Secret Sibling

Saturday, I had Caden and Keilie choose names from a bowl for our Secret Sibling this year.  Caden chose Tyson and Keilie chose Caden.  So, we headed to Craft Warehouse to pick up some kits I'd seen for them to sew a pillow case for their sibling.  I want this year to be more homemade instead of taking them all to the store and hiding gifts under coats for each other.  Insane.  So, there are two stories that go along with this sewing project.

First, I took Caden and Keilie together to pick out the stuff.  I didn't realize this was going to be a problem until Keilie started looking at Baseball pillow cases.  Obviously it was for Caden.  However, Caden was right there and this was supposed to be a SECRET!  I felt like such an idiot as Keilie fretted about what to do.  Then, her brilliant mind started working overtime and she said, "I'm sure Tyson will love this design.  Tyson loves this kind of thing.  I know Tyson is going to love it.  Don't you Mom?"  I was dying inside for her.  I told her a few times that she needed to remember to keep this a secret, even from other siblings, so she needed to stop.  Caden caught my eye and gave me the briefest of grins.  He had Tyson, he knew she was trying to lie.  I was crushed.  Why didn't I just take them individually?  She still has no idea that he knows.  She may even figure it out come Christmas morning.  The intentions of the whole thing were honorable.  The process, not so much.

We got home and got straight to work.  Caden was all-too excited to just get down to business and figure it out by himself.  He asked me to walk him through the sewing machine one time and then did the rest by himself.  He's going to do just fine on his sewing portion of Home Ec. this year.  He did great.  Keilie did well, but had a little more reserve about doing it alone.  I sat with her and helped her with a few things, but for the most part, she did great!  It was SO much fun doing this with them.  I think they have more confidence than I do!

Second story!  Sunday morning, Caden had found a box and wrapping paper and had Tyson's present ready for Christmas morning.  Mind you, this was NOVEMBER 24.  That is one month and one day to Christmas.  Tyson was beyond thrilled to see his name on the present.  Come Monday morning, Tyson said, "Mom, I've been waiting a long time.  Can I open my present?"  And so it has been every morning since.  What was I thinking doing the Secret Sibling so early?  Man, I'm staring to question my sanity!!  My sanity may be even more scrutinized come Christmas morning if he keeps up this line of questioning:)  Happy Holidays!