The logistics of over the mountain and through the woods require that we handle Christmas with our nutty little family early most years. Thus, the girls have opened their gifts.
Annnnnnnd exhale.
I'm talking to me. I've been holding my breath for a month now out of concern that the girls would be disappointed because I backed way off with the "fun stuff" shopping this year. Mostly I did it because Mila will get plenty of toys from other people, even as she already has access to more than she could ever play with thanks to hand-me-downs. And then there is Alexis. Alexis had a fantastic list of ideas for me, but the girl has shot up over two inches in the past two months. She needs clothes. Badly. So I passed all of the really good ideas from her list on to other family members and filled in a few of the gaps in her wardrobe. Can getting a new pair of black leggings ever be exciting?
I now know the answer is yes.
Neither girl was disappointed in the least.
Mila just wants to open presents. She doesn't much care what's inside because the act of opening is OMG SO FUN. I'm thinking of collecting all of the ponytail holders that have accumulated in the corners of our house (thanks, cats!), wrapping them up, and letting Mila go to town. She would be all, "Ook! It's a boo one!" and then "Oh! It's a back one!"
She would love every minute of it. I mean, she loved opening a boring Christmas ornament.
It's quantity over quality with that kid.
Except for when you have a Tow Mater hidden in the piles.
Mila drove Tow Mater all around the house for hours, grinning and giggling all along the way. At one point, she had Penny cornered and shaking, which was like the cherry on top because dogs who bark too much deserve to be cornered by a girl and her tow truck, even if it's only for a minute.
Meanwhile, Alexis proved that the way to her heart is Sephora.
The fact that Alexis was THAT happy about a sampler of glittery eyeshadow is just further proof that Miss Sparkle and Shine's love language is glitter. All of the glitter. The girl is on her own path and there is a lot of sparkle over there.
It's pretty fantastic, especially when the other kid is busy throwing trucks at my head and running the dogs over with a giant Tow Mater.