Conquering Her Fear!

Georgia did it!  My courageous six year old conquered one of her fears.  G sat next to Santa to tell him what she wants for Christmas.  She has refused to do this or even look at Santa for the last four years.  After seeing Santa in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, G decided she needed to go see the man in red.  

On Friday, November 26th, we went to Macy's on 34th street in New York City to see Santa.  As we took the escalators up to the 8th floor to find the jolly old man, G's nerves of steel began to crumble.  She kept telling me she wasn't sure she wanted to do this.  I told her let's just go see him.  You don't have to speak, you can just wave at him.  She agreed, and we continued to make our way up.

Have you ever been to see Santa at Macy's in New York City?  Santaland/North Pole is incredible!  I do think if we had gone to see any other Santa, she would not have done it.  As soon as we got into line, there were elves to greet us and to talk to G.  This distracted her and calmed her nerves.  The elves direct you though the path/line to Santa.  The path begins with a train ride to Santaland.  Then you go along a beautifully decorated path to see Santa.

As we got to Santa, G made me go in first.  She very hesitantly followed and stood in front of Santa.  He was so good.  Santa talked to her and before you knew it, she was sitting next to him talking about what she wanted for Christmas.  I am so proud of my little girl.  I actually saw her grow and mature before my very eyes in that moment.  

G told me later if she can get over her fear of Santa, she can get over her fear of thunder, lightening, and the Maryland turtle.  She also said she only wants to see the Macy's Santa from now on.  :~)

       

 

Never Forget...

If you don't live in the Big Apple, you've probably already forgotten the affects of September 11th.  New Yorkers....they will NEVER forget.  You probably remember where you were when it happened, but you were more than likely not in New York.  It was different there that day.  

In talking to the door man at our hotel, it affected his family.  His wife worked on the 6th floor that day.  She easily ran out of the tower she was working in and made it safely home.  His uncle worked on the 86th floor of one of the towers.  He walked all the way down after his tower was struck by the plane. He doesn't talk about what he saw that day.  He also refuses to come back into the city, watch the news, or read the newspaper.  

Did 9-11 affect you that way?  Probably not.  It did for New Yorkers.  It was more than just watching it on TV.  It was a living hell, and they will NEVER Forget!

Conversations With The G...

This morning G got up before I left the house so I fixed breakfast for her.  Oatmeal...just like Aunt E fixes it.  G was helping me in the kitchen.  Here's our conversation:

G:  "Mom, where are all the witches?"

Me:  "What, G?"

G:  "Witches...Where are they?  One is missing.  Is the witches in the dishwasher?"

Me:  "G, we don't have witches."

G:  "Yes we do.  See right here mom...it says Witches."

Me:  "Honey, that says Welch's."

We have four little glasses with the Peanut's Gang on them that where once filled with grape jelly.  I got them a long time ago because I like the Peanut's Gang, and I thought any future child of mine would too.  ;~)

My Taxi Ride!

Aunt E bought G the book "My Taxi Ride" in honor of where she lives, New York City. We have the best time reading it. G and I read it tonight in honor of our Thanksgiving trip to NYC this week. The illustrations are also good. I couldn't decide whether to post a picture of the book or an excerpt from it ....so here's both.

Hail taxi! Hey Taxi! Ho taxi! Yo taxi!

Where to, Miss? Where to, Mister?

Where to, Brother? Where to, Sister?

All around our New York town!

A bus is fine, but it sticks to a line.

That's okay if you've got the time.

A train is a treat, but it's stuck on a track.

That's a drag if you're late to get back.

A car is quick but you've got to park it.

A bike is cool but you've got to lock it.

In a rush? No time to spare?

Hail a cab to take you there.

To the store or to the theater,

Just keep one eye on the meter.

As long as you have got the fare,

New York cabs go anywhere!

Anywhere you need to be -

Directly from point A to B.

Is a taxi red or green?

Not in this Big Apple scene.

A yellow cab is easy to see,

Buzzin' around like a bumblebee.

Now you know that you can spot one,

Next step is to try to stop one!

It's a breeze. Nothin' to it.

Find a curb. Here's how to do it.

Raise you arm and point your finger.

Belt it out like an opera singer.

Hail taxi! Hey taxi!

Ho taxi! Yo taxi! WHOA TAXI!

That cab wasn't being snooty.

Read the letters, it's OFF DUTY.

Don't despair. Here comes another.

(More than 12,000 all together!)

Step on up and don't be shy.

Shout to the rooftops. Shout to the sky:

Hail taxi! Hey taxi!

Ho taxi! Yo taxi! HELLO TAXI!

Get on in. Scoot on over.

Seat belts on. Time to motor!

Three in the back and one in the front,

Driver at the wheel and bags in the trunk.

Where to, Miss? Where to, Mister?

Where to, Brother? Where to, Sister?

                          - Paul Dubois Jacobs and 
                 Jennifer Swender