Mimi Shops with Satan

Grandparents do crazy things for their grandchildren.

Especially for their oldest grandchild.

I know this, as I am the oldest grandchild on my mom's side of the family. (And if it weren't for that damned twin cousin of mine who got me by SEVEN DAYS, I'd be the oldest on both sides. Don't ask what a Twin Cousin is. Just go with it. And, no, we are not from Arkansas or Kentucky.)

Princess is the oldest grandchild on my side. And, while all of her grandparents spoil her rotten, this Christmas was CRAZY.

She's five years old, and she got a mini laptop from Gramma and Grampa (hubby's parents), because they weren't using it.
She got a Wii (family gift) and games and controllers from Oma and Papa, along with all of her hockey gear (which, came in handy at her first Beginning Hockey session).

But, the "prize" this year, goes to Mimi. My mother. And I'm not talking about the good kind of prize, either.

I love my mother. I love the way Princess says "Mimi" in that sweet, sweet little voice of hers.

Mimi is an elementary school principal. She connects with kids. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Which, is why, I'd have thought Lucifer would have had a difficult time pulling a fast one on her.
But this Christmas, he did. And now, I'M PAYING FOR IT.

Like I said, Mimi hangs with small children all day. And kids get CRAZY around the holidays. So, I guess she cannot be blamed completely for falling victim to Lucifer and his wicked ways.

I'm sure he showed up at her door, bottle of wine in hand - so it's somewhat understandable that she mistook the "SATAN" name tag for "SANTA". I mean, it's the same letters and everything...

Mimi went hog wild on the kids this year.

(Princess is not only the oldest grandchild, she's also the only girl. So, yeah, two-for-two. Kid made out like a frickin' bandit.)

And, while most of what Princess got was very cool, I will now share with you those gifts that were clearly inspired by Satan, and not that Jolly Elf, Santa:

First up are the Williams-Sonoma "ABC Cookie Cutters". Seriously. I mean, I know the ADORABLE, brightly colored lunch box that houses these beauties is great, but they are still cookie cutters. And, there's 26 of them. AND, by their very nature, imply that someone (read: ME) needs to prepare some sort of dough substance on which these puppies can be used.
Awesome.
Cuz, I'm ALWAYS baking shit.

Strike One.

Then, there is the Cupcake Making Set. Yes, set. Get this - the box boasts that the set includes: an icing decorator bag with six different tips, 24 paper cupcake liners, a mini cupcake pan, and a 36-page cupcake cookbook.

Did you see that correctly? THIRTY-SIX FREAKING PAGES!
So, yeah, if I wasn't jazzed about making some cookie dough, imagine the utter delight with which I am anticipating the cupcake making session.
(The pan, by the way, only makes 6 at a time. So, with 24 liners provided, a little quick math tells me, I must complete the process four times. Awesome.)
I know Princess enjoys baking ... but still - I AM NOT MARTHA FREAKING STEWART OR BETTY EFFING CROCKER!

Strike Two.

And, last but not least (Satan is still getting a good chuckle outta this one), is a microphone - straight off Center Stage in hell. The stand makes noise via 3 buttons - one is a background track, one makes various rimshot sounds (the sound made on a drum set after a joke is told), and an applause button. Oh, and the microphone actually works. When plugged into it, the stand acts as a speaker for the mic.
A very. loud. annoying. speaker. Of course, my kids LOVE IT. (Yes, Little Man loves it too, so there's the added, "I had it first - No, I HAD IT FIRST" sibling exchange that mothers so adore.)

Strike Three.

Mimi always told me I was a good kid growing up, so, I ask, what gives?