I've got to credit Pete for the huge amount of patience and persistence he showed with regards to the assembly of the kiddo's presents from Mommy & Daddy this year. We decided to give our own little Suzy Homemaker a real play kitchen (to replace the small one Mimi found at a yard sale for $5, which confused me as to whether it was an oven, dishwasher or refrigerator.)
However, in the process of assembly, Pete discovered that a key part was missing some key doo-hickeys (yes, that is a technical term). Little Tikes informed us that they would send a new part out, and yeah....it would arrive a week or so after Christmas.
Clearly unacceptable...
So I went back to a particular large toy store chain, paid $20 more than I had the first time, and bought another one. We ever so carefully eased out the needed board - to discover that it, too, showed construction errors. However, these were less a problem, so we replaced it with the bungled part (and returned the more expensive one to the store.)
So, finally finished, Pete moves on to project 2: Sam's big-boy trike.
Which, surprise, surprise, is missing a tool key to finishing assembly. Thankfully, our neighbor is a serious biker and he has every bike-related tool one could wish for, so Pete brought it over to find the needed part and the neighbor marvelled at the ridiculous design - it was so much more complicated than it needed to be! So kudo's for Pete for not putting it through a wall in frustration.
In the end, all turned out well.
On Christmas morning, the kids opened presents from Santa. If I could figure out a way to include the audio here, I would. Sam was honestly, truly thrilled with every single present he opened. Not to often you hear "Oh my GOSH. ITS A BOOK!!! Look Daddy, its a Dinosaur Train BOOK!!!" from a 4 year old.
This was the first year Maddie really "got it" and she carefully peeled off the wrapping paper in very tiny strips. And squealed, as only she can, when she discovered what was inside (in a clear mimic of big brother.) We enjoyed watching them, and didn't even attempt to open our gifts.
We took a break for a hearty breakfast - and I will happily recommend the French Toast Souffle recipe found at Cooking Light's recipe website, MyRecipes.com - and then brought the kids to the basement to give them our gifts to them, now assembled and on display:
Sam's "Hot Wheels" trike - no baby bike here, this has a handbrake and is for 5-10 year olds...
and Maddie's new "Deluxe kitchen and Laundry Center" (far nicer than the one in my first apartment...)
Daddy with his handiwork(s)
Chef Sam offers his "delicious eggs" while
Chef Maddie serves her favorite pizza.
We had a mellow day, I cooked a turkey (that the kids were too played out to eat by dinner time) and, as Sam said, "We had the best Christmas, EVER!"
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment