A Boy and his Box

It's amazing how much delight a child can find with a cardboard box. Brent and I were gathering up recycling last night and set a box down in the kitchen. Alex was in the living room playing with his trains. All of a sudden, there was a boy inside the box! I just had to get a little video... Enjoy!

Chase!

New Year’s Eve

We spent the holiday this year visiting with the Jacobson family. They have boys similar in age to Alex and it proved to be a fun-filled evening. Before we left the house, we wanted to get in the party mood so we started playing “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga. Alex loved it! We captured his sweet dance moves in the video at the end of the post.

The boys really did have a great time playing with trains and running around after one another. Alex had a great time hiding in the cardboard playhouse the boys got for Christmas. After playtime was over, the adults got to have some fun! It was overall a fantastic time and a great way to bring in the New Year!

See "Poker Face" video below

A Day in the Life of an Elf

This year we toured “A Day in the Life of an Elf” in Santaland on the 8th floor of Macys. We met Grandma and Grandpa Johnson for a tour of this magical place. Alex was excitedly running from display to display. Christmas music was blaring from the speakers above and all of the objects were motorized so it really felt like we were peaking in on the Elves as they readied themselves for Christmas. Alex’s favorite part was seeing all the letters kids wrote to Santa. I was encouraging Alex to touch them as a mom right beside us was telling her child “Don’t touch that! All the kids touch them and they are filled with germs!” I say to that “Bah-humbug!” Kids are kids, they should explore.

The city photos are downtown Minneapolis on a foggy, warmish night. We walked to Lyon's Pub a few blocks from Macy's for dinner. The food was great, and the atmosphere was thick with music. Alex was dancing for all of us as he ate his grilled cheese and french fries. Overall, it was a very fun night out on the town.

Santa!

Alex got to meet Santa this year at the Santa Experience in the Mall of America. We went to a nice dinner at Kokomo’s Island Café and then headed over to see the bearded legend. There was a line for our “appointment” but Alex kept himself busy by running around the lobby and playing Peek-a-Bo barn on Brent’s iPhone. According to an onlooker, he is “very technologically savy for a baby.” As we crept closer to Santa’s location, Alex got more and more interested in the jolly voice behind the curtain. And finally, it was our turn! Santa walked off the “set” while the cheerful camera assistant got Alex settled in a cute rocking chair and handed him a book. Alex was too busy looking at the book to notice Santa swooping in behind him. They took a few pictures this way but none of them were cute. The real action started when Santa lifted Alex from behind and put him on his lap. Alex was instantly on guard and was like, “Who the heck is this guy!?” He arched his back to escape, but to no avail. He was stuck. They got a couple great shots and Alex was free. We got suckered into buying the video of the event and a picture. Well, mommy got suckered into it. The whole experience was a blast. I am proud that my social son handled himself so well and hopefully next year he will give a tug on the ole’beard! If you look closely... he is trying to pry Santa's hand away. Pretty cute!

Videos!

I finally captured Alex walking on video. He tends to pump his arms for momentum and kick out his little feet. He is getting so sturdy! We were watching Sesame Street in the background... rather loudly apparently! Be sure to check out his sweet PJs!



Here is a video of Alex throwing his Vikings football against the hallway wall. HOO-TA!

I will miss you Aunt Angie

Alex's Aunt Angie passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2010 from leukemia. This picture was taken on May 30, 2010 and as you can see... she was glowing. Alex had no idea what was going on at the Mayo clinic the day that tragedy struck, but we will be sure to tell him stories of his aunt as he gets older.

Angie wasn't much of a "baby person" but kids adored her... including Alex. When Alex was still an infant, I finally got Angie to hold him at a family gathering. Alex had just finished a bottle and Angie unwisely started playing with him by swaying him UP and DOWN. Big mistake. Of course Alex threw up on her. It was definitely funny.

Angie also couldn't resist buying Alex gifts. To name a few- she bought him homemade blankets, a Playskol puppy for Christmas that he still cuddles, and a great outfit for his first birthday. The outfit was very grown up... a polo shirt, jeans, and brown shoes. SUPER CUTE. It was the first pair of shoes that really fit him and he wore. And Angie didn't even need to try them on him... they just fit. The first time Brent and I went to try on shoes for Alex we tried on 3 pair before finding a pair that fit across his wide, pudgy foot.

Angie loved reading this blog... and she loved her nephew. We will all miss her dearly.