The benefit of the short one only being of preschool age is she knows not to wake up early on Christmas morn to shred wrapping paper. She rose at the very civil hour of 8 am, rubbed her eyes and said “Presents now?” After opening a few gifts from out of town family, in town friends and exploring her stocking filled with sweets I asked her how she was feeling about Christmas. She said “I’m happy – now can we have bacon?” I told her Santa left a gift in her room (she slept in Mom and Dad’s bed on Christmas Eve) and I lead her down the hall to see what the big guy made with his elves. I (that would be Santa with no elves) worked at night for the last two weeks on a series of three Princess Land panels that would be inserted into the play area under her bed once she was asleep. I set out mini Princesses she already owned as if they were having a party in the space. I also installed battery LED lights under the mattress slats so she could see better. When she saw it – she was speechless, thrilled and jumping up and down. This might be the real reason I want to keep Santa out of it – I so deserve the credit for all this work!
What a great surprise!