Christmas, chocolate and presents

We got to spend part of the holidays together. 

That means: Lots of fun Christmas stories!

#1

Dr. ERA was given a box of Trader Joe's Truffles.....and he made the mistake of telling A that he had chocolate. At the end of a very hectic day, A "suggested" that he share his chocolates with her and EHB and he graciously agreed. BUT he was systematically working his way through the surprise flavors (without looking at the chocolate key) and after eating at least half of the box, he had still not gotten the flavor he was most excited about - apple toffee. He was happy to share with us, but he was really hoping one of us didn't pick the apple toffee. We aren't really sure if he was serious or not, but he asked us to only eat half of the truffle and IF we got the apple toffee, please trade with him.

So we studied the remaining chocolates and tried to decipher which one was the apple toffee. A guessed it was the one with the topping that looked like toffee. She picked the one with white frosting thinking it was the vanilla flavor (that she really wanted). And EHB took the one with a caramel colored frosting. 

We followed the request and only took half a bite.EHB immediately knew she had butterscotch. Dr. ERA wasn't so sure what his was...but it had a little bit of a kick to it. A was very confused what her flavor was. So she quickly popped the rest of it in her mouth while Dr. ERA and EHB continued discussing what their flavors may be. While they continued their debate, A flipped the box over to look at the chocolate key and low and behold she had eaten the apple toffee truffle. Ooopppsss.

Dr. ERA couldn't believe it. A had ruined his Christmas....just joking. We all laughed and Dr. ERA quickly shut the box and ate the rest on his own. 

#2

A and EHB had a little roommate Christmas before EHB left to go to her grandparents' house. A had gotten EHB a sweatshirt, a journal called "How to be an adult" and some beautiful markers. 

EHB's present for A had traveled all the way from Germany and had been hidden in her closet. She was very excited to give A the sweet surprise. 

Side note - Days before, A, EHB and Dr. ERA had discussed their favorite foods over lunch. A had mentioned that she LOVES German Milka chocolate called "Schoko & Keks" and Duplos. EHB's mom had always made sure to bring some whenever they came to the US at have some in the house, waiting on A's bed when she came to Germany. 

Back to the story: EHB gave A the first present and A was very excited when she could tell just by how the present was wrapped that there were Duplos underneath the beautiful snowman wrapping paper. 

When she opened the second gift (wrapped in a different kind of snowman wrapping paper), she reacted quite shockingly. "NOOO!", she cried out when she opened the present and found four bars of "Schoko & Keks", "Take them back!". EHB was quite confused. There needed to be some explaining. 

Turns out, even though A is very health conscious, she gets weak when one of those German chocolate bars finds it's way into her house. She wanted EHB to take the bars back, and give them to her one per month, so she would not eat them all at once. EHB could not believe it, but did as she was told. 

And sure enough - a week later, EHB gets a text saying that the first chocolate bar is gone. A had eaten it all by herself. 

Now, this kids, is how you should not react to a present!

#3

After two years of continuous warnings by her phone provider, A's old school flip phone from 2006 (oh my goodness!) was finally cut off. And this only a day before a big snow storm was approaching. 

For those that know A, you know that she was not concerned AT ALL about being without a cell phone. Her plan was to deal with it after Christmas... 5 days later/

On the other hand, EHB was quite concerned. Over lunch with Dr. ERA and A she expressed her worries about A driving alone in the cold at night without a phone. She needed her rommate back after Christmas. 

Despite A's insistence she would be fine without a phone for a few days, EHB was nothing close to convinced. 

At the end of the day, EHB was packing up her stuff when Dr. ERA came into her office and asked if A and her were heading out. He told her he had something he wanted to give us. 

We went back to A's office and he gave us a cold, plastic bag, revealing that he had just purchased this special surprise. With the hope of it being some more chocolate, A reached into the bag and pulled out... a pre-paid phone. Yayyy!

EHB was relieved. A was humored. And Dr. ERA had done his good deed for the day. 

Side note from A - I was right. I did not use the phone. 

Side note from EHB - I don't care. 

 #4

Over the years, A has been known to be generous with her German chocolate. Her family has also developed a taste for it also. Her brother (who does not like to be named on this blog) is especially fond of Duplos.

So A, surprised him with one in his Christmas stocking and he said. "WHAT, EHB comes all the way from Germany and I only get one Duplo!!!" 

A quickly corrected him and said "What I think I heard you say was Thank You for sharing your Duplos with me."

Merry Christmas everyone! We wish you many blessings, laughter and lots of chocolate.