The Kassel Family Project Life 365

The Christmas shopping for the kids is officially done!  Check!  Most of the items are stashed in our closet in various boxes.  A few items still have to arrive, but everything is ordered.  Another item off my list!  Woo Hoo!

See the big hole in the Reindeer Pajama pants?  I called American Girl today because the back seam on the pants split and frayed after only two wearings by Laura’s American Girl doll.  I am amazed at the result!  It was literally some of the best customer service that I’ve ever received.  The pants are part of an entire set that also includes a shirt, reindeer antler headband, and slippers.  All I really wanted was to return the pants for a new pair.  When I explained the situation and mentioned that returning the pants to a store is difficult because the closest store is two hours away, the customer service representative was extremely apologetic.  American Girl is replacing the pants and I don’t have to return the other pair.  If they can’t replace just the pants, they will replace the entire outfit.  When I inquired about returning the pants with the hole, I offered to pay for shipping.  The representative said, “Absolutely not.  If we sell an inferior product, we replace it.  American Girl is made to last.”  Also, during the course of the conversation with her, I mentioned that the Reindeer Pajamas were part of Laura’s first trip to an American Girl store and I had bought her first doll.  The woman asked how her trip was and if everything was exactly as we hoped.  I explained how great the store experience was and how excited and happy Laura was.  The representative responded with, “That’s so great!” and she sounded genuinely happy that Laura’s experience had been so fantastic.  I spent 20 minutes on the phone with the representative and was just impressed with her attitude.  Originally, I was annoyed that a doll outfit cost $28, but I have to say….  Today took away all my annoyance.  It made me feel good that a company actually cared and they took the time to ask all about Laura’s experience too.  My initial reservations about shopping there because of the cost are gone.  Any company with an attitude like that merits my repeat business.  Thanks American Girl!  Oh, and the new Reindeer Pajama pants should arrive in roughly 6-10 business days.

The Kassel Family Christmas cards are stuffed, labeled, and going out in the mail today!  Another Christmas task checked off the list!

Oh, Lowery Family?  I realize you live 1 1/2 blocks from our house, but your card is getting mailed.  My assembly line helpers (A.K.A. Laura and John) helped me prepare the cards.  In my distracted state, I stamped your envelope.  I refuse to waste a stamp, so mail it is!  🙂

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas decorating process is setting up our Christmas Tree.  Despite a very frustrating start (only one set out of *ten* of our Christmas lights survived the oppressive summer heat while stored in our shed), we did manage to get the Christmas Tree up and decorated.  Once the “Great Christmas Light Debacle of 2012” was solved, it was an enjoyable time for the Kassel Family.  John helped Andy get the ornaments out of boxes; Laura put hooks on all the ornaments; and both kids delivered ornaments to me for placement on the tree.  The kids generally hang any ornaments that are “theirs,” like the Bible ornaments that commemorate their baptisms.

I generally hang the rest of the ornaments or at least tell the kids where to place them on the tree.  Laura is actually getting quite good at identifying where to hang particular ornaments and she’s good at filling in the holes too!

As always, we did not put all the ornaments that we have on the tree.  Andy mentioned that we need a bigger house so we can put up a 12-foot Christmas tree so that we have space for all our ornaments.  I replied, “Why?  So, I can buy more ornaments that we don’t have space for?”  I would, you know.  I have a problem.  I admit it.  In any event, I love our finished Christmas tree.  Let the Christmas season really begin!

Most first Saturdays of each month find us at The Home Depot for Kid’s Workshop.  This month’s project was building a picture frame.  John went first and, as always, enjoyed swinging the hammer the most.  He is a boy after all!  Fortunately, he’s gotten pretty good and Andy doesn’t have to worry so much about John hitting his fingers with the hammer.

Laura was up next and she most enjoyed decorating the frame.  Both kids put their names on their frames along with some other stickers.  Laura was especially excited to find a ladybug sticker for her frame.

Laura came up with the idea of using the pictures frames as Christmas gifts.  I was most excited about that because Laura has participated in 30+ of these and John has participated in 15+ of these.  I’m running out of room for their projects!