We have a lovely thing called a Dollar Store. It's perfect for taking Blossoms to do their Christmas shopping for each other. They got their $5.30 and put it in their chosen purse of the day and off we went. Each Blossom had a basket to tote around. It.was.comical. I must say, it stretched me a little too. They were intently looking for the perfect gift for each other. And, they'd find something, put it in their basket and then cover it with their hat. This is where it got complicated. Nobody wanted the other girls (or Mommy) to see what they'd bought for each other. So this protective Mommy was having a hard time keeping everyone together and happy... a problem we don't usually experience in stores. And, Mommy was stretched beyond her limit when Skeeter wanted to be in a completely different aisle than Mommy. Oh yes, and we finally had to pay for all the purchases. One at a time, they put their purchases up. Scooter accidentally dumped her purse all over the floor, poor thing. Thankfully the clerk just played along with the girlies, treating them like "big girls."
"Your receipt is in the bag."
It was a good experience for them. I'm not sure everyone else felt like that. They didn't like having to wait for us to put 3 baskets away and get all 4 girlies situated with their hats and bags and purses to go back out in the cold. Now we have a new problem on our hands. The presents were wrapped with much care and now they're under the tree. And everyone's a little suspicious and upset with everyone else because they think everyone knows what their getting... or so and so told so and so... BUT they are so excited about each family member getting what they've given them and loving it and being so tickled with it and so on. Once again, I have to remind myself of the point of why we do these things. Ever since Skeeter was three, we've taken the girlies shopping, so they know the joy of giving... the importance of thinking of others. Perhaps next year I will need to do separate trips for each individual Blossom... we'll see. For now, it was enough to see that grin on their faces and shine in their eyes. :)
