We had a really lovely Christmas this year. Eric and Anna spent Christmas Eve at Oma and Opa's as is the tradition; while they were gone I frantically wrapped every single present. Anna, completely out of character for her, wanted me to curl her hair, because going to Oma and Opa's is special. How adorable is she?
Then Christmas morning Eric came over first thing so that we could all spend Christmas morning together. I can't tell you how blessed I feel that this is our situation, that my current husband welcomes my ex-husband into our home so that Anna gets to spend Christmas morning with all of us. She is at a GREAT age right now where she wanted all of US to open our presents first, because she was so excited to see OUR reactions. She and Eric made two bird-houses for me and she painted them. Very cute.
All Anna wanted for Christmas was (get ready)...an ostrich egg. Yes, my child is WEIRD. She is really, really into rocks and crystals and fossils and bones...since she was just tiny she has collected bits and pieces of nature: antlers found in the deep Oregon woods during a mushroom-gathering hike when she was less than 3. A coyote skull found in the woods of N. Idaho (I've never had the heart to point out that the hole in it's skull is likely from a bullet). A wing from an owl. Feathers. Rocks. Shells. Bird nests. The top of her dresser looks like it belongs in a natural history museum. So when mom and I were in NYC and Kim took me to Evolution, I found several really cool things for Anna. And then, when I got back, I showed her the website. She spent HOURS pouring over their offerings. Finally she announced that she simply could not live another day without an ostrich egg. THANK YOU internet. I love the look of complete rapture on her face as she's clutching the large egg to her chest.
I have to say, I NAILED it with the gifts for her this year. At Evolution I found a Horse Anatomy kit, a teeny sea-horse in a bottle, a gorgeous beetle, a beautiful rock to add to her rock collection and a book on identifying rocks and crystals. I also found, on-line, a "crystal-mining" kit, which is essentially a block of porous concrete type stuff with several rocks and crystals inside and some tools. The child then has to dig and scrape and brush away the concrete to get to the stones. That was a big hit. After finding the treasures, she ran and got her rock-collection display case and put them inside. I am so glad that she is not into dolls or Barbies; I love that she loves to learn. It certainly makes it fun to shop for her.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Now. I'm off to drive home in the howling, 30mph winds and blowing snow. Fun!
4 comments:
My gosh, she's going to be dad! I can't wait to see what she grows up to be, there's so many options for what she's interested in! And she's adorable with the curls.
Call me stupid, but is the ostrich egg, um... live? Been blown out, like an Easter egg? I'm not sure I get it.
But that photo of her with her egg? Beautiful.
Robyn, yes, it's been blown out; there's a dime-sized hole in the bottom. We don't want an ostrich-stink-bomb happening. :) Also, it seems like it's sealed with something to make it stronger than it would be in nature.
Kate, your family is lovely. I'm so glad you had a nice Christmas. Also, your fireplace is awesome! Sorry I'm so behind on commenting. Better late than never, right?
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