Holiday Windows Walk

The city is filled with decorations.  Most storefronts are decked for the holidays, so we went on a walk to specifically to check everything out.

We started at Macy's and walked along Fifth Avenue.  There are tourists everywhere and everyone is out getting holiday shopping done so the sidewalks were packed. 

The window displays are popular attractions, but if you're patient you can eventually get a glimpse. 

We walked about three miles from Midtown to Uptown and stopped at Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Saks, Henri Bendel, Tiffany's, Bergdorf Goodman, Barney's, and Bloomingdale's.  The details of the department store windows could have kept the boys entertained for quite some time.

Perhaps another yearly tradition in the making. 

Ax or Axe

Freddie calls an ax a "battle axe."

It's a toss up if the blame (credit?) is on Charlie or Papi. 

Challenge

Freddie got his first set of Legos (Thank you, Frida!).  He (and Hans) have been busy with Duplos (large Legos) creating, but he hasn't had the experience of following instructions and using pictures to build.

We did the first one together, looking at the pictures to figure out what new piece(s) were added, locating just the right piece, and then figuring out how to snap it together.  It's definitely challenging him but it's exactly what he needs.  It's also going to be a challenging keep up with those teeny, tiny pieces with H-man around.  I need to figure out a storage system and work space for him. 

Card for Dada

Dada on the left, Freddie on the right

I said the letters, he spelled.  He asked I write a Y for him to copy.

A Visit to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre

Today's activity:  Puppet Show.  Off we went to to Central Park.

The Swedish Cottage puts on a few marionette productions throughout the year.  The holiday show is "The Three Bears Holiday Bash."

We were the first to arrive and the boys enjoyed checking out the theater and little benches.  Adults are asked to sit to the back of the theater or off to the sides so children can get the best seats in the house.  Freddie was thrilled to sit away from me with a large group of preschool children who arrived.  He eventually joined Hans and me during the second half of the performance.

Both boys were wide eyed during the hour long performance.  I think Freddie was especially impressed when the puppeteers came out to demonstrate how the puppets work. 

We all enjoyed it and I imagine we'll be returning for future shows.

Notes:

• Tickets are inexpensive:  $8 adults, $5 chilren
• Expect shows to be crowded.  There were three classes of kids in attendance.  I imagine this to be pretty standard.
• There is ample stroller parking inside.
• Arrive early as there are no reserved seating.  Kids fill the front few rows and adults find seats in the back or along the sides. 

Growing up

Today Freddie handed me the miniature bunk beds from his firehouse (a boy version of a doll house) and he called them just that, "bunk beds."  I got a bit teary as my baby boy has always called them "junk beds."  Sigh. 

Freddie Skates

Freddie was able to try ice skating for the very first time at Wollman Rink in Central Park.

He didn't have any problems walking and was fairly confident on the ice, even though he was pretty wobbly at first.  He eventually got his feet going in the right motion, but he still wouldn't let go of my hand.

He couldn't quite grasp why everyone was just skating in the same direction in a circle, but he finally went with the concept and declared himself the winner when we got back to the beginning. 

My calves *burned* after one lap and Charlie had similar aching complaints after he skated.  We need more time on the ice!

H-man tried on some skates and stepped out on the ice in his skates, but he wasn't please.  He isn't quite steady enough to stay up on those blades. 

I'm sorry I missed his debut while I was skating with Freddie but those teeny tiny skates sure were cute.

There was plenty of entertainment with the puddles and people watching for Hans.  I'm sure the four of us will be skating laps in no time.  (As soon as my calves get stronger!)

Tree Visit

Off to Rockefeller Center we went to see the tree. 

It was as crowded as Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras and folks weren't kicking back eggnog daiquiris so it wasn't nearly as fun (wink) but the boys were both wide eyed and in awe, especially that Hansie, so it was worth it.  

Hans couldn't take his eyes off the twinkling lights.  It really is pretty amazing. 
 

Freddie was most amazed by his after dinner hot chocolate. 

For the Dental Records

Freddie had his lower right, rear molar sealed.

The dentist at the previous appointment mentioned watching it for signs of decay.  At this visit the dentist said the tooth didn't need to be scraped or drilled but because of the deep "grooves" in his teeth (genetic) and the location of the tooth it made it difficult to keep clean, as well as for her to see exactly what was going on.  So I agreed to go ahead and have the tooth sealed.  Freddie did really well with his cleaning and through the process of having the tooth sealed.  He seems to like going to the dentist even though his mouth is unable to chat.

Charlie also visited the dentist.  He wished he was just there for a tooth to be sealed.  He had a root canal and will return for a shiny new crown.

One other note:  When Hans heard Freddie was getting to pick two "treats" from the treasure box for being brave, Hans immediately ran over.  When Freddie offered to share, Hans screamed "No! TREAT! "  And then..."treat, treat, treat" endlessly.  He'll learn soon enough the dentist doesn't hand out those kinds of (sugary) treats.

Candy Cane Reindeer

I want him to have FOUR eyes, Mama.  Please, can he have four eyes?!?

A simple activity, and he loved it.  I need to add some little pompoms and more googley eyes to our craft supplies for next year, although he was thrilled to scrape up the glitter from the bottom of the craft box to use for noses.

Visiting Santa at Macy's Santaland 2012

Hans was totally amazed at Santaland.  Dancing bears, stuffed penguins, Christmas trees, and best of all...trains! 

I thought the smiles would quickly fade to tears when he laid eyes on Santa, but he ran right in.  Unfortunately he fell down face first and he didn't appreciate help up from one of the elves.  He did let Mommy sit him down with Santa, although he looked as though he wanted to bolt and could burst into tears at any moment.

Freddie was wide eyed and smiley.  He had a hard time remembering what it was that he wanted Santa to bring but he answered all of Santa's questions, assuring him he had been a great boy all year long. 

A few notes:

• We went about 10am on Wednesday and there wasn't any line to speak of.  This is so much better than the weekend wait time of about an hour.
• Santaland is open 8am-9pm, and then 7am-4pm on Christmas Eve.  Head straight to the 8th floor and find it near the Au Bon Pain.
• Packages run $20-$50.  The photographer "elves" are super sweet and allow lots of time for chatting with Santa, and don't mind if you snap your own photos.
• There are lots of Santas but the layout of private cubicles keeps them hidden and the line moving.

Candy Cane Hunt

This was a hit with Hans' play group and Freddie's friend.  All ages enjoyed finding candy canes hanging in the bushes and trees, strewn about on the lawn, and nestled in the garden. 

I had figured about 10 candy canes per child plus lots of mini candy canes to toss around the yard.  Hans and his friends had no problem spotting the candy canes and sticking them in their sack, in between opening a few to much on.  Freddie and his friends raced around collecting as many as they could.

Not many pictures as I was following Hans and chatting with friends, but tt was a great way to spend the afternoon.  We'll definitely do this again next year.

Scenes from the Weekend

The three guys went to Home Depot for the monthly kid's project.

There was nailing and painting, and orange aprons and a completed picture frame!

A trip to get a Christmas tree.

Advent calanders got going.

Hans was NOT happy about only getting the surprise from one pocket each day.

We decorated. Freddie cut strips and we made paper chain garland.  We have a total of 3 ornaments (thanks to Aunt Lizzy) in NYC, and I figured with Hans it's probably a good thing.

Our elf arrived from the North Pole.  Can you see him in the tree?

All of the candy canes are hanging on three branches.

Hans got more than his share of candy canes.  He's climbing the tree after them when I leave the room.  When I'm in the room he stands next to the tree and repeats "treat, treat, treat."  I knew ornaments would be tricky with a toddler but I had no idea he'd be so insistent on wanting candy canes!

 

We also baked bread, cuddled, did puzzles, and generally laid low.  Mama was sick, and Dada was (is) out of town, but all in all it was a good start to December.

Advent Activities

He did really well writing his numbers.  8 and 5 are the trickiest but he was bale to copy from his number line.

I have been waiting to do an activity-a-day advent calendar for a very long time.  I saw one on a blog before I even was pregnant with Freddie and knew if would be a great way to organize all of my ideas about holiday activities. 

An activity for each day leading up to Christmas is placed in each envelope.  I thought about just making a paper chain with the activities printed on strips but decided even though I liked the physical shortening of the chain as Christmas approached I needed the flexibility of shuffling the order of activities.  Only Charlie and I know just the first five envelopes are filled.  I have a tentative schedule for the remaining 19, but will slide them in the night before.

Towards the end of November Freddie and I sat down so he could number some extra envelopes we found in the stationary box and add some sparkle.   Using glitter was an absolute mess and probably on Freddie's top ten all time favorite activities list.  We burned through the entire jar, with most landing on the floor, but it was worth it. We must get more glitter, and glitter more often!

Putting each activity on paper and marking the calendar motivates me to follow through with all of these ideas swirling around in my head.  I often think I need something like this to keep me going all year long, actually.

The activities are simple.  If I asked Freddie to write the list of activities, I'd imagine they'd be even simpler and just as thrilling.  

This is my list, in no particular order:

1. Get Christmas tree
2. Decorate:  Set up angel chimes, make garland for the tree
3. Go see Santa
4. Candy cane hunt (I'm hosting this as a play date.)
5. Make peppermint bark (conveniently placed after the candy cane hunt)
6. Make candy cane reindeer
7. Go to a puppet show
8. Christmas shopping (I am done shopping.  Freddie can shop for a gift to give his brother, as well as a gift to donate.)
9. Make paper snowflakes
10. Go ice skating
11. Make hand print ornaments
12. Make and mail Christmas cards, including cards for teachers and our building staff
13. Make a bead ornament (still need to get beads for this!)
14. Drink hot cocoa with peppermint stirrers
15. Go see Christmas lights (we'll do this one in OKC, so there will be lots to see)
16. Christmas movie Pizza Pajama Party
17. Have a red and green Christmas meal
18. See the Polar Express (short version) and the Central Park Zoo
19. Make a Gingerbread house
20. See the tree at Rockefeller Center
21. Wrap Christmas gifts
22. Bake cookies (although this is actually pretzels+rolos+peanut m&ms because they are easier, and Rolos make Freddie happy)
23. Make jingle bell necklaces (need to get jingle bells and ribbon!)
24. Stroll from Macy's to Barney's to look at the holiday window displays

Alternates, just in case something doesn't work out as planned:

• Snowflake bath (Put glitter in the bathwater.  I am sure they'll still be covered but sounds right up Freddie's ally)
• Build a snowman or go sledding (Weather dependent)
• Family Christmas sing along
• Christmas story time (read all of our Christmas stories)
• North Pole breakfast (snowman shaped pancakes)
• Pine cone bird feeders (if I can find some pine cones!)
• Write a letter to Santa
• Camp out under the Christmas tree

Do you have any ideas to add?  I'll need some more for next year.  And of course I'll keep you posted on our activity filled days this month.