<p>I take my folks out to eat–lunch or dinner–it seems to work well & importantly DOESN’T add to their piles of “stuff” which grow in their home.</p>
<p>lololu, Love it!</p>
<p>07Dad wrote,
</p>
<p>Yes!</p>
<p>And at some appropriate point in time, a grandchild</p>
<p>crossing fingers.</p>
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<p>I want a thing. A Kindle.</p>
<p>Last year I asked for individual and a group photo of my kids.
Son arranged a shoot with a photographer friend for a time when all three were to be home;
but alas, one kid arrived from study abroad with a recent facial injury not suitable for a portrait…maybe this year.</p>
<p>but alas, one kid arrived from study abroad with a recent facial injury not suitable for a portrait…maybe this year.</p>
<p>My favorite pictures are not ones where they look posed and perfect- but the ones that show how they really are.</p>
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<p>Mine too. My son and I siitng on a log at a pull out while whitewater rafting in Costa Rica. One of his eyes was still sightly swollen from a bug bite on the eyelid and I had a knot and swelling over my eye from having slipped and cracked my head while wading at the base of a waterfall. Tired, beat-up, but with very happy grins.</p>
<p>I prefer that my kids not spend much on Christmas presents for me. I prefer they are frugal. But if they DO buy me something, I want it to be something they had noticed I would want or need. Not something I’ve had to tell them. They are very good at that.</p>
<p>The best present they ever gave me, was taking our old VHS tapes and transferring them to DVD’s. They didn’t spend much at all. Borrowed a machine that did the transferring and did the work themselves. Priceless!!!</p>
<p>As a parent who worked as a photographer for many years, during the holidays I often did ‘pro bono’ work for kids having pictures taken for parents. Always on location as I felt kids were more comfortable outside. I generally steered them to the proof where their personalities really showed. A silly look at a sister, a poke in the rib to a brother, and always one looking angelic who had instagated the whole thing! 
If they chose something more traditional I snuck in that image for the parents. Those are the ones I cherish. At that moment in time it’s who they were.
When my son had his first job he bought me a Snuggie for Christmas. He was so proud! I’m always freezing and love it. I’m the most ‘fashion conservative’ ever, so the fact that it’s leopard print just makes it all the more fun!
I must say, reading through these…the cheese puffs may be my favorite. How can you not love that?!?</p>