God Jul!

We celebrated on Christmas Eve, as is the custom back home. While we missed sharing the holiday with family, it was the most relaxed Christmas we've ever had. A small Julbord with vegetarian meatballs and sausages, potatoes, beet salad, and Swedish crisp bread. Then on to the gifts!

When asked what they wanted most of all, both girls said Legos. Gayatri then specified that she wanted the Lego Kingdoms Castle.
Sarasvati: "Oh, you know you're not going to get that. It costs over $100!"
Gayatri: "Of course I know that I am not going to get it. That's okay. But if I said anything else I would be lying."

In the end Gayatri said her favorite gift was a porcelain doll that we had bought her at a thrift store for $3. Sarasvati's favorite was a 1915 edition of Heidi with a matching set of handkerchiefs. (By the way, just to be clear, Heidi is Swiss, not Swedish.)

Especially given our limited budget, I am glad our children have such an old-fashioned sense of fun.