Christmas Day: How Baby Bug Got Spoiled
Christmas did not disappoint this year.
We dressed up in our finest just-pulled-out-of-a-very-over-stuffed-suitcase clothes and headed over to the Grandparents house as early as we could pull ourselves together. Baby Bug finally got to wear that dress I bought for her last year for Christmas. I guess that is one advantage of having a micro-kid… she fits her clothes longer. She looked so cute prancing around in her “skirt” as she calls it.
I don’t know what I was thinking… I was busy with the shop and being a mom and for some reason I thought it would be okay if I didn’t get everyone gifts this year. I’ve gone all out other years and really pulled it off. Like that year I got everyone Chinese robes. I’ll never pull that off again. So I guess I didn’t even try. What a loser I am.
I got the kids presents but I never quite pulled off the something-very-thoughtful-and-meaningful for everyone else. I am SUCH a scrooge. Toby said, “Oh, don’t worry about it.” But I knew in my gut he was wrong and sure enough… he was. Why do I ever trust a man about these things? Especially a man who thinks birthdays are for kids. Never again, I tell you. Never again.
Everyone got us very thoughtful and special gifts. In fact we are so spoiled I think I will have to go home and make personalized stationary or send them all a fresh-baked pie every month. I’m so pathetic. Like check out this hand-held tri-pod from my mother-in-law (Toby’s step mom). You know, because I always take pictures of myself from arm’s length. It’s like she KNOWS me or something. Even Toby, Mr. PhoTOGrapher himself, thought it was pretty cool. That was fun. I got hours and hours of enjoyment out of that toy. I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of it in the future.
She also got me a whole box full of Paris things. PARIS! The city that stole my heart. An Eiffle Tower Christmas ornament, a book about Notre Dame, a little black and white art nouveau ash tray (that I will use as a little dish of course since I do not smoke)… Someday I am going to have a whole room in my dream house devoted to things from Paris. It may be a bathroom but still… there will be a Parisian themed room.
My mother-in-law knows that what’s really important about getting toys for Baby Bug is that I like them. Right? Isn’t that what it’s all about? Just kidding. But she couldn’t have made me happier when Baby Bug opened a Parisian trunk that had a Madeline book and doll inside! Madeline! I LOVE Madeline!!! I always have. I wanted to get Baby Bug one myself but just never quite got around to it.
It turns out I’m not the only one who is in love with Madeline. My father-in-law told me all about Ludwig Bemelman and how he (my father-in-law) has been a fan of Bemelman’s illustrations since he was a kid! My father-in-law even has this really old book from the 40’s that I’m coveting quite a bit. There is so much in this world I do not know about. So many amazing illustrators, so little time!
I thought that was the cherry on top. I thought Baby Bug made out like a bandit with her many books and puzzles and stuffed toys… But no. Nope. They had to go and spoil her rotten!
My kid got a four-wheeler. A motorized vehicle! I dreamed about having one of these when I was TEN!!! She is such a lucky duck. Of course she hasn’t quite got the hang of it and there seems to be some trouble with charging it but I just know this is going to be a big hit around the house. I know she is going to be tearing around our little apartment, giving the house cats hell. Can’t you just see it? I think Pounce will permanently take up residence in the closet. It’s going to be hilarious. I can’t wait. I know I always say I don’t want big plastic toys that I have no place to put but I think I will make an exception for this. This is fantastic.
(See her tongue sticking sideways in that picture up there? She’s concentrating. My Dad and Toby do the exact same thing. I think it’s adorable.)
Christmas is not all about gifts of course. There was some apple picking and gourmet dinner eating, and eggnog drinking… and of course some goofing around with the relatives.
My family is a hoot. (Baby Bug took that photo by the way.)
Next up: Cousins!
17 Comments
Mrs. Wilson
Looks like you had a great time!
I just got my Baby Bug flash cards today – they are a hit! My 6-year-old loves them, even though I’m trying to explain to her that they are for her baby sister.
bethany actually
Awesome. I know exactly how you feel in the oops-I-forgot-to-get-gifts-this-year department. I invite you to embrace, along with me, the TWELVE days of Christmas. And maybe New Year’s gifts, which of course can be properly given during the whole month of January.
andrea
Baby Bug definitely made out like a bandit. I love the motorized vehicle, not quite old enough for it around here yet, but soon enough.
I wouldn’t worry too much about not going all out on the gift giving. I am certain that you guys making the trip up to spend the holiday with all of them is the best present they could ever ask for. Although as Bethany said, there is nothing wrong with New Year’s gifts, always fun to spread the holiday out like that.
Uncle George
Your father in law read those Madeline books to his first son when he was a baby…And Babar, too! Hooray for Baby Bug! What fun!
sizzle
she’s a natural with the camera, of course. ;) sounds like a wonderful time!
Angella
Sounds like a perfect Christmas!
That photo of Toby and you? I love it. Love it, love it, LOVE IT!
Michelle in Cincinnati
Dito, Angella! I love that picture of you two! I’m with Bethany on the gifts after Christmas idea…I would rather have something hand made and well thought out than cheese and sausage from Harry and David – well, actually I would love that from Harry and David, but you know what I mean :o) Baby Bug is a hot rod baby on her four wheeler – sooooooo cute! Also, I LOVE the pic where (Grandpa Ponnay?) is making the reindeer antlers….In addition to that being adorable, I also noticed the cabinets over the sliding glass doors in that pic – Now that is a creative use of space! I will incorporate that into our next house for sure! So cool! So happy that your holidays were so joyful and full of surprises and fun! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!
Lexi
Aww….what a ‘dorable lil dress. Makes me want a girl. Not badly enough to do this again, but still….awwwwww.
margalit
Oh man, you just made me remember that I have something you AND Bug would adore sitting upstairs just waiting for a new owner. Email me your address and I’ll put it in the mail toot sweet (and yes, that’s a hint!).
That motorized car is going to be a blast on go to the beach outings. She’s a lucky little Bug, that one!
Katherine
Aw cute, what a lovely day, and I love the idea of the Paris package. I’m off there myself in a couple of weeks, but I have to work most of the time, still got a couple of hours for wandering around daydreaming and taking photos though!
Spandrel Studios
Madeline is just the best! And your family is so sweet to come up with the Paris-theme items – they really know you!
JennyC.No3
Looks like a lot of fun!
familymclean
I killed myself with homemade gifts this year… and still didn’t manage to pull them all off. Looks like you are having a fantastic time…you are so faithful with posting too. I fell off the face of the blogosphere for a whole week!
Oh, and great pics!!! Either you are doing something to enhance the color in some pics or it is amazingly beautiful there, better than real life or this new mac sees things really pretty, like through colored lenses.
Merry belated Christmas:)
bluejaye
It is a great family. Wish we were there also. Brion just didn’t have enough time off.
Happy New Year!!!
Ponnay’s from the North.
C
aww, that looks like such a great Christmas!
Aimee Greeblemonkey
What a nice holiday! Thanks for sharing!
She Likes Purple
Her dress is just gorgeous.