santa called us christmas eve. no, really. caller id showed up "unknown". no number. no state identification. no nothing. the monkeys were on their best behavior. he insisted their presents were already loaded and on the sleigh. and that jakob was for sure getting the bike he wanted and riley didn't have to worry, it was a pink dollhouse for her. he claimed that max would get something perfect and zoe's gift was going to remain a secret until morning, but that she would love it. i was a little surprised how open santa was about the gifts, having not spoken to him personally, i kept thinking, "wow. i hope he knows what he's talking about." i, for one, didn't want to have to explain things in the morning if it wasn't exactly what santa promised. but christmas morning was pure excitement. that santa claus sure did deliver. zoe: 1. polly pocket mall 2. "peace" build-a-bear 3. mint green camera (she got that early. we've established this.)
from santa: her very own room!! how santa managed this one, we may never know.
favorites in stocking: taylor swift cd, books, zuh zuh pet
jakob: 1. lego pirate ship 2. star wars skiff 3. real life cash register (i wish you could have seen his face)
from santa: brand spanking new bike
favorites in stocking: clone trooper outfit for build-a-bear, r2-d2 watch, scooby-doo dvds.
riley: 1. super fancy princess dress 2. parachute (just like the ones from elementary school. giant circle of fabric, everyone holds on to the handles and shakes it. runs around it. bounces beanbags on it. it was a huge hit.) 3. for the life of me, i cannot remember riley's third present. i'll have to come back to this.
from santa: pink dollhouse with a green roof. (she was very specific.)
favorites in stocking: stuffed white kitty cat, books, ariel costume for build-a-bear*pictures will come.
favorites in stocking: stuffed white kitty cat, books, ariel costume for build-a-bear*pictures will come.
max: 1. geo-trax airplane 2. shake and go race track 3. big orange tractor trailer that carries a big orange race car.
from santa: metal grocery cart
favorties from stocking: cars, trucks, motorcycle mailman, build-a-bear stroller
the phone call with santa ended, and jakob immediately claimed he knew who it was. it was "an old man with white hair. but he doesn't live at the north pole. i think it's called idaho." i debated that it couldn't have been grandpa howard or it would have shown up on the phone. and then....it started.....snowing! in texas!! on christmas eve!!! i picked up the nearest kid and swung them around and heard myself say something like, "it's a christmas miracle!" i guess i was pretty excited. and that was just enough to seal the deal for the sloop children. santa claus is real.
