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I turn towards a shelf and grab ten packages of Disney Princess lip balm.  These are great additions to the stockings we make up for the girls.  My eyes run along the shelves as I look for the plastic superheroes I purchase every year for the boys’ stockings.  Finally, I spot them on the bottom shelf and ask the twins to bring me a couple of bins.  

As they add them to the growing pile of toys in my cart, I query, “Did you find anything you want to buy tomorrow?”

They both nod their heads vigorously before showing me their hearts’ desires.  I smile as I realize how easy children are to delight.  I also make a mental note of all the things that appeal to them.  

A few minutes later, I get my eldest son’s attention.  “Kookie, let’s go check out the wrapping paper section together.”  I turn towards the girl who is hoping to be his girlfriend.  The one I would like for a daughter-in-love someday.  “Emmie, will you stay in this aisle and keep an eye on the twins for a few moments?”

“Sure,” she responds with equanimity.

“Thank you.”  

Once Kookie and I have rounded the corner, I turn to him.  “Can you distract the twins while Emmie and I go check out?  I’m buying some of their presents today.”

“Sure, Mom,” he grins.  “Are you buying me anything?”

“Darn.  You figured me out.  I was hoping to hide that Iron Man figurine under a pile of little ponies.”

He chuckles.  “Not a bad idea.  You know how I love Iron Man.  Although…”  His smile wavers as he remembers the ending of the last movie starring his favorite character.

I sigh.  

Then I cheer up and comment, “But, Kookie, I really do need some present ideas for you.”

He catches my eye.  “Well, I need some guitar strings.  And there’s some song sheets I want to buy.  I have a couple other ideas.”

“How about you shoot me a text?”

He shakes his head.  “Mom, I don’t know about you.  You’re becoming too tech-savvy.  I thought for sure you’d ask me to write it out on a piece of paper.”

“The old-fashioned way?” I ask in mock horror.

He nods as his smile reappears.

“Then I’d have to take a picture of it to ensure I don’t lose it.  Do you know how many of Everett’s lists have been misplaced?  Or Janna’s?  

“Nope.  I much prefer a text.  I can copy it, add it to my Notes, and it’s there forever.  Unless I remember to delete it once I’ve purchased everything on it.”

“You don’t even know what’s on my list, and you’re going to buy everything on it?  Wow.  I better ask for some big stuff.  Let’s see.  I need a car.  A new laptop.  A better phone…”

I punch him lightly on the shoulder, and he stops teasing me.  But do you have any idea how amazing it is to be personally teased by Jungkook?  I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world.  

Except for maybe one thing…the world’s best Christmas present.

— 

As we all climb into the van a few minutes later, I turn to glance back at the twins.  “Have you been working on your lines for the Christmas pageant?”

Abs shakes his head.  “They’re too hard,” he whines.

Alastair asserts in a very matter-of-fact tone, “I’ve already memorized mine.”

“What?” Abs exclaims in disgust.  “Why did Mrs. O give me the hardest lines?”

I suppress a smile.  They each have the exact same number of words to memorize.  It’s just that Alastair seems to believe in doing things immediately, and Abner prefers to let the grass grow under his feet.  I think it’s because he’s too busy smelling the roses to count them.  Of course, quite frequently he plucks one and brings it to me, so I absolutely adore him.  Even if I wish he didn’t procrastinate sometimes.

“That’s great, Alastair!  Abs, just don’t wait too long.  You’ve only got three weeks left.”

He grumbles something I can’t make out.  I decide it’s time to drive home.  Our shopping has – thankfully – come to an end for today.  Now it’s time to make some cookies.  But…

…can I just take a little nap first?

I think all the tryptophan in that turkey we ate for lunch is catching up to me.

—

As I walk into our house a little while later, I find Janna and Lyric going through boxes of ornaments.  They’re carefully spreading the decorations out on the coffee table.  

“Making it easy to decorate the tree this year, huh?” I ask.

Janna glances up at me.  “We’re out of cream of tartar.”

“What?” I ask, horrified.  This is the secret ingredient in our Christmas cookies.  “How can we be out of cream of tartar?”

She shrugs.  “Because we use it once a year.  And last year I made several batches of cookies for my friends, so I guess I used it up?” she remarks questioningly.

“Noooo!” I moan.

I just want a nap.  And now I have to go back to the store?!  On Black Friday?!

“What’s wrong?” she asks.  Completely clueless. 

“You woke me up before the sun today!  I’m exhausted.  I just want a nap.  Now I have to go back to the store!”

“No, you don’t, Mom,” Kookie responds as he grabs my purse off my shoulder and digs my key fob out of its pocket.  “I’ll go.”

Turning towards him, I faint with relief.  “Will you?  Oh, Kookie!  You’re such a doll!”

He grimaces.  “Is Wal-Mart still going to have a line out the door?”

“Just go to the health food store.”  I dig around in my purse for a five-dollar bill.  I hand it to him.

“I’m going to take a nap for an hour,” I announce blissfully.  Thanks to my darling, eldest son.

As I walk down the hallway, I hear Emmie ask, “Would you like some company, Kookie?”

Oh!  What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the inside window of my van in a couple of minutes.  On second thought, scratch that.  Kookie would probably vacuum me up!