Tags Galore!

We started and finished shopping for family members today. At least gifts from the kids to the family. Here are some pics of them making their tags, cutting them out, and writing names. We'll wrap sometime later this month, I think.

Gifts for Others, Part II

We all had a grand time last Saturday! I know, I know, it's Wednesday. I'm blogging now.

I took Isaac and Dearest took Ethan. Isaac took to shopping like a fish to water. Should I be worried? Isaac had great fun looking for gifts for Ethan. He picked up one item and declared it to be perfect. Then, he spotted another "perfect" gift. I gently reminded him that he could only pick one "perfect" gift. He debated between the two and put the first one down. We repeated this several times, until he found the perfect, perfect one.

Then, it was time to pick a gift for Dad. He picked one up and didn't change his mind. Not once! I had to laugh as I didn't coach him on what to get, but reminded him that he could only get one gift.

Dearest took Ethan and they had fun picking out a birthday gift for Isaac. Much of the same, except it seems Ethan wanted to get Isaac a pink something. Dearest did coach him a bit and persuade him to get a different colored thing. Can't wait to see what it is!

Dearest asked me later if I had coached for his gift. I laughed heartily and told him, "No." He had a great chuckle and told me he didn't coach either.

I can't wait for Isaac's birthday and Christmas!

Gifts for Others

Well, it's December 1st! The countdown begins to Isaac's birthday and Christmas. About this time of year, Isaac starts to mention things he would like for his birthday. Actually, it starts in January, but it intensifies in early December. Besides, it's crunch time, 4th and long, and NOW it matters.

Inevitably, at the birthday party, Ethan gets jealous and wants to take over Isaac's gifts, oh, about 2 seconds after the wrapping paper is pried off of the gift. My Dearest has been talking to Ethan about this and is encouraging him to let Isaac enjoy his presents and his party. In addition to this, I think it would help if they actually got something for each other, instead of just receiving from us (& the bazillion relatives who bless us with gifts for them!) this year. Yeah, I know.... where have I been and why haven't we been doing this all along.... Okay, stop heckling, it starts this year!

I was inspired by Owlhaven's blog post about gift-giving in her family. I LOVE HER IDEA! So much so that we're doing it this year and we're starting with Ethan buying a birthday gift for Isaac. One of us is going tomorrow with Ethan so we'll see how it goes. Wish us well!