Christmas....

Good day to you and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

First of all I need to thank all of you that have supported me and my art throughout the year and especially throughout the Christmas season! WOW! I have been so busy. You can usually find me painting late into the night, like an artsy little elf! Some of the gifts I have done for people I wanted to keep for myself! :)

We are getting ready for Christmas like all of you are. Christmas talk tends to start in November, the early birds start planning.  This planning stage coincidentally happened at the same time my youngest and I were cleaning out the toy room in the basement. I found myself picking up toys that no one played with, the same toys that  I had panic attacks while shopping for less than a year ago.  I wasn't mad, just kind of sad. Every year I say I am not doing it, then.... I do. Christmas Crazy.  My husband and I decided that we were going to do an activity for Christmas. We live not too far from Chicago, so that is what we picked.  We had talked about going to see Wicked while we were there. Getting any tickets on ground level proved to be and insane idea with prices to the tune of $250 a seat. (We are a family of 4.) At that price there would be no bathroom breaks during the show and every family member would have to sign a contract that they would speak of how amazing this show was at least once a day for the next calendar year.  That is a lot of pressure.  We are staying at a "super fancy" hotel (thanks to my husbands travel points) and going to tea at said "fancy hotel". We are pretty sure that we are not the same caliber of fancy that this hotel is, but we are going to do our best to blend in. (and not get thrown out)   SO...It has been decided, each child will get a few stocking stuffers, one present from Santa, and the trip to fancy town.

On to Santa.... My oldest knew what she wanted, Madden for the Xbox and a pair of combat boots and or high heels.  :)   My mom and dad already bought the combat boots for her, but "santa" is taking care of the game.  NOW....the 5 year old wanted a big stuffed polar bear like she saw at Costco.  Costco was sold out. This is when I said we HAVE TO SEE SANTA TODAY. In otherwords, she keeps changing her mind and we need to get her in to see the big guy so it is written in stone (so to speak)  On our way to see Santa, she tells me. "Guess what I am asking Santa for??"  what?  "AN AMERICAN GIRL DOLL!" WHAT??????? Even Julia my oldest picked up on the crazy. She said.."Dont ask for that, I will just give you mine. I never play with it." L said" You have one that looks like you, I want one that looks like me"  DANG IT. I did not see this coming. She never plays with dolls. She draws and colors and that. is. it.   Fast forward to Santa.  J- tells Santa about Madden and he looks confused. Initially I thought it was because it was more of a boy gift. Nope. turns out santa was just literally confused, about everything.
 L then tells him that she wants an American girl doll. He said, " How about Saige?" 
THE AMERICAN GIRL DOLL THAT YOU HAVE TO KNOW SOMEONE THAT KNOWS SOMEONE TO GET!!! I found her on EBAY for $300!!  Thanks Santa. (She will not be getting Saige)
.................THEN......................he said, How about some clothes for Saige??  The elf girls were looking at me to see if I was still breathing (I was not) 
SHUT .....YOUR....... MOUTH......... SANTA!!!! 
Have you recently checked the price of American girl doll clothes??  I spend less on my own clothes (this says many things about myself and the American girl doll empire.)

  Now maybe Santa didn't understand that we are trying to not be materialistic this year. My kid shared that plan with us, until she saw Santa.  She nodded yes, with her mouth open as Santa asked her if she wanted more, and more, and more??? AHHHHHH!!!  He finished with a "if you have any more ideas, leave a note under the tree"  OK great idea, I will leave my strongly worded letter under the tree! :)

The American girl problem will solve itself as I imagine we can snag a "normally priced" doll while in Chicago and hide it in the car.  I have asked my kind facebook friends to sell me there gently used dolls to no avail.  :)

With all the hubbub with santa aside. The getting rid of kids gifts has left me time to make art for Sunday school teachers and others that have helped us through the year. I did that before but was usually cursing under my breath, and my blood pressure was sky high.  I hope this trip is AMAZING, as this is what I want to do every year!  Merry Christmas my friendly friends!!