Speechless

The other day I was asking the kids what they wanted for Christmas. Kelsey has been having a hard time thinking of things she wants (shocking). Her birthday was a couple of weeks ago and she received everything she really wanted. Brian came home from work and asked her the same thing. She replied she didn't know what she wanted. So Brian half teasing suggested that we take the money we would have spent on her and give it to someone without. Instead of getting upset and whining about not receiving anything, she gave a calm matter of fact response. She basically told us that was fine with her. She would be happy watching Macy and Braden open their presents and would be excited to see what they get.

I was speechless. Where did this sweet, Christlike response come from? I cannot take credit for it but I can certainly learn from it. I probably perpetuate the desire to gain things by placing so much emphasis on what they want for birthdays and bugging the kids until Christmas lists are made. I will still get her presents but I probably won't ask her again for a list. Maybe I should take her to pick a gift out and then take her to a donation drop off place to give away that gift.

Funniest Halloween Moment

The kids were super excited and ran the neighborhood in an hour and a half. They made it back in time to hand out candy which they were super excited to do. Kelsey staked out a spot on the front porch step with the bowl of treats. Braden comes out to help and brings a stuffed animal monkey with him. He says he wants to let people pet his monkey and then sits next to Kelsey. The first customers arrive and they are maybe 13 or 14 years old. While picking out candy Braden asks "do you want to pet my monkey?" While snickering under their breath, the girls were cute enough to say they would love to.