Good morning (or afternoon or evening or whenever), RMT’ers! I hope everyone is having (or had) a great day today getting in those last-minute preparations for the Big Day tomorrow! As if you even have (had?) time to read this post… but if you do/did, thanks for stopping by!
I hope everyone is having (or had) a wonderful holiday season! This was a lovely little display at T’s school. I am SO GLAD they’ve chosen to recognize most if not all of the major holidays this time of year rather than ignore them (including Kwanzaa; though not pictured above, T’s class did a craft and learned a song for it, too). Truly lovely.
I know you’re probably busy, so I’ll try to keep this short with a dash or two of sweet mixed in for good measure.
For me, Christmas Eve isn’t just about the last-minute, rush-rush of it all, but it’s more so about reflecting on the wonderful holiday season that our family and friends had together. I take time today to look back on the fun we’ve all had this month doing those special holiday things that only come around this time of the year. C, T, and I will talk about what was the most fun and the most memorable times he had, and we even discuss the specific outings and events that he wants to schedule in for next holiday season. Hey, never too early to start as Christmas 2013 is just 367 days away, right?!
OK, let’s stop THAT insanity for just a moment. As I said today is more about reflection (and last-minute prep) rather than advance planning, so let’s get to it.
Just like my pumpkin patch post that covered T’s last few Halloween seasons, below is a pictorial capture of T through the years at some of his favorite holiday outings each season. While I tried to find a photo of him at the South Coast Plaza holiday train each season, turns out either we didn’t make it down there each year, or I didn’t get even one photo of him on that train. The latter’s unlikely though; I’m pretty sure we’ve gotten there each season since T’s turned two-years-old because of his love of all things train.
So please enjoy T’s six-season photo sequence below, and enjoy reflecting on your own holiday season. I hope it was as merry and bright as ours was, perhaps even train-filled.
T at two-months-old, December 2007. Too young for a train that season! I miss that reindeer suit T had that age (and so wanted one myself).
T at 14-months-old (December 2008). I guess he didn’t ride the rails this season either, but he did cruise around in a small wagon, another of his favorite modes of transportation!
T at two-years-old on perhaps his first ride on the South Coast Plaza Holiday Train! He’s clutching one of his first wooden Thomas and Friends figurines, Bertie the Bus. (December 2009)
A three-year-old T taking a spin on a train at a local tree lot in Long Beach (CA). This happens to be the same train that is at our local pumpkin patch. The same family who owns-operates the patch also runs a tree lot during the Christmas season and they sometimes bring the train back for the kids during the holidays (rides are free with a tree purchase, or $2-ish otherwise). (December 2010)
T back at South Coast Plaza for the 2011 holiday season. He’s four-years-old in this photo. What a difference a year makes!
Here’s T this season (December 2012) at the South Coast Plaza Holiday Train. Remember, T… Santa’s watching you!
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me for a bit on the blog, RMT’ers. Just like at this time last year, I might be offline for a while for my version of “winter break” and some focused downtime with family and friends. I hope you have a fun and festive, yet safe and peaceful, next couple of weeks. Enjoy and “see you next year” in 2013!
Real Mom Time (RMT) 
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