my surprise x'mas pressie

i didn't expect any christmas pressie from the hub this year as there wasn't anything in particular i wanted.

he'd asked many times but i couldn't give an answer as i really had no wish list. jewellery doesn't wow me and i can't phantom the fascination with branded bags and clothes. ever since the kids came along, my shopping trips usually end in purchases for the girls and hub, but unsuccessful buys for myself.

of course, i do indulge in the occasional splurge on story books, CDs and LOTR toys (which i've stopped buying as there aren't anymore figurines left - i've gotten all the ones i want). and such items are alien territory to the hub. just like how i'm clueless about kois and cars.

naturally i did tell the hub not to waste any money getting something i didn't want - he's practical enough not to, anyway.

on christmas day, the kids happily ripped open their many presents - the older girls were most thrilled with the super-soaker water guns which the hub had bought (technically i did the shopping but it was his idea to get them the water guns) and we all had fun shooting and spraying each other with water.

i'd bought the hub some "fun" gifts too - Andrea Bocelli's latest album "Incanto", a die-cast Volvo CX 90 (the hub's dream car and i obviously can't afford the real deal) and 18" realistic-looking German Shepherd plush toy which i'd bought from ebay and had to be shipped from USA. (the hub's already brought the toy dog and car to the office so i didn't take photos of the actual presents). these are how the gifts look like though:

initially i wasn't sure if the hub actually liked the gifts as he didn't seem very surprised by them. but since he said that he'd display them in his office i figured he must appreciate them enough. :)

late on friday afternoon, i called the hub to ask if he was sending the girls for their back-to-school haircut and then he dropped the bombshell on me with a "aiyah, why you call now? i'm on my way to buy your x'mas present! but since you already know about it, do you want to come along?"

i was startled and curious for a bit before he explained further "i just called herbert. peni is still available, you know."

six months ago, we'd visited a dog trainer who wanted to sell a female German Shepherd named peni. we were toying with the idea but were not really sure if our little (who's not that little anymore) prince arif would take to having another dog in the house. besides, the asking price was off our budget so we shelved the plan. but i know the hub was still in contact with herbert once in a while.

i wasn't feeling well on friday so the hub went directly from the office to see the dog again. the next day, we packed the kids and arif along, and drove to herbert's home. we wanted to see if arif would take to his potential playmate before we bought her.

peni was little timid when arif started sniffing her but gradually they warmed up to each other (although arif seemed to prefer another female dog who's not for sale - she was bought directly from germany and cost a cool $11k).

here's a close up of arif

our latest canine addition, peni

arif (back, left) and peni (front, right)

the one with "yellow eyes"

arif (left) and peni (right)

peni in her new home

arif in his corner

so far, it's only been 3 days but arif's been a pretty good host - of course he's exceedingly jealous now that he's got a rival for the hub's attention though i'm sure he'll soon be pretty accustomed to having another dog around.

xian's delighted with peni. last night, she followed the hub as he took the dogs out for a long walk. peni's well trained and xian was even able to walk her on the leash. (arif's too strong for xian to handle, so the hub doesn't allow her to hold his leash).

i would have loved to walk along with them but it's tough since i've to take care of the baby. perhaps when i've got extra pairs of hands to help babysit i'll be able to take arif and peni out for their walks.