“You know how they make very nice, expensive replicas of Harry Potter wands and stuff?”
“Yes…”
“Well, I want to get Ali something like that for Christmas – something special just from Daddy.”
“Umm…a wand?”
“No, no, no. Not Harry Potter – something Princess related. I want to get her a real-feeling, heavy piece of treasure of some sort. Like a “real” Princess necklace or something. Does Disney make that?”
“I don’t think so, but I’m sure we could find something.”
And so began the search for a treasure. Every time we went Christmas shopping, Chris would gravitate to sparkly things and feverishly search through the clearance costume jewelry, looking for a heavy, “authentic”, treasure.
And finally, he found it. A ridiculously gigantic gold sparkly bejeweled monstrosity. For $13.
He was elated.
“It’s perfect!!”
“It looks like something Flavor Flav would wear!!”
“No, it looks like a treasure.”
“Okay, babe.”
He brought it home and we admired it’s overwhelming size and sparkliness.
“Which princess story does it look like it’s from?”
“Umm…?”
We stared and stared.
Finally, I suggested, “Why don’t you write a Princess story to go with it?”
He looked intrigued. He pondered…he thought…
“It looks like it could be an Egyptian treasure. I could write a story about a little Cleopatra or something.”
“Ali HAS been obsessed with Pyramids lately…but skip the part about them being full of dead people. She’s not so thrilled about that.”
Soon after, he presented me with the rough draft.
It was perfect. There were so many touches of Ali’s personality throughout the pages, and he even used words that Ali coined, like “swoopy”. This book was written to the exact specifications of our daughter.
We were both giddy with excitement over the idea of Ali receiving a custom-written book AND an associated treasure for Christmas – could anything be more exciting and meaningful?
On Christmas morning, we opened all of the presents and stockings, all the while telling Ali that she had one more special present from Daddy. After Noah went down for his morning nap, we pulled out the much anticipated box.
She opened it.
“It’s a book.”
“Yes!! A book that Daddy wrote just for you!!”
She read the name of it.
“The st… st… star of … Ege. Egy. Egypt!! The Star of Egypt!”
She seemed excited.
We were excited.
Chris opened the book to begin to read.
“No…I don’t think that I want to read this right now.”
“What? Why not? It’s a book that Daddy wrote JUST for you!”
“I think I’d rather play with my new toys.”
Well okay then.
We began to consider the possibility that perhaps almost-five-year-olds didn’t measure worth in the same way that thirty-plus-year-olds did.
I mean, GEEZ – I’d love to have a book custom written just for me.
Oh well.
As the day wound down, families had all been seen, and presents had all been opened, Chris and I hatched a new plan.
“We’ll read it for bedtime. She’ll totally be into it then – anything to delay bedtime.”
Yes, that was the ticket.
So we got Noah off to sleep and pulled out the book. Ali was totally tuned in as Chris read her the story of Cleo.
After he got to the last page, Chris asked Ali,
“What do you think happened to the Star of Egypt?”
“It’s pretend! It’s not real.”
“There’s another present down in the bottom of the box. Why don’t you see what it is?”
“It’s a pretty necklace!!”
“What does it look like?”
“I don’t know.”
“Does it look like something in the book?”
“No.”
“Look on the front cover again.”
“It looks like the Star of Egypt!!”
“But that was just a story. And this is real!! How can that be, Daddy??”
…and then what followed was a ten minute interrogation into the minutia of what was and was not real, right down to the swoopy birds.
Finally, after all was as clear as the sands of Thebes, she felt comfortable relaxing and enjoying her new treasure.
“…but be sure to tell me if you see any Swoopy Birds, okay Mommy? ANY Swoopy Birds.”
What an amazing gift! Love this.
You should publish that! What a wonderful story!
I would love a book custom-written for me too!!! It’s a good thing she finally let him read it to her ;)
Although now you may have unlocked a swoopy-bird-phobia…
That is awesome. It is kind of a monstrosity, but I bet it’s beautiful to her. What a great idea, Chris!
What a sweet present!
What an awesome gift – that is a treasure for sure :)
Beautiful gift from daddy to sweet girl. Thanks for sharing!
So sweet Rachel!
Wow! That is an amazing one-of-a-kind present. Loved the story and the “swoopy birds”.
what a great story and a great dad! I love the little hand waving from behind the rock picture.
That was my favorite picture too!! That and the knobbly-kneed camels.
Blake and I loved Ali’s reaction! We were all eager to hear how the gifting of this present went. I’m glad that she warmed up to it by bedtime. I thought it was an EXCELLENT gift!! Swoopy birds included :)
That is a very cool story – just the right amount of ‘safe’ drama and adventures. Ali is a very lucky girl to have you guys as parents!
CUUUUUUUUUUTE!!! That was amazing! Man, that was the best gift EVER! I bet you could publish that story and sell necklaces to go with it. Fantastic. Perhaps we’ll have to try something like that in the future. My husband is also very creative (I am not) and he’s written me stories before. He would do great at something like this. SO cool!
Let me know if you do!! It was great fun to create it and to give it.
this was precious!! such a great idea and kudos for Chris coming up with it on his own! she’s sure to remember this forever. :)
This is just beyond precious. Way to go Daddy-o! I love it when grown men go out in search for treasures for their little girls. Sweet, sweet, sweet!
*Aubrey received a special book from her Grandmother who recently returned from a trip to Australia. Of course, Aubrey refused wholeheartedly to let her read it to her. Kids…
Ali even refused to OPEN two of her relative’s presents at one of our get-togethers. I think it’s an embarrassment thing – I remember being embarrassed as a kid to open presents in front of large crowds.
OH wow, what a special gift! How creative!
I love love love it!!!! He did such a great job writing and illustrating the story. I am still smiling. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!! I thought he did, too. I was awed by the finished product!