Christmas countdown, day 10

When you know the day's plans are to head out for a holiday show and the package's hint is refers to going out for fun, everyone is a winner. The guesses came quick and easy with the little red envelope.

Inside, proving everyone correct, were tickets to the Cincinnati Children's Theatre's Holiday Follies matinee. The show was a great chance to go downtown, see some holiday sights and enjoy a show featuring dancing reindeer, an underwater swimming Santa and a ballerina hippo.

All dressed up for the performance, the kids loved the show and each had their favorite part. Trace was still talking about a jack in the box a day later.

Christmas countdown, day 9

Because we need just a little more crazy in our lives. Today's package contained snowmen and Santa hats with accompanying red gloves.

See what I mean about needing a little more crazy? Seriously, they were a hit, and already garnered compliments as Alivia wore hers THROUGH Target during a quick errand.

We now have four smiley, funny, warm heads. (And see the crazy again?)

Christmas countdown, day 8

(Also known as the day we find out which one
- or none - of our four children know their mother well.)

Alivia (reading the hint tag on the package): "Christmas Countdown 2011 - Mom likes this one best."

Alivia: "Cookies."

Alena: "Cookies."

Alysse: "Help."

Trace: "Cookies."

For the record, and future reference for my lovelies, cookies are NOT my favorite. I'd take a brownie, slice of cheesecake or jazzed up cup of Starbucks coffee over a cookie any day of the week. I think they were projecting their favorites as mine. And, dear, sweet Alysse, I do in fact LOVE help. An empty dishwasher is well worth my spent 50 cents.

They quickly learned my favorite countdown gift is one that contains holiday pajamas. Tucking flannel sheets around a little snuggler dressed in snowflake (or Santa-hat-wearing dinosaur) jammies warms a mom's heart.

Christmas countdown, day 7

When you are the only one of four who accurately guesses what's inside the package, accusations start flying. After reading "Holidays are for fun," Alivia dubbed the gift "slippers" while everyone else had varying suggestions.

When the wrapping paper stopped flying and four pair of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer slippers were discovered, the interrogations started and words like "peeking" were thrown around. After a legitimate alibi was established, the fun started.

Slippers with light-up noses are definitely cause for a full-on photo shoot, as we photographed every pairing of kids and slippers imaginable (including, just eight Rudolphs lined up side-by-side). Yes, they had fun.

Christmas countdown, day 6

There are days when the hint makes guessing easy - "sweets for the sweets," for example. There are others when the hint opens up bizarre notions - "to decorate every room" had Trace grinning from ear to ear thinking it might be Fatheads (as if he has an inch of wall space left in his room for more Fatheads).

When the crazy takes over, though, what's found inside is usually a welcomed treat. If asked, Trace wouldn't trade what was unwrapped for Fatheads. He took great interest in the surprise, oversaw its installation and offered to demonstrate.

No need to thank me for stopping his illustration when I did.