One of the things I like about being a parent is surprising the kids with gifts from Santa and the Easter Bunny. They get particularly excited about Easter baskets, coming downstairs and seeing what the Easter Bunny left for them. The EB is always very nice and leaves them cool things, like video games, sheet sets, Power Rangers. This year I had to go above and beyond, at least for Dana's EB present. As I mentioned in another post, we're decorating her room over Spring Break in Harry Potter and so I wanted the EB to bring her something for that. We used to have a WB Store here, at Cherry Creek, but it has apparently closed and I haven't any idea of where to buy HP stuff here in town. So I had to order from the WB store online. The EB has gotten her a Hogwarts banner to hang on her wall, and though I was gritting my teeth at the expedited shipping costing almost as much as the banner itself, I bit the bullet and had it shipped over night (I didn't feel I could trust the second day shipping to get it here by tomorrow and their shipper doesn't deliver on weekends, so I had to err on the side of caution, though it cost me an extra 5 dollars in shipping). And low and behold, less than 24 hours after I ordered it, it showed up on my doorstep. I probably could have ordered 2nd day and saved a little, so I'll remember that next time I order from them (I've got my eye on a t-shirt that says "I solemnly swear I am up to no good", and they sent me a five dollar coupon). The banner is now tucked away under some blankets and pillows in the basement spare room, along with all the rest of the Easter goodies, with the door locked (though that's no guarantee that they kids won't get in there. They're industrious little weasels).

I like being a parent. For as unsentimental as I claim to be, I wouldn't trade it for anything.