The Little Things

This is the year that Alexis figured out that I get the camera out when the gift is going to be good. She's not wrong. I'm not taking photos of anybody opening up a plain black pair of leggings because OMG WHY IS THAT ALL MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WEAR?

Ahem.

But, "good" doesn't mean expensive. For example, a Strawberry Luna poster is TOTALLY good.

And so is a DVD of Muppet Babies episodes.

Which pretty much sums up Christmas gifts this year. There were no big things, just small, carefully selected things that delighted the girls in ways that would seem surprising to anyone who wasn't with them every day.

The poster was a thing Alexis asked for after walking around the holiday pop-ups in Market Square weeks ago. She was annoyed when I didn't cave on the spot. Maaaaaybe she should have spent a little less time whining because then she might have noticed that I had sneakily bought it while she was looking at ornaments.

And Mila? Mila is so in love with Muppet Babies right now. Anything Muppet Babies is going to make her happy.

I'm probably not getting off this easy next year.

Cheese and Crackers

Note to Self: This One Was a JERK for Christmas

I won't elaborate, mostly because she would be SO MAD if I did, but a certain kid has been a raging jerk for the past few days. She peaked on Christmas, which is such good timing.Nothing says, "I appreciate all that my parents do!" quite like snapping at them and yelling at them. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Anyway.

She has absolutely always been awful the month leading up to her birthday. I only know this because of blogging, so here, future self. Here's your reminder that even as she departed the tween years for the teen years, she still can't make it through the end of December and early January without running her mouth so much you consider calling a repairman. Or throwing her out a window.

WHICHEVER.