Friday, November 25, 2016

This photo is how I choose to remember this uear’s trip to Bellingrath Gardens. It was a rare moment of beauty and wonder that I’ll cherish forever. All the other moments were a bit crazy, and I’m okay letting those go.

Grammy got SJ a wagon in which to ride, but she soon wanted to push the wagon (without my help).  That slowed everybody down to a virtual standstill. So incredibly difficult…

When we came to a row of gingerbread men, I thought she would like to get up close to see it.  And I was right.  She loved it.

This was a bad idea…

She wouldn’t leave the gingerbread men.  She wouldn’t come towards the pathway. She just trotted off deeper and deeper into the scene.  And the very next scene was a train, but it was roped off.  She didn’t like being told that she couldn’t touch it.  In fact, through the tears, she managed to toss her blue blanket under the rope thinking that someone would have to go get it.  (She terrifies me with her scheming.  She’s barely 2.)

Grandpa was able to hold her for a spectacular view of the lake with the choo choo train.

It was not the most relaxing stroll through the gardens that I’ve ever had, but I’m glad we took her at this age.  She calls Christmas lights “Christmas.”  If you ask her if she wants to go see “Christmas,” she understands you to be asking whether or not she wants to go on an adventure to see Christmas lights.  When she sees Christmas lights, she claps and says “I so excited!!”

After we left the gardens we stopped for some dinner at Five Guys in Spanish Fort.  She didn’t really eat her hot dog, but she did stay in her seat – a small miracle in my book.

She was so tired by the time we got home.  It wasn’t much effort to put her to bed.  Thank you, Daddy, for making the annual trip to see Christmas lights a priority.