Let it Snow

I just finished watching Auntie Mame for the hundredth time. If you have never seen it go to Netflix or the nearest DVD rental NOW! It is a must. (Unless of course you hate classic movies.) I watched the first half with Isa, and surprisingly she was very interested- shows she has good taste already. I am fairly sure it can be counted as a Christmas movie. It is definitely a great inspiration for the single momma...ok "Yes" it is a dramatized musical movie but still I love the inspiration. Mame is a complete crazy eccentric artist and I LOVE HER!! I wish I were brave enough to be her. Oh and check out the party scene in the beginning and all the artistic references. Truly the movie is about life and being true to yourself, but also portrays the magic of Christmas and how it can make everything a little bit brighter. 

I haven't really been in the spirit of Christmas much this year. I keep waiting for it to strike. Isa is so much more aware now than ever before of Santa and presents. I'm sure when she gets to my parents and sees all her cousins she'll be even more excited. I think I will feel a bit more excited too. 

I took her to see the tree at Rockefeller Center this past Thursday. Every year 

one of my favorite things to do is walk down fifth avenue during holiday season. Isa was asleep and I carried her in my Ergo (love it still). When I got to the tree I woke her up and a part of me didn't think she would be so into it. I had been dragging her all over throughout the month and she never really liked any of it. To my surprise she was amazed....not by the tree but by the decorations around the tree. She loved the statues of toy soldiers playing instruments and laughed with Joy at the skaters. We walked right up under the tree. And then of course we went to Magnolia for cupcakes (there is now one uptown....how convenient). I think the cupcake was the best part for her. She turned to me when we got her blue cupcake and said, "Mom, where is the big tree?". Umm. if the tree at Rockefeller Center isn't big enough I'm in trouble.

She is also in this licking stage so the cupcake and frosting were very appropriate. I am told it is normal even though she seems to be the only one doing it. Yesterday she licked my door. It started with her licking my arm or face like a cat. Gross, but as Mom's we have to deal with these little gross gifts all the time. It progressed from there to licking windows. This happened on a Metro North train and had a huge Ick factor for me. Luckily I'm not a germaphobe. Then it got worse. She licked the subway seat and window and bar. It was 

major disgusting and took all my effort to stay sane because it was too much to watch. I can't imagine it tasted good, but she continued to do it like she was testing out flavors at a Baskin Robbins. So today it snowed. Isa's friend (3 days apart) decided to lick and eat the snow. His parents were a bit concerned. Isa, who loves ice, could care less about eating snow because she was too busy licking the store window. I had to pry her away. I hope this stage passes soon because if she ends up like that little boy in A Christmas Story, stuck to a pole, I just don't think I could take it.

Regardless of all the licking and tantrums, I am a truly blessed Momma. Most of the time I am in bliss over the amazing child I have. She is hilarious and sweet and makes me smile most of the time. She calls me beautiful Mommy our of the blue. She cuddles like crazy. Tonight she just wanted me to hold her like I did when she was little. It is incredible how big she is now. Every day she learns more. I had a glimpse tonight of when she was a baby - I would stare at her for hours. I don't do that much anymore because we are more active together, but tonight I had a chance to re-live that time when I held her close and just watched her. It is truly the best feeling in the world. It is magic, and the best part is you can see the excitement of life in the eyes of children. Especially around Christmas, and even more so when it snows.

I am certain this is a magical time because no matter what, it brings us back to our childhood, and I think for the month of December we can chase down some of that magic and hope to catch a bit to hold on to. Sometimes we need to believe in Santa and know that someone is thinking of us enough to get us a gift. It is a time to remember others in our life as well as forgive. It is truly a time of peace, and allowing a space for acceptance. I am not from a religious family so I know I do not appreciate the religious aspects of Christmas, but I do feel the energy and love and peace that comes with it each year. The expectation, excitement, and hope. In times when there seems a great need for all of this it is a perfect time for Christmas.

Mermaid 

A fairy tale creature for a Fairy tale time

• Sit on the floor with both legs folded to the left side.
  
• Torso should be as straight as possible, Abdominals are drawn in to support spine
• The right hand is on the floor
  
• Keep your left shoulder down, away from your ear, as you extend your left arm straight up above your head.
• Keep your left hip grounded as you lengthen your spine through the center of your body. Extend your ribcage up to the ceiling
• Your support hand moves further away from your body to increase the stretch. You can also fold the supporting elbow down onto the floor.
• Keep your shoulders down and your scapula settled in your back, even at the farthest point of your reach.
• To initiate your return, send your left sit bone down toward the mat. Then use your abs to begin to bring your torso up.

• Repeat 2 to 3 times and switch sides.