That is so terrible. I'm sorry to hear that.

A number of my neighbors have stopped decorating for the same reason. One of them is continuing putting out lots of decoration. However, it is a sad statement that they have signs proclaiming "protected 24 hours by audio and video cams.

I'm so sorry azzalea. I hope their parents are informed and that there are consequences- legal and parental (maybe that part is wishful thinking). But I hope YOU know that the joy you and your DH have created and shared with others is bigger than lawn decorations and bigger than a few nasty teens.

I hope the rest of the holiday season brings you joy and peace!

Well, DH did just tell me something that brought a smile to my face. The officer who came out to take his report said that one of the idiots dropped his retainer case at one of the homes they hit tonight--and it's got his NAME in it! Mom and Dad are going to want that back, I imagine, at the cost of orthodontic treatment, so I guess he's snagged..... Good! and I don't care how mean I sound saying that with a lot of gusto--LOL!

Otherwise, thanks for the very kind words here--it helps, of course.

and it can be frightening..i was home sick, and had sent everyone off for dinner...while laying in bed, heard a pop pop sound..the brats from next door were shooting out our lights! i was just too sick to get up and call the cops....i was very lucky it was only bb gun, as my bredroom window was in the line of fire...

Now that sure shows their intelligence there! I don't understand it either, what joy you'd get from destroying something like that!
I hope they get some REAL punishment that makes them think about what they've done!!

(((Azzalea and DH)))

Darned vandals! I've had decorations stolen off my front door a couple of times - not here, though. Never could understand the "fun" anyone got out of taking/destroying someone's things.

I hope the parents make the kids pay for or repair the decorations they messed up. Also hope they aren't the "not my kid" kind!

I admire families that take the time and energy--not to mention expense to make the rest of us enjoy the holidays. I love riding around looking at all the decorations. I'm sorry that happened to you and, if I was a policeman, that kid wouldn't get the retainer back until he named names!

Please don't let them spoil your holiday. You're trying hard to make it a good one and I wish you a merry one.

Girlie, I don't care how mean you sound either. Let it all out. And, I hope that one rats on the others and they all get their just due. I hope you and hubby file vandalism charges. That will teach them all a lesson. You know mom & dad aren't going to do anything. They'll be grounded for a few days and right back with their friends doing something ridiculous to someone else. Plus, filing charges will hopefully make others think twice.

I am so sorry this happened. Try to cheer up and remember all the people who have and still enjoy your beautiful display. I am one who loves to drive around and admire them all. I know I would enjoy yours, too. I also hope hubby won't allow the brats to dampen his spirit for future Christmas displays.

Merry Christmas to both of you!!!

I'm so sorry to hear that. Sometime this week one of the national news channels showed tapes of the same thing happening elsewhere. I'm glad you reported it to the police

That's mob mentality! Not one of them would do it if he were alone, but in a group....well, watch out! They should have to make a public apology, like Vick the football playing, dog fighting guy. Or, at least come to your house and apologize and while they're at it, they could offer to help you make more for next year. They need to create, not destroy!

I'm sorry this has happened to you.

Leslie/KS

azzalea,

I'm sorry that you have had this senseless pain to add to the sickness of heart that is part of your daily life this year.

Along with the legal penalty that they should have to face, I hope that the authorities can ask them which items of their precious personal property - e.g. bicycle, radio, mp3 player, special jacket or shoes, teeth straightening materials, they'd like to bring to your home and lay down on your sidewalk so that you can take a hammer to them.

Not that such would happen ... but they need be given, forced to undergo, a taste of their own medicine, it seems to me.

Have you ever heard someone say, "You (or "so-and-so") make me mad!"?

If you let people do that to you, then you are giving them a measure of control over part of your life.

It's best for us if we can be in charge of our own lives.

Yes, it is hurtful to have people do such senseless, destructive things.

But someone can make me mad only if I give him/her permission to do that .. and I'd rather not, for I like to be in charge of my life.

On the other hand, rather than swallowing our anger, which often causes damage to some other area of our life, we need to find a way to release it in a non-destructive way, either for us or others. Often doing something physical helps.

We used to say that when Dad and Mom had a fight, Dad would often split some firewood.

And when Mom got out the dust mop at such a time, often we kids felt that it would be a good time to be someplace else for a while ... or we might get a taste of the fallout, even thugh we were not part of the original hassle.

Sometimes I think that we have way too much - few kids would be wanting to do such where people are desparately poor and, e.g. have to save for years to afford a bicycle. When our possessions are difficult to come by, it seems to me that we value them more.

May God give you peace in your heart through this season, which will be difficult for you, this year. And help you find a way to deal with this unfortunate situation in a way that will be positive not only for you, but for the others, as well.

ole joyful

P.S. Thank you for coming here to share your hurt - many have said that that does seem to help, even if only a little.

o j

I'm sorry, Azzalea, hugs to you. I don't understand what joy can come from such senseless destruction either.

I think someone ought to go into these kids' rooms and stomp on and break ALL of their stuff. See how they like it. And stomp on all their Christmas gifts, too. That might drive the point home.

I hope they are punished to the fullest of the law and that their parents come down hard on them and make the kids pay restitution and do community service. Little glassbowls!

I'm sorry they're adding to your pain, Azzalea. It's not right.

Brats. I agree with Flamey. I hope their parents take back everything they've gotten them for Christmas, and give you the money to replace what was broken. I know it won't help this year, but, next year.
Leslie

What possible fun? I've often wondered that at the times they've shown videos that the kids would take of themselves being destructive, etc. They're all excited, giggling, egging each other on. It always makes me feel physically sick to my stomach when I watch one.

Years ago when my oldest DD was in college in another state, her girlfriends decided to surprise her by bringing her home for her birthday. A friend of mine was a fairly decent artist. She painted a huge Happy Birthday sign with a beautiful background scene. It was on a 4x8 ft pc of plywood. We put it in my front yard. Within 2 hrs, it was gone, before my DD could see it and in broad daylight!!

You have my sympathies, Azzalea.

Shirley

I am so sorry Azzalea. I am often beside myself trying to understand vandalism, the mob mentality, and cruelty. I would be so ashamed to raise kids like that. I hope the little creeps are caught and punished for it.

How sad is that. I feel so bad when I hear things like that, especially when the homes look gorgeous with all the decorations people have put up. Hope they get punished to the full extent of the law, after they catch all of them.

That's really a shame. I'm sorry that happened to you and your DH.

You're all so kind.

If I hear anything from the police, I'll post an update.

You know--when I read the suggestion that these kids have their gifts taken (or stomped on) I thought, 'that's what I'd probably write to someone else in this situation'. But in all honesty? I don't even wish that upon these kids. It wouldn't make things right, and I just don't have it in me this year to be vindictive about this. Mostly, I just feel hurt.

Now, mind you, I do think there would be some value in it, if their parents brought them over the weekend after New Year's and the families HELPED take the decorations down and organize them for next year's display. Maybe they'd all see how much work and effort goes into this. It takes my husband a couple of weeks prepping the stuff, and then usually a good week and a half of working pretty long hours to get it all up.

Azzalea, I'm sorry this happened to you during a rough holiday season for you.

Is there time to make 2 more signs? One should be placed at the decos that are still intact saying something like this: "It was a Joyful Time...". The 2nd one should be placed at the ruined decos saying: "Then, the neighborhood kids joined in..."

Something like this should send a message to these rotten kids!

YoU AlL HaVe A....

When I worked for the Non-Profit Organization last year, I got five teenagers that were doing 100 hours of Community Service (Volunteers). Guilty of vandalism. Their entire Christmas Break they had to work in my store. I put them to work scrubbing the floors with a scrub brush and cleaning windows. I gave them every "dirty" job I could think of including scrubbing the toilets.

Ms. Meanie

I'm really sorry that you are having such a difficult time. Not sure what to do about people who have no respect for the property of others, but it's very frustrating to say the least.

Please don't get yourself sick over this; cherish the good times, the memory of your mom, and give that hubby an extra hug from us for brightening up the holiday for the MAJORITY of us!

I think your idea of having them help take down this year and PUT THEN UP next year is a great idea...suggest that to the judge if their caught!! The little bast**ds need to be punished where it hurts them the most!! My kids are 16 and 20 and still like to drive around and look at the lights..so thanks for taking the time and effort to put them up...