December Recap

It's been a busy but very fun month! This was the first year that LB started to understand some of the concepts of Christmas. Last year he recognized Santa and would say, "ho ho ho." That was it. This year there was so much more excitement and wonder. I really enjoyed December through the eyes of an almost three year old. Right after Thanksgiving we started putting out some of our decorations. We opted out of a tree this year but I think this will be our last year doing that. We knew we wouldn't be home for the week around Christmas so we decided not to mess with it but seeing how excited LB was about the tree at my parents made me regret that decision. Next year we will have a tree! Any time we saw a Christmas tree he would exclaim, "Look at that Christmas tree!" But we still had fun decorating the house with some twinkly lights, an advent calendar and some other holiday decor.

LB loved choosing a new doll for each day of the month and would cheer almost every day that Christmas was "getting closer!" The Ethiopia doll or "Hipia doll" as LB would say occupied the number 1 spot all month.

At the beginning of the month we met some friends at a holiday festival where they had a Santa and merry go round and a little train ride for the kids. I'm not sure there has ever been a cuter Santa photo. 

Doesn't Santa look pleased to see LB? LB asked for a "really, big airplane." Shock. 

Towards the middle of the month, we took LB to an event called A Tuba Christmas. It is what it sounds like - a bunch of tubas playing Christmas songs. Given LB's love of music we figured this event would not disappoint. He was a little stunned by the sounds TONS of tubas made but he enjoyed it and still talks about it. For several days afterwards, he kept asking if he could have a tuba. And he still talks about how the musicians raised their tubas at the end of some of the songs. He also likes to pretend to conduct musical instruments and then take a bow. It's pretty cute.

D and I really enjoyed Tuba Christmas and I am hoping it can become an annual Christmas tradition. (Yes, I am still obsessed with photo collages.)

The day before we were supposed to fly to Tulsa to be with my family, we made a crazy decision and decided to drive instead. There was snowy weather headed our way so D suggested we get out ahead of it and not risk cancelled or delayed flights. It ended up being a good decision but was very unlike us. We aren't typically fly by the seat of our pants type of people. LB did pretty well and the drive provided for an unexpected and hilarious meet up on the Oklahoma turnpike with another Ethiopia adoptive family I only know through blogging. It is worthy of it's own post. (Teaser - we met THIS wonderful and adorable family.) Truly amazing! More to come.

Once we got to Tulsa, LB had a blast with my family. My cousins from Kansas City came down for a visit and that was definitely a highlight. LB and my cousin created a new game called Drum Ball. Watch for it as a possible future Olympic Sport.

At one point, all of us were gathered in the family room and LB shouts, "Everybody up! Everybody Dance!" He's pretty hard to say no to so we all obliged. He's got some legit moves.

We have a bit of a tradition running for taking LB to see Santa near my parents' house on Christmas Eve. So even though he had already seen Santa we made a last minute visit to see him again. Thankfully, LB still asked for a "really, big airplane." Whew. As always, his personality shines through in photos.

We also went to the candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve and LB was truly an angel through the whole service. D reminded me to keep that memory close when LB was throwing a fit on the drive home. I also took possibly my favorite photo of LB from 2012 at the service. In my opinion, the look of awe and wonder in his face truly captures the spirit of Christmas. I love that boy of mine.

Christmas morning did not disappoint and LB got his "really, big airplane." However, we think his favorite gift was from Aunt Bebe. She got him a trumpet and he plays with it constantly. 

Clearly, he is imparting his own style to the art of playing the trumpet. The next big thing will be to play the trumpet upside down.

Thankfully, we survived the long drive back to Ohio despite driving through some nasty snow.

I hope your holidays were filled with joy and cheers to a happy new year!