Bibbity Bobbity Boo!

We went to our first Christmas parade of the season tonight, and i have to say, it was magical. It wasn't a disney-esque extravaganza, or over the top amazing, but being able to see all the floats, "princesses" (aka: Miss Small Town pageant winners), scouting troops, and winter figures through the eyes of my three year old was just amazing. Frequently the holiday season comes and goes without my truly feeling involved or inspired, so I am delighted to say "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

It was so sweet to get our girls bundled up, we put them in footie pajamas and snow suits. Our oldest (only 3 years old), donning a Santa hat, got herself so worked up and excited that she ran out of steam in the car on the way to the parade. Sound asleep, my husband got her out of the car, put her coat on her, and hiked almost 3 blocks holding her, and she never even opened her eyes. We had to wake her up just before the color guard came down the street as the start of the parade. My youngest (7 months) just thought it was a little busy, a little loud, and eventually went to sleep in the comfort and warmth of the sling.

Even my husband got into everything waving at all the fire trucks and he especially loved the Boy Scout troops, since he is an Eagle Scout. J (the 3YO) was giddy with excitement when a snowman walked down the street and I think she loved the marching bands almost as much as her mother.

If you find yourself feeling a bit Scrooge-ish this holiday season, try to find a small town parade, and immerse yourself in the spirit! Happy Holidays!

Where do they get it?

My daughter, who is prone to a few bizarre behaviours, has recently started saying "It's AWESOME!" "Isn't that AWESOME, Mommy?" I have no idea where this came from. It is sort of funny and slightly disconcernting to me. I suppose i should pay very careful attention to the environment around us for clues, since she is apparently going to pick up the oddest phrases from goodness only knows where.

The three "G"s of gift Receiving

Before i begin, i should preface this with, i saw the Three "G's" of gift receiving a few years ago on a sitcom. I am not sure which one, Friends, According to Jim... anyway. But as the holiday season approaches, you are sure to get a "less than perfect" gift. If you would like to avoid insulting or offending the gift giver, then this little tid bit should help. The three "G's" are as follows. When someone gives you a gift, you open it, then:
1) GASP. And i mean, suck all the air out of the room. Act as if it is the most fabulous gift you have ever been given.
2) GRIN. BIG. The grinning can take an extra few seconds for you to formulate the proper 3rd step in your head before you open your mouth.
3) GUSH. "It is perfect" or "How did you know?" "Where did you find such an exquisite piece?" "Who told you i needed one of these?" "You know me so well." Well, i am sure you get the picture.

The following is not my usual take on things, but i just have to voice some agitation. I recently gave someone a gift. Not just a "ran out and bought it at the last second" gift, but one that i KNEW the person wanted, one that i purposefully and thoughtfully went and selected FOR that person. When gift opening ensued, the individual was less than thrilled, to say the least. I was hurt that i had disappointed the recipient, and then became downright offended when *I* was asked to return said item and select again! Since when is it the responsibility of the gift GIVER to return or exchange a gift? Isn't that what a gift receipt is for? Needless to say, this person will be getting gift cards (if anything) forever more.
So this is my PSA. GASP. GRIN. GUSH.
Happy Holidays folks.

Amazed

So, i have learned that my children will never cease to amaze me. Yesterday, my 7 month old started pulling up to standing. I feel like that shouldn't be happening already since it feels like just a week ago we brought her home from the hospital. She is incredibly proud of herself, too. I just love the silly grin she gets and then she screeches so that everyone (including the dogs) will look and appreciate what she just accomplished.

then, in the same day, my not quite 3 year old noticed the letters on a store that we visited. She informed me that they were large and purple, which they were. This was not astonishing to me, as she has been able to recognize letters and color for some time. What astounded me, was when she read them off "B-A-B-I That says Baby!" Okay, so i know it isn't perfect, but for a not quite 3 year old, color me highly impressed - with big purple letters!

Children truly are little sponges, and it is moments like that that make me thankful that i do actually put the time in with her to play, teach, guide, help her and learn FROM her.

Unanswered Questions

I frequently throw my questions about life out to the void, and either I figure things out, an answer comes to me, or the problem resolves itself. However, lately I have been feeling like my questions are being answered in a foreign language, like the universe is yelling at me "DO THIS" only I don't understand what the message is, only that it is urgent. I would dare to say that none of my current questions would warrant such a dramatic response. If you do not believe in fate, the power of the universe, signs, or the like, you may not understand the feelings I am trying to express.

I will admit, sometimes, I can read the signs wrong. Today for example, while running some errands, I passed a police officer supervising traffic around a construction zone. It was right around 32 degrees F today, so a bit nippy. At that moment, I thought "I should bring him some coffee." Well, after running my errands I had all but forgotten about the frozen "copcicle" until I ran through a drive through to get myself a coffee and my daughter a doughnut. The clerk accidentally charged me for 2 coffees and the doughnut. I had put the charge on my debit card, so instead of going through the hassle of removing the charge, getting a refund, etc, I thought maybe this was a sign that I SHOULD take that cold police officer a nice hot cup of coffee. So, away I went with the piping hot coffee, only to find that the construction crew including the supervising police officer were gone. So, my efforts at good karma were thwarted today.

I have gotten off topic. I still have my questions about my life, direction, goals, paths, and I am hoping that someday very soon I start to recieve my responses in English. Or at the very least, clearer signs that point me in the right direction!
Thanks for reading.