Here come the holidays! I like that it starts with Thanksgiving. Not too much pressure, just a meal. And really, it’s the same meal every year. Oh, maybe a different pie, or something new in the stuffing, but basically it’s always the same. There’s something very comforting in starting out the season in the same way every year. It also gives everyone a chance to dip their toe into the biggie, the main event, Christmas. I like Christmas. I like it a lot. I like the songs, and the movies, and the tv shows. I entertained the idea of naming one of my sons George Bailey.

This year my sons are turning 6. They were born a few days before Christmas. Every year, up to now, I’ve kind of been in control of what they got for Christmas. I let them choose what they were interested in, giving gentle nudges when they went one way (ie: art kits, lego sets, big wheels and batman) and offering distractions when they choose less, um, desirable paths (ie: pogo sticks and guns). This year the distractions will no longer work. They’re on to me.

Transformers are my nemesis. I don’t like them. They are robots that turn into cars, or cars that turn into robots, I’m not sure of the chicken/egg order of things. Whatever they are, they’re armed and I don’t like it. You know who likes Transformers? Tony. Tony is a boy they go to school with. Tony is great. Every day I hear about what Tony likes and doesn’t like. My sons like Tony. A lot. And I do, too. Tony is a nice kid.

I’ve been trying to push Toy Story toys. For years. Buzz stood a chance, but nobody has really shown an interest in Woody. And now, it’s Transformers. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. Those are their names. The Transformers. I swear, I don’t even know if they are good guys or bad guys. No one seems to be able to explain the backstory to me.

So, this year, things are changing. My boys are not solely “mine” anymore. They belong to the world of Transformers. The world of Tony. The world. I’ll be ok. There’s a new Toy Story movie coming out next year and they’re already pushing some toys for that. Jack likes the remote control car from the movie, so I’m letting Santa know. They still like the Grinch and Rudolph, so some of what was still is, and hopefully always will be.

Oh, and instead of a turkey for thanksgiving, the rock of all holiday traditions, my mom is cooking a capon. That’s a rooster. That’s been castrated.

Happy Holidays!