It is a week before Christmas and Elisa asks me what I got Aidan for Christmas. She really wants to know and when I won’t tell her she tries to find out if I’ve already bought the present yet or not. And if not, what would I buy. She asks me over and over again over the next few days and then again on Christmas eve. She never does asks me what I got for Lydia.

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I’m not great at gifts. Neither receiving or giving. Just like I’m not great with praise or criticism. Best to be neutral and invisible all the way. Ok, not best, not desirable, just comfortable. For this year’s Christmas I didn’t really know what to get the kids. On one hand it would be great to get them a great big expensive thing like an xbox or an iphone. But we already have an xbox and the elder ones drop the phones at the same rate they drop ice cream (and for that matter the phones hold up about as well as fallen ice cream). I heard some famous athlete say on the radio that his kids pretty much have what they want so as a family they focus more on helping others. I think this is a good idea. One I didn’t act on.

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On Christmas eve, Elisa looks under the tree at the presents. I got two presents for each of the kids and one for Sabrina. Aidan looks under the tree when I’m out at the store being that age he is a little self conscious about it. As far as I could tell, Lydia never looked. Aidan and Elisa independently decide that I got Aidan a book. I did, the book Precious. I got it on a whim while looking at the bookstore for give ideas. While I never did see the movie or read the book my thinking is Aidan could benefit from it’s perspective. We will see if he reads it. I also got him the NBA2K17 game for the xbox which he most definitely will use. For Elisa and Lydia their main gift was drawing pen for the iPad, not just any pen but a really good one. Lydia knew it and screeched with joy. Elisa left her’s on the table. I also got Lydia a scarf and hopefully a non itchy beanie. Final gift or Elisa was a print of a mouse painting since mice are her favorite animal (Lydia and Aidan has already claimed cats and dogs). For Sabrina, I got her some clothes from Old Navy which opened here relatively recently. Told her if she is going to visit the San Francisco then she needs some US clothes.

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Lydia and Elisa also gave me gifts. Elisa’s was something she made and it did make me feel good. Lydia went to the 10RMB market and got everyone gifts. A bathmat for me which I think she got as kind of a joke but I actually needed. She gave Sabrina a small bag and I was happy Lydia included her.

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After the gifts were gone it was time for Christmas dinner. I made all the snacks I grew up with - devil eggs, salami, cheese, chips and dip. And then I made my “mom’s” lasagna. Actually it wasn’t my mom’s, just a simple recipe I followed like I do every year.  Yang and Yang’s mom joined us for dinner and when we sat down to eat I felt my mom would be happy. If a little quizzical.