Did Barack Obama do this?

Oh, I have to blog this before I forget and before I die from laughing after stifling the laugh when Grace actually said the following:
At dinner tonight we were talking about Christmas. I started by talking about how we need to do something for others, one of my ideas was to put together a box for a solider or two off the www.anysolider.com website or others that send care packages to soliders. From this, a discussion ensued ( as Grant was wolfing down more pasta and eating red peppers), in which, Grace learned that there was a war in Iraq, a simplified version of why it started, and a more complex discussion of what kinds of things soliders are doing now and what the insurgents are and why they are killing others.... As Grace pondered this, she starting asking what was happening to the mothers and children and were they dying- ouch, this was a deep question, and I had to gulp to answer it- in reality, I stalled and let Ryan take that heavy one. ( This is not the funny part of my story by the way....)
So, that was how it all started and I thought we were making great headway.
Then we launched into a tangent about Santa and what the kids were asking Santa for this year. I also started with a disclaimer of how the economy was affecting everyone, INCLUDING SANTA- meaning that Santa was having to help out lots of parents around the world more than ever, so it was best to be thoughtful and not be greedy- AFTER ALL, CHRISTMAS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT GIVING...
We really are trying to scale back our Christmas this year- I'm a bit weary from the materialism of our society, and I'm really trying to be better. I'm also done shopping - except for this dilema with Grace as you'll read...
Anyway, Grace has suddenly gotten interested in the American Girl Dolls- which are great if you're into them, but I really think it will be a waste of $$ because I just don't see this as something to grab her attention for any length of time- and I really think the $150 is sleep for the doll and accessories.
TANGENT #2: I have to leap here and fill you in on the other part of my brain and the struggle with the American Girl dilema. I grew up in a time when Cabbage Patch Dolls were all the rage- I was a bit too old, but I would have appreciated one I think- It was also the time of the ORIGINAL Strawberry Shortcake smell dolls with the hair, clothes and fabulous stuff. I also have a sister who is 4 years younger. We love our mother, but for reasons the universe only knows, she was more attracted to the HOMEADE ( meaning crocheted) versions of these popular dolls- My sister had 2 cabbage patch dolls ( knock offs) that were handmade and had nylon faces and stuffed arms and legs. I wished for the Strawberry Shortcake Dolls ( real versions) but ended up with the dolls with crocheted clothes and nylon faces with no smell whatsoever. I'm trying not to be an ingrate, but you know, these "old lady" creations were just not the same. Not something you're dying to bring out with the neighbor girls. So, here is my dilema with the American Girl Dolls- will my daughter have a crochet- or worse be a girl who never experienced the American Girl fun growing up? I also didn't have an Easy Bake oven, Barbies, and I'm sure other stuff I just missed as a child :-) Boo Hoo.

Back to my story... ( present day)
So after the Santa discussion, we told Grace that Santa really thinks about what kids will enjoy and need and sometimes its not what is #1 on your list- "After all, you didnt' have a hedgehodge on your list last year" ( you must go back to that post with the Christmas Letter from last year if you're wondering what I'm talking about- look for July 2008). We continued to talk about the economy and how some people dont' have jobs and etc. Then she WAILED "DID BARACK OBAMA DO THIS????". I almost bit my tongue off. Luckily, Ryan had more composure than I and was able to explain that it had nothing to do with Obama- she then said, "Why did this have to happen at Christmas?"- Uh, its been going on for over a year- Summer was worse with $4+ gas prices!
She continued to grouch, and we said when Santa called to talk to us about her gift, we'd tell him never mind. ( We have a DIRECT line to Santa by the way!- Its powerful. We consult with him through the season.)
After doing her spelling words she then said she'd write out her list, and maybe since she's taken care of Tommy the hedgehog and shown Santa that she can care for him, she might get a fish this year.
I'm going to have her write a list of a few items and see what the final word is.

Grant by the way- did not engage in this discussion, he's pretty used to Grace's drama. He has his own at other intervals. He has asked for a Star Wars Bed- he happened to see a picture in a catalog- and has been asking for that ever since. There is no way he's getting a new bed,he doesn't need one, but I did start to check into the bedding. The more expensive option is with Pottery Barn- the only other cheaper option is at Target- but I went online and read the reviews and they were sad but hilarious!
One mom posted that " my son begged for Star Wars sheets, and I went the cheaper route at Target and I'm really sorry we did- he says that his "bed hurts him" and in order to sleep in the sheets, he has to wrap up in a blanket and then get into bed.
After that, I decided this might be a case when its better to get higher quality- So, Santa is bringing Grant Star Wars Sheets and I'm still wondering if that is completely random gift for a 4 year old- they do look pretty cool- I don't think this is the same level as the crocheted dolls ... RIGHT?

Here is the link to the crochet cabbage patch dolls and clothese in case you want to traumatize your daughter....
http://www.geocities.com/smwcrochet/cabbagepatchclothes.html