Best holiday gifts aren't what you'd expect

The kids crept in to wake us up at 6 a.m today, just as they promised.

I'm sure they'd been up much longer, but they know the rules - no one goes downstairs on Christmas morning before 6 a.m.

Soon after, the squeals and oohs and ahhs began. But not for the presents I expected.

The big-ticket items were appreciated, of course. But my son's favorite gift wasn't the Wii game we splurged on. It was a Mario figurine stocking stuffer from Santa. ("It can move its arms!")

And our daughter wasn't quite as excited about the Wii art tablet we thought she'd rave over. She was, however, mesmerized by a battery-operated beginner sewing machine.

Me? I'm now the proud owner of a Kindle, and I'm truly very excited. But my favorite gifts, the ones I'm most thankful for, are those two kids who make me appreciate the holiday season more and more every year.

Merry Christmas!