Toddler set: Ride-on fire trucks that make noise
Four-year-old male set: Motion-activated Hulk Hands
Micah had been asking for these since his birthday in June. Mom thought that the novelty would wear off, but she was very happy to find them on clearance at Wal-Mart when they continued to top his list six months later.
Eight-year-old divas: Surprisingly nothing Hannah Montana or Cheetah Girls.
Either the newest Magic Treehouse book, or a necklace made by her big sister with her initial on it. She's barely taken it off.
12-year-olds: Definitely the new iPod nano.
It has left Ben's hands and ears so little that we've been unable to photograph it. It's a blue one.
16-year-olds that have virtually everything:
Fun-size 3 Musketeers. No, really. This was the biggest smile from him all morning.
18-year-old adult children who are preparing to leave for college in the fall and would cringe and protest if Christmas morning images of them were posted for the world to view:
BYU-I sweatshirt.
40-something males:
Crossfit kettle bells and tshirts. It's a niche-market exercise program that he's been inspired to start by his cousin, Thatcher.
Almost 40-something moms:
Continued Christmas traditions. For quite a few years, I've wrapped each child's gifts all in the same paper to achieve the following: 1) not peeking under the paper to figure out the gift, 2) encourage guessing and anticipation for each gift, 3) just to bug them all for a few days. Then, on Christmas Eve, I let them guess and then tell them whose is whose. This year, I beat them all. Even with a few really good hints, they couldn't guess. I don't know why this causes me such glee, but I hope it will continue every year, along with new pjs, Christmas slush, and cinnamon bread ring (delish bread made by my oldest daughter, taught her by her Grandma T).
Best gift, the one that brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart:
Hope your holiday was just as fulfilling, memorable, joyful and messy!
Four-year-old male set: Motion-activated Hulk Hands
Micah had been asking for these since his birthday in June. Mom thought that the novelty would wear off, but she was very happy to find them on clearance at Wal-Mart when they continued to top his list six months later.Eight-year-old divas: Surprisingly nothing Hannah Montana or Cheetah Girls.
Either the newest Magic Treehouse book, or a necklace made by her big sister with her initial on it. She's barely taken it off.12-year-olds: Definitely the new iPod nano.
It has left Ben's hands and ears so little that we've been unable to photograph it. It's a blue one.
16-year-olds that have virtually everything:
Fun-size 3 Musketeers. No, really. This was the biggest smile from him all morning.18-year-old adult children who are preparing to leave for college in the fall and would cringe and protest if Christmas morning images of them were posted for the world to view:
BYU-I sweatshirt.
40-something males:
Crossfit kettle bells and tshirts. It's a niche-market exercise program that he's been inspired to start by his cousin, Thatcher.
Almost 40-something moms:
Continued Christmas traditions. For quite a few years, I've wrapped each child's gifts all in the same paper to achieve the following: 1) not peeking under the paper to figure out the gift, 2) encourage guessing and anticipation for each gift, 3) just to bug them all for a few days. Then, on Christmas Eve, I let them guess and then tell them whose is whose. This year, I beat them all. Even with a few really good hints, they couldn't guess. I don't know why this causes me such glee, but I hope it will continue every year, along with new pjs, Christmas slush, and cinnamon bread ring (delish bread made by my oldest daughter, taught her by her Grandma T).Great gift: An evening, overnight, and the next morning to myself to prepare and wrap aforementioned gifts without any interruption. This gift was given by my beloved, who not only kept all 7 kids for the allotted time, but he also took two sub-2 year olds to the movie. That right there, major brownie points.
Best gift, the one that brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart:
My best friend for the past 13 years, Karen Cole, gave me a box. That may sound unremarkable to you all, but inside this little chest were a few small trinkets (lip balm, scrapbook stickers, pie plate) that remind her of the story surrounding our friendship. But the best: pictures of our kids as they've grown, and a letter that I will treasure forever. She is one of the greatest treasures of my life, and the best friend I've ever had. Everyone should have a friend like her, even just once in their lives.
Hope your holiday was just as fulfilling, memorable, joyful and messy!
Great entry! So glad you're home and updating, I was missing you. And....no fair that YOU got to go to Greer! I won't lie, I'm totally jealous!!
ReplyDeleteI am not supposed to cry at your entries!!
ReplyDeleteLove you back!
Karen