2008 Holiday Season - Part 2

We decided to take Alexa to see Santa at the mall. Maybe it is just because I rarely did this and it has been over 30 years since the last time, but I didn't remember having to purchase a photo package for the privilege of sitting on some impostor's lap. I'm certain this wasn't the case in "A Christmas Story", which is the only image that really comes to mind when I think of this tradition. As you can see from the photo below, our Santa looked the part - other than that Ebenezer Scrooge expression of disinterest on his face! Can you imagine making that face when our beautifully attired daughter graces your presence?! It probably comes as no shock that the best picture of the event was taken by Tracy...



Of course, being at a mall during the Holidays with a four year old necessitates at least a little shopping. After getting some clothes and knick-knacks, Tracy casually asks Alexa if she would like to have her ears pierced as we pass the "Piercing Pagoda". Alexa agreed with some trepidation but was sold once we let her pick out her starter earrings! The employee warned us that they typically do both ears at the same time for young girls because sometimes after the first piercing the child doesn't want the second. So, two employees readied their "guns" while Tracy setup in prime picture taking position (I was nearby for moral support). The tension was high...and then...it was over. Literally, Alexa didn't even flinched. Tracy had to ask if they were done. Alexa almost looked bored. So, the pictures below accurately reflect her reaction:



Coming up next will be the start of the actual Holidays...

2008 Holiday Season - Part 1

Well, I'm finally getting around to the long overdue December update - or I should say updates! I blame my procrastination on the volume of events and, of course, college basketball. Between all the preparations, school activities, family visits and celebrations, the month absolutely flew by! Here's what Christmas looks like in South Florida:

Alexa has gotten to a really fun age for, well, pretty much any event - although she does occasionally decide to act her age. Such was the case when we went to a special "Behind-the-scenes of the Nutcracker" show. Alexa is in her second year of ballet and tap, and was very excited to see "real" dancers perform. The show was very interesting. The director brought out several dancers and had them demonstrate various ballet movements and people were allowed to ask questions. Then the dancers performed many of the scenes in full costumes. Unfortunately, Alexa's patience for sitting still ran-out almost immediately due to the abundance of other children around.

Other parents have described their children as progressing through alternating six-month cycles: one in which the child is an angel and another where the child is...er...not such angel. December was the end of one of the latter periods for Alexa. To be fair, there was so much going on I'm sure she wasn't getting enough sleep and was overstimulated. I know for those of you who've met Alexa, it is hard to believe. Trust me, the halo does disappear. However, I'm not here to disparage my daughter because she was very sweet most of the time and you won't see any pictures that show otherwise.

Stay tuned for the more jolly updates coming VERY soon - no seriously, I promise!