Brownie Points

So, do you all remember that last year for Christmas, I made my 3 girls these little girly Miss Maggie rabbits?  They were made out of wool felt and had little country style dresses and knit wool accessories.    I nearly died from cuteness overload.  Knut and I try to give the kids at least one handmade gift for Christmas from one of us.  Last year, this was the girls’ handmade gift.  I was thinking of making them each some homemade socks this year but…

well, read on.

Let’s just be honest.  No one asked for them.  They weren’t on anyone’s wish list as they weren’t on any commercial and don’t have a t.v. series to go with them.  I just thought they were adorable and I wanted to make them, and of course I wanted them to love them.  And they did.  Each little girl dearly loves her rabbit.  Silje’s was named “Miss Maggie” and Solveig named hers “Posie” and Ingrid’s is “Rosie.”

Silje doesn’t usually care for old fashioned styled things like that, but learning how to sew herself, she seemed to genuinely appreciate the effort.  She oohed and aaahed for my benefit like a pro.  While I like antiqued, muted colors, she likes anything with a rainbow of bright colors, animal prints, and of course…glitter.

Well, the designer, Alicia Paulson, has added 4 more softie kits to her store this spring.  There’s now a fox, a deer, a mouse and a cat.  I’m just obsessed with them, and am already thinking I’ll make 2 of them for Solveig and Ingrid for this next Christmas.  Deciding which 2 to make will be tricky.  Anyway, I called Silje over to the computer to get her opinion.  I made this stupid remark:

“So, I know you’re almost 10 and all, and I know Miss Maggie is kind of old fashioned, and you’re probably not into this stuff and want something different, but the designer just came out with some more animals.  I was thinking of making 2 more, at least for the little girls for this Christmas.  Want to help me choose?”

She looked at me, with a shocked, sad expression on her face.  “You’re not going to make another one for me?  But I love my Miss Maggie!  I want another one!  There’s a cat?  I claim the cat!”

I love that she’s still my little girl.  And even though she doesn’t like old fashioned things normally, she actually, genuinely adores her gift, and is eagerly anticipating her next.

Either that, or she totally knows how to score the brownie points with me.

And, since the boys say I never make anything for them, I asked them if they wanted a softie.  The fox is my favorite new softie, but all the girls say they want the girl ones.  So I asked the boys if they would like a fox so I have an excuse to make one.  Elias gave an enthusiastic “yes!” as he plays “house” with the girls as often as he crashes cars with David.  But David said he didn’t want one.  Fair enough.  But now I’m wondering if it is okay for me to make one of these animals for everyone except David for Christmas, because I know he won’t play with one.  Stuffed animals have never been his thing.  He says he would rather get a car shaped pillow for his bed.

I feel like I’d totally be leaving him out by not making one, but I’m not going to buy a kit, and spend hours making him a toy he doesn’t want.  Well, I have a few months to figure out their Christmas gifts anyway.