Robbie had a hard time getting to sleep, as I am sure every other preschooler in the country and beyond did, too. We left milk and cookies for Santa, (and a carrot for Rudolph, of course), read the traditional "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and even watched the video "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" attempting to wind the little one down. Well, it didn't work. The more we did to ready everyone for the hectic, exciting morning that lye ahead the more anxious and "wired" that Robbie became.

I was at my wit's end, when all of the sudden the newsman on our local channel broke in with an announcement that saved my sanity. "Santa Clause has just been spotted over north eastern China. This is not a test. All children that are expecting a visit from Santa tonight need to begin getting ready for bed. Stay tuned for further updates."

Robbie's eyes were as big as silver dollars, and his mouth was open so wide that I could have fit an ornamental bulb into it with room to spare. "Did you hear that Mommy? He saw Santa coming." Robbie then ran to brush his teeth, wash his hands and face and gave goodnight kisses in the blink of an eye. "I love you. I'll see you at Christmas."

That was it. He was in bed. So I thought. He had to come back out one last time to see if the newsman had an update. He did. "Santa has now moved his way over China and is now headed to France. I hope all those children in France are already in bed."

"I'm going to bed now Mommy. I don't want Santa to fly over us because I'm awake."

Robbie toddled to bed. I don't know that it was "sugar plums" were filling his head, I think it was more like Pokemon and Nintendo. Either way, he was asleep, and I could begin playing Santa.