This years christmas present challenges

Charlie and Owen Penhall Dec 2010

It took me by surprise when Charlie placed a very specific order for Buzz Light Year (BLY), not one but two.  It is incredible that at the age of three he is understanding concepts and communicating in full sentences.  He knows that BLY is cool too!

I walked all over Marion Shopping Centre, dodging crowds of people to find BLY but BLY was very popular and had sold out at Big W, Target and Kmart.  By that stage I was getting tired of shopping but was determined to get what my little boy wanted.  I dragged myself to the most expensive store David Jones and to my delight found BLY with a 30% discount.  Awesome!

Later while the children were sleeping, I carefully wrapped all of the presents and placed them perfectly underneath the brightly decorated Christmas tree. I felt exhausted but excited.

The other Christmas present challenge was to stop the children opening them before the big day.  Many of my friends suggested ways of keeping those presents safe.  I visualised a baby gate totally surrounding the tree with tinsel on top.  Another friend was using a bean bag to deter her one year old son.  My mother thought I was absolutely mad.

The temptation was too great and the children were too little to understand.  As far as Charlie was concerned all presents were Charlie's presents.  As far as Owen was concerned all wrapping was Owen's wrapping.  In the end I decided to hide the presents inside our bedroom wardrobe.  At least they would be safe there.

On Sunday morning I was deeply engrossed in a phone conversation with a cousin who's having a baby and Jamie was busy too when Charlie appeared in front of me with Buzz Light Year (BLY).  To my surprise, BLY was no longer wrapped.  Did BLY break free of his wrapping in the night?  Or maybe he had a little helper like Woody? 

I ran into the bedroom to find all of the presents unwrapped and all over the floor. I found it amusing that Charlie had gone through every present to pick out any chocolates and put them in a neat little pile on our bed.  I actually thought it was funny and was not upset because how could you be angry at a three year old child who wants to open up ALL of the Christmas presents.  Bless him the Cheeky Little Monkey. 

Jamie and I re-wrapped the presents and put them in a safer place.  Times like these will be remembered.

I'm looking forward to Christmas Day.