December 11

We took the boys to the mall today as it has been raining for two days straight and we needed something to do. Liam was totally psyched for the trip for the usual reasons, namely the pet store and a ride on the mechanical cars on the way out. He was also more than a little worked up over seeing Santa. He saw him from a distance last time he was there and hasn't stopped talking about him since. He has pretty much been practicing his answer to, "What do you want for Christmas, little boy?" for weeks. We've discussed the details, be a good boy, ask Santa for presents and he delivers on Christmas Eve. He's heard the songs, read the stories, and seen "A Charlie Brown Christmas". I figure he gets it, especially when he's so excited to see Santa so he can tell him what he'd like.

He waits in line, thankfully short, dancing from one foot to the other. The entire time the two families ahead of us spend their time with Santa Liam is either shouting and waving, "Hi Santa!!!" or trying as desperately a two and a half year old can to contain himself.

And finally, the last kid peels himself off of Santa's lap and Mark lets Liam free. He runs right up, checking only once over his shoulder to make sure Daddy is close behind.

Liam: "HI SANTA!!!!!!"
Santa: "Ho, ho, ho, Have you been a good boy?"
Liam: "Yep" Now starting to get shy looking anywere, but at Santa. He notices all the Christmas decorations surrounding Santa's seat. The toy train, the tree, the HUGE glittery presents. After making some inconsequential (to Liam) small talk, Santa gets down to business.
Santa: "What do you want for Christmas?"
Liam, with Momma's notes in parentheses: "I want a football (he has two already) and a truck (ditto, and too many to count). A digger truck (Ok, maybe not one of these specifically). And a dump truck, too (has a big one and a matchbox size). I want a mask (What? Um, what for exactly?). And a movie, uh, five movies. Bob movies and Curious (George) movies."
Santa tries some more be a good boy type small talk while Liam fingers the edge of one of those shiny presents, but is cut short.
Liam: "Can I have that present now?"
Daddy: "Okay, time to go."
Momma: "Say 'Merry Christmas' to Santa, bud"
Liam, begrudgingly, "Merry Christmas, Santa"
On his way out of the Santa corral, not out of earshot mind you, Liam lets loose.
Liam: "He didn't give me a present, Momma!!"

Apparently Liam missed the second step of the whole two step process of 1. Tell Santa what you want. and 2.Get it delivered on Christmas Eve.

November 14-21

Yes, it's been awhile. I haven't had any real stories to write, just random things, so I figured I'd post those.

Liam loves Sesame Street. He watches faithfully every morning while Daddy gets ready for work and Momma makes breakfast. His favorite part is, of course, Elmo's World. He does a killer rendition of the theme song, btw, ending with a flourish and one hand pointed to the sky while he looks up. Very rock 'n roll. Anyway, he's started mimicking the segment on Elmo where the kids explain to Elmo's goldfish, Dorothy, how to do something. Everything he does, he says aloud in that format like he's speaking to an invisible goldfish.
While brushing his teeth: "This is how you brush your teeth, Dorothy" (proceeds to brush)
While Daddy uses Listerine: "That is how you use Listerine, Dorothy" (points to Daddy)
While eating breakfast: (picks up a big hunk of scrambled eggs, no fork of course, and says with his mouth full)"This is how you eat eggs, Dorothy"

This morning, out of nowhere, Liam picks up Mark's work boots and puts them on. He starts shuffling around the house and tells me he's ice skating. He grabs my shoes from the bedroom and tells me: "C'mon Momma, ice skate with me." I know it's been cold lately, but geez...

I've been trying to see how much of the whole Christmas thing Liam understands. He's been very excited by the start of holiday music and decorations. He's seen Santa at the mall and gets all smiley and happy to tell me about it. He understands that Santa brings gifts on Christmas Eve. He remembers leaving cookies out last year, actually he remembers that all Santa left was "Crumbs, Momma!" After a trip to the mall with Daddy followed by him excitedly telling Momma all about giving Santa five I decided to ask him about Christmas.
Me: "What would you like for Christmas?"
Liam, after thinking long and hard about it : "I want presents."