dual personalities

In daughter #2’s neck of the woods, it does feel like Christmas time has arrived, and we are embracing the Happiness and cheer / Fun for all that children call / Their favorite time of year. It is especially sweet to have an 18-month old who embraces and seems to appreciate our various Christmas traditions, from nativity sets to Merry Mancini albums and all manner of Christmas decorations.

Indeed, Katie is very taken with our Christmas tree, which she carefully inspects so that she can point out “BALL,” “WHALE,” “MAN” and “HAT” (the nutcracker), “DOG,” “TUCK” (truck), “BABA” (herself!), etc. etc.

Note that above, Katie wears a dress (more of a tunic on her) from the large stash of Christmas-y items handmade or purchased by her great grandmother for her aunt Mary. Talk about passing on traditions — we do love sartorial festivity in this family.

And I was pleased that Katie made it through an entire showing of A Charlie Brown Christmas while snuggled up in a blanket with me. (Yes, she likes to wear her hat inside.) She was enamored with Charlie Brown and Linus, whom she called the names of her two pals at school — aptly so, really.

DN and I had a post-bedtime viewing of White Christmas, which just never, never fails to put me in a good mood. It is perfect from start to finish. Is it unorthodox to say it might be my favorite movie of all time? My sister mentioned her favorite dress here; this year, DN and I were particularly fond of this costume of Vera’s, which calls to mind some of Katie’s ruffled-bottom leggings:

Well, it’s funny to watch this movie and be reminded of a toddler’s wardrobe, but you can imagine that I view most things these days with Katie in mind. I can’t wait until she is old enough to watch White Christmas herself — I just know she will love it! In the meantime, maybe we’ll see if she’ll sit still for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I mean, Hermey might be a toddler icon?