Santa, sickness and baby dolls

Saturday, we went to a Christmas party for the kids at my husband's work. They have this every year and it's awesome. They have milk and cookies and a clown show followed by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and each child gets a present. They only go up to age 11, so the older ones don't get presents anymore. I still bring them for company and I make Jordon go up with Emily because she thinks Santa is in cahoots with the dentist and will insist on taking a tooth in trade for a present.

There usually are about fifty kids and the wait can be pure torture for a four year old to wait until their name is called. The kids always seem to be one of the last names called each year and I think this is good for them to learn that patience is a virtue and well, I just get a big kick out of seeing them squirm and give me looks like, Did they forget me? I know they forgot me! One of the pleasures of parenthood.

So, after just about EVERY child got their present, they finally announced Emily's name. She jumped up, without thinking about that horrible man dressed in red and how scary he was and grabbed her present. I was very proud of her for going up by herself and facing her fears. Now, maybe we can get that mall Santa photo after all-hmmm, doubt it.

When she opened her present and realized it was a baby doll and stroller, she proceeded to smile and say it was just what she wanted-though I know that she was eyeing the barbies and easy bake ovens that the older girls got. You see, my daughter would rather play with stuff that eight year olds play with than what other four year old girls play with. I don't blame the people that pick out the gifts by age group but insist that the hubby request to add her to the seven year old girl ideas next year and not to ask any questions about it.

We had fun and I already am looking forward to it next year but, apparently being around a thousand people in a small room landed me in bed with some kind of virus that totally wiped me out for the whole day on Sunday and am still a little woozy today. At least it got me out of a day of having to prepare any meals and whatever else came up-thanks hubby! It's been awhile since he's had to make his way through the kitchen. I wonder if it took him awhile to remember how to turn on the stove?