1. Taking WB to see Santa. When it was her turn to talk to him she had no hesitation at all ... climbed right up into his lap, beaming from ear to ear, and asked him the question she'd been practicing all the way to the mall.
"How do you get here before Christmas?" she wondered.
"I take a big jet airplane," he said. "The elves are taking care of the reindeer are back at the North Pole. They need to rest up for Christmas Eve."
"Oh!" she said. "I take a airplane to Chicago."
They agreed that airplane rides are fun, she accepted her candy cane, gave him a hug goodbye ... and remembered as soon as we were out of sight that she'd forgotten to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.
We got back in line. Thankfully, it was the middle of a work day, and there wasn't much of a wait.
Even if there had been, it would have been worth it to see this smile on the child's face.
"I wike Santa. He's my buddy."
2. Tree shopping with the children. Last year this was an a last minute affair ... this year we went out a full week before Christmas, and found a really lovely tree (and two wreaths, and a pie) at a local farmstand. Eldest helped the farmer tie the tree to the roof, which pleased the gentleman so much that he gave the boy a pecan pie as a thank you.
3. One of the top items on WB's wishlist was a new toy castle. We have two old Fisher Price versions, but they're grey plastic, and she wanted a "princess" one. Santa was very, very excited to find this lovely castle on Craigslist.
4. Going to a matinee of "Lincoln" with Eldest. The movie was great, the time with my boy better. We're going to see "Les Miserables" together after the other kids go back to school.
5. Lots and lots of time with my family. Everyone is healthy, happy, and doing well.
Which is the best gift of all.
****
Looking back:
The first post of each month in 2012 ...
January: At the beginning of last month Eldest and I were watching tv together.
February: In stark contrast to 2011, when I finished exactly ZERO pairs of mittens, I was able to get four pair off my needles during NaKniMitMo '12.
March: We had a snow day yesterday ("At last!" said the children. "If we must," said I).
April: My life keeps getting in the way of my blogging.
May: Mom went home from the hospital at the end of last week.
June: In January, 1994 my husband and I looked at our new baby and marveled at the idea that this little scrap of humanity would some day graduate from high school.
July: WB and I headed to the grocery store this morning, after dropping Her Ladyship off at summer gym.
August: We did our family vacation a little differently this year.
September: We had several very good reasons for deciding that B would be the only one to take Eldest to college, but that doesn't mean I liked it.
October: My mother loaned us my father's car for the summer, which was a Godsend, and much appreciated, but a) we have no need for it now that Eldest is at school, and b) she wanted it back for the winter.
November: Scott died early last Thursday morning, four days after it became clear that his body could fight no longer.
December: Earlier this week, we got news that made us jump for joy ....
and what came off my knitting needles during the year:
*****
It's been quite a year! Many thanks to you for following along.
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2013 ....
1 comment:
A lovely castle for a lovely princess. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2013! Am a long time reader and really love your blog.
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