poop beetle: christmas highlights 12.2002 The fake-out, Walmart "Harry Potter" figurine set was a hit. Awais was thrilled and my brother and sister kept their "Gary Blotter" comments mostly below his radar.
My Christmas sweater is quite lovely. A few years back I mentioned in a real casual way, I thought I was pretty much over forest green. "Santa doesn't take requests" was a big part of my childhood. But I've learned from my younger siblings that apparantly he does take hints.
Board Games: A few years ago my mother started a new tradition. We've gotten "Cranium" and "Pictionary" and "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire", also the updated version of "Trivia Pursuite".
This year she got "Taboo"- which is much, much fun. I've taken to suggesting to people who will be visiting family members and dreading it- believing it will be boring, stilted, angst-ridden, or overwhelmed with that waltz of well aged button pushing followed by stoney silences (which is not my situation, I like and enjoy my family and not just because they're supporting me at the moment, either).. . . that board games might be the way to go.
Cards too, are awfully nice for bonding with people you care about, but might not have so much in common with. Gin is my favorite. But spades is mighty great too. I played "War" with my 7 year old nephew. He was so thrilled. So little, to make someone so happy. And such a short time frame in which something like that is so thrilling. Luckily he plays it where you just go through the deck once and then count your cards to see who won. I was about to explain the method of playing where you keep turning your pile of cards over untill someone calls you for dinner. But did not. Maybe next year.
Other highlights: My step-father admitted that if Barbie had been around when he was a boy, he'd have played with her, too. Hard to explain why that was so cool. Partly because he was raised in the mountains of Virginia, was shooting a riffle when he was 7 and mostly because of the uncomfortable silence regarding my son's love of the color pink.
Part of me was slightly apprehensive over what he might say about Awais' new Barbie and her babies, nursery set. Maybe what was so neat about his confession was that it was genuine. And who doesn't love Barbie? Not as a concept, but the real thing with all the accessories.
Another: The game of Taboo requires free floating word association. I got to hear my mother say "boobies" and "butt crack" and "oh, sh*", all in the same evening. I'd have put that on my Christmas wish list, if I'd thought it was even remotely possible.
One more: Awais' concern over what we should get for Santa. Have you ever thought for a second about how no one gives Santa anything for Christmas besides a beverage and a snack? I never have. None of my siblings ever have. Awais wanted to give the picture frame he made in school (for me, I assumed) to Santa. Shouldn't Santa get presents, too? So sweet. And everyone was so impressed, especially me.