Holidays Gifts

I made a real effort to simplify our December this year. I had to. The past few months of running with a newby, toddler and kindergartner in tow pretty much kicked my butt. I knew I couldn't pull off ALL of my little traditions {we have a lot of them here!}, so I streamlined when possible.


We tackled fewer holiday-specific art projects. Sorry if you didn't get a custom handmade something from Buby and Bleu this Christmas. I also decided the nieces, nephews and cousins {all 15 of them} would receive reading material. Picture books, chapter books, journals, etc. Most of the children in our family are serious bookworms anyway, you can grow into and passed along books, and we can no longer fit bulky toys into our vehicle.


I was happy to do the majority of our shopping through Scholastic, Amazon and Barnes + Noble {online with in-store pickup}. Me and toy stores don't mix. Never have. The downside to Scholastic is no gift receipts though. Several of the books I chose for nephew Parker were duplicates :(


As for our own wee ones they didn't want for much. We are in those awesome early years when babes believe wholeheartedly in everything and aren't writing mile-long wish lists for their parents. Honestly, I hope mine never do that. I cringe at the thought of little guys tearing through catalogs with big markers. Want. Want. Want. I don't want that.


Speaking of, I couldn't help but notice how many people pressed Buby and Bleu for what they wanted this year. Every day friends, family, the receptionist at the hair salon, a stranger at the coffee shop would force them to articulate a desire for the tangible. Whenever Bleu responded "A box of tissues" someone would say "What else? Nothing else???" and they'd stare and wait until she could come up with more! Oh the pressure.


Buby only asked Santa for his fairies, and Bleu asked him for a Jessie doll, a box of tissues and a toy for her Bitty Baby. Later I think she mentioned a purple phone. As usual we used two wrapping papers... one for gifts from Santa and one for gifts from us. Inevitably we end up buying something in front of one of the other children.


I told everyone else to please not go crazy. Buby and Bleu are spoiled silly {and I mean that in the sweetest possible way} when we visit Family Land. They didn't expect to open gifts on vacation, and I didn't want to bring home another playroom full. That said, it was by far the most fun Christmas yet watching our five year old and two and a half year old partake in so many family celebrations. Grandparent and cousin time was the best. And the gifts exchanged were so thoughtful and lovely. Here's a small sampling.




*A goody box from my friend Maria included {among other things} this roadrunner globe, a chili pepper ornament and a cactus growing on our kitchen windowsill. *Grandma DJ knitted Bleu a pretty poncho. *The Plan Toys dollhouse is made of organic recycled rubber wood.




*Bleu keeps this board book on her nightstand. *Oliver's sock monkey from Grandma DJ. The others came with personalized "sweaters" as well, but Bleu prefers them all nakie. *Crazy soft blanket for baby.




*Prettiest his/her tissue boxes we could find. *Uncle Mark gave Buby the Yankees hat right off his head. Buby adores it, and I'm sure my brother misses it. *The pooch trinket box from Great Aunt Mary is very special to Bleu. She hides her jewels in it.





*The My Neighborhood play mat is made in Belgium, rolls out 6 feet and stores easily. *Remember Alphie? Very '80s. *Genius fill-in-the-blank for five year olds. *A tiny horse stable both kids love.





*Family of seven dollhouse dolls. *Satin-trimmed blankie. *Gourmet-scented Smencils.




*Magformers building set. *Taggie blanket for Oliver. *Felt dino bag.




*Sweetest board book by Nancy Tillman. Thank you, G. family. *Raggedy Ann brings back memories. *Fun bendy figures.




*Purplicious doll by Madame Alexander. *Magician's costume. *Seen the movie Big?

*Seriously the most fun racetrack ever. Thanks, Dad. *Fold'N Fly paper airplane kit.

*The Hess truck is a Grandpa J. tradition. *My Sweets found an original painting of our village library for Buby. *New Acorn Monster Moc slippers for Buby. They wear "indoor shoes" at Montessori school.

*Hardcover classics from my dad. *Highly anticipated Jessie doll. *City tee for Buby. It's super soft and reminds him of his favorite place on earth.




Note: There's plenty I didn't photograph, including more books, games, an aquarium dvd, clothes, a sled, and sweet accessories for Bleu's dolls.