Wednesday, December 2, 2009

You Better Watch Out

Since we are officially in the Christmas swing of things, I believe you can all finish the phrase. Those words to the classic children's song are supposed to serve as a helpful admonition to all children to be on their best behavior, because of course, Santa Claus is coming to town!

Maybe Marianna is not old enough to understand that, or maybe she just felt like those words were better applied to me. Here's what happened.

We put our Christmas tree up on Saturday. It was by far, her most thrilling Christmas decorating session to date. Every ornament she came across was like a reunion with her best friend. I can't imagine that she even remembered most of them from last year, but she talks a big game and I was beginning to think maybe, just maybe, she did.

The tree went up, the tree skirt went under, the star went on top, and no sooner were we done than Marianna was begging for a few presents to be wrapped and put under the tree. Her presents of course. Nathan, being the terrific dad he is, wrapped up three presents as soon as the girls went to bed and had them placed under the tree for them to see when they woke up. That was Sunday.

Monday morning, just 24 hours later, I'm in the kitchen when I hear Marianna saying, "Oh Mom, I'm so sorry! I'm so, so sorry! I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I run in and find her sitting in front of the Christmas tree, an empty box and shredded paper in front of her, a confused, but innocent sister beside her, and a hand behind her back, clutching the present she has just unwrapped.

Yes, I better watch out indeed. It seems that 4 is the age from which I will always have to be on the look out from the little Christmas eager claws of Marianna. I will now probably have to find better hiding spots and out of reach locations to hide the presents that evidently cannot go under the tree this year until Christmas Eve.

The hardest part? Not laughing.


6 comments:

Candace said...

Love it!

Leah said...

haha! that is too funny!
my mom never put the gifts out until christmas eve when I was a kid. she must have learned early on with her first children :)

Anonymous said...

Too cute!! I loved your Christmas verse idea from last year - and made quite a few. I was wondering if you still have a copy of your verses? I saved them on my computer, but it has since crashed and i lost everything, (this is a new one). Anyway, if you have them, can you email them to me? I appreciate it!! Thanks again! Merry CHRISTmas!! Carmen Cook
dccook@bellsouth.net

Laurie in Ca. said...

Oh I love this Angie. This season is so magical for them in every way. Isaac and Hannah helped me put our tree together yesterday and it was a definite challenge:) The best but longest day so far this month for me:) Love you girl.

Love and Hugs, Laurie

Anonymous said...

A friend had that problem with her oldest oldest 2 girls. The solution? If they open a Christmas present early without parental consent, the present goes back to the store.

It only took once the the 2 girls never opened another present early without consent.

Mel said...

That is so hysterical! I can picture her now.