Do you still recall the BEST toy you ever got at Christmas time?? Sadly, I don't.  Sorry mom and dad!  Altho I do recall getting a cassette player/stereo and a dresser from you....that was good!

But I don't recall the best ever...I am guessing an easy bake oven...or maybe my barbie town house ( the one with the "elavator" that worked...because you pulled the string on the other side of the house?).  Those were good ones.

I was just looking at a picture of the girls xmas morning seeing what Santa had brought them....and don't get me wrong....they were HAPPY.  But not like super happy.

Ella got her Easy Bake Oven...and we have already made the chocolate chip cookies in it.  She is excited about it.

Rissa got her La La Loopsie doll...the special one she asked for ( they all look the same to me!) and they both got a Kindle to share....well, the sharing part usually only happens when a parent intervenes...but technically, its to share. :)

But there wasn't any of that crazy excitement that you see on videos...at least not AT our christmas.

There was some of that.  With Ella.  Before that day.

My co-worker was very sweet and had gotten both girls a Hello Kitty gift bag with crayons and a notebook in it.  She also gave them each $10.  Rissa was excited when she got hers....but Ella....beyond excited to get her $10.  I wish I had known and I would have video'd it.  She was full on Jumping up and down and yelling out AWESOME!!!!

I am glad that they were happy with it. But....that makes me think a bit about next christmas.  Instead of wrapping up gifts that we spent a lot of money on....I might ponder skipping the middle man...and just let them unwrap money. Lots of money ( well to them it would be!)

That way when they look back at the best gifts ever....one will stand out to them. The money.  Or maybe the best gifts are still yet to come??

Maybe next year....they'll get something that will make them say Cool. :)