Stretching it out.

One thing that we started doing last year (or was it the year before that?) is the "Stretching Out of the Presents".


When I was growing up, I would walk into the family room on Christmas Morning and see, in one glance, all of my gifts in a matter of seconds. My parents didn't wrap them...instead opting to use the "pile" method.

I totally didn't mind. It was fun ...especially if you snuck downstairs in the wee hours of the morning to get a sneak-peak. heh heh

FYI, Mom and Dad: Tommy (my older brother by 5.5 years) was totally the ringleader on this one. I'm innocent...as usual.


But now as the parent, I really wanted to avoid the whole Present Panic where the kids get all of their loot in a matter of minutes. To me, it seems sort of anti-climatic.

So we give each girl a present every hour or so. It allows them to slow down.


Take notice of what someone else has gotten.


And truly enjoy the new gift before moving on to some other present.


This year we did a Princess Theme (as far as gifts go). Because 2009 was the year that the girls started to really play with Barbies, talked obsessively about getting married, pretended to be dancing princesses, and dreamed of Prince Charming.

So we gave them tiaras to go with their new ballerina tutus.




Lani was less than thrilled.


Don't let this picture fool you. It stayed on for a matter of seconds. ;)

I was able to find 7 (totally like new!) Disney Princess Barbies for $10 on Craigslist. YeeHaw!


They were thrilled! and spent HOURS playing with them.


It took all of 2.2 seconds before the barbies were having their hair brushed...

their outfits changed...


and rechanged...
and changed again.
and then (re) accessorized to match the newest outfit. :)

I'd say it was a well-spent $10. :D

This year, I was truly blessed to be able to sell hundreds of dollars worth of stuff on Craigslist. I was able to get rid of excess stuff and use the money to buy Christmas gifts. some of which were actually found on Craigslist!

I love being able to bless my daughters with things they want. and to be able to bless my husband by not spending an excessive amount of money.

Unfortunately the biggest present wasn't able to be built. With the pending labor and unexpected blizzard, our last-minute idea of building a Barbie House Cabinet wasn't able to happen. Yet.

Stay tuned for pictures. Though it probably won't be until Valentines Day, :) being that the girls didn't miss what they didn't know was coming.

And being that we stretched out the gifts to be an all day affair, they felt extremely blessed. As Charis said, "This was the best Christmas Ever!"