想要的圣诞礼物怎么可能只是一个弹性小球呢？” 而实际上Fischer真的只有这一个要求：弹性小球！我为此反复向Fischer 确认了三次。

Fischer was born in the United States and was sent to a full-time nursery at the age of 3. Compared with his brother who immigrated to the United States at the age of 6, English and Western culture were implanted very early. Everything about Christmas was very natural for him, and there was almost no doubt, so there were not many interesting things about Christmas. There is only one thing in my memory.

My colleague is also a good friend Edika and her husband Elvin. They like Fischer very much. Both of them are both Jews. When Irvin was a child, he went to a German concentration camp. Fortunately, he survived and lived a wandering life. He didn't settle in the United States until middle age. They didn't have children. They usually chat with me the most. It's my two sons, especially Fischer. I remember that it was Christmas in 2001. Edika's husband's old playboy Evan had a whim and wanted to play the role of Santa Claus on the phone with Fischer. Following Elvin's meaning, he made an appointment for a time. Evan really called. I pretended to be nothing and handed the microphone to Fischer. "Looking for you" Although Fischer never doubted the existence of Santa Claus, when the microphone was given to him, his little face was suddenly stunned. He didn't put the phone in his ear immediately, but stood still for about 5 seconds. Finally, when Ho-Ho-Ho's voice came from the other end of the phone, he was timid. He carefully put the phone in his ear, and his face was still stunned. It was not until the end of the phone asked him what kind of Christmas gift he wanted that he replied in a small, weak voice, "Can I have a small elastic ball?" Sitting aside, I kept observing Fischer's . The little guy was in a state of panic and confusion all the time. He couldn't believe that he had received a call from Santa Claus! After hanging up the phone, he told everyone in the family ecstaticly! The old naughty children, Adika and Elvin, were equally happy after listening to my description. They spent a few days after work after work to go to the toy stores that they never patronize on weekdays, looking for the elastic balls Fischer wanted. When they found them, they couldn't help but be a little disappointed. The reason was this It is a simple ball that bounces when thrown on the ground, and the price is only $1.99. It was completely different from what the old couple originally thought. They thought that Fischer would want a high-end toy, and they were also very happy to satisfy the wishes of their beloved child. I'm much more relaxed. My Fischer didn't let me owe the two old people.

After that, Edika blamed me more than once. She decided that I had asked fischer in advance and was not allowed to ask for expensive gifts from Santa Claus. Isn't it? How can the Christmas gift that children want be just a flexible ball? In fact, Fischer really only has one requirement: elastic ball! I repeatedly confirmed this to Fischer three times.

在Fischer正式进入小学一年级的时候，我们在美国也开始了稳定的生活。在新泽西州的北部，购置了房子，那是一处典型的美国市郊独立别墅，邻居们都是中产家庭的美国人。按照美国人的习俗，邻居们会上门对新搬来的人家作礼节性的拜访。紧挨着我们一侧的汤姆、黛安夫妇带着他们的一儿一女也来了，两孩子的年龄愈Fischer年龄相仿，儿子汤姆生比Fischer大一岁，女儿克里斯蒂娜则比Fischer小一岁，仨孩子很快就欢快地玩在了一起汤姆与黛安也是非常友好热情，寒暄了一些儿，汤姆用压低的声音问道：Fischer是否已经知道圣诞老人的真相了，在得到否认的答案后，夫妇俩连声说好、好、好！便热情的邀请我们全家参加他们家的圣诞夜派对，并一脸严肃地希望我们继续对孩子们保守秘密，我们接受了邀请，也对他们的要求作了承诺，但心里感到费解和好笑。

When Fischer officially entered the first grade of primary school, we also began a stable life in the United States. In northern New Jersey, a house was purchased, a typical detached villa in the suburbs of the United States, and the neighbors were all Americans from middle-class families. According to American custom, neighbors will pay a courtesy visit to the newly moved people. Tom and Diane, who were next to us, also came with their son and daughter. The two children were the same age as Fischer. The son Tom was one year older than Fischer, and the daughter Christina was one year younger than Fischer. The three children quickly played happily with Tom. He was also very friendly and enthusiastic with Diane. After a few greetings, Tom asked in a low voice: Did Fischer know the truth about Santa Claus? After getting the answer of denial, the couple said yes, good, good! He warmly invited our family to their Christmas Eve party and seriously hoped that we would continue to keep secrets from the children. We accepted the invitation and promised their requirements, but we felt puzzled and funny.

圣诞节到了，汤姆家屋里屋外张灯结彩，圣诞装饰琳琅满目，汤姆全家以及他们的亲戚们欢欢喜喜济济一堂，派对的节目一个接着一个，最后的节目汤姆居然让他们的一个亲戚扮演圣诞老人，Ho Ho Ho地降临在他们家的客厅，孩子们先是被要求闭上眼睛，随着Ho Ho Ho的声音，那个雪白胡子，穿戴着圣诞老人专属的衣服和帽子，戴着眼镜，背着一个黑色大袋子的圣诞老人突然出现了，孩子们满脸的惊讶和欣喜，不仅眼睁大得大大的，小嘴也是张的大大的，我被孩子们天真无邪的表情感动了！是啊，让纯洁的童年心灵保持对美好的期盼，让无暇的幼小心灵里尽可能地先洒满爱的种子，难道不是一件非常值得做的、有意义的事吗？！我似乎知道了汤姆夫妇倆那天一脸严肃认真要我们保守圣诞老人秘密的缘故了！

Christmas is coming. There are lights in Tom's house and outside the house. There are a variety of Christmas decorations. Tom's family and their relatives are happy. The party programs are one after another. In the last program, Tom actually asked one of his relatives to play the role of Santa Claus, and Ho Ho Ho came to their house. In the living room, the children were first asked to close their eyes. With the voice of Ho Ho Ho, the snow-white beard, wearing Santa Claus's exclusive clothes and hat, glasses, and a big black bag suddenly appeared. The children's faces were full of surprise and joy, not only were their eyes wide open. The little mouth is also wide open, and I was moved by the innocent expression of the children! Yes, isn't it a very worthwhile and meaningful thing to let the pure childhood heart maintain the expectation of beauty and let the flawless young heart sprinkle the seeds of love as much as possible?! I seem to know that the Toms were serious and asked us to keep Santa's secret that day!

岁月永远年轻，我们慢慢老去，童真童趣是这个世界上最美丽的、最珍贵的，而也是不可逆的，是稍纵即逝的。只能留作甜蜜温馨的回忆了！

Time is always young, and we are getting old. Childlike innocence is the most beautiful and precious in the world, and it is also irreversible and fleeting. It can only be kept as a sweet and warm memory!

2001年圣诞节，外公外婆第二次来美国探亲

On Christmas 2001，Mother side grandparents came to the United States for the second time.

2002年圣诞节，祖父祖母第二次来美探亲。

On Christmas 2002, Father side grandparents came to the United States for the second time.

2004年圣诞节

On Christmas in 2004

2012年圣诞节

On Christmas in 2012

Christmas in 2012