On Christmas Eve morning, we went to the zoo. It was about 30 degrees outside, but sunny, and we almost had the place to ourselves (though we did get to see Felicity's buddy Henry and his family for a few minutes before they tore off toward the snow monkeys and left us in the dust). The animals seemed to be in a festive mood; the sea lions leapt through the air and popped their heads up as if to say hello -- then they zinged us with a huge splash for good measure.
Despite having been to the children's petting zoo a dozen times before, Felicity fuh-reaked out when we took her to see the goats and the sheep, to the point that she fell over her own feet trying to get away from their pens. I'm not sure what that was about, but she perked up as we left, yelling "Glockenspiel!" as we cruised under the big clock.
That evening we got gussied up and went to the 5:30 church service. I think Felicity may have enjoyed the getting dressed up part, but it's hard to tell for sure.
Girl, you better WORK.
As has become her habit, when we walked into church, just before the processional began, she shouted, "In a house! Peaceful! CHURCH." Then she made it known to all that she really wanted to "TOUCH THE BABY JESUS" in the creche. Oh, and she thought the gold wreaths on the walls "look[ed] like a BIG PRETZEL."
There wasn't child care during the service, and since the 5:30 hour is precisely when she is at her most energetic and contrarian, we spent most of the hour herding her around the periphery of the sanctuary and trying to convince her to talk about the "LIGHTS" and the "BIG PRETZEL" in an indoor voice. We hustled her out just before communion, figuring we were sufficiently imbued with the Holy Spirit for the night.
When we got home, we hung Felicity's stocking from Joe's antique typewriter (as one does) -- though first, Felicity peeked into it and said, "There's nothing in it!" (Easy, kid; give ol' Santa a minute.)
Then we set about putting out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. I hadn't even thought about the fact that she had a plush Santa and reindeer sitting under her stocking, but when she dug the carrots out of the fridge, she ran into the living room saying, "Feed the reindeer!" and she went right over to the stuffed Rudolph and shoved the carrots at him. Then she did the same with the cookies.
At that point, a certain reluctance registered on Felicity's face, and I asked her if she wanted to eat the cookie she was holding, and without hesitation -- not wanting to give me a chance to rethink it -- she shoved the whole thing in her mouth.
Then, of course, we gave her some milk to wash it down; she slugged it back, then shared it with Mary, Joseph, and the wise men.
And then off to bed with her. She had no trouble falling asleep...but I did.
Our Christmas eve service didn't have childcare, either. It was crazy. At one point both my husband and I were out, each with a kid.
Posted by: Jesabes | December 28, 2011 at 08:50 AM
I just have one important question: WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE PJS????? Mallory needs them.
I love when kids yell cute stuff at church.
Posted by: -R- | December 28, 2011 at 11:41 AM
They're from Old Navy! When I bought them they were like eight bucks. I hope they have some in stock for Ree!
Posted by: lawyerish | December 28, 2011 at 04:29 PM
LOVE the jammies. She is adorable, as always.
Posted by: Laura Diniwilk | December 29, 2011 at 09:44 AM
She is SO adorable. I love the Christmas dress and the desire to touch baby Jesus and the eagerness to share her food with plush Santa and Rudolph. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Posted by: Life of a Doctor's Wife | December 29, 2011 at 10:40 AM