Monkey Quilt Finished Just in time

Omar found his package, wrapped and ready, under the Christmas tree when he came to visit on Boxing Day. We don’t really celebrate Boxing Day, but I think it’s nice to have an official holiday name to give that day following the Big One, when there’s still visiting and gift exchanging to be done and afternoon tea and snacks to be enjoyed.

I think his mother and I might have been more excited about what was laying in wait inside the wrapping paper than he was. She immediately wrapped her legs in it and commented on the soft coziness of the flannel backing. I was tickled that I’d actually met my deadline and had this project finished in time for its recipient’s holiday house call. Omar, on the other hand, looked none too thrilled and asked where his other packages were.

After recovering from the disappointment of there being just one, his spirits rallied and he asked if we could bring out the dinosaurs. No problem.

So while he made heroes and bad guys out of dozens of plastic prehistoric reptiles I keep just for him, his mother, sister and I noshed on Trader Joe’s Gorgonzola cheese-with-cranberries-and-pecans and rice crackers and sipped herbal tea.

Even if I am responsible for a rather unexciting gift, I still got my hug and smooch upon departure. And this after he asked his mother if she could just leave him here for a while longer and come back for him later! In the meantime, I’m hoping he finds the monkeys and flannel appealing when it’s time to snuggle up for a story.