For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 24, 2014

Very nice pun, John. Really put your parents-in-law on the spot.

I wonder if John would make such a crack if the grandma and grandpa from HIS side of the family were coming over.;-D

Are Michael and Elizabeth old enough to understand what ‘booty’ is, first of all, and secondly, to be familiar with the saying ‘age before beauty’? No, and no. So I’m guessing that this joke was an effort to break the fourth wall….

I recall Bill Watterson once commenting on the temptation to use one’s parental authority for private jokes.;-D

we all know John wouldn’t have waited

The solution to the problem is to make so much anticipatory noise that the grandparents wake up (or “arise from their nap to see what is the matter”). 3 a.m., 6 a.m, whatever.

Age before booty call?

I have yet to sleep later on Christmas than my grandchildren and my dad was always up before anyone. My kids did wake up before me one year and played Monopoly before dawn but that’s the only time anyone has beat out my side of the family on Christmas.

One time, I kidded our children about waking their Mother and myself up early. They promptly went and opened all their gifts w/o either parent there. The children and I were not on anybody whos’ close ‘good’ list that year for about three days—never kidded about that—AGAIN ! ! ! !

House rule was always that if children woke up before parents, they could unload their stockings. My parents, and later I, always had a few toys or games tucked in along with cookies and an orange and a few candies to keep us occupied..

There was one rule us kids couldn’t stand, opening all our gifts on Christmas Eve! I mean what’s the point? Then there’s nothing to look forward to on Christmas morning. Now that I’m grown, my rule is wait until Christmas morning.

That was a bootyful pun-ishing reply.

Bad pun, made worse by nasty comments. Merry Christmas!

never lose the chance to take a slap at Ellie even though she’s not here. My father used to make stupid jokes when the kids were trying to be serious; all it taught us was that he had more regard for feeling like he was :“clever” than for having a real conversation with us.

Old people are usually awake before the birds so it shouldn’t be a problem.

John — carry that thought out throughout the day — have the grandparents (and then parents) open all of their gifts before the young’uns get to theirs.

Duck, I think he meant that Lynn named Watterson’s characters John & Elizabeth.

For us we decided to wait until Christmas afternoon. Our then young children I cannot remember if they waited until afternoon or that morning been too long ago, then sister/hubby joined us and we waited until meal is over with. Then evening drive around, thank goodness gas price is down, to look at lights.With my point once gifts are opened Christmas is over with.After family is gone we have a more personal time.

Not funny when Ellie tells John that when he wants to get some while the grandparents are over.