It wasn't about the boxes or the wrapping paper this year - it was about the toys!
Alex got a fabulous teepee that Grammy & Grampa Nice built with the (tons) of camo fabric that Mom has on hand... it's just big enough for Stan or I and Alex to be in it. Alex can stand up in it and they gave him his own flashlight too. It was LOTS of fun! His own hiding place!
They also got him a magna-doodle that he loves (so do we, less mess than markers).
Auntie Valerie got him tons of goodies. Play Dough and crayons and a new pad of drawing paper. A spinning top and some books, and, and, and... a piggy bank. He's a smart kid. When he put in the few coins that were included he made the rounds to everyone else asking for change - and he's so cute that everyone obliged! He made out like a bandit, everyone in the family emptying their pockets for him! It was too funny.
GG and Granddad got him a shape sorter with tons of different shapes. He already figured out how to get the lid off and just dumps them all in the top! He'll get the hang of it soon enough though. It was lots of fun to shake and fill and dump! They also got him a little matchbox car that makes noise and lights up when you roll it! Alex drove it up one side of Mommy and down the other making vroom-vroom noises the whole time. It drove all over the house - and then we left it at Grammy & Grampa's to continue making noise there! :)
Uncle Scott & Aunt Kathy bought him a dune buggy that lights up, makes noise and drives 4WD when you shake it then put it down! It drove over Daddy's legs in the recliner!
Auntie Liz gave him one of her favorite books. The Clown of God, an italian Christmas story I'd never heard of. Alex loved the illustrations. I'm sure it will come to be a favorite for us too.
Stan & I learned Pinochle from Grandmother & Granddad. Granddad and I paired up against Stan & Grandmother. We actually tied at 700 points after 5 rounds and called it quits. It was lots of fun. Like 42 in dominoes that we've been playing with Mom & Dad. Then Alex woke up from his nap. Poor kid has a cough and is still cutting both bottom eye teeth!
We had lots of fun. A Merry Christmas for everyone!
