Empty Boxes

Santa left something under the bed in the guest room, and Erica found it. The box that her artist easel came in, the one Santa brought and left fully assembled in the living room, was hidden there, and in the few weeks of chaos since the big day I had forgotten to get it out to the trash man (after she left for school, of course). I was in the room, going through the trunk that I keep old photo albums in, and she bounced in - I swear, that girl bounces everywhere she goes. I wasn't paying much attention until she looked under the bed and asked, "what's this?" and I knew immediately I was in trouble. She paused a short second, and said, "This means Santa didn't bring me the easel!" With the calmest voice, I replied, "Santa left it in the box, but we thought you would like it better already set up." And with that, I looked away, she pondered it for a moment, and bounced right on out of the room. I know she was thinking about just when we set it up, since we were supposed to be sleeping like she was, but I think that she just isn't ready to question Santa's magic. WHEW!!!!