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Skybar
Perfect Peaing
PeaNut 188,727
January 2005
Posts: 24,097
Layouts: 0
Loc: AZ desert
 |  Posted: 12/25/2012 11:44:22 PM
good for you! It will be a treasure in your future.
my 2 youngest gbabies (3 and 5) made me
'Christmas cards'. they're drawings they did on plain paper. With their own little fingers - for granny. They are the only decorations I put up this yr. Somewhere I have frames I can put them in and they'll go up ever yr in my future.
For now they're taped to my wall where I can see them everyday. I took a pic of them on the wall and will email it to my son so he can show the boys that granny got them, loves them and looks at them every day.
Actually, I think they'll stay up yr around.
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"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education."
- President Theodore Roosevelt
On June 28, 1787, as Governor of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin hosted the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he moved:
"That henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning."
Franklin wrote April 17, 1787:
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."
Benjamin Franklin wrote his epitaph:
"THE BODY of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - Printer. Like the cover of an old book, Its contents torn out, And stripped of its lettering and gilding, Lies here, food for worms; Yet the work itself shall not be lost, For it will (as he believed) appear once more, In a new, And more beautiful edition, Corrected and amended By The AUTHOR."
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bizzymumma
I sense impending mayhem.
PeaNut 51,520
October 2002
Posts: 19,352
Layouts: 47
Loc: Beautiful BC
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VivMarina
PeaFixture
PeaNut 242,276
January 2006
Posts: 3,017
Layouts: 0
Loc: SF Bay Area
 | Posted: 12/25/2012 11:50:53 PM
We have an advent calendar where each day there is a strip of paper with the name of a Christmas carol that we all sing together. My DS is almost 12 and he loves it. We reuse the same papers each year. It's a beloved tradition in our house. You could also assign Christmas movies, activities, etc. | |
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SueSume
You Wanna Peas of Me?
PeaNut 262,757
May 2006
Posts: 4,704
Layouts: 5
Loc: Big Bottom Valley
| Posted: 12/25/2012 11:59:11 PM
********All the more reason to keep it and create a beatiful tradition out of it. Then, when you son is grown, you can tell him about the lean year and how he gave you this gift that you didn't understand at the time but, has created a wonderful Christmas memory year after year!!********
I predict this will become one of the best gifts you have ever been given! Merry Christmas!  |
*********Sue Who? *******
Reality is made up of words.-Ferdinando Buscema
Words are hard.-Hannah Kelly
NSBR: "We're like a big damn disfunctional family. We'll beat the crap out of each other, and it's ok, but dammit, if an outsider turns on one of ours, we circle the wagons." -Free~Bird
Used with permission & with 9% royality fee paid annually. Starting next year. Honest. | |
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jjjulee
BucketHead
PeaNut 522,402
October 2011
Posts: 706
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 12:12:19 AM
I see you've decided to keep it, and I think that's great. (If it's missing pieces, I'd even go so far as to go back to Target to try to find one that's not missing pieces. And then write in Sharpie on the bottom or some other inconspicuous place that it was given by XYZ to Mommy for Christmas 2012.)
I also don't like doing Advent calendars with tiny little toys/candy/whatever to go in each little thing. The ideas of a Christmas carol to sing each day, or a little something special to do, or little love notes would totally work. We do acts of kindness for our Advent, but I just write them down on slips of paper that turn into a paper chain. I would love to have some place to put them. I aspire each year to make SOMETHING to put them all in, but it just never gets done, so I would have loved to get something like this. | |
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TexasBorn
PeaNut
PeaNut 543,185
February 2012
Posts: 183
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/26/2012 12:26:52 AM
I'm like most. Keep it and someday you will treasure it. One year my Dad took us five kids to get a gift for our Mom. We unanimously selected these two, about 18 inch tall sad looking dog banks to go on each end of the stereo. (yes I'm that old...lol). We didn't know this until years later but she was so excited because she just knew there were two lamps she had been wanting in those boxes. I remember when one of the dog banks got broken. She sat and cried. We couldn't figure out what the big deal was. She later told us she loved those dogs after the initial shock because she knew only kids could pick out something that horrible and that my Dad didn't choose her gift for us. Mom's can be crazy too. lol. Glad you are going to keep the calendar. Years from now you can tell your son your feelings and he can laugh too. That's how memories are made. We don't always remember the best things that happen. | |
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CraftChickaPowPow
PeaAddict
PeaNut 477,269
August 2010
Posts: 1,486
Layouts: 0
Loc: N 4720.2 W 12206.2
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 1:43:58 AM
If you're willing to risk hurting your child over $29.99 then by all means return it and wear your a-hole (your words) banner with pride. |
| They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken. | |
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tania7424
Who am I kidding? Too tired to drink tequila
PeaNut 110,613
October 2003
Posts: 13,512
Layouts: 28
Loc: Port Coquitlam, BC
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 2:30:22 AM
DH is happily wearing slippers our 4 year old insisted on buying him. DH doesn't even wear socks at home, forget slippers.  You absolutely keep it. He picked those after I steered him away from a snow shovel.  |
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Kiwipolz
It's Polz, not Kiwi
PeaNut 166,713
September 2004
Posts: 7,318
Layouts: 218
Loc: New Zealand
| Posted: 12/26/2012 2:46:28 AM
My DD is 12 and doesn't believe anymore, but god help me if I don't decorate the tree with all the tacky/ugly ornaments she made out of popsicle sticks and glitter in preschool. Even if we win a billion dollars on the lottery, our handmade tree will be coming to our mansion with us.
Some things are special. Are you starving and desperately need the $29 to keep a roof over your head? That would be the only acceptable reason to return this gift from your 4 year old. | |
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tiffanyo
BucketHead
PeaNut 556,456
June 2012
Posts: 934
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 12/26/2012 3:15:37 AM
No bashing, but I am very glad you decided to keep it. I know how exhausted I am and I has one of the best Christmases of my life! Christmas evening can lead to a lot of bad moments for moms I think, so hugs to you for taking a moment and then coming to this conclusion.
Fwiw, my son is 5 and constantly amazes us by bringing up things we did when he was 3 or even 2, in great detail. He can't remember to put his socks on in the morning but will wax poetic about the junky little toy with the fishing line type filament, labeled 10+ that a grandparent gave him at wife two. Which I of course promptly "lost" so he wouldn't strangle himself or something. Apparently that was a big mistake! I bet yours will remember.
I also did activities for ours most days with a few little treats. Trying egg nog, Christmas cookies for after school snack, a nighttime walk with me to look at the stars and having mommy read as many Christmas stories as he wanted all day were the biggest hits. | |
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UkSue
AncestralPea
PeaNut 428,374
June 2009
Posts: 4,298
Layouts: 2
Loc: Greater London
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 4:19:11 AM
I wouldn't return anything one of my children gave me. Just couldn't! |
| Love is short, forgetting is long, and understanding longer still. | |
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PhotoHorse
PeaFixture
PeaNut 66,309
February 2003
Posts: 3,140
Layouts: 13
Loc: Central Iowa
| Posted: 12/26/2012 5:24:43 AM
My 14 yo dd still moves a safety pin on a fabric advent calendar that my sister gave me 15 years ago. EVERY morning she comes straight down, finds the new number, and moves the pin. It will hang in my house 'til the end of my time. And it is not attractive or trendy in the least.
So, that puts me in the "keep it and use it" category. | |
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Peabay
Happy now?
PeaNut 156,993
July 2004
Posts: 44,807
Layouts: 13
Loc: Connecticut
| Posted: 12/26/2012 5:42:21 AM
I'm glad you decided to keep it.
And what a lovely Merry Christmas pile on! I guess that's the reason for the season, lol. |
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heartcat
International Association of Epic Length Posters
PeaNut 51,429
October 2002
Posts: 39,725
Layouts: 237
Loc: Where dreams come true
| Posted: 12/26/2012 5:51:35 AM
I don't think that you're an a-hole or a jerk or anything like that.
But as a mom, I cannot imagine wanting to return something my child selected for me on their own and gifted me with. No matter 'what' the item was, the sentiment behind it would be irreplaceable to me.
Even if my child wouldn't remember, I could just not part with the item for sentimental reasons. And I think that by the age of 4, there is a very good chance they will remember. I have many memories from much earlier than that. And I can recall vividly things that I picked out myself to present to my mom.
For me, even if I didn't have a sentimental attachment to the item, I would not be willing to risk hurting my child's feelings, no matter how remote the risk.
It might be one thing if we were talking about something that cost an astronomical amount of money that would be a burden on your family if you could not use it and you could not afford to have that much money tied up.
But an advent calendar from Target? Even if it wasn't my style, even if if it felt like a bit of an imposition, I could not even imagine returning it if it had been a gift selected for me by my 4 year old.
But I am highly sentimental. |
***********
Continuing to learn about dSLR photography!
Canon 50D with BG-E2N grip; Jupiter-37A 135mm 3.5; Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm 3.5; Jupiter-11A 135mm 4; Pentacon 135mm 2.8; Nikkor-P 105mm 2.5; RMC Tokina 80-200mm 4.5; Helios 44-2 58mm 2; Super Takumar 55mm 1.8; Vivitar 35mm 2.8; RMC Tokina 28mm 2.8; RMC Tokina 35-70mm 3.5; Panagor 90mm 2.8 macro; and a couple of modern AF Canon lenses that rarely see the light of day.
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Kelpea
In a HapPea Place
PeaNut 176,832
November 2004
Posts: 12,323
Layouts: 2
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 12/26/2012 6:33:29 AM
And what a lovely Merry Christmas pile on!
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Spongemom Scrappants
HRH pilates teaching wino ball of fun
PeaNut 297,141
February 2007
Posts: 10,700
Layouts: 31
Loc: South Carolina
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 7:00:23 AM
Thanks for knocking some sense into me, peas!
I'm so glad you decided to keep it. I really don't think you'll regret that decision. Now embrace it and make a big deal out of that calendar next year.
And for the record, I have proudly worn macaroni necklaces to dressy events before just because one of my sons made them. Sometimes a moms got to do what a moms got to do. |
Angie
Where the boys are... my new husband, my four sons and my boy cat.
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Ihaveonly1L
Packer Pea in the middle of Vikingland
PeaNut 81,645
April 2003
Posts: 5,731
Layouts: 76
Loc: Minnesota
| Posted: 12/26/2012 7:11:25 AM
I'm glad you decided to keep it. I don't think you're a bad mom for considering it. The holidays are stressful and you asked a question to get some perspective. It's not like you told the 4 year old it was crap and he's a loser.
Everyone needs to relax.... I'm sure at some point yesterday we all had a thought that wasn't "Merry Christmas" like. That's what makes us human.
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peaname
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 510,579
June 2011
Posts: 2,546
Layouts: 0
Loc: The Land of Steady Habits
| Posted: 12/26/2012 7:16:05 AM
I'm not attached to things. I can't stand clutter and treasure time with my kids instead of objects so I can completely understand why you would consider returning it. But, yes, I think keeping it is the right thing to do. |
| "People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character." - Ralph Waldo Emerson | |
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KikiNichole
HandSlapPea Pea
PeaNut 69,597
February 2003
Posts: 27,095
Layouts: 2
Loc: Follow the Yellow Brick Road
| Posted: 12/26/2012 7:22:37 AM
Well, now I know two things about the OP...she's human and she has a sense of humor. Way to take things in stride...in typical pea fashion, there is no wiggle room for being fallible.
I'm glad you decided to keep it too...and it didn't take much persuasion so that tells me that your not the jackass of the year. Jackass of the year would have required a few more justifications, a strange twist to the story and a hairflip. You're good.
I have a jewelry box full of brooches made out of puzzle pieces and bracelets made out of plastic beads and necklaces of macaroni. For the first several years, I'd hold on to those things long enough to appease my daughter but then, as you get older...and your children get older...something happens.
You realize that puzzle piece brooch or macaroni necklace or torn up advent calendar is so much more than what it appears on the surface. I look at the puzzle piece now and I can hear the giggles of the 6 year old little girl who gave it to me. I can see her buck toothed smile and her freckled little nose and her spaghetti straight hair that she would only wear pulled tightly back into a pony. I can hear her squeals of delight as I opened her gift and I can see the pride in her eyes as I pinned it on.
When she's six, you just see a piece of yarn with macaroni or a beat paper calendar. But later, when she's 24, you see *her*.
You won't see it coming, but one of these years, you'll pull out that advent calendar and it will hit you. You'll pause, sitting on your knees on the floor, next to the box of Christmas decorations and you'll instantly be transported back to the year he was four...and you'll sit there just remembering him then...until he finally yells down to the basement from upstairs, 'Mom. What are you doing? Are we putting up these decorations, or what...I have plans tonight' And in a flash, you're back with the boy who sticks around long enough to eat and sleep and, if you're lucky, long enough to help his old mom decorate the house for Christmas.
And you will be SO happy you kept that advent calendar all those years before because it's become a memory...and those are too precious to return.
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TREZmom
Lost and Found in Pea-land
PeaNut 138,098
March 2004
Posts: 5,842
Layouts: 2
Loc: NC but wishing I was somewhere else
| Posted: 12/26/2012 7:30:57 AM
I'm glad you decided to keep it. I hope you both can treasure it for years to come. | |
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e_doe
PeaNut
PeaNut 525,528
October 2011
Posts: 306
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 12/26/2012 8:01:40 AM
Wow, KikiNicole. I don't even have kids and that hit me hard. Thank you for writing that. | |
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myboysnme
one of those "entitled" peas
PeaNut 69,081
February 2003
Posts: 6,822
Layouts: 1
| Posted: 12/26/2012 8:02:46 AM
One of the ways kids learn to be generous gift givers is to make a big deal about what they give, so they feel really good about it and want to repeat that feeling.
I would ask how he came to choose it, what does he think you could put in the drawers next year, and tell him it has one of your favorite Christmas colors 'red' so he will have a big smile on his face and start remembering how much mom liked his choice.
My guess is he picked it out himself, so I would cherish it, no doubt. And I would mention it every year when I got it out. |
My choice is to not take it personally - people have opinions. Particularly people here.-Peabay 12/29/11
I know this is assuming, but I'm really starting to think you are one of those "entitled" peas - Dalayney 4/2/12
profile pic courtesy of GreenEyedLady Designs at Scrap ARt Studio.
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VexedAngel
Cold Pea on a Cracked Plate
PeaNut 156,343
July 2004
Posts: 5,122
Layouts: 46
| Posted: 12/26/2012 8:18:58 AM
Jerk, yes. How adorable that he picked it out for you! i just can't get over what a sweet gift that is. 
ETA: I am late to the thread as usual. carry on. |
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~*Trollie*~
My virtue has been restored! =)
PeaNut 272,896
August 2006
Posts: 20,798
Layouts: 2
Loc: ::shrug::
| Posted: 12/26/2012 8:23:52 AM
Thanks for making me cry KiKiNichole! Merry Christmas.
OP, I'm so glad you're keeping it. |
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Sunshine36616
God peas protect me from your followers
PeaNut 180,214
December 2004
Posts: 30,633
Layouts: 204
Loc: stalking the crease
| Posted: 12/26/2012 8:26:07 AM
She asked for honesty lol. Yeah, it would make you an asshole. I think you would regret it. I'm glad you decided to keep it and I think it will bring you and your 4 year old a lot of joy in the future |
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Spongemom Scrappants
HRH pilates teaching wino ball of fun
PeaNut 297,141
February 2007
Posts: 10,700
Layouts: 31
Loc: South Carolina
| Posted: 12/26/2012 8:28:46 AM
You won't see it coming, but one of these years, you'll pull out that advent calendar and it will hit you.
Kristen, there are times when you are poetically eloquent.
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Angie
Where the boys are... my new husband, my four sons and my boy cat.
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Lumo
Carolina dorkburger
PeaNut 233,457
November 2005
Posts: 16,614
Layouts: 38
Loc: An hour west of Blue Heaven
| Posted: 12/26/2012 8:32:23 AM
I'm glad you decided to keep it
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Kelly
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justalittletike
AncestralPea
PeaNut 434,313
August 2009
Posts: 4,499
Layouts: 26
| Posted: 12/26/2012 9:02:12 AM
I'd feel like crap but I'd return it..
Pretty sure you and your 4 year old will forget |
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Sharna_G
PeaFixture
PeaNut 314,157
May 2007
Posts: 3,999
Layouts: 8
Loc: Delaware
| Posted: 12/26/2012 10:01:48 AM
Come on, kelleyo... really? In a world with the Kardashians, and Lindsay Lohan, and Justin Bieber wearing overalls to meet the PM of Canada, I'm Jackass of the YEAR???
I mean, okay, I'm a jackass, but of the YEAR??? Ish!!!
Please know that I am joking around here... I am just trying to inject some levity to my own pile-on!
And you are taking the Pea-beatdown like a champ! Good for you being able to stay positive. |
~~Sharna
"You think they're onto us?"
"Shhh... Let me call my attorney"
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SabrinaM
Proud Member of THE MOB
PeaNut 5,735
August 2000
Posts: 24,808
Layouts: 2
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 10:47:43 AM
OP, I get "lean years" and thinking how far $29 could go in the pantry. I do.. I'm glad you've decided to keep it. |
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Sabrina
Recession: When your neighbor loses his job
Depression: When you lose yours
Recovery: When Obama loses his
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canadianscrappergirl
BucketHead
PeaNut 345,491
October 2007
Posts: 692
Layouts: 27
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 10:59:07 AM
yeah it definitely makes you a jerk lets put your not so hot gift in perspective, I bet there are moms around the world who have have lost a child who would love one more not so hot gift from their child again just sayin' | |
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scrapmaven
PEA-T-A-Mom's kitteh is a fraidy cat.
PeaNut 90,665
June 2003
Posts: 15,792
Layouts: 0
Loc: Wherever my little mind takes me
| Posted: 12/26/2012 11:14:12 AM
Hey, you survived your first pea pile-on. You're an official pea now. Glad you're keeping it. It'll be a source of smiles when your little one is older and you think back to those early years. |
_____________________________________________________
I'd like to help you out. Which way did you come in? | |
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scrapcreator
legend in my own mind
PeaNut 6,186
August 2000
Posts: 7,140
Layouts: 48
Loc: Inland Empire
| Posted: 12/26/2012 11:53:46 AM
Keep it.
Dd (17) looks forward to our old cardboard Starbucks Advent calendar - I couldn't get rid of it if I tried.
Jeanne |
Boogity, boogity, boogity!
A NASCAR family supporting #24, #29, and #4
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writermom1
Thrift Whisperer
PeaNut 114,407
November 2003
Posts: 22,398
Layouts: 66
Loc: At the intersection of Hooterville and Stars Hollow
| Posted: 12/26/2012 12:03:38 PM
Glad you are keeping it.
My gorgeous friend is currently wearing the he#% out of a Cinderella princess ring because her little guy gave it to her. It's what we do.
Let DS pick out a bag of candy and stuff it with that next year. Don't over think it, just enjoy. |
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revirdsuba
Wise~old Pea
PeaNut 17,460
June 2001
Posts: 22,193
Layouts: 94
Loc: Central NJ
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 12:18:12 PM
Yay, proud of OP.... glad you are keeping it....... | |
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TinCin
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 29,331
February 2002
Posts: 6,277
Layouts: 0
Loc: Living in the palm of the hand.
| Posted: 12/26/2012 12:26:08 PM
OP at least you can be thankful that it won't be sitting out all year long.  He will be so thrilled next year when you bring it out. I love the idea of putting the pieces of puzzle in it all season long. Great idea. |
| PROUD MEMBER OF UAW LOCAL 659 - Home of the Sit-Down Strike! | |
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petesmom
Tragically Flip
PeaNut 141,872
April 2004
Posts: 6,181
Layouts: 0
Loc: midwest
| Posted: 12/26/2012 12:26:36 PM
yeah it definitely makes you a jerk lets put your not so hot gift in perspective, I bet there are moms around the world who have have lost a child who would love one more not so hot gift from their child again just sayin'
Psst- you missed the pile on. It was yesterday. The storm is over now, and your comment is way out of line. Just sayin | |
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TinCin
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 29,331
February 2002
Posts: 6,277
Layouts: 0
Loc: Living in the palm of the hand.
| Posted: 12/26/2012 12:28:54 PM
OP at least you can be thankful that it won't be sitting out all year long. He will be so thrilled next year when you bring it out. I love the idea of putting the pieces of puzzle in it all season long. Great idea. |
| PROUD MEMBER OF UAW LOCAL 659 - Home of the Sit-Down Strike! | |
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nikkikeith7
PeaNut
PeaNut 475,319
July 2010
Posts: 118
Layouts: 4
Loc: Spring, TX
| Posted: 12/26/2012 12:38:29 PM
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brandy_m
H.P(ea) Show-off
PeaNut 62,296
January 2003
Posts: 12,021
Layouts: 391
Loc: PA-Jackass of the Northeast
| Posted: 12/26/2012 1:00:39 PM
I'm so glad you decided to keep it.
I'm afraid I win the gift for child gift this year. I see that someone got a beaded alligator ring, and while that is LOVELY I present to you this: (from my 8 year old DD)
It a rubbery starfish necklace that LIGHTS UP
AND...she bought her brothers DOG RAWHIDE candy canes because seh thought they were wooden candy canes for on the tree. I LOVE that child. |
Brandy
mama to Andy, Kenny and Katie
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Belia
PeaAddict
PeaNut 503,375
March 2011
Posts: 1,077
Layouts: 3
| Posted: 12/26/2012 1:37:47 PM
OP again here...
First of all, my internet at home was out when I woke up this morning, and it NEVER goes out. Then when I tried to get a hold of DH at work to tell me what to do to fix it, I could not get a hold of him either, which also never happens.
All I could think was, "The peas are so pissed at me that they broke my internet!!"
Then I thought, "That thread must have gotten uglier and uglier because god sure does not want me to read it!"
So I opened it up with much trepidation and am relieved to read that y'all are giving me a little grace this morning. I'm not proud of it and of course I don't want to hurt my son for anything, but it's just been awhile since I spent even $29.99 on something frivolous for myself just because. And that's the selfish, immature part of me that asked the question last night.
But reading all of your stories about your kids' presents has made me laugh and actually made me look forward to using this thing every year. I'll never forget the circumstances behind its arrival, that's for sure!! And Kiki Nichole... wow. Your post was just beautiful, and I know it is so, so true.
I truly hope all of you had a Merry Christmas, even those of you who think I suck! Anyone want to start a fiscal cliff thread and move the pile on over there? Please? | |
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KristinL16
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 142,870
April 2004
Posts: 12,352
Layouts: 102
Loc: MN
| Posted: 12/26/2012 1:40:38 PM
I have a similar advent calendar. My kids love to open the doors every day but I've never put anything in it. |
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redboots
BucketHead
PeaNut 399,301
November 2008
Posts: 908
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 12/26/2012 1:50:01 PM
OP, you come across far more laid back and fun in your follow up posts. I'm glad you decided to keep the gift and hope you will someday laugh about this with your son.
I wish you a wonderful 2013 and hope you're able to treat yourself to a few little luxuries | |
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Basket1lady
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 465,906
April 2010
Posts: 2,081
Layouts: 0
Loc: Northern Virginia
| Posted: 12/26/2012 1:51:04 PM
KikiNicole. |
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love labs
10,000,000 post poster
PeaNut 143,394
April 2004
Posts: 21,996
Layouts: 0
Loc: Headin' to the cabin!
| Posted: 12/26/2012 2:07:17 PM
I'm not proud of it and of course I don't want to hurt my son for anything, but it's just been awhile since I spent even $29.99 on something frivolous for myself just because.
Don't know why I didn't think of this when I posted yesterday...
If it makes you feel any better, I've seen that Advent calendar in Target and that whole section of holiday stuff was on sale BEFORE Christmas...it was at least 30% off, maybe even more. (I know because bought a bunch of that stuff, thinking it might not be there after Christmas) .
So they might not have had to spend quite as much on it as you're thinking!  |
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If life is a journey, shouldn't you be moving along? | |
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LBP
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 211,963
June 2005
Posts: 2,106
Layouts: 0
Loc: SW Virginia
| Posted: 12/26/2012 2:29:03 PM
OP, I love that you have a sense of humor through all of this! And I'm glad you are keeping it.
I have a green bottle and green spice jar that came from Big Lots sitting with my green depression glass collection because my then 3 year old bought it for me and excitedly told me he found something for my "impression glass collection!". It's worth more to me than all the green depression glass that I own! The funny part of the story is that I gave him $20 to buy ne a birthday gift because he wanted to get something so badly, had my friend take him to pick it out(with instructions he could pick what he wanted) and he came back home and gave me $16.60 in change! He was sooo proud! | |
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melanell
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 26,836
January 2002
Posts: 14,809
Layouts: 86
| Posted: 12/26/2012 2:34:58 PM
I'd pack it away this year, and see what happens next year. If he remembers, then suck it up and do it. If he doesn't, pack it up for Goodwill or Salvation Army. | |
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TravelAgent
Resident Smart Ass
PeaNut 294,429
January 2007
Posts: 12,688
Layouts: 7
Loc: Indiana
| Posted: 12/26/2012 2:57:02 PM
I'm so happy you decided to keep it. Returning it would have made you a high-maintenance mom, where the child eventually shuts down because "I can't please her and nothing I do is right."
And it's so easy to squash them. I'm talking from experience -- my BFF's grade school son was making fun of my Sensa pen, twirling it around, etc., and I blurted out, "Hey, don't be dissing something that cost me $50. That's not junk, that's a serious piece of my work." Well, it turns out he'd bought me this pen with laser cut stars in it from the elementary school store for Christmas, and he was merely expressing how excited he was that he spent his allowance on a "perfect"gift to me. Apparently my words hurt deeply because I unwrapped it a few weeks later with a note that said, "It's not a real pen because it wasn't expensive. I'm sorry."
I still cry when I remember that. The pen is in a place of honor in my office and I kept the note in a box to remind myself to see things through a child's eyes.
At four, gift-giving is a new experience and your DS is learning to make others happy. They aren't always good at it, but it's such a precious start that the gift will always remind you of that.
Julie |
| www.indianapolisonthecheap.com | |
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writermom1
Thrift Whisperer
PeaNut 114,407
November 2003
Posts: 22,398
Layouts: 66
Loc: At the intersection of Hooterville and Stars Hollow
| Posted: 12/26/2012 2:57:30 PM
My DD is 12 and doesn't believe anymore, but god help me if I don't decorate the tree with all the tacky/ugly ornaments she made out of popsicle sticks and glitter in preschool. Even if we win a billion dollars on the lottery, our handmade tree will be coming to our mansion with us.
And dammit Kristen/Kiki, you made me CRY. |
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JBeans
Tampons. Not just for Xmas ornaments anymore.
PeaNut 200,953
April 2005
Posts: 8,235
Layouts: 157
Loc: Between Diaperland and Snotsville
| Posted: 12/26/2012 3:01:48 PM
I'm glad you decided to keep it. Kids are pretty proud of themselves when they pick something out to give you. Even a four year old.
You won't regret it. It may be the ugliest thing ever, but when you look at it, remember the smile they had on their face when you opened the gift.
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Well Peas, I believe this thread has gone Thrusday.
"The Pot has not just met the Kettle, they are getting jiggy on the top of the stove." -Lanus | |
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