Reentry

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I'm sure you know how it goes...

"MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!!!!! Mommy's Back!!!! I missed you!!!...

What'd you bring me?"

We were still standing on wobbly sea legs when the girls demanded their gifts from abroad. We were prepared, but barely.

See, before we leave our daughters, we ask what they'd like for us to bring them. This is a good strategy for a few reasons. One: it gives us direction as we scour gift shops. Or, it keeps us from having to scour gift shops because we can just reach for the first candy/coloring book/art project/(but it's always candy) that we see. Two: It gives the girls something to look forward to about our return. Let's face it...mom & dad are no grandparents. But mom & dad with gifts - that's something to anticipate.

There's one more reason that asking for suggestions is a good plan: The suggestions can be pretty darn funny. Por ejemplo, from this cruise, Eden requested "a picture of a ship" so that she could draw and color herself on it. Passive agressive, or just wishful thinking? Of course, she also requested Mexican candy. From Mexico.

Well, this time, we struck out on their requests. We decided that our kids didn't need any overpriced cruise line logowear, or a $12 box of candy that they wouldn't eat, or any unidentified lollies from a shady "farmacia" in Mexico. There were no coloring books or bath toys to be found. The "Cruise Barbie" was interesting, but we knew she'd head straight for the Barbie drawer - soon to find her body naked and her hair matted.

What we did come home with were two frequent-cruiser free hats that would never see the tops of our own heads and two precious, beautifully embroidered shirts purchased in a Mexican market.

I'd already broken the news to Eden that I couldn't find a picture of the ship for her to color (yes, she asked where it was), and that the candy selection was terrible. But I assured them both that they would love what we'd picked out for them.

So when it was time for the big reveal, Matt handed over the hats to their mild amusement. They politely acted excited about the hats being "from the big ship", but clearly they were waiting for the Big Show. I produced the tops with a little exaggeration ("It's just like what the Mexican girls wear!!") and they were thrilled. Chloe stripped immediately and put hers on.

Eden's won't go over her head.

After a few minutes of stretching, wiggling, forcing, she stepped away, put the hat on and said,

"It's okay. The hat's enough."

Man, I love that kid.

Comments

Loren Eaton said…
"It's okay. The hat's enough."

Gold ...
March 25, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Mary @ Giving Up On Perfect said…
Awwww...such a sweet girl! How WAS the trip?
March 25, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Brenda said…
Funny story! It's sad that the top doesn't fit, but what a good sport she is. Hope you and Matt had a fun time.
March 27, 2009 at 1:25 AM
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