Children amaze me with their ability to swear to secrecy over a birthday present for another child, and then in the next breath tell the birthday child what their present is!
Jack turns eight in a month's time and I have been really organised this year present wise. I ordered him rollerblades which he's been hanging out for since December last year when I first took the boys to a rollerskating rink. Henry got blades for his sixth birthday in March so the lack of blades for Jack has been an even greater source of discomfort for him since then. I bought Henry's in store however I wanted to get the same pair but at least in a different colour for Jack so I ordered online.
The blades arrived while I was home one day with Florence and a sick Henry having a day off school. "PLEASE can we see what his present is. PLEASE. We won't tell him!" We went through the 'Secrets are about surprises and presents' and how it would be nice for Jack to be surprised.
Last night Jack tells me that Florence immediately told him about the blades (not surprising for a three year old I guess), but Henry went so far as to tell him where in the cupboard I'd hidden them! I had specifically hidden them at the top of a cupboard not normally used for presents, AND done it when no children were around but somehow I have still been outdone. Jack did not try to get the package down so I suppose that's something.
Henry also bought him a Skylander with his own pocket money (I had to top it up as he didn't have enough money but still a nice thought). Jack knows about that too. I was a bit cross at Henry but when he explained that it's really, REALLY hard to not give hints when Jack keeps asking... well then I had to laugh and ended up feeling cross at Jack instead!
Jack is starting to understand that now he knows what two of his presents are, well it's just not as much fun as wondering and guessing and... WAITING! He has apologised for tormenting Jonah for hints (Jonah only had to give one hint which was "the first three letters are 'S-K-Y". I had to laugh at that too!).
I tried to explain that it's a bit like when I have a pregnant friend. If they know if the baby is a boy or a girl, I can't help but find out but once I do, I sort of wish I'd waited til the baby was born to have the ultimate surprise, and that part of the fun is waiting and wondering. And that goes doubly if I find out the baby's name before birth too!
Here's a pic of the soon to be eight year old and I, way back when..
He asked for a desk in his room. He and his brother share a room and while it's a good size, I didn't want a really big desk in there. This should be perfect. I'd still prefer him to do his homework at the kitchen table as that's more conducive to him asking questions, but I think that he'll love having a desk in his room to colour, write, read at etc..
And a swivel chair! Don't know how long this baby will last as I'm sure all three children will end up fighting over it so I'll just have to hope it doesn't get broken.
Shhhhhh, don't tell!
Ayla
x
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