The Apple Really Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Frank and I are very different in a variety of areas. And I have learned to accept those differences, even embrace them from time to time. But, what I wasn't really prepared for was that my children would pick up on those differences and they would embrace them each in their own way.

For example, Frank and I are very different in the way that we show our excitement. When Frank and I had been dating for about 2 years, our second Christmas together I think, I had saved for months and months to buy him a shotgun that he wanted. I worked my tail off to buy that thing AND to keep it a secret (I am not great at gift secrets). When I gave it to him, he looked it over and stood up. Walked over to me and basically, in front of his whole family, gave me a pat on the back and said "Thanks!". He walked to his room, put it away, and didn't mention it again for the rest of the evening. Needless to say I was crushed.

This is how he typically reacts to things. Even when deep down inside he really is very excited. He just doesn't show it very much on the outside. Unless he's crying and that's another ballgame. I on the other hand react quite the opposite. You can give me a piece of gum and I act like it is the greatest thing in the world. Partly because gift giving is one of my love languages and partly because I am easy to please.

What I discovered this Christmas was that Jackson is very much like Frank and Wyatt and Mallory are alot like me in this area. No matter how excited that Jackson really was, he pretty much just kept it contained. He would give a little smile. He would go off by himself and play with his new games. Then he would surface later to get another one. No jumping up and down or screaming with glee.

Wyatt, however, would tell everyone at 40 decibels above normal listening capacity how whatever dinosaur he was currently holding was the coolest thing he had ever seen or how it was the one he had always wanted. He would also holla things like "Oh Yeah Baby" and "awesome" several times. Mallory would also jump around and giggle at her gifts. And she would loudly tell us how much she liked them.

Made for a great Christmas. I guess what I have always heard is true. The apple really doesn't fall too far from the tree after all. Hmph! Scary!