The 11th day rather got away from us this year–best laid plans and what not–but today, the 12th day, was the day we gave the kids their individual gift-wrappable gifts. Anyhow last night while I was wrapping everything, I decided not to put gift tags on any of them (cue evil cackle). This drove the kids bonkers all morning! Once it was time to open gifts after lunch, I only told them to each choose a package to open–and not a single one ended up opening their own gift. 
Baby Boy went first and he ended up with a bit of a mystery gift. . .I had to explain that it was a tent/fort making kit, and the kids figured it was for one of the little boys but no one was sure which one. Next Silly Boy opened the biggest box, which turned out to have a tool box and a few basic tools–there were some guesses that this was for Boy Genius, but again no one was sure.
Bouncy Boy opened a package with two Cars cars and some generic space not-Legos that they were pretty sure were for one of the younger boys. Then Twirly Girl opened the first obvious gift: a pullover I made for Larry out of sweater knit fleece.
Boy Genius opened a metronome. . .but it turns out that only Drama Boy knew what a metronome was. The rest of this gift was stashed in the storage room and would have made the recipient more obvious: a thrift store magazine rack decorated with sheet music.
At first Drama Boy thought he might have his own gift, a paring knife and small cutting board, until he pulled out the toque. And the apron. Some thought the apron was Baby Boy-sized, but others argued that Baby Boy was too young for a knife–and still others thought the other possibility, Bouncy Boy, was also too young for a knife.
Finally, Larry opened a woodburning tool which Drama Boy immediately snatched, it having been on his wish list. Wrapped with it was an apron he cut out a few years ago–I finally sewed it up for him to get it out of my UFO bin. Once everything was opened, they seemed to quickly sort it all out: Cars and not legos for Baby Boy; the tent set for Silly Boy; cooking things for Bouncy Boy; metronome for Twirly Girl; tools for Boy Genius; woodburner for Drama Boy; and shirt for Larry. Phew!
Most of them raced off immediately to use their new gifts, although Bouncy Boy at first was a little disappointed. I’m not sure if he was coveting someone else’s gift or what. . .but by 3:00pm he was ready to use his new gift to slice up a pear for his snack.
Meanwhile downstairs, Silly Boy’s tent proved to be very popular with the younger set (yes, we included a boy-sized headlamp for good measure).
PS: My apologies for the photo quality. . .the afternoon sun and my camera aren’t on the best of terms.
So the kids have been busy spending more time with their new Wii games today. And hopefully, somewhere between a piano lesson and supper and Scout meetings, we’ll squeeze in a trip to the library.
