So, one day I will laugh about this...
This afternoon we were playing outside. The exterminator, our housekeeper and a repairman were all in my house. Our 8 year old neighbor stopped by. I had a child in the backyard, a child in the front yard and another one begging me to get a shovel for him out of the shed so he could dig. Seeking to appease the little person following me around, I escorted R to the shed in our backyard, put the combination in the lock and opened the door wide---COMPLETELY FORGETTING that there were three shiny new bicycles in there.
I have no idea what I was thinking. I blame it somewhat on the chaos. I also blame it on the fact that I have handled hiding all the other Christmas surprises except these. I cannot blame it on not knowing they were there...I just had not dealt with their purchase, assembly or hiding places...so I forgot.
I had one of those frozen-in-time moments as a tiny gasp escaped and I quickly shut the door to the shed. R just stared straight ahead without a word. Then he looked up and me and cried, "Hey! Why aren't you getting my shovel?!"
I was not slick or crafty. I was a little panicked. "Did you see anything in there?" I asked point blank.
"Yeah. Are those new bikes for us?"
Our 8 year old neighbor, Frances, stared at me with eyes as big as saucers. She had a look on her face that represented the nervousness I was feeling inside.
There are probably all kinds of explanations I could have offered had I had just a moment more to think it through. My mind was wracked with the guilt I felt for blowing the surprise my hubby had been working so hard on. ARGH! I am an idiot!
So, I decided to trust my son. I got down on his level and explained that even though they had asked Santa for new bikes, Mommy & Daddy had decided to surprise them with them...but he HAD to help us keep the secret for his siblings. I have my doubts about whether or not the secret is safe with him.
Meanwhile, I have some scrambling to do...
11 comments:
Ohhh that's a bummer- I've done that before too. It's such a disappointment to us, but honestly my kids don't remember that they saw their surprise early anymore- it won't matter in two weeks- in the meantime just go have a cup of hot chocolate. Merry Christmas!
I've never commented before, but I love reading about your family everyday! My 3 year old daughter saw a "Santa" gift in the back of my car yesterday, too. Luckily it was a small one that can now be from mommy & daddy, but it didn't make me feel any less ridiculous!!
Whoa, my heart is heavy just thinking about that happening - that sounds like EXACTLY something I would do! Hope you find an easy substitute!!!
Happened here too... I left the wii in the back of the van not realizing that the girls would be climbing on the bumper and be able to see in and READ what the box said... I sure hope he keeps the secret!!!
Oh No!!! This will be one to remember...not funny now, but someday it will be hilarious!
Does that help any?
~K
I have had this happen several times and I always tell my children it is a friend's gift to her child that I am hiding so he or she won't find it. But tonight I thought of you as I took the triplets' bikes up to our neighbors to hide, just in case, I "forgot" that we hid them in my hubby's shop. Enjoy your Christmas with your sweet family. God Bless.
What a bummer! At least it wasn't on Christmas Eve though! You have a couple of more days to scramble any way!
Life-sized mermaid doll. Found by a certain four year old, a mere two days ago.
Still trying to think of a replacement plan.
Maybe Santa could bring the accessories....helmet, pads, horns...anything that still looks likes you and Santa colaborated! Good Luck!
Oh NOOOOO! This will be wonderful memories for the future. It will be interesting if your little fella will remember in years to come and if he will keep the secret. Merry Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season.
Oh no...I think we've all done this! I too had to lie a little bit to get out of it...once I told them it was for their cousin and if they wanted one too that they'd have to ask santa for it! : ) The second time my son saw a gift for one of his siblings and he was getting old enough to figure things out so I told him I just picked it up in case we decided to give it to his sibling for Christmas, but if Santa gets it for them we'll just return it.
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