Eve used her “Christmas Shopping” coupon today and we went shopping, to the grocery store! That’s where she wanted to buy presents, and that’s where I needed to buy groceries, so it worked out very well. Lex came with us, which complicated matters a touch because her main idea was a gift for Lex. Luckily she is a clever one and turned a complication into a great time at the grocery store! She took one of the paper bakery bags and carried it with her, sticking gifts in it along the way. She snuck away from Lex (I knew where she was going) to get his, then discussed gift ideas with me for a few other people. At one point, standing in the candy aisle, she lamented that she would never be able to buy a present for me because I was with her. I asked if she had an idea and she said yes, it was right in that aisle. Silly girl. So I walked on down the aisle and she snuck something in her bag. A few minutes later she started a story with, “Mom, when I was getting the Swedish Fish… OH NO!!”  She’s so dramatic with her reactions and I was laughing hysterically.  The whole way through the store she was talking about how excited she was and she kept asking Lex if he wanted clues about his present.  When we got to the checkout she slipped back to the candy aisle and swapped my Swedish Fish for something else.  Then she asked the checkout lady to put the bar code reader INTO the bag so Lex and I would see her presents.  The lady was very sweet and played along happily.

The whole way home Eve talked about her gifts.  “Mom, do you think dad will like the gift I got for him?” “Lex, can you guess what I got for you?” “Mom, your gift is the biggest!”  On and on she went and I enjoyed every minute.  She was so excited about giving gifts.  Then she says “Oh, I feel like a million pounds lighter.  Like a big weight is off my shoulders” (or along those lines)  I asked why and she said, dramatically, “I was so worried that I wouldn’t have time to get these presents.  I’m so relieved that we went shopping today and I was able to get this big job done!”  Ha.  She cracks me up!

When we got home she went right down to the basement to wrap everything.  She told us that she would probably be down there for hours!  Not that long later she was done and she snuck all of the presents under the tree, giggling and merry the whole time.  Grocery shopping with Eve has never been more fun.  That was my true gift from her.

Sweet gifts from Santa Eve nestled all snug under the tree.