We went to take Christmas pictures yesterday, and it felt like a Simpsons episode, all that was missing was the nudity…check that, Nita changed Josie for the picture in the lobby. At least it wasn’t Connor stripping down to his birthday best and mooning the store. Not that he’s above that. As we were looking at the proofs it was a cornucopia of faces and everyone looking at everyone instead of the camera. It was really pretty fun picking out the card. We were able to chuckle and relive the entire shoot. Of course Connor was making little faces and Josephine was checking out her new shoes, Connor chanting, “Gumball gumball” the entire time. I’m sure she was wondering where her toes went. Then there were so many props around it was almost too much stimulus. Then of course she’d catch a glimpse of something interesting and off she went. Meanwhile Connor being a good big brother was trying to either catch or watch Josie. Nita and I are trying to keep looking into the lens and hope the kids were too. I’ll post the pictures a bit after Christmas for a good chortle. All in all both kids did great. Connor was very well behaved and he got his gumball reward as promised.
It’s amazing what we’ll do for a little treat isn’t it? I remember 37 years ago getting stitches with the promise of a lollipop which I did not get by the way. But Connor will behave at the grocery store for his half doughnut and lollipop and balloon that HEB so generously provides (not the doughnut, that we purchase). Seriously, Connor will do trigonometry if it means watching a Thomas train video or getting a cup cake. Actually, what’s been pretty fun is Connor is way into the classics. Knowing us, you know we’re kind of old school, so this should come as no surprise. Connor LOVES the Wizard of Oz, Dumbo, the Aristocats, Winnie the Pooh, Jungle Book, Pinocchio, and the Robin Hood with the foxes and bears. And to be honest, we love watching those classics with him. We don’t deprive him of the more contemporary stuff, he watches Cars and Nemo, etc. but if given the choice, he’ll pick one of the classics. Pretty cool.
Josephine is still in to the three dimensional entertainment. She’d rather grab things, hug stuffed animals, put things in her mouth, etc. She’s not as interested in the video entertainment…yet. She’ll also grab a book and scoot her way over to you, book in tow. She then moves you into position to hold her and read her the story. She’s a page turner as well, very participative. As for the videos, sometimes when Connor gets up to dance with one of his shows, she’ll also do a little dance or at least coo and wiggle.
Speaking of shows, it is a little weird going into this Thanksgiving. For at least a few years, this is going to be the very last A&M vs. Texas football game. I remember skipping several Thanksgiving dinners (to my mother’s chagrin), in order to say in College Station for the game and usually wave Cotton balls (back then when A&M won (five times in a row) we’d usually also with the South West Conference and then it was off to the Cotton bowl). And now 115 years of tradition is slipping away. I won’t talk about who is more or most at fault, because we’re really beyond the “why” and stuck with the “is.” As most of you know, I went to A&M and my lovely wife went to Texas. It has been a fun rivalry for our entire marriage with each of us buying little trinkets involving our Alma maters for the kids. And of course last year we had to put our dog of 14 years (Rio) down at half time. It had nothing to do with the score, he had organ failure and the after-hours emergency clinic said it was time and of course we had to be there with him to say goodbye. I always thought I’d be able to share a virtual toast at halftime with all my friends in honor of Rio. Now it just seems weird that it won’t happen for a while. I hate when they move traditions. I even hated when they moved the game off of Thanksgiving. It just didn’t feel the same.
This year we’re heading down to Houston for a big Italian Thanksgiving, lots of Aggies, and a lot of food. Connor will get to run around with his cousins and have a really good family experience. And desserts! That boy has a sweet tooth like his momma. Josie will be passed around, cheeks pinched and her little feet may not touch the ground the whole time. She too can put away some food; I can’t wait to hear the comments about her little appetite. In any case, we’re taking both moms and it should be a fun time for all. I’ll let you know how it actually turned out next week. Hopefully it won’t be a Simpsons Thanksgiving. And let’s hope the nudity is limited to Josie and the changing table. But one never knows.
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