twenty dollar bill
December the 25th finally was here. She arrives like she always does; hitting us with a set of bricks, only this time a few less bricks. My oldest patiently waited for me to join her downstairs. She ooo-ed and awe-ed at her pile (yes... pile... insert palm to forehead). We waited patiently until her younger sister woke up. Truthfully though, we had to wake her up because she wasn't 100% well and had forgotten it was Christmas. I was simply happy she slept so late! She did perk up a little bit when we said there are some presents under the tree. They both rejoiced in their own ways over the glory of having gifts.
Then it was our turn.
My oldest, Stella, had wrapped our presents a while back and "hid" them in her closet. She was pleased with herself for having a gift for everyone and takes this very seriously. A while back I told her my favorite gift is a love letter and I don't need one thing. I remember her taking this in, even for someone who adores written affirmations I could tell she didn't agree with this being a number one gift.
I suppose the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as I would ask my dad what he wanted and he'd reply "offer up your communion." Which number one, never made sense - number two, sounded hyper religious and number three - was completely unhelpful. So here I am, decades later re-living this with my own daughter, giving her the unhelpful feedback I had received as a child. In reality though, I am curious to see what they come up with on their own without me telling them "a pair of socks or a my favorite soap."
But alas...
Daddy got coffee.
Ana got a hair bow.
Mommy opened her handmade ornament presents from school and saw her very own love note.
"Dear Mommy,
I love you.
You are the best, absolutely amazing, #1 mom!
With Love,
Stella"
And below that there was a rolled up twenty dollar bill.
I started to laugh, thanking her.
"Honey you didn't have to give me money!"
John later told me she really wanted me to have it and was so excited to give it to me.
_____________________________________________________________________
Later that day we were at my in-laws house sharing a meal and the still symptomatic Ana had parked herself to sleep on the guest bedroom couch while Stella, the only child there (awake) was extra peppy and needed to move some limbs. Since it was 60 or so degrees I grabbed her hand and told her we were going for a walk with American Girl doll. It was lovely out and she was so happy bopping around the neighborhood with only me.
"I do love those pink boots, Stell!" I said, "I want some."
She was wearing her new boots from Santa and I have to admit they are super cute.
"You should buy some with the money I gave you" she replied.
"Well I don't think they carry them in my size and besides they are more than twenty dollars" I answered. "Why did you give me money anyway?"
Without hesitation she yells "I don't know, I found it under my china cabinet in my room and I didn't need it so I wanted to give it to you."
Still laughing a little I tell her it's so sweet and thoughtful, but I still didn't need money. "You can have it back" I say.
Insistent now, "No, you keep it. What are you going to buy with it?"
"I don't know, probably treats for my daughters" still trying to use it back on her.
"No, Mommy, buy something for you. Do something for yourself for a change!
You never do something for yourself."
I mean, it's hard to argue with that even though the money is back in her piggy bank for right now....
She's not entirely true as I treat myself so juicerys, attend women's circles, wake up early to exercise and read, occasional accessories, but I do understand and appreciate her sentiments.
So now, I ask you:
If your 8 year old gave you twenty dollars for Christmas, how would you spend it?
Would you spend it or secretly put it back in their piggy bank?
Then it was our turn.
My oldest, Stella, had wrapped our presents a while back and "hid" them in her closet. She was pleased with herself for having a gift for everyone and takes this very seriously. A while back I told her my favorite gift is a love letter and I don't need one thing. I remember her taking this in, even for someone who adores written affirmations I could tell she didn't agree with this being a number one gift.
I suppose the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as I would ask my dad what he wanted and he'd reply "offer up your communion." Which number one, never made sense - number two, sounded hyper religious and number three - was completely unhelpful. So here I am, decades later re-living this with my own daughter, giving her the unhelpful feedback I had received as a child. In reality though, I am curious to see what they come up with on their own without me telling them "a pair of socks or a my favorite soap."
But alas...
Daddy got coffee.
Ana got a hair bow.
Mommy opened her handmade ornament presents from school and saw her very own love note.
"Dear Mommy,
I love you.
You are the best, absolutely amazing, #1 mom!
With Love,
Stella"
And below that there was a rolled up twenty dollar bill.
I started to laugh, thanking her.
"Honey you didn't have to give me money!"
John later told me she really wanted me to have it and was so excited to give it to me.
_____________________________________________________________________
Later that day we were at my in-laws house sharing a meal and the still symptomatic Ana had parked herself to sleep on the guest bedroom couch while Stella, the only child there (awake) was extra peppy and needed to move some limbs. Since it was 60 or so degrees I grabbed her hand and told her we were going for a walk with American Girl doll. It was lovely out and she was so happy bopping around the neighborhood with only me.
"I do love those pink boots, Stell!" I said, "I want some."
She was wearing her new boots from Santa and I have to admit they are super cute.
"You should buy some with the money I gave you" she replied.
"Well I don't think they carry them in my size and besides they are more than twenty dollars" I answered. "Why did you give me money anyway?"
Without hesitation she yells "I don't know, I found it under my china cabinet in my room and I didn't need it so I wanted to give it to you."
Still laughing a little I tell her it's so sweet and thoughtful, but I still didn't need money. "You can have it back" I say.
Insistent now, "No, you keep it. What are you going to buy with it?"
"I don't know, probably treats for my daughters" still trying to use it back on her.
"No, Mommy, buy something for you. Do something for yourself for a change!
You never do something for yourself."
I mean, it's hard to argue with that even though the money is back in her piggy bank for right now....
She's not entirely true as I treat myself so juicerys, attend women's circles, wake up early to exercise and read, occasional accessories, but I do understand and appreciate her sentiments.
So now, I ask you:
If your 8 year old gave you twenty dollars for Christmas, how would you spend it?
Would you spend it or secretly put it back in their piggy bank?
Comments