Thursday, January 06, 2011

Some gifts are just such fun to give...

Some gifts are just such fun to give...like the one Mary is opening here.

In our family we don't give the kids cell phones until they're driving. I know most kids have them. I know they're very convenient for reaching the kids quickly. But it just seems to us that we can make do until that time. When they're younger I sometimes loan them mine.

Mary turned 16 the day after Christmas. She does not yet have her license but she will soon. So it seemed about time for her to have a cell phone.

Now for our plan. On Christmas morning, before she was up, I turned on her phone and THEN wrapped it and put in under the tree with the other presents. Jim programmed her new number into his phone and kept it near him. As I went to pick up the wrapped phone to give to Mary I bumped Jim in the knee and gave him a look as I went by.

Mary looked at the package. (Jim is secretly dialing her number.) She said, "Maybe I'll wait and open this one in a little bit." Just then the package starts ringing. Startled, she jumped, staring at the gift and then exclaimed, "No! I'm going to open this one right now!!"

Mary receiving her first cell phone call from Jim.
John showing Mary some things on her new phone.
It was so much fun. I can't believe we pulled it off.

4 comments:

Suzanne said...

How cute. I am with you...we didn't push the phone and in fact, they actually kinda got their own as we don't have a family plan anyway, due to the fact that their dad has a cell phone for work and at that time, I didn't want one.
BTW, I have a post up with some momma questions..care to offer your thoughts and ideas..seems like a few other mommas are interested too. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

That is terrific! How fun!

We were in the staff lounge at school this week joking about not asking any of the kids what they got for Christmas because it's so depressing. Second graders with iTouches, for example. RI. DIC.U.LOUS! Glad that most parents we know don't "buy" into this craziness!

Thanks for sharing =)
xo
Mary

Rosemary said...

Second graders?!? What is going on? Do parents have too much money? Unable to say no? Itouch? Second graders then with unsupervised access to the internet? Hello? sorry. I'm getting carried away.

Nancy Carabio Belanger said...

I'm with you, Rosemary! Unbelievable!!!! And your post was absolutely precious! Loved her reaction!