Favorite Things: "Yes, Virginia"

Being that this is the last weekend before Christmas (yeah, that's right), I thought we'd do something a little different. I just can NOT believe that we have a week to go. Last Christmas was the best of our lives, so much so that to try to think of a second best... we fail. But this Christmas? Oh, LOOK OUT!
And truly I am excited to begin our countdown to next Christmas. Although, I will not hurry the time along so much, as Dane Thomas grows, and the little moments caught in a giggle or a bear hug seem to hurry themselves.
And as the holiday season moves forward, we've become more and more busy leaving less time for the day to day chores as well as the Christmas obligations. And so it seems that Dane and I have get less time together. So it's almost hard to understand how the time doesn't pass when I am trying to get done that which needs getting done and Dane is saying he wants to eat for the seventy second time that day, or attempting to flush foreign objects down the toilet, or beating the dogs, or climbing on the Christmas tree, or throwing toys in the fire place, or ... you get it.
So we measure the day in belly laughs and nuzzles as we TRY to slow down the rush. We know, we know, we KNOW though, that no matter how successful we are at slowing down to enjoy our beautiful seventeen month old son this holiday season, we will be doing this again before our heads stop spinning from this round. And next year? Our Baby Dane will be 30 months old.
So, as we wrap up Dane's legos and cars and books, and daydream about his smiling face when he opens them... it is WE who get the real gift; a true understanding of the pure magic of Christmas. And of childhood.
I leave you with my very favorite piece of Christmas tradition, which has come to be known simply as "Yes, Virginia". Have you never read it, you must do so right now. And if it's a favorite of yours as well, well go ahead and read it again anyway. Think of your youngster as you read it. And if they are all grown, then all the better the piece is for you. Please do enjoy, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus".


Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Favorite Things: Apples

When we brought home so many apples from the orchard, several people asked us if Dane is actually eating the apples. I had never given him an apple whole until we went picking, but since then, they have become a favorite of Dane's. I guess I already knew this, but looking through recent pictures of Dane Thomas, his love for apples is pretty evident.

Dane hides his apples in his snack cup when he's saving them for later.

Favorite Things: Our New Yard

We love our new backyard! Our lot is a third of an acre, but the layout makes smart usage of the land. It's a fenced yard, with a separate pen area for the dogs (shown on right in pic). We open the kitchen door to the backyard and let Dane frolic around while Jackie cooks dinner. He loves chasing the dogs, climbing his slide, and exploring the neighbors through the fence. We spend a lot of our day outside taking walks around the block, playing at one of the many local parks, watching the neighborhood kids ride their bikes in the cul-de-sac, or in our own backyard. And we're sooo thankful the weather is cooling down so we can spend more time outdoors!

Picture of the Week/ Favorite Things: New Game

Yeah, that's right. A PoW slash Fave Things.

It's my blog, I'll do what I want.

This is a video of Dane's new favorite game and one of our favorite videos of Dane thus far. I think it's something like 2 minutes long and again, Mommy is very loud and muffles out Dane's giggles (Someone please show her how to hold the camera away from her mouth when videographing...).

The game takes place this time in the pool with Jackie and Dane. "You take it, I take it" is a hot potato of sorts, where Dane passes an item to you and you pass it back as long as he desires. I counted 29 passes in this video. He loves loves loves this game right now, and we just wanted to share this with you. Enjoy.

Favorite Things: Cardboard Tube

It always cracks everyone up to see how kids' favorite toys are not toys at all. Just before Christmas we ordered something that was delivered in a thick, sturdy cardboard tube. Dane got a hold of it and it became an instant sensation in our home. We roll balls through it, play peek-a-boo through it, use it as a megaphone, roll it around, drum on it, and so on and so on. It has found it's place in Dane's toy box and finds it's way out daily. Here's a little video of Dane and his cardboard tube. Sorry it's so dark. =(

Favorite Things: Teething Tablets

Dane has been teething now for weeks and weeks, but his mouth is still empty. I am pretty sure that teeth are fast on their way. Today was pretty rough on the little guy. A slight fever and major clinginess! We know all the tricks, and are employing the age-appropriate ones. The best help so far have been these little mini-marshmallow looking homeopathic tablets that go under Dane's tongue and dissolve almost instantly. They're called "Hyland's Teething Tablets". I got them behind the counter at Target (because the pharmacy sells them, but not Target) and I paid $5.05 for 125 tablets. They settle Dane down pretty quickly and he takes them just great (although he gets uber-excited to put anything in his mouth). It's a nice alternative to Tylenol, which we treat as a last resort for now. This teething nonsense is a mess and poor little Dane is so uncomfortable. Here's hoping his tooth pops soon and this can all be over with.

Wait. What? This goes on for another 2 years?! Nooooo!

Favorite Things: Snacktime

Dane has quite an impressive cd collection for a baby. One of all of our favorites is Snacktime by the Barenaked Ladies. It's this great kids cd with music that adults can actually stomach. It's not just tolerable, it's enjoyable! Dane has two favorite songs because of the whistling in one track ("raisins") and the repetitive popping in another ("popcorn"). I don't care that you don't believe we could possibly know for fact that Dane likes them. HE DOES.
This is the opening track of the album, called "789". It's not long (less than 2 min.), but really cute and absolutely worth your time, so check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1cnJ_pOAdQ

Favorite Things: Halloween Night

Dane has a LOT of books, thanks in large part to the huge success of our baby shower raffle. He has books that range from the youngest reader, to Seuss, to Shel Silverstein and he actually very much enjoys story time. We are always interested in expanding Dane's library and recently discovered a gem.

We picked up Halloween Night from the dollar bin at Target. That's right, one dollar for a cute little board book that Dane is currently loving. I'm not really sure why he seems to like this one so much, but when we read it with him he flips the pages himself, stares very attentively, and grasps at the pictures. He could read it over and over - and he does! Something tells me this won't be packed up when the season is over.

Pick it up for the little one in your life. It comes with Dane's high recommendation.

Favorite Things: Jumperoo

Over the weekend we put together Dane's jumperoo. He was a little confused at first, but because our house looks like a rainforest, thanks to the good people at Fisher Price and Aunt Jenny, the views were familiar to him (Dane has the rainforest bouncy seat, swing, travel swing, jumperoo, crib mobile, and bath tub). We're gradually getting him used to it so he doesn't get overwhelmed, but he seems to really enjoy the freedom it allows him. And he's so dang cute in it!