Christmas present(s!)

This was Sage's third Christmas, but probably the first one she got to really, really enjoy. (Though I'm fairly sure she got a kick out of pulling the tree down back when she was less than a year old, still learning to walk, and decided that the Christmas tree would make an ideal support pillar...)

This year, she was old enough at last to understand the idea of Santa Claus, to make a wish list of the things she wanted, to 'help' decorate the tree, and to enjoy getting all dolled up on the big day itself. She was so good and patient about waiting to open all the gifts that she knew were piling up for her under the tree--every now and then, she'd just come up to me with a gift in hand, eyes appealingly wide for maximum cuteness as she'd coo: "Mommy, can we open just this one?"

But I was firm; she was patient; and it all paid off on Christmas Day when she received a veritable avalanche of presents from parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and of course, Santa Claus!

Her absolute favorites (so far):

1. the Cinderella's carriage Mega Blocks set from 'Santa'

2. the twirling train set given by Santa and painstakingly assembled by her father (despite a semi-serious manufacturing defect, eventually solved with Super Glue)

3. the Sleeping Beauty Barbie from Ninong Vin and Uncle 'Anjoo', along with the Fairytopia Barbie from Grandpa Reggie (listed as a pair since they are inevitably played with in tandem)

4. the classic-style teddy bear named Toffee (given, christened, and secretly coveted by her mother)

5. the Disney Princesses sing-along storybook from her friend Lumpia (whose real name is Alyssa, and whom Sage refers to as 'Loompy')

6. the Disney Princesses toy cell phone, makeup, and purse set purchased on direct request by her father

7. a pair of musical feathered plastic lovebirds in a plastic cage from her Grandma Meng

And this was just the tip of the iceberg! (Which happens to include a truly outrageous feathered-and-sequined pink shirt from her Grandma; and not just one, but two full sets of characters from The Incredibles.)

Thanks to everybody who remembered Sagey this Yule!