In retrospect, it was a perfectly reasonable question, but when the husband asked me, "What do you want for your birthday?" a few days ago, I FREAKED THE HELL OUT.
I haven't finished putting up the Christmas decorations yet. Why in the world would he ask about something that's not for ... weeks. OMG, YOU GUYS, CHRISTMAS HAPPENED.
I know I was there for it and all, but how did that happen so fast? I blinked and we suddenly went from Thanksgiving to New Years and everything in between was a blur of wrapping paper and smiles and waiting and laughter and ... just a blur.
I know I was there that night a few days before Christmas when Alexis gleefully unwrapped present after present from us, squealing with delight at each and every treasure she discovered. She didn't really guide us with a list of specific wishes this year, but when she tackle-hugged us both after EVERY. SINGLE. PRESENT, it was probably a pretty good sign that she was happy with her books and Monster High dolls and such.
A $3 pair of fingerless gloves from Target? SQUEEEEE! THANK YOU SO MUCH! HUGS!
A Monster High doll never seen and therefore never wanted? SQUEEEE! THANK YOU SO MUCH! HUGS!
An admittedly boring pair of skinny jeans? SQUEEEE! THANK YOU SO MUCH! HUGS!
And on and on and on. She opened a gift. She squeed about the gift. She ran full-force to give hug after hug after hug.
The kid sure does know how to show her appreciation, but why couldn't it have happened in slow motion?
After Christmas at home, there was Christmas with that side of the family and Christmas with this side of the family and Christmas with those other people we adore and then Christmas again and again and again.
Somewhere in there Alexis opened a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It wasn't a "dumbed down" version but rather the original version I read and loved when I was in 4th or 5th grade.
It took her two days to finish it, but she did. Gleefully. It all happened so quickly.
Then we returned home and discovered that Santa had stopped by, except that Alexis already knew there were gifts waiting for her and that I had something to do with it because she had walked in on me when I was placing them in her stocking.
She seemingly ignored the total and complete unraveling of the magic and instead focused on the excitement of discovering things mom and dad have traditionally banished from the house. Gum and candy and even some Hello Kitty lip gloss rings were cherished and hastily hidden just in case.
The Monster High DVD managed to pause time briefly as it was so appreciated that Alexis was stunned silent. She just stared at it for a very long two seconds, grinning and grinning and grinning.
Then there was that moment when she opened the "snowman snow globe that changes color."
Santa was certain that the "correct" version was sold out everywhere and was VERY nervous that Plan B might have been a bad idea. It wasn't, though, judging by the fact that Alexis gushed and gushed and couldn't believe how perfect her little snow globe was.
It all happened so very quickly. I'm sitting here wondering if I have time to decorate an eleventh Christmas tree, but I guess I don't.
There's always next year.