"What is the 'Easter Bunny' bringing?" Megan questioned sarcastically, putting air quotes around "Easter Bunny."
"You are the Easter Bunny, Mom," she challenged. 

And, just like that, I knew the magic-making was over. The end of an era of slipping money under pillows as the Tooth Fairy, writing notes from the North Pole from our elves, Smiling Max and Olivia Jingles, hiding eggs around the house as the Easter Bunny. Putting cookies out for Santa Claus and spreading reindeer food on the lawn

Later that night, Megan admitted she didn't believe in any magical things anymore and declared it was mean to lie to kids about  magic being real. My son, Alex, who is 11 and 1/2, admitted he discovered the truth about magic when his teachers last year  told the class that leprechauns weren't real. Alex never confessed he knew or questioned me about why I pretended all those magical creatures were real. He didn't have the sense of betrayal that Megan expressed. 

I tried to say that parents carry on the magic for their kids but I'm not sure my message went over well. I know they have to grow up and I know having older kids still believe in all the magical things isn't ideal, but it still really stung to have Megan declare that she knows none of it is real. For so many years, I made the magic real for them. 

​Another chapter ends. 

What do you do with a puppy who keeps ringing the bell to go outside?
You keep opening the door and letting him out, every single time!

What do you do with a puppy who eats his whole bowl of food and then stares at you with pleading eyes?
​You give him some more chicken!

What do you do with a puppy who simultaneously loves his bed but then destroys it, biting it and pulling all the stuffing out?
You buy the puppy a new bed!
​

What do you do with a puppy who loves to go on car rides?
​You take him in the car and open the window so he can smell the air and feel the wind!

What do you do with a puppy who hates to be alone?
Surround him with cuddling, play time and lots of love.
​

What do you do with a sleepy puppy?
You let him rest and dream about all the car rides, cuddles, belly rubs and fetch he will play with all the people who love him so much.