I got this idea as I watched the excitement buzz at Julia’s over the carefully wrapped gifts piled on the table. Are the twins old enough to pick out gifts for their parents? They love (or “yove” as they say) being on the receiving end of all the gift giving- but I want to help give them a chance to experience the joy of giving. So I concocted a plan and instead of babysitting them at their house on Thursday, I loaded all 3 boys up and hit the town.
We had a blast- I had a number of errand to run and we stopped by the Dayton Market to splurge on a soft pretzel (by policing the pretzel like mad I managed to get about 3 small bites lol)
And then it was time.
I tried to get their little brains rolling as we turned into the Dollar Tree’s parking lot. “Boys- this gift is going to be for Mama and Papa. You can each pick something out. But try to think of something they would like…” I wondered how this was going to go.
Fortunately they think riding in a shopping cart is the best thing ever, so we piled in and they started navigating. “Look! A green tree plate! Mama doesn’t have one of those! I bet she’d YOOOOVE a tiny camper! [Christmas tree ornament 😂] “THE TOY AISLE! I bet we could find something for Papa here!” (Aunt Ken mysteriously steered the other way)
But then it happened- “BATH BOMBS! Mama YOOOVES bath bombs!!” Isaiah found a purple heart that he chose and Uriah found a set of several bath bombs and we moved on to knocking Papa off the list.
We turned onto the candy aisle and right away Isaiah spoke up “Papa YOOOVES sunflower seeds!” (Sunflower seeds weren’t anywhere on my radar but he had a valid point. His shopping was done💪🏼) Uriah found some taffy that they were sure would be Papa approved. We made our purchases and hurried out the door.
The chatter from the back seat was ongoing as we headed home. “Aunt Ken can I give it to Mama as soon as I get home?”
“Well, I think it’s a good idea to wait, but it’s your decision. I’ll help you wrap it and then we can hide it until Christmas Day!”
“Aunt Ken- can you give it to me?! I mean to me to give to a mama?!”
“Sure Bud- the gift is for Mama- but it’s from you!”
And so it went.
Once home we snuck past mama into their bedroom and they had their first lesson in the beauty of gift bags.
Then it happened. “Yets give it to Mama RIGHT NOW!”
So they flew out the hallway and cornered Mama in the kitchen.
Julia loves surprises on Christmas and she tried to persuade them to wait- but they would not relent. After a feeble “But what does Aunt Ken say?” (To which they assured her “she says it’s up to us to decide”) She accepted her gifts with a flourish while two little 3 year olds danced around exclaiming over exactly why they’d selected what they had. And saying “Merry Chrissmiss” and giving out big hugs.
Exactly what Aunt Ken was hoping for (except a few days ahead of schedule 😂)
And then the one twin came up with the immediate suggestion that it would be a good idea for him to go take a bath with the bath bomb he’d just gifted Mama. (So we’ve still got some gift giving lessons to learn 😂❤️)
Maybe it’s because Ben and I decided to put our money towards setting up a nursery and building a shop this year instead of giving gifts but I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently. Most of the time-I love gift giving. When you’re able to come across exactly the right item for the recipient- it just makes my heart happy. It’s fairly easy to drop a few bucks and feel good about life.
But there’s are a number of 3 year old twin strategies in me that doesn’t shine in the giving department. For example- I’m not good at giving freely of my time. When I have my day planned out and the phone rings and somebody needs me to totally change my schedule for the day- I want to quietly sneak to the bathtub with the precious bath bomb in tow.
I’m happy to give… on my terms… But what about being able to give freely with a selfless heart? And how much joy am I missing out on because I’m stingy?
In Matthew 10, Jesus sends his disciples out to the lost in Israel and he gives them instructions “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” {{And (in Kendra’s words) take the time to help with the needs around you}}. “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Hebrews 13:8 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
This type of a season of giving doesn’t stop on Christmas Day and doesn’t have anything to do with how much money you’re able to roll out. I’m challenged to find ways to be a cheerful giver- all year long.
Merry Christmas!
Kendra
Bonus Pics:
The only Christmas cookie Mr Rohrer requested were sugar cookies (specifically cut-out sugar cookies.) “AAAAAND,” he promised “I’ll even help ice them.” Turns out that he’s pretty much a professional.
Every day for the last 10 days, Timber the deer has been pranking the twins leading up to their birthday. On this day, he was innocently roasting a mini marshmallow over a candle. What Aunt Ken didn’t count on was the marshmallow actually roasting and dropping into the candle and catching on fire 😂 The boys brought in their toy fire truck and soon peace was restored. But it was definitely almost an #auntfail
Firemen on duty 😂💪🏼
paradisemtnmusings 