The living room smelled like pine and cookies, and the Reid family Christmas tree stood proudly—if not a little lopsided. You just finished laughing over the fact that Spencer wanted the ornaments to be perfect while Oliver, your four-year-old son, wanted them to be lopsided (because he saw that in a movie). The little one started bouncing excitedly on the couch. “Mom! Can we open presents now? Pleeeease?”

Ellie, your six-year-old daughter, rolled her eyes as she sat cross-legged beside Spencer. “Oliver, it’s Christmas Eve. Santa hasn’t even come yet.”

Oliver froze mid-bounce, turning to his father. “Is he coming soon, Dad?”

Spencer nodded solemnly. “Very soon. I heard from a reliable source that Santa’s sleigh has left the North Pole. And,” he added with a sly smile, “Santa might’ve brought with him something for your mom, too.”

You shot him a look from across the room, you eyebrows raising. “Oh really?“

Spencer tilted his head innocently. “It appears so. I guess you were on the nice list this year.”

“Just this year?” she teased, walking over to drop onto the couch next to him.

Spencer smirked. “I’m not saying Santa had to double-check the list, but…”

Ellie giggled. “Mom’s always nice! She makes the best cookies!”

“Exactly!” You agreed, nudging Spencer’s side.

Oliver perked up again. “What do you think Santa got you, Mom?”

You pretended to think about it. “I bet it’s a book. Santa’s a little predictable.”

“Predictable?” Spencer scoffed with mock offense. “For your information, Santa has excellent taste in gifts. And some people are impossible to surprise. But I assure you Santa might have outdone himself this year. You’ll just have to wait.”

Ellie and Oliver burst into giggles at your playful banter, before you start laughing as well. And you just know your kids will go to bed soon because they can’t wait to unwrap their gifts in the morning.