Christmas 2017

Both girls agreed amongst themselves that this Christmas was their best one ever.  After opening presents and heading back to Julia's room to play, I overheard their conversation:

Riley:  So Julia, what did you think of Christmas?
Julia:  It was amazing.
Riley:  It was the best Christmas ever.  Don't you think so?
Julia:  Yup.

As to what made it so amazing, I can only guess that it had to do with being around family (my parents spent the week before Christmas at our house and it's always so nice to have them), receiving presents that they were wanting, and knowing ahead of time what big ticket items they would not be receiving so that disappointments were kept to a minimum.

Riley has been asking for an iPhone for months now and it amped up after Thanksgiving.  Her reasoning for getting one was that kids who carry phones look more mature and she wants to look older.  I told her that I'd give her an old non-working phone and buy a new case so she could carry it around if looking more mature was truly the only reason for having a phone.  She didn't buy that.

We've had multiple talks related to iPhones, why some friends have them and she doesn't, why now is not the time that we feel comfortable giving her one, and why she won't have one for at least another year or two at the soonest.  While she understands, it doesn't mean she's happy about it, but she's also stopped asking which has made it easier on everyone.

Her other big ticket item gifts included a hoverboard and skateboard.  We explained why these gifts would be awesome, but how little she'd actually be able to use them.  As a result, she knew ahead of time that these gifts were not going to happen.  She still had plenty of things she was hoping to get and wasn't disappointed in what she received.  She even said that her new blowdryer was her favorite gift!  And her desk accessories, floor pillow, and other neat gifts were her favorites too.

Julia started out the holiday season telling us that she didn't care what she wanted and she knew she'd be happy with whatever we got.  Then her teacher sent us the letter she wrote to Santa where she asked for an iPhone, computer, and an art set because she lost her set from last year.  She loves American Girl dolls and was hoping for another, but we had shared that she already had a few and didn't need another.  Instead she received doll accessories, coloring set, and board games that we can play together.

Her big gift this year was a 4' x 10' gymnastics mat that has already gotten hours of use since yesterday morning.  Our bonus room above the garage is perfect for gymnastics activities and now she'll have a mat to add a little cushion to the hardwood flooring.

Beyond the gifts received, we had a lot of time with family and read Luke 2 last night before bed.  Incredibly thankful for all the family and friends in our lives.  Especially thankful for a God who loves us and came to earth just for us.

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