After four straight days of opening presents (we get around during Christmas), Walt became so accustomed to having new things to play with every 24 hours that when he uttered the above phrase, I had to explain to him that the presents would not continue forever. No, there would be a drought of three whole weeks . . . until his birthday. Thanks to all who made one little boy's Christmas very merry indeed!
Please visit the "Christmas 2007" photo album for more scenes from the holiday that was.
I really planned on the previous post being the last one before Christmas, but this is too good to sit on. Walt had his first Christmas program at school today and "sang" six songs with his classmates, three of which were in Spanish! I'd been told by his teachers that during rehearsals, he was the loudest kid up there, but he was apparently a bit star struck by the flashes going off all over the room because he mostly just waved and played with his jingle bell necklace. Which is pretty much what you expect from a not-quite-three-year old kid during his Christmas program, so we were charmed nonetheless.
This picture, taken by Kate, catches one of his rare (quite exuberant) singing moments. That's Meredith in the cute plaid dress on the front row. She actually did quite a bit of singing, just not in this picture.
You know, over the course of my life, I've seen a lot of little kids standing on risers singing at Christmas and have always found them cute. However, when your own child spots you in the audience and starts wildly waving and saying, "Hi, Mommy!" before joining in a chorus of Jingle Bells . . . well, let's just say it's a different experience altogether.
P.S. For those of you studying this post very closely, you might be confused by the fact that in the still photos Walt is on the back row (in the red argyle sweater vest) and in the video, he's on the front row (same sweater vest). It involved some stage maneuvering that I, for one, one would have been far too chicken to attempt with that many children under the age of four. But they're pros, those nursery school teachers!
Wishing everyone a wonderful, magical Christmas.
Love,
Josh, Ginger & Walt
If you're a faithful follower of this here weblog, then you know that at the end of November Mommy and Daddy took an extended vacation away from the site's star. It seems impossible that come January we will have been married for ten years. If you know us, it's not quite so incredible that we would take a vacation to celebrate. And so we did. To Mexico.
For some really lovely photos of the event, check the new photo album to the left. For some photos of what you really came to see, look below.
Well, yes there was a Part II to Walt's vacation, however Walt's Nana is not as punctual as Walt's Gram. Nonetheless, a good time was had by all on the second part of Walt's vacation. His greatest interest at the Opryland Hotel light extravaganza was most assuredly not his prediction of our upcoming president (see previous post). It was, however, the humongous Christmas tree of lights outside the hotel, not just the tree but trying to get up close and personal with the tree. As we approached and he saw that it was fenced off, he exclaimed, "I've got a great idea; let's go under!"
Secondly, Walt enjoyed a trip to see Great-Granny Dever, or maybe "enjoyed" is not the correct word. He is always very intrigued by the fact that Great-Granny has the ability to remove her entire set of upper teeth, thereby keeping a very guarded distance from her when she threatens to show him her teeth.
Of course, a good game of checkers is always fun . . .
And a drawing session with Putty . . .
Before we're off to Memphis for a "pirate" birthday party for one of his school buds . . .
Where Putty helps him prepare for full headgear . . .
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST our final stop, Memphis International Airport . . .
where a joyous (and loud, which is on video, but sorry, Nana is not technologically equipped for that) reunion was celebrated . . .
Yes, you can learn a lot from an almost-three-year-old when you spend a few days with him. For instance, DeeDaddy is a doctor, the moon is NOT orange; it's white, and be assured that Walt gets the royal treatment whether in Nashville, Murray or Memphis . . .
While decorating the Christmas tree:
Daddy: Do you know what that is on that ornament you have?
Walt: I don't know [holding a White House ornament].
Daddy: That's the White House. It's where the President lives. Do you know who the President is?
Walt: I don't know.
Daddy: It's George Bush. Can you say 'George Bush?'
Walt: George Bush.
Daddy: Good. Do you know who the first President was?
Walt: I don't know.
Daddy: George Washington. Can you say 'George Washington?'
Walt: George Washington.
Daddy: [getting clever] Good. Do you know who the next President is going to be?
Walt: Santa Claus.
Walt will be appearing on MSNBC tonight with Keith Olbermann to discuss the politics of electing an ageless elf to the office of the President of the United States. Personally, I think there are some residency requirement issues at the least, but Walt seemed quite certain that it's possible.
