You'd think I learn. Every year it seems I'm faced with the challenge of what to do when my kids change their mind about their Santa gift. This year Sam scoured the American Girl catalog and decided, back in late October, that she really wanted the girl sized and doll sized matching sleeping bags. As a dutiful mom, I ordered them and had them sent to Grandear's house to await our and Santa's arrival. Well imagine my anger, I mean surprise, when her letter to Santa didn't mention this at all. She wanted an American Girl doll bed, a new computer (a play one) and something illegible. When we went to see Santa and he asked what she wanted she said the bed. She's going to be pretty pissed when she doesn't get the flipping bed! Part of me wants to prompt her and say "what about the sleeping bags honey, those were swell?" in hopes that she'll light up and say "Oh yes, mommy, that's it!" but most likely she'll say "oh no, that's all wrong" and then where would I be? At least this way we can hope the craziness of Christmas morning will dull her disappointment.

I mean, seriously, if I could run out and buy her the bed, I probably would, but there's no American Girl store within 200 miles of me and the thought of what that store would look like a few days before Christmas is enough to send me drinking now (it's just 6:44am). That store is crack for 5-10 year old girls. Trade dressing like a homeless person for dressing like your doll, instead of paying hundreds of dollars for drugs, you pay hundreds of dollars to outfit and pierce your doll's ears (yes, actually pierce them!), trade eating out of dumpsters for having tea with strangers and their matching dolls while servers actually serve and talk to the dolls. It's insane. Even so, I would probably do it if I could. But I can't. She's getting the sleeping bags and she'll love it damn it.

Merry Christmas :)