Breakfast with Santa

Santa and Edmund

My birthday was this past Saturday, but with a husband in residency, I knew to expect that the day would be much like any other. Steven was on call (read working all day and night), so my celebration will have to take place at a later date. Fortunately, a few weeks ago Steven sent me an email detailing a fun Christmas event at Spice Street, a local restaurant. He thought it would be a good way for Edmund and I to get out and celebrate even if he would have to sit this one out.

Last year you may recall we went to a fancy breakfast with Santa at the Carolina Inn. This year's event may not have been held at a 5 star hotel, but was very similar and dare I say, better. The Spice Street event is open to anyone, but since it is sponsored by the hospital, most of the attendees are hospital affiliated. We didn't have to make reservations, the cost wasn't astronomical, and the breakfast buffet was phenomenal.

The breakfast was drop-in and since I'd never been before I decided to get there early. We arrived at 8:30, a little later than I planned, but things weren't busy at all then. Edmund was very excited to see Santa sitting by the entrance when we walked in. We decided we would visit the big guy after breakfast. One of the things I absolutely loved about the event was it was also a way to help Edmund be involved in giving. In order enter the event we dropped off a Toy Story truck that Edmund had picked out on his own to donate to Toys for Tots and also two non-perishable items for the food pantry. I loved that this event wasn't just about getting, but giving as well. Some of the breakfast proceeds also went to the hospital, but I liked that Edmund could have a tangible way to see how we were helping other people. He asked if he could pick out a child at the breakfast to give the toy we brought to. This led to a discussion about how we were helping children who might not have much and how the volunteers would bring his toy to just the right child.

After dropping off our donations Edmund asked to have his face painted. Never mind the Christmas choices on display, he wanted a purple and blue butterfly. The color choices I understood. Those are his two favorites, but the picture choice baffled me. Then I realized that the only thing he has ever had painted on his cheek at school events are butterflies. I'm assuming this is because they are easy, or maybe this is all he ever asks for. Either way,the volunteer did a splendid job. My hat goes off to her as I stay as far away from the face painting table as I can. Cheek donned with the unseasonal butterfly, Edmund was ready for breakfast.

As we headed to the dining room, Edmund told the hostess that he wanted eggs and bacon. I told Edmund that might not be a choice, but she told him he was in luck. We were about to sit down by ourselves when a friend of mine from a medical spouse playgroup I attend invited us to sit with their family. They have 11 month old twins and a 3 year old boy whom Edmund loves. It also worked out well as all the adults were able to take turns hitting up the buffet.

Normally Edmund is all about his food, but he worked quickly so we could take our turn with the guy in the red suit. At our breakfast last year we wandered the hotel for nearly 2 hours waiting for a turn with Santa. Here we simply walked up. A few other children lined up behind us to watch, but there was virtually no waiting. Edmund was a little shy at first. Who wouldn't be? Eventually he made his way onto Santa's lap. Santa was having trouble getting Edmund to talk. Edmund shook his head yes when Santa asked if he wanted a variety of things including a "knuckle sandwich." At the end of the visit Edmund quickly said he wanted a ball. A very easy request to fill I might add. We got an adorable picture with a smiley child, and for simply the cost of printing.

While we waited for our picture to print, Edmund and I headed over to the craft table. Edmund, with lots of mommy help, made a "Santa." Later we realized we forgot his beard, so perhaps it was simply one of Santa's elves. Edmund also had fun coloring a picture of Santa as he talked to a few other children at the table. This event had enough activities to keep both Edmund and myself occupied, but wasn't overwhelming. I'm thinking we have a new tradition!

Gobble Gobble

Turkey Day 2009

Instead of boring you all with a minute by minute recap of our Thanksgiving holiday, I thought I would simply give you the gist, and try something different this entry. In a nutshell…We went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for Thanksgiving Day. Edmund enjoyed watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Aunt Alison. For those of you who thought I would deprive Edmund of a grand tradition, I did let Edmund watch TV for this special occasion. He really was only interested in the musical numbers. What can I say? He comes from a musical family. We then had a delicious Thanksgiving feast prepared by the Pattishalls, which Edmund chose not to eat. He did however, divulge his knowledge of the sound a turkey makes during dinner. He took us all by surprise when I jokingly asked him what a turkey says. “Gobble,” he replied. Who knew? Edmund did not totally miss out on turkey. He decided to partake in the Thanksgiving meal the following day when he discovered that turkey and stuffing taste much better after sitting in the fridge overnight.

On Friday, Grandma Kay Kay and Granddad came down from Virginia. We had a wonderful visit. The highlight of the visit was our trip to the Museum of Life and Science. Edmund had a blast riding on the “choo choo” with Kay Kay and Granddad and climbing stairs in the designated toddler area. He was very disappointed when it was time to leave. Fortunately, there was no full-blown tantrum.

Not to cut the time with the relatives short (we love you all), but as I definitely have a huge case of “mommy brain” these days, I’m not sure I'm even capable of a full play-by-play two days out. Instead I am giving you a list of the words Edmund says and the Edmund definition. This is an abridged version (as I said, “mommy brain”). Edmund probably says a few more words than I have listed, and I can guarantee he understands hundreds more words than he can say. He’s quite the smart fellow.

Edmund’s Dictionary:

• water- all liquid
• hello, hey you, hi, ciao-greetings for many a social situation
  
• thank you-while the word takes on its true meaning most of the time, thank you is also used when handing an object to someone
  
• truck-a moving vehicle spotted from a mile away
  
• car-a place from which to view the sights
  
• cracker-any food that comes out of a crinkly package, be it cereal or pancake mix
• mama-self explanatory
• dada-again, self explanatory
• ball- any round object (balls, balloons, ornaments, globes, etc.)
• no-a toddler’s favorite word
• uh-oh-used when an object is dropped or in anticipation of dropping an object
• bye-usually said after a person is out of sight
• Emma-two of my favorite friends at school as well as a cousin in Florida (convenient)
• Joshua-my peek-a-boo buddy at school
• Bible-refers to the baby Bible I got for my dedication
• more-as in “read Silly Dog for the hundredth time” or “don’t you see my pasta is gone”
• all done-signals the end of an activity or “get that toothbrush out of my mouth”
• chair-great place to read
• baby-any person under the age of 13
• eye-accompanies an eye blink
• nose-located somewhere between the lips and eyes
• teeth-not sure why we have to brush these
  
• ear-oft referred to as eye
  
• Popper-the best toy ever invented, though occasionally a little loud
• Puppers-a wonderful bedtime pal
• quack-any sort of winged creature
• numbers-for now the name of a favorite book
• up-both "pick me up" and "put me down"
• bike-the big kids at schools ride these
  
• lawn mower-another great push toy or anything loud in the distance
• keys-great item to hide; fortunately usually in an appropriate spot such as purse or diaper bag
  
• hot-always said emphatically while accompanying its sign
• right there-"where's your fork?"
  
• bubbles-these are great fun to… (see below)
• pop-used with bubbles and in “Little Fish” (an awesome song)
• mine-for some reason this is a word mom and dad want to disappear from my vocabulary
• go-I'm always ready to "go"
• pee pee-another self explanatory word
• diaper-this holds the above word
• apple
• strawberry
• banana-the above are all tasty fruits
• shoe- a great thing to play with
• socks-you have to put these on before you put on shoes
• outside-a place to pass the day away
• cup-a holding place for water
  
• light-turning them on and off is a blast
• bowl-any container that holds food
• doctor-what my dada is learning to be
  
• Ho Ho Ho-what Santa Claus says
• owl (whoo whoo)-a fine feathered friend and the sound it makes
• choo choo-these are just all around fun
• on-used to signal wanting on, in, out, and off
• gobble-what Thanksgiving dinner says
• down-the ladder on the fire engine does this
• playground-another place to pass the day away
• Kay-Kay-grandmother in VA
• paci-an object that won’t be around much longer I'm told
  
• slide-any slide or incline
• whee-what one says when going down a slide
• beep beep- the name of a favorite book and what trucks do when backing up
• Carl-the babysitting dog from the Carl series
• peek-a-boo-the best game in the whole world

Two Word Phrases:

• my chair
• my mom
• my dada-notice how most of these include a form of “mine”
• more water
• help please-sounds like “I Do”

As you can see, Edmund is becoming well versed in the English language. It’s quite amazing that 6 months ago Edmund's only discernible words were bye and dada. He’s come a long way. On another note, I'm sure you all have noticed the postings are now occurring monthly. This is due to a certain 33 inch tall man. Edmund, as well as his 7 toddler friends, are busy and fun, and thus exhausting. So while I want to document everything my precious son does, I also need my sleep to keep up with 8 busy toddlers day after day. Writing is taking a backseat to sleep these days I'm afraid. I’m sure there will be many tales to relate throughout the holiday season, so to make sure you each get your Edmund fix I am going to try to get two posts in during the Christmas vacation. This is as much for me as it is for all of you. Wish me luck!