On Tuesday night we did our annual Christmas with the Abbotts. Except this year instead of having a nice dinner and leisurely enjoying each other's company for the night, we were able to squeeze it in between 7:30 and 9:00 on a school night. Life has changed. We all acknowledge that we are far too busy to enjoy the season, but who is able to actually do anything about it? But I digress...

So this year instead of toys, I found these great purple bath towels and had the girls' names embroidered on in lime green in this really cool font to match their bathroom. This seemed like a great idea at the time of purchase. See, there is a store that I love down here called Polka Dots where I buy lots of gifts for myself and others. Unfortunately, the owner told me that she may have to close unless she has a really good Christmas. So I was trying to do my part by buying as many gifts there as I could. Hence the monogrammed bath towels.

Now Darlene has done an incredible job of teaching her girls how to react when they open a present that may not completely thrill their soul. McKenzie will always act like it's the best thing she's ever opened and will try to come up with something special to say about it. So when they opened their towels, it was pretty hard for me to tell what she really thought. Sweet Riley Grace, on the other hand, just sat there looking at it with an almost puzzled look on her face. It was at this moment that it occurred to me that 8 and 5 year old girls don't really get excited about bath towels for Christmas.

Meanwhile, my son opens up his super cool exo-force lego robot and grabs McKenzie to run off to his room and start putting it together. Bailey opens up her Polly Pockets Limosene, and because I have done such a fine job of raising her, says (with a slight tone of disgust) "I already have this one."

Because I'm embarassed by her reaction, I lean down and do the Mommy whisper, "That is not what you say when someone gives you a gift. Do you understand me?! You say, 'Thank you very much,' no matter whether you have it already or not."

So Bailey starts crying because she's embarassed that I got on to her. So I say, "You know what, Bailey? If you already have this one, it's no big deal to take it back and swap it."

Moment of truth for Riley Grace: "Sure, Bailey, you can swap it with me!"

You have to love the honesty of kids. Merry Christmas to you and yours. :)