November 19, 2010

Christmas Lists


All this week, my kids have been making drafts of Christmas lists. On Sunday, the final lists are due. Today we held a peer review.

"Pass your list to the person sitting on your right," I ordered.

When Cortlen saw who was going to review his list, he started to cry. Camber cackled and rubbed her hands together in anticipation and excitement.

"Now I want you to circle three things on the list that you think the author would like the most," I told them.

I had no idea where this exercise was going or what purpose it served, but I figured that the same thing that once kept my freshman composition students busy for 50 minutes could keep my kids occupied for five. Ten if I was lucky.

Kellen was a good listener and circled everything on the list in front of him.

Camber wrote the word "butt" on Cortlen's list and had to be excused from the table.

Cortlen was so upset by what his sister did that he stabbed her paper with his pencil and had to be excused from the table as well.

Santa watched the whole spectacle through his magic telescope as he whispered "Merry Christmas" in my ear.

27 comments

DoodleDesign said...

I know so many people have been saying this- but you write so well and you can make ordinary stuff sounds interesting and funny too :)

I don't have kids yet but you manage to make them sound so interesting to have. hehe.

from Malaysia with love,

ET
www.doodledsgn.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Does that last one say Boise State helmet?? I go to that school...

Anonymous said...

My Mom used to just hand us the Fleet Farm/ Target/ Walmart Toy Catalog's and we circled what we wanted and wrote our names next to it.

Marissa said...

Awesome!

Allyson Jane Designer Desserts said...

You crack me up!

Ally @ Allyson Jane

Tiffany said...

LOL! You are too funny! Loving the peer review idea! As always, I renew my offer to shower your poor abused children with BSU merchandise, being a resident of Boise AND a BSU student. Oh yes, I have it all.

Nicki said...

Kids add such spice, don't they?? Thanks for the laugh! I don't normally have a laugh before my second cuppa Joe!

Karen in NC said...

Love it! By the way, does that say, "Bashit ball net?" :-)

Dana said...

Wow- pretty sure the "butt" comment kept me laughing for minutes!! Loved today's blog post!

Unknown said...

ROF flippin' L!!!!!!!!

Janet said...

You crack me up! I love this and will do it myself with my older 2 :)

Renate Hunter said...

When my oldest was in high school he gave my a list with pictures of what he wanted knowing that I'd be clueless with Playstation games. It was the best list ever!! Shopping went really easy.

I'm Just a Girl said...

Does that say "Bashit Ball Net" at the top of the list? Too funny.

Between Babies... said...

LOL! that's TORTURE - in a hilarious, completely acceptable for a mom to do, sort of way. nice work.

Christina said...

You kill me daily..I love reading your blog, I share your pain...yours just comes across funnier..

Am dreading the Christmas lists....

Anonymous said...

I got the christmas lists from my kids 3 weeks before Halloween.... with exactly 6 items on each.... best shopping lists ever... and I am now already done Christmas shopping for everyone!! Please don't hate me! :)

Mal said...

Look on the bright side: cole is cheap.

The Meditative Mom said...

I've chosen you for some awards... check out http://themeditativemom.blogspot.com/2010/11/ive-been-awarded.html to accept them.

Jaimie said...

This was extremely cute... The retaliation was my fav :)

Hi! Im a new follower to you blog from the meditative mom...I still have alot of catch-up reading to do on your blog, but so far i really like what I've seen! can't wait to read more! I hope you can stop by and check out our blog as well, and leave a little <3!! :)
~Jaimie
http://legosinmypocket.blogspot.com/

BN Mom said...

Hi!

I love your blog! Sooo funny...maybe when you get a chance you can check out mine too!

Thanks,

Kathy

http://diaryofabrand-newmom.blogspot.com

Alisha said...

oh, Christmas lasts ... haha. I remember being a little girl and writing to Santa. My girls don't really understand the concept of Santa, but sure do love all the Christmas stuff I have up! They keep telling me "hoho" is coming, but I don't think they really know why he is coming. lol

Bee said...

Woo! The kid's a Boise State fan! That just made him that much cooler.

Christine said...

I have a catalogue from my daughter with all the latest, greatest and most expensive things circled...every year brings out the wishful thinking in all of us.

Unknown said...

As usual, a regular day turns into a bucket of laughs... at least for your readers.

Success said...

I had to LOL at the innocence of this Christmas list. The joys of childhood :D

Noella Q said...

What a cute idea to pass the list to the next person! We are getting excited to start writing our letters to Santa. Very funny post : )

Student Entrepreneur said...

I love the list!! And make sure to get him the last item - Boise State Helment!! Go Broncos!!