Under my tree

I think I'm getting close to being done with Christmas shopping. In prior years, I was always buying presents throughout the year and had things done before Thanksgiving, but now that stores have changed their return policies, I typically hold off until after Thanksgiving.

For my 83 year-old aunt who insists on no presents. She is a wonderful gift giver, but very poor receiver. She told me this year if I bought her anything she would stomp on it. I told her I would get her a Whoopie Cushion.

Instead, I got her a Baltimore Catechism. She was lamenting about learning from it in school, but not having it around anymore. I gave her one of the current catechisms a few years ago, but she really wanted a Baltimore. It's amazing how much her generation can quote from memory from the Baltimore. I know each week in bible study there are some elderly ladies who are always reciting something from memory that they learned using the Baltimore Catechism. Don't think she'll be stomping on the catechism.

My son and daughter want every toy they see. Complete insanity! Along with a smattering of toys, my son is getting something that we will be learning about shortly in school, the Romans. He's had a set of Schleich knights for a few years and we'll learn about them next year when we get to Medieval history, but this year is ancient history so we will be covering the Greeks and Romans in the next few months. There are chariots and soldiers that go with this set too, along with a Roman camp and sailing ship.

We are also getting him a guitar and my daughter an electronic drum set. I was in band when I was in school and also learned to play the piano and organ. Hubby didn't learn any musical instruments and really wants the kids to be exposed to music since he wasn't.

My daughter loves to play the drums and the set we got her is a quieter, more mom-friendly, option. She and my son can share the guitar and drums. Hopefully, they won't become like the Partridge family. She's also getting a baby doll that is wearing a bath towel that looks like a duck, just like one she has herself. When my daughter first started bible study, she was a little timid and I let her wear her ducky bath towel to bible study (other kids had blankies, she had a bath towel). After a few weeks, we were able to leave the duck towel at home. I also got her a set of John Deere farm animals and equipment since she had such a fun time at Father K's family farm.

Hubby came with me to a homeschool store earlier this year and while I was rummaging through Kindergarten stuff, he was looking at Latin and Logic books. He told me he wanted a logic book for Christmas. I had one from my days at St. Thomas, but couldn't find it any where. Then I had to figure out a decent logic book to buy him. I don't know if this one is great, but it's what he's getting. Hopefully, he won't visit my blog any time soon and see this! He doesn't normally visit blogs, even mine, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

We are getting my MIL some of the books in the Wicked series. She asked for them, it's not a commentary on how we feel about her. Just a little ironic is all. I don't know what else to get her though. Still thinking about it.


For me, hubby is getting me a five-fold scapular. I know because I ordered it for myself the other day!