Christmas Presents

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I'm finally back guys.

What did you guys get for Christmas?

I got a new Brat doll, three Barbies, a tiera from my dad, a new train set, some race cars, perfume, a snow shovel, a head lamp, a tool box with three clamps, a lot of cool clothes, and a Lego Mindstorm Robotics kit.

I get to start on my boat tomorrow :!:

:x-mas:

[Mike Pennington]

Hi Laura,

I got a Craftsman 19.2 volt six peice cordless power tool set. Should come in handy on the boat. :wink:

Sounds to me like you made out pretty good, I think Captain Santa is spoiling you. :wink:

Mike

[Frank Hagan]

Good to see you back, Laura! Sounds like you had a good Christmas!

I got a fishfinder, set of those closed end racheting wrenches, a drill / driver bit set and a couple of books. A very good haul for an adult who was told "let's not exchange presents this year" by his wife, who then went out and bought all that stuff for me!

At least I didn't believe the "no gifts" thing this year. Although I only got her one gift, she liked it (and grumbled that I didn't hold up my end of the bargin!)

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I only got her one gift,

You only got her ONE :!: :shock:

You have to get girls at least 89 presents. :lilangel:

:x-mas:

[tdrown]

...a new train set...

A train set! I've had a lot of fun with those. As soon as I get the space (probably a decade away), I may set it up again.

[Frank Hagan]

I only got her one gift' date='[/quote']

You only got her ONE :!: :shock:

You have to get girls at least 89 presents. :lilangel:

:x-mas:

She certainly deserves more! But remember, our "deal" was that we wouldn't give each other ANY gifts, and I cheated and got her one anyway. And then she got me five. So now I feel guilty for only cheating with one gift.

I suspect we'll have to go to the mall now. :roll:

[capt jake]

She certainly deserves more! But remember, our "deal" was that we wouldn't give each other ANY gifts, and I cheated and got her one anyway. And then she got me five. So now I feel guilty for only cheating with one gift

Ah same thing happened here only in reverse. She stuck to the deal and I got her lots of things. I got a new BBQ (it's really for her).

[Greg Luckett]

Merry Christmas, Laura. Good to hear from you again.

I got a new Ryobi router kit which is being used on my router table, and a router book too. The best gift I got was having all my children and some of my grand children together for Christmas Dinner.

Sam and Ben got so much loot that I cannot recall all of it, but Game Boys, laser tag gear, tools, and walky talkys is some of it. I will let them tell you when they return from their trip.

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I think Captain Santa is spoiling you.

Spoiling? No, no, no. Ya see, all these gifts are required! Not only are you SUPPOSED to get girls 89 presents each, each has a purpose!

Now Barbies and Brat dolls are for fun, especially when her favorite niece Sierah comes over to play. The train set was from brother Alexander--now she has her own and doesn't have to rely on his good graces to play. And you know that on a few rare occasions a brother and a sister might fuss just bit about just who's toy is who's, and who has a right to be touching it. Shouts of MOM!, DAD! are much reduced.

As for the Legos Mind Storm robotics kit, both Laura and Alexander and a few of their friends are in a smart kids group at their school--Hunter Elementary School. Now this class only gets to meet part time. They get to do cool stuff like build robots and things. This fall there was an area wide robotics competition between all of the schools. There were many trophys and one team was chosen to attend the nationals in Atlanta, Georgia. The team from Hunter Elementary put out a great effort and finished in the middle of the pack. They only had the robotics kit in the classroom for a few weeks, and they only had two days of programming time. Well it was a more than respectable showing, and everyone had a great time at an exciting competition, but they didn't manage to win one of the "super cool" bright yellow Legos trophys.

There were numerous teams, some with sponsors! The most successful teams were obviously well practiced, well schooled, and coached. They also each had the their own robotics kits at home with a regulation competition table and all. So Santa with the wisdom of ages knew that he could not guarantee a sponsor, nor could he fit more classroom time into his gift bag, and the house might not hold a regulation competition table--a robotics kit would fit in his bag. Next year there is bound to be one of those "super cool yellow trophys" in the display case at Hunter Elementary School.

As for some of the other Christmas treasures, there was a tool box with clamps. Now Laura has her own and Dad doesn't have to say, " MOM, Lauras touching my clamps!" Then there is the cool snow shovel with the cool adjustable handle and a miner's head lamp. Well its dark up here most of the time this time of year, and its been snowing far more than usual. So when the kids put no their head lamps and were toying with their cool adjustable shovel handles Dad said, "Look! Snow miners!" They were in their snow suits and out the door in a flash. Suddenly for the first time in days peace and tranquility entered our home. Mom and Dad got to lean back together on the couch with a warm cup in our hands and a warm feeling in our hearts contemplating the silence, knowing the kids would be out there for at least an hour.

So you see, Santa must plan out his gifts with care and deliberation. Spoiling never entered our minds.

P.S. When the snow covered kids come stomping and laughing back in with rosy red cheeks there were shouts for hot chocolate and snow tracked every where. Life had returned to normal. There was one extra smile on Dad's face though as he handed out the hot chocolate. He could see into the yard where it appeared that a pack of "snow miners" had cleared the snow from all of the paths. :wink:

[Barry Pyeatt]

I've always maintained that there is a certain "Madness to the Method" that somehow is logical when one thinks about it for awhile. :roll:

We somehow managed to get a couple "Super Cool" mind expanding gifts included into the mix at Christmas time.

One time it was some new found crafts projects that kept them occupied for a few weeks. Another it was mini rocketry kits and design software that they had to learn to use. CO2 and mini rocket powered drag racing cars that had to be designed, fabricated and finished before racing them down the 160' smooth concrete aisles in our warehouse. That one kept them occupied for months and drew in a bunch of their friends and dads as well with twice a month Sat. afternoon racing competitions.

As they got a little older it was new harness and a cart for the 4H horse and cool add ons for the 4H trail motorcycle. All of them kept the kids bus for the duration of the holidays and well into the next year.

But always there were books, lots of books and fresh batteries that somehow managed to find their way into the (reading in bed, nightlights) flashlights. New sets of encyclopedias and reference books were always like new wonderlands to them both and well used.

So Mom and Dad did get to enjoy the holidays as well with a bit of private quiet time as the kids were absorbed with the challenges and the fun. The lazer tag games and high powered water blasters came after they were both adults, but they somehow managed to get in on the action anyway. Now it is RC Off road trucks, furniture building/refinishing and software but no matter what it is still books, they are always "first choice" on the top of the "Christmas Wish lists" from both of them.

[Andrew]

The kids did really well at Christmas (again)

Lots of books, models - even a model wooden boat (balsa) for the 13 year old (this could be the start of something ). But I managed to outdo them all..

My brother in law works as an aircraft mechanic and got me a flying lesson (I've always wanted to be a pilot) What a hoot. Then my parents bought me a 'real' wooden model of a Port Jackson schooner. (my dad is into his 18th year of building his Endeavour replica).

Now I have a boat to build during the day, and when it's too dark/late in the evening I can come inside and build some more.

I think my wife hates her in-laws even more

Andrew

[Mark Gudschinsky]

I only got her one gift' date='[/quote']

You only got her ONE :!: :shock:

You have to get girls at least 89 presents. :lilangel:

:x-mas:

:shock: Girls shouldn't get any presents. :twisted: Right Samuel/Benjamin.

[Kenny C]

I got best (most dangerous) thing for Christmas yet... PERMISSION! :twisted:

I spotted a fiberglass speedboat from the late 1950's at a local junk peddler. It is in fairly good condition, but has some snow/ice in it,so a final inspection will come when it is thawed out, but it should be a fun addition to the fleet. It can't be THAT bad, it is doing a good job of holding water in! When I first mentioned it to my wife she was less than excited, due to limited storage area. (she may be right, but I won't admit it... 1 Hobie 16, 1 Macgregor 19, 4 canoes, 1 iceboat, plus future wooden construction? At least I got rid of the aluminum row boat that came with the trailer for the Hobie!) I tried some convincing, but had no success. After the kids were done opening their presents, she gave me a card with the note that said the owner was holding it for me to go look at it, and buy it if it looks good! I did tell her that this should tide me over until I can ge the time to build something larger! I probably should have kept my mouth shut!

Now it's down to wait and see on the boat, then wait for soft water!