Evil. Part 2.
When I ran across a Madame Alexander Belle doll on Amazon for $14.99, I knew I had to buy it. Alexis loves Belle. Alexis loves dolls. I love things that don't cost a kajillion dollars. I wasn't sure whether to give it to her for her birthday or Christmas, but when she acted all mature and awesome answering the "What if Santa fails you" questions, I pretty much HAD to shove more stuff under the tree for her.
Bonus: It was an opportunity to be evil.
Knowing full well that we would be opening gifts tonight (we do it before we leave town so that we don't have to haul anything extra with us), I started setting up the shenanigans during our commute home after work and school. I brought up the "What if Santa fails you" questions again, this time being more specific.
"What if Santa brings you . . . a light bulb?" I asked.
"Santa won't bring me a light bulb," she replied.
"What if Santa brings you . . . some underwear?" I asked.
"That would be fine," she replied.
"What if Santa brings you . . . a Barbie?" I asked.
"I would LOVE a Barbie!" she enthusiastically replied.
"What if Santa brings you . . . socks?"
"I'll be fine if Santa brings socks," she replied.
"What if Santa brings you . . . the wrong doll?" I asked.
"That would be fine," she replied.
No matter what I asked, she replied in the most mature and awesome way possible. If I weren't so darn proud of her for being awesome, I'd be kind of annoyed that she wasn't giving me the fun little hissy fit I so definitely had earned.
Talk is cheap, though. What would really happen if we gave her the wrong doll? Mwahahaha!
Later in the evening, Alexis blasted through opening her presents, genuinely excited about every little thing.
I do not understand this thing where 4-year olds are happy to get clothes for Christmas, but whatever. She was excited and she was happy and she was genuinely delighted with everything. Especially the Jasmine costume (Disney Store after Halloween clearance? OH, HOW I LOVE THEE.).
And then she got to the box with the Madame Alexander doll in it. Now, I have spent the past month trying to talk the child out of wanting an American Girl doll. I have shown her every possible knock-off this side of the Mason Dixon line and I had even shown her photos of fakes imported from Jupiter or Saturn or somewhere. The kid wasn't buying what I was selling. The conversation consistently went back to, "Give me Rebecca or give me a rock to throw at your head." Or something like that.
She started to peel the paper.
Then, as she fully realized what was inside the box, MONEY SHOT!
The disappointment. It drips.
She mumbled something about it not being THE doll she had asked for, but then recovered almost instantly.
She glued on a smile, said thanks and all that, and continued on opening presents. There was lots of excitement, tons of smiles, and buckets full of glee.
She really is a very happy camper tonight. A VERY happy camper. In fact, when I asked her to list her favorite present, she listed every single thing she got.
Including the Belle doll.
NOW I think she has sufficiently earned that $100 American Girl doll. She won't be getting it until Sunday (when we get back from visiting family), but I think it's safe to say she is going to lose her mind.
Oh, and I'm done torturing her. For now.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Reader Comments (19)
evil is right, and I thought I was good at torture! Have a GREAT trip, be safe and Merry Christmas!!!
A) After all this, I, for one, fully expect a video of the reaction you're going to get when she sees what Santa has brought.
B) That series of pictures is priceless. You can totally see her little brain working overtime to recover.
C) You've obviously raised her really, really well.
You know its strange- my kiddo actually *asked* for clothes for Christmas. I'm not entirely sure which planet she comes from (she's about a month younger than Alexis) but I suddenly rue her teenage years...
@Jayna--r.e. #3: It's the other way around. We got crazy lucky when we had her and she has done a phenomenal job of raising us.
I love you. (Not literally.)
This is so much awesome. I love the way this has gone, and am so excited for her unexpected Sunday magic. Amazing how you can draw in people to the story so much that they (we) are a part of it, and can share in the excitement and joy of it all. Thank you.
And Merry Christmas to you, Alexis, and Mr. H, and all the creatures of the household. :-) Have safe travels!
Love the money shot! I can't wait to see her face when she gets the American girl doll.
Be safe traveling! Beep at me.
And, yes, best series of photos ever.
i LOVE the pictures, they are priceless.
You are evil...and I love it! She is going to lose her ever lovin' mind. Pleasepleasepleaseplease have the camera ready.
haha... you are EVIL! her face is priceless. but imagine how excited she'll be when she sees the other doll! too bad santa gets all the credit...
It's not surprising to me that your very "girly" girl loves clothes... It's exactly what I would expect.
Now, as for the AG doll... here's your chance to claim Awesome Mommy-ness.
On Sunday, you explain that Santa was all out of the doll she wanted, so MOMMY went out and got you one! In addition to appearing awesome (and much less evil) it also lays the groundwork for the eventual transition to No Santa-hood.
The photos of Alexis' reaction are priceless. I'm impressed with how well she responded to the Belle doll, but I think you have it right. When she opens the American Girl doll, she will be insane. Please get some shots of that too.
You just made me laugh and laugh and laugh. How adorable is she in that costume!
one hell of a tremendous little person you have there. i love that she recovered on her own.
and you? you are sofa king evil. i'm gonna somehow torture you on behalf of your incredible daughter.
Your kid is fantastic with how well she recovered from her disappointment. Love it!
I, too, expect video of her reaction to the American Girl doll. I can't wait to see this!
Safe travels! Merry Christmas!
PS: your tree? GORGEOUS! Any chance you want to come to Albany next year and decorate mine? ;)
She seems like such as great kid. You are again evil, but I suppose everyone deserves to have some fun right. Merry Chrsitmas!
i. love. your. tree. decorations. sodarnmuch!
theyre all so dag nabbit-ing-ly pretty!
I love your brand of evil.
First of all, the Jasmine costume? Precious!
Second of all, you are evil. I adore you for that.