'Tis the Season
We had a holiday-filled weekend as we started to see what the Christmas season is like with a toddler. It started with the first night of Hanukkah on Friday night, continued with setting up the tree on Saturday, decorating it on Sunday, a trip to the Enchanted Village Sunday evening, and was capped off by a trip to see Santa on Monday. Hannah has been so enthusiastic about everything, it's so fun to see the holidays through her eyes.
She initially thought we were getting the candles out to sing Happy Birthday (her favorite song). When we lit the Hanukkah menorah and sang the blessing she thought that was different, but ok. But when we told her she couldn't blow out the candles and that we had to let them burn she was very confused. She thought it was rather unexciting until fifteen minutes later when she realized the candles were getting smaller. And when they were completely burned out she got very excited running around saying "the candles all gone! the candles all gone!". They really are "eight crazy nights".
Putting a Christmas tree in the living room was quite the exciting event, but decorating was even more fun. The lower branches where she could reach were weighed down with all of the ornaments she could get her hands on (and the non-breakable ones we trusted her with) until we redistributed them around the tree. She also thinks its silly that the tree gets thirsty and likes to drink water. (It was an indication to us how few living plants we keep in the house).
Sunday's trip to the south shore was the latest chapter of a long Boston tradition. As explained on the Jordan's website in 1958 Jordan Marsh opened the "Enchanted Village" downtown. It was a Christmas tradition for many New England families for decades. This year, Jordan's furniture has restored all of the displays and set it up for viewing. It's a really impressive exhibit showing Christmas scenes from a simpler time. The only modern addition is a "snow" machine that blows snow every ten minutes to set the mood. It's been a such a big hit that the lines are ridiculously long. We waited for about an hour and a half in an endlessly snaking line, but the time went by and it allowed Hannah the chance to get used to the crowds and noise. By the time we made it to the front she loved every minute of the exhibit. We decided it was worth the long wait (what else were we really going to get done on a rainy Sunday afternoon?) and it may have started a new family tradition.
The one piece we didn't see was Santa (he was done for the day by the time we got there) so Jeanne and Hannah went to the mall on Monday to seek him out. Much to our surprise Hannah was willing to sit on his lap. Although still reluctant, it was a huge step for someone who has been terrified of the big guy in the past (although getting her first candy cane from a Santa last week may have broken the ice). And the look she is giving him is pure Hannah.
With Hanukkah ongoing and Christmas ten days away it's clear we have more holiday fun in our future!
