Christmas Shopping

After a crazy day of work and running kids in every direction our piano teacher canceled at the last minute and I got a brilliant idea to take Dev, Ry & Alex to do their Christmas shopping.

I know this task has been weighing heavily on their minds. Rylee has asked me over and over what I would like for Christmas. I've given her some ideas but apparently not the right idea? Finally I just told her the art of gift giving is to know and care for the person well enough to select a gift you think they would like on your own! (Thinking this would get me off the hook.) That went right over her head. "Give me more ideas Mom!" I told her I've given her plenty of  ideas. "I know but I can't use them or you'll know what you're getting!"

Oh my goodness! (Sigh)

So we head to the store. Alex is all business. He heads straight to the toy department to get Zach (his cousin) a gift. His funds are very limited (Yes, I am a cruel & evil mom and make my children earn their own money for gift giving. However, I did give Alex a pretty easy $10 job this week to help his cause!) Zach is five and he was elated to draw his name this year. Alex wanders up and down each aisle and then asks for my help. After wandering through every aisle...again  I asked him to think about when he was five and what he would like. Alex quickly responds with:

"I didn't get presents when I was five." 

Oh. My. Yes. Hits me like a dagger. But I put on a happy face and said. "Honey, I didn't ask you what you GOT when you were five, I asked you what you would have LIKED when you were five." The light dawns and he manages to find Zach a Nerf gun in his budget. Then it was on to Kambree. Alex had Kambree last year too and you could tell he was a little concerned. I pointed out quite a few things she would like - I cannot be specific as she follows this blog - and he would pick one then the other and then want me to decide. Finally I put my arm around him and told him that what counts is that HE picks, that this is a present from HER little brother and with that he put everything back and found her something he thought she would like! When he showed it to Rylee she approved immensely and wrapped her arm around his neck and gave him a side hug telling him he is  a "good bro". (She had overheard my pep talk and was just helping his gift giving self esteem! Good job Ry!)
During our shopping trip Rylee informs me that she needs new black shoes for Sunday. I asked her what happened to the black shoes she had? "I grew out of them Mom!" and then in a very dry, sarcastic voice she says, "What do you think? I lost them in the fire?"
Oh. Dear. Please tell me that my baby daughter is not going to join the ranks of the sarcastic & quick witted! I already have too many of those children! 

Devree spent the most and had the most to buy for. (I think she's up to 19 of her closest friends?)  She was so relieved to get her shopping done but was pretty reluctant to fork over ALL her hard earned  money (from getting her straight A report cards) at the cash register. On the way home everyone was lamenting that they were now out of money.  "Me too!" I said. To which Rylee replied "No you're not Mom. You still have your swipy card!"

Great. 

I guess as long as I have a "swipy" card....I have money?

So much to teach these little chicks of mine!