Post-Christmas Recycling

Christmas at our home has quickly come and gone for us but it seems that the younger you are, the longer this holiday drags out. In Sarah's case, it probably feels like Day #834 of Christmas since we are still opening presents that were stuffed into the trunk and front-seat of our mini-SUV only 6 short days ago. (Yes, she was spoiled again this year.) Which brings to mind, this Sarah is one really lucky girl because she will get 'Christmas' twice yearly since her birthday is in the spring.

With all these presents, our home has been transformed to a primary-coloured, plasticky, squeaky wonderland. So much for thinking that her toys would remain confined to the playroom in the basement. My fingers have been getting cuts left and right from opening box after box of junk wonderful presents that we have so graciously received from family and friends. In case you haven't been exposed to it, these said boxes are horrendously difficult to pull apart, especially when you have a toddler screaming at you to get the said gift out of the box now (and asking for Daddy to "haap" because Mom is apparently incompetent).

Take evidence #1,786 for instance.

It doesn't look like it would be particularly onerous to open, right? WRONG. It took me a good 20 minutes to free the bus and school from 11 heavy-duty plastic twist ties that were doubly secured with the stickiest packing tape ever, while Sarah looked on and offered to "haap Mum" because I, again, was too slow.

You would think that this was some precious, valuable piece with all the wrapping that came with it, instead of some plastic "Made in China" toy! Next year, I should request that either my kid gets no gifts or that the gift-giverer must remove all packaging before wrapping it up or face the wrath from a child in her terrible twos :)

Sadly, Sarah (being too smart for her own good and having lame-o parents) knows where we have secretly stashed her gifts so she has been helping herself to presents when she is bored of her new ones. Wonderful - more box-cuts coming our way. Thank goodness for our large recycling bin!