Giving and Getting, part II

We tried a new activity with our family this year that may or may not stick as a full-fledged tradition. Instead of having the girls spend their chore money at the Mommy Store on items for themselves, I had them take turns choosing gifts for each other at the seasonal Mommy Christmas Store. We exchanged these on Chistmas Eve and Forest read Paula, Mika, and Ramona each a special letter he wrote just for them.

Ramona picked out spoons for Paula, swim goggles for Mika, and maple syrup for Daddy.

Mika was so excited when she realized what the swim goggles were. She picked out toothpaste for Paula, a pony for Ramona, and deodorant for Daddy (as you can see, nothing too extravagant is stocked at the Mommy Store).

Paula picked out a pony for Mika, a cardigan for Ramona, and all the girls gave daddy some framed family photos to decorate his cubicle.

I loved seeing how excited the girls got through the process and hope it helped them see how fun it can be to give. I also hope it helped all of us appreciate each other more.

On Christmas morning, I warned the girls that our taking-away-toys-for-the-day-if-there-are-any-fights-or-tantrums-policy was in full force, and was pleased that I never had to follow through on the consequences of this policy that entire day.

Everyone was happy for each other about gifts received, there was gratitude, and even some sharing. Between all of that and the delightfully magical ages of our children this year, it felt like one of our more successful Christmases thus far. If only I didn't have to spend it with the cold I caught from Ramona, which she probably caught from her class Christmas party. With my snout rubbed raw from tissue wipes and body achy and sore, I felt like Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer after a working a long night in the arctic air.

Still, I was happy to have Christmas tasks completed and the children contentedly playing while Forest and I rapidly packed up the van for our road trip the following day.

 Photos requested by Grandma: Girls in their P.J.'s.

Merry Christmas! Hooray for the Season of Giving.