Christmas 2011

Christmas came more quickly than usual, I swear. Thankfully, we didn't feel any great urge to be excessive in our Christmas prep or buying, and we kept our plans simple (read "relaxed"). Note: we have been obsessively playing with our new smart phones (our Christmas presents this year) as the pictures below reflect.

 Christmas eve morning we went out to breakfast at the new Sabrina's located in University City. The place was surprisingly quiet, and O.K. especially good (maybe there's a correlation there...).

Then there were cookies to make (with the plan to leave a few out for Santa).

 Oscar helped with the most important parts, like cleaning the beaters,

 cutting out the cookies with cookie cutters, and later, sprinkling the colored sugar on top of the icing.

 Yum!

 We watched the old 1946 version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and then put Oscar to bed. He was hoping to see Santa (and got a little sad about it), but fell asleep in his usual easy way. Then John and I got busy wrapping a few gifts and setting up his "big" present--the crane. We put out the other gifts from family and friends as well.

 In the morning we were too busy enjoying the moment to get a picture, but O.K.'s face was priceless as he came down the stairs. He whispered "a crane" and plopped down to play, completely oblivious to the rest of the gifts or the stockings hanging up. John and I were able to get coffee and relax while he built and rebuilt (and built and rebuilt) a clock tower to demolish with his new crane. 

 After a relaxing morning and some breakfast, we opened our stockings and other gifts. The presents from family were so thoughtful, and Oscar took a lot of time appreciating each one as it was opened. There were puzzles, the game Zingo (yes, he's just about ready to play games!), bath crayons, and books, among other perfect gifts. It was probably good it was just us three, because the time he spent exploring each gift would have been too much for anyone other than his parents.

Personalized puzzles from Gus and Gum were a big hit.

 And Oscar announced that a book called "Trucks" from Uncle Pete and Aunt Linsey was his "favorite book" (officially his first "favorite" anything). Later in the afternoon, we skyped with John and Erin (and Sage!). It was so fun to connect with some family. It was also the moment we had to admit that we were still in our pajamas. In our defense, we've all been sharing a nasty cold, so we decided to be okay with that.

Of course, John and I received some lovely presents too. I got five new scarves (from different people) and had to try them all on at once.

We made and ate delicious food (including nuts cracked by the squirrel nutcracker left by Santa) and enjoyed our time together. Throughout the day I was reminded of how thankful I am for my "boys" and for the restful time I get to spend with them during this holiday break.

The Polar Express Train Ride

Oscar and I got to ride on a train last Thursday on the New Hope and Ivyland Railway. We went with my friend Christine, her two boys, and several other teacher-friends and their children. Before the train, we went to see a large gingerbread house display and run around for a bit at Peddler's Village.

 Checking out the fish, and generally running around.

The guardrail for the gingerbread houses was understandably tall, but between tip-toes and a few boosts, O.K. managed to see them all.

Some of the boys who were in our group (the boy next to Oscar happens to be in my class this year--he was VERY sweet with O.K..)

The train!

 Then it was time to ride! We got on the train and took a ride through the countryside.

 O.K. on the train.

 While we rode, Santa and Mrs. Claus came through and chatted with the kids, the kids were given hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes, and this guy came through with his banjo to lead some carols. Each child was also given a special jingle bell to ring.

 Back on the platform, the boys played with the machines.

 Then, right before it was time to leave, we got to see an engine getting coupled onto the next train. 

It was a fun day.

Santa and Trains

We took our now annual trip down to Reading Terminal Market to see the model train exhibit with a few friends and their tots last weekend.

Oh, what fun!

Oscar really liked pushing the buttons to make the trains and other things move in the display. 

 Admiring the sweets with Lucy (clearly MY kid).

Then we all caravan-ed over to Love Park to see the Christmas Village. With all of the levels and steps, it was not very stroller friendly, but we stayed long enough to get an ornament and see this guy:

 

Santa! Without worry, Oscar found his spot on Santa's lap. He even told Santa that he wanted "a crane" for Christmas and thanked him when we were leaving. I still have mixed feelings about the whole Santa thing, but I can't not love these annual moments and the way they mark time passed each year.

Tree Trimming Time

We wish we were the types that go out to some farm in the country to chop down our own tree and drink hot cocoa in some be-twinkled barn, but we aren't--at least not yet. We managed to drive down Baltimore Avenue a short way,

 wander around a parking lot full of trees until we found the right one, 

 and call the whole thing done and done.

After some wrestling with the lights comes the fun part--ornaments! There were casualties, but soon O.K. started to get the hang of it.

O.K.'s ornament hanging strategy: find the right branch, and then sort of drop the ornament close to the tree, hoping it'll stick. Surprisingly, this works about half of the time.

(Is O.K. really this tall???)

 Officially trimmed!

Santa Sent Oscar a Video...

and here it is:  Video from Santa. Oscar watched in awe. And though he can't read yet, when Santa got to the part about a special toy just for him, Oscar whispered "a crane" (so at least I know I'm on the right track).