The best Christmas present EVER!

For Christmas, kids often ask for that one and only thing they have been wishing for. Perhaps an American Girl doll. Maybe a new bike. Maybe a RipStik. This year Madelyn asked Santa for that one thing her heart had been yearning for....a hula hoop. More than anything else, she wanted a hula hoop!

On Christmas morning her joy was complete when she found not one, but TWO sparkly hula hoops awaiting her.

Shortly thereafter, the hip swinging began. Soon Maddy was able to walk across the entire length of the basement....while swinging the hula. She could even go up and over obstacles. Impressive, I tell you!

The other kids have joined in the fun. Syd and Josh are both quite proficient at the hula hoop. The kids have started branching out, trying things such as the neck hula (swinging the hula hoop around their neck), and the double hula (swinging two hula hoops at the same time).

Today Madelyn had show and tell, and she wanted so badly to show her hula hoops. Problem was, they wouldn't fit in her backpack. But, being the fantastic mom that I am, I agreed to bring them to her at the agreed upon time.

The time was 2:45. I arrived outside of Madelyn's classroom just in time. As soon as she spotted me, a huge grin spread from ear to ear. That grin did not leave her face throughout the entire show and tell.

When it was Maddy's turn to show her treasure, she walked to the front of the class, ducked her head, and quietly told the class about the new hula hoops. My crazy and very talkative little Maddy....shy in front of her class.

After her brief explanation, the class was allowed a few questions. Maddy beamed as she got to call on her classmates. She answered each of their questions with a very happy "Uh-huh."

After the questions, her teacher asked if she would care to demonstrate. I was surprised to see her shake off the shyness and begin doing the hula for her class. They ooohhhed and aaahhhed. She beamed!

I am so glad I was there to witness the showing of the hula hoops. It was one of those moments you treasure as a mom. The kind that make you also smile from ear to ear!



Tonight I came home from mutual to find Sydney and Maddy casually swinging hula hoops, with the timer set for one hour! They could have done it, too....if only they didn't get bored.