Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas!

Hi, Pot, my name is Kettle

It seems like every five or so years there is some sort of toy craze around Christmas time. When I was little, Cabbage Patch Dolls were all the rage, and desperate parents would fight over them in the stores. I remember the Tickle-Me Elmo, and most recently, the Wii game system. I always thought that parents who would go to such lengths to get toys for their children for Christmas were crazy.

But then...

...Wendy turned 3 years old. She became much more aware of things like Christmas trees, and presents, and Santa. SANTA!! She is so excited this year, and we talk every day about Santa, and the reindeer, and the North Pole, and she just eats it all up.

I asked her a couple of weeks ago what she thought Santa would bring for her this year. She immediately answered, "Bouncy balls!! A red one, an' a boo one, an' a geen one, an' a peeh one..." She has given that answer consistently, every single time she is asked.

I thought I was getting off easy - just find a couple of bouncy balls, and she'll be thrilled. Cheap and simple!

Ha.

I looked at Wal-Mart. No bouncy balls.

My mom looked at Wal-Mart. Nope.

I looked at Rite-Aid. Nada.

I looked at Walgreens. Uh-uh.

I looked at Kmart. Zip.

I looked at CVS...and wanted to leap over the counter and give the cashier a hug when I found packages of brightly colored bouncy balls for $1. I bought two packages.

So, many hours and $2 later, Santa will be bringing my girl the only thing she asked for. The look on her face Christmas morning when she sees her "boo an' geen an' red an' peeh" bouncy balls will be worth it.

And I'm now one of the crazy parents.