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Hey Dad,

Had a great family advent night last night. It was the first time this month that we played To Bethlehem, and the kids had a blast—and so did we. I know this sounds like a commercial, but if you haven't gotten your own game, you are missing out.

Last week was not great, however. In fact, if Christmas were like football, I'd say I fumbled on my 20 yard line.

As planned, I announced that we were sleeping around the tree on Friday night. I was so looking forward to the look of awe in their eyes and the fun we were going to have as we stuffed ourselves with popcorn and giggled ourselves to sleep.

That's how it was supposed to happen, but then I fumbled the ball. They complained about things and teased each other incessantly. I tried to corral, calm, and disarm them but nothing worked—until I blew!

"Auggggg," I growled, "Can't you just make this easy? I wanted this to be fun for you. I planned a great night. Do you have to ruin everything?"

They stared at me, knowing they had pushed the old man too far. They tried to be extra good, but now I was bound and determined to make everyone miserable. Oh, I walked through the motions but made it clear—quite clear—that they had ruined the night.

Fortunately, kids bounce back quickly, and the next day, when I announced that we were going to the big city to do some Christmas shopping and eat dinner out, they were all hunky dory. Unfortunately, I didn't bounce back as quickly, and by the end of that night, I was 2 for 2 in ruining special nights.

Here's the amazing part: my kids still had fun.

In fact, as I tucked them into bed that night, several apologized, and my son Ike (8) thanked me for taking them. "It was a fun day," he reminisced.

I had half a mind to check and see if he had a temperature. There's no way it could have been fun …. but the truth is that for them—it was fun.

You know, Dad, our kids have impaired memories. They won't remember all the frustrations and hardships, but they will remember a dad who made the effort—even if he acted like a creep some of the time. Go figure!

So, Dad, get plenty of sleep, lower your expectations, and make the effort. You might blow it somewhere along the way, but take heart; they won't remember that as much as they'll remember special family times and how much you tried.

You 'da Dad!

PS: You can still get To Bethlehem (the Christmas game for the Entire Family), Cootie McKay's Nativity, and the You 'da dad Daily Calendar in time for Christmas. Hurry and place your order at: www.familymanweb.com/christmas

© 2007 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

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