No good deed goes unpunished or Lessons in the joy of giving from a 5 year old

I thought I was so clever finding a scout elf, for my girls, who isn’t interested in expensive couture apparel and appreciates a more modest skirt length in a more traditional, Polar style, even though it might slightly resemble the pattern of a $3 knit bottle coozie from Target. 

Then I took my girls shopping last night at our local big T.  The only two reasons we were there were to get snacks to put in E’s class’s snack barrel and to select pajamas and books to contribute to La Petite’s participation in the Great Sprout Tuck-In.  

  Well, in the book department, such that it is, there just so happens to be an Elf on the Shelf adoption station.  There were no elves to adopt, but there were some elf accessories, including some “limited edition Elf couture” skirts. 

  E was delighted.  “Mommy!  Look at this!  Looks like I found a present for Samantha,” she gushed, while grinning ear to ear, so proud of having found what had to be the most perfect elf gift ever.

  “Do you really think it’s something she’d like?” I respond.

  “Oh, yes.  Look it’s special for the Elf on the Shelf,” she says pointed carefully to the words on the display.  “Please, Mommy, please, can we get this present for Samantha?”

  See, now this is what you get for trying to teach your children the joy of giving AND the belief in Christmas magic.  How could I say ‘no’?  After all, we were there to buy gifts for strangers and she’d been great and thoughtful with that. 

  “Well, if you think she’d really like it.”

  “Yes!  Can we get her a card to thank her for being such a good elf?”

  “I think she’d probably like it more if you made her one.”

  “Yes, but won’t she see?  I want it to be a surprise”

  “No, I’ll tell her to give you some privacy and stay upstairs until after bedtime.” 

  Grin.  “Okay.”

  E took so much delight in making the “card” and wrapping the present.  She was so happy to put the present where Samantha could see it.  It was beyond sweet (I may have gotten a cavity watching it all).

Both girls were so excited to see Samantha wearing the new skirt and E was beside herself over the thank you note she received.  It was worth the ridiculous $6.96 for tiny piece of fabric--cheaper than a movie and more entertaining and definitely more memorable.

Samantha is responsible for the snowflakes.  She's a messmaker, that one.

Please follow links for information on  the Great Sprout Tuck-In and how you can support the Pajama Program.