Catching Up

 

December 18, 2021   Hi Lexi:  I am a ridiculous Ama.  Writing every year or so.  Not a great way to keep up a diary for you.  I will try and do better.  It looks like I wrote last Thanksgiving (2020) so here we are in 2021 and it’s Christmas time.  I will give you a brief run down on activities starting with Thanksgiving 2021. This Thanksgiving was pretty memorable as Great Aunt Jeanie had been really sick but we were all able to be together at her Condo this year.  We were all so happy to be together again.  With the Covid 19 pandemic partially in the rear-view mirror now (new variants coming up all the time however), we are finally able to be in the  same room and even hug each other!   We had a delicious dinner – hybrid as I made the turkey and your dad made the mashed potatoes and green beans and we ordered other sides from Publix.  It was all really tasty.  You and Cole took a nice swim at Jeanie’s pool before we ate.  Then, dinner, pie and cookies made by dad.  Okay – then Hanukkah came really early this year.  Two days after Thanksgiving.  I made brisket, latkes with asparagus Great Aunt Jeanie didn’t come as she hadn’t been going out too much so I brought her a plate of food the next day.  We played dreidel on the floor and daddy kept getting NUN and was out quickly.  I wasn’t far behind.  You were Your usual active self, trying to steal the pennies and not playing the game.  Cole was the big winner, getting Gimel Almost every time!  You and Cole had a blast singing the dreidel song with a karaoke mike I got you.  It was a lot of fun.     We also did several Hanukkah events including the one in Abacoa where they had latkes, donuts and entertainment.  Bounce houses, bungee jumping (which Cole loved!), lighting the first candle on a giant Menorah and a helicopter delivering chocolate coins! So much fun. You had a friend, Lily, to play with.  She was a little shy but not you!  When they called kids up on the stage to be covered in a giant soap bubble, you were first in line.  Another day, we went to Rosemary Square where there were Hanukkah activities – we got there a little late so missed  some of the fun.  Next year we will get there on time. We did the last night of Hanukkah at your house where mom made latkes for the very first time – and they were delish!  One day, we did Christmas activities – visited the Sandi Tree that is made out of beach sand.  They light the tree with Christmas lights when it gets dark.  There was music and a lot of people.  You and Cole were pretty bored because it took forever to light the tree, but it was still fun.  We did Zoo Lights one night which was fun but you were not happy to be in your stroller when we stood in line to get in.  Then, once we got in, you were worn out from crying and daddy held you for a long time.  Cole and his friend, who was there with him, made s’mores and played with a light up sword.  But Cole fell when running around and hurt his knee!  After that it was not so fun for him.  We walked through the whole park and saw a couple of bears, some owls and some other animals.  Not too many because I guess they were sleeping.  😊    When we left there, we went to see the Christmas lights at Okeeheelee Park but you were already asleep.  ☹   Uncle Jeremy arrived on Thursday night and we went to Rosemary Square to see SNOW and Santa.  You and Cole sat with Santa – I think you and Cole asked for phones!   I wonder if Santa will oblige?   We had dinner at City Cellar and your Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Michelle came with cousin Robbie.  You fell asleep on daddy’s lap before the food was served.