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!

Thanksgiving in Virginia

We spent this Thanksgiving visiting family in the DC area and had a great time. I think Tracy was just excited to dress Alexa in winter clothing - and, of course, she had to buy some news ones as well!

So, what is the first you do when you get to Virginia in late November? Go swimming of course! Alexa's cousins volunteered to come pick us up from the hotel if they got to use the pool. Naturally, the hotel wasn't expecting any swimmers so we had to sneak in. The good news is that we got in. The bad news was that we got in because the doors leading to the courtyard were broken and wouldn't close completely. So, the heated whirlpool saw the most action...

The kids pretty much played all day every day and got along fabulously! Alexa got to try making S'mores and playing in leaves - both were a big hit!











The food was great but the company was better...

Growing Up Fast

Well, we took a big step this weekend and allowed Alexa to go play outside by herself. Although it is liberating, it's also pretty scary. Yesterday, I was watching the kids for awhile and Alexa did not look before crossing the street one time! We live in a gated community and the traffic is pretty light, but there are just enough young drivers to make me nervous.

So, today I went out just to watch and apparently Alexa has learned her lesson. She was going back across the street with her friend and I noticed they were just standing at the end of the driveway with no cars in sight. I asked what they were waiting for and Alexa pointed and said "that car to go by." I looked and there was a car waiting behind the gate, which is at least 200 feet away. I thanked her for being careful and said it was okay to cross when no MOVING cars are coming. I'm a little less nervous now...

Our Little Halloween Treat

Halloween actually started on the 30th for us this year. Our library had a special dress-up storytime with healthy snacks and cookies, plus a costume parade for the waiting voters outside. I quickly learned that things are far more complicated with 4-year-olds because their memories contain more Halloween history.

The plan was for Alexa to wear her Jasmine costume but that changed quickly. Apparently she grew enough for the top and bottom pieces to no longer touch. As a father, I guess I shouldn't complain that my daughter is uncomfortable with showing her midrift! Still, I tried to reason with her that it makes her look MORE like the "real" Jasmine and even showed her the Aladdin DVD cover. Too late, the damage was done. Luckily for Alexa, she has quite the collection of costume options. The Belle dress was out because it drags on the floor slightly. The Cinderella dress didn't even merit a response. So, the winner was her mermaid costume complete with the holes due to its now tight fit. Oh well...

Fortunately, the library visit went well as all the kids were buzzing with excitement (even before the snacks!). Alexa's best friend, Zack, who tends to be more laidback like Alexa was talking more than the librarian. One older girl just completely usurped a story and recited it from memory as the librarian tried to turn the pages fast enough to keep up. In short, it was one of those times when being a parent is really fun and you just sit there with a goofy grin for about an hour. The only bad thing was my lack of a camera- sorry!

On Halloween, I used all of my negotiating powers with help from Tracy and Alexa actually wore her Jasmine costume:

However, you will notice she did pull-up her pants high enough to reach her top. Oh well, compromise is good...

Then it was off to school for a party complete with snacks, a haunted house, and trick-or-treating the other classrooms. I was proud of Alexa because she was initially scared of the ghoul standing outside the Haunted House, but she took my hand and made me go with her.
She surprised me by wanting to go through it again! Even though I was requested to go with her, she quickly left me behind as I slowly navigated the three-foot-high "doorways". She even stopped to feel the "eyeballs", "worms" (not intestines at this age), and point out the scary spiders.
Then, finally, it got dark enough to trick-or-treat - and note Alexa's complete disregard for her midrift! Even though it was rainy and late, she hung in there and made it around the neighborhood with Tracy. A recent phenomenon in our house is Alexa's desire to do things on the pool table. So, of course, there was no better place to dump her haul. Ah to be young again...

Visitors from Denmark

This week we hosted a couple of young ladies from Denmark who were touring Florida with their rhythmic dancing and gymnastics group. They stayed for two nights and performed their show for the neighborhood. Alexa had a great time with them playing pool, the organ, and Wii! We received the traditionally gift of a Danish flag, which Alexa took with her everywhere.

I think everyone had a good time and we'd love (especially Alexa) to host again!

Aruba Notes

Last week, we spent 6 days in Aruba at our Marriott timeshare. We had never been to our actual property since it was being built when we bought it in 2002. The property was gorgeous - so much so that we never left the resort! The lazy river was a huge hit with all of us but I found Alexa's favorite part a little surprising - she loved the spa whirlpool. If Alexa had her way (which she kinda does most of the time), we would have: gone to the beach for 15 minutes, swam in the lazy river for a lap or two, gone down the waterslide a few times, and then spent as long as possible in the spa. This sequence would be repeated until the pool closed or Alexa passed out.

Adding to the fun was a 24-hour stomach flu that Tracy and I each got - thankfully not on the same day. Alexa managed to find more energy than usual and never came close to needing a nap. She was usually the first one up each morning as well. Ah, to be young again!

The other big "attractions" were the many iguanas and geckos scurrying around the pool area. If you were lucky you could catch one swimming across the lazy river, but that was rare due to the number of people usually in the water.

Tracy got the great idea to have Alexa's hair braided on the beach. Over an hour later and with a much lighter wallet she got her wish. Alexa was a real trooper and didn't complain at all. After some initial itchiness, the braids were a big success!

















Overall, I think everyone caught-up on sleep and no one got sunburned, which is a bonus particularly for me!