Oh what fun it is to watch as the wrapping paper flies.
Today's guesses included a shout out for "underwear." Yes, apparently a clue that references fun and a package that is soft and squishy equates to underwear.
Far more fun than underwear, though, was the real gift of holiday hats. Which, apparently, leave some room for interpretation depending upon the wearer.
Day four's package was one of those small ones that packs a big punch. A box just a bit larger than a letter-sized sheet of paper. But while not huge in size, the contents were a huge hit.
Titled a Christmas Box of Fun, the surprise contained holiday stencils, coloring and sticker books, and a learn-to-draw guide. In other words, everything little artists need to make wonderful creations for the season. 
Everyone got straight to work and our fridge is covered in a menagerie of snowflakes, Santas and stickered fun.
Meteorologists may talk of lake-effect snow or Albert clippers in referencing weather patterns, we have our own phenomenon around here called the snowball effect. One person snags something they're not supposed to have and gets away with it, and we then have three others making demands; one kid is given a chance to do something and the next thing you know a line has formed. Things tend to quadruple or snowball very quickly.
The snowball effect was a full on system this afternoon when it came to guessing what was inside today's package. After reading the clue, Alena was so confident in her guess, it suddenly snowballed around the ring of wrapping paper shredders leaving no one with a guess of their own (yes, not even tooting rabbit girl).
So when the "Christmas outfits" theory panned out, there was nothing left to do but model the new threads. Red velveteen dresses with snowmen and fir trees (along with candy cane striped leggings) for the girls and a moose appliqued sweater (with plaid shirt and cords) for the long ranger.
All new outfits are tumbling in the dryer now ... our laundry lady was given strict instructions to have the new duds ready for wear tomorrow. Yet another thing that snowballed.
Good lordy, the guesses. Today's gift might have contained a "really, really big TV," according to Trace. We'll not make issue that the top of it was squishy and the dimensions were about 12 inches by 18 inches. And Alysse, well, she's sticking with her flatulent bunny guess.
What was actually inside (the squishy top) were Santa chair covers to decorate our kitchen dining chairs. They slide over the top of the chair back, leaving a big, happy Santa looking out.
Then once bottoms are seated on smiling Santa chairs, dinner can be served on the second part of the day's gift ... Mr. and Mrs. Snowman place settings. Mugs, bowls and plates are now waiting to serve up the season's favorites.
We're dusting off this old blog for a comeback of the Christmas countdown extravaganza. Literally ... wiping off the drywall dust. The blog has been neglected the past couple of months while we drywalled and finished the walls in our basement. We've now got electric, ceiling and walls, so let's mark off the days until Christmas before we start slapping on some paint.
For those not in the know, the countdown means a package(sometimes small and simple, sometimes large and not-so-simple) each day of December until we reach the big 2-5 and Santa's arrival.
Having experienced this generosity of Jason's parents the last several years, the kids know the drill and flock each day to the wrapped surprise. New this year are clues attached to the top of each gift that Alena can read to the crowd. This may prove most amusing as they can each make a guess as to what's inside before the shredding frenzy begins. Note: Alysse's guess for today was a big rabbit that would hop around the house "tooting."
While there was no large, gassy hare, there were four stocking hangers with numbered blocks to change each day noting the number of days left until Christmas, and a three-dimensional advent house.
They quickly arranged their numbers to read "24" (except for Trace who's telling of "42" days until Christmas) and agreed to take turns each day opening a door or window on the gingerbread house.
Let the counting begin ...
