Tyden is a very happy little guy tonight.  Only the day after Thanksgiving, and Santa Claus came early to our house by bringing us a package in the mail.  It was from his great grandma Reaux in Beaumont, Texas.  When we opened it up, we were surprised to see that the package contained one of the biggest teddy bears we had ever seen.

The bear has a big, burgundy-and-scarlet bow on its neck, bright, black button eyes, and a pink nose.  It is the exact color of butterscotch.  Tyden calls the bear "Mr. Bear", but I have decided to name it "Butterscotch" because of its color.  It is absolutely beautiful.

Great Grandma Reaux knows that Tyden has a hard life: he has spina bifida and has been in and out of the hospital ever since his birth three years ago; she wanted to make sure he had a little bit of early Christmas cheer, so she went ahead to try to make her great grandson's Christmas extra special by sending him an early Christmas gift.

I think she succeeded.  Ever since little Tyden got that bear, he will not let it out of his sight.  I think he will have a new sleeping buddy tonight to chase away any bad dreams or monsters that might be lurking in the shadows of his bedroom once the lights have been turned out for the night.  

Tomrrow, Tyden will be even happier: we (my husband, Ross, myself, and big sister Tawnee) will be taking Tyden to the mall to see Santa Claus, when he arrives tomorrow morning to kick off the Christmas season in earnest.  And then while the kids play at the activity area, Ross and I can do a few hours worth of shopping and make it as though Santa got the gifts (we aren't telling the children just yet; we want to hang onto the magic that is Christmas just a little bit longer!).

Then after our excursion to the mall, we will eat at McDonald's and head over to downtown, where they will have a "Christmas Parade of Lights" and after the parade, there will be a mammoth display of Christmas fireworks that promises to be one of the best displays around.  It might be crazy, but we all love Christmas and it will be great to laugh and forget about Tyden's special needs ... at least, for a little while!

I'm just glad Great Grandma Reaux knew what she was doing when she sent the bear to Tyden.  Tyden had surgery last month and is still healing.  It will probably be at least another five/six months before he even feels like himself, and so he needs some joy in his life right now.  I am so happy that she decided to make our little boy's Christmas start off on the right foot!  He hasn't stopped chattering about that bear since it came in the mail!