Red Light Green Light versions 3a, 3b & 3c

Tonight at dinner Elizabeth showed us a new game she learned at school, Red Light Green Light. We both said that was our favorite game as little kids. We agreed we would play a few rounds after everybody ate their broccoli and before bed.

One of the great things about oral traditions and games like this is how the basic action is passed from generation to generation but there are little shifts here and there. A game of telephone played over huge spans of time instead of a circle. Sorry, I did get a degree in Comparative History of Ideas. We discovered we all learned this game differently.


Version 3a



Version 3b



Version 3c

Frequent Flier

Elizabeth and Nancy spent the first part of January in Hanover, where my folks and my brother Paul live.

Elizabeth is a great flier, enjoys picnics at the airports and thankfully sleeps in the plane or at the terminal.


She had a wonderful time keeping her grandparents and uncle busy. It did snow every day when we were there. In spite of that, she insisted we go to the playground in 2 feet of snow.

Once the temperature dropped below 20 degrees, we had to find indoor play areas. Elizabeth made friends, leading kids in games of chase, crack the whip and jumped onto another kid's merry go round ride.

We are happy to be home if jet-lagged and we miss everyone on the East Coast.

Let's Stay Up All Night!

We had our yummy New Year's Eve dinner - siu mai, potstickers, and spring rolls - settled in to watch Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper on CNN, as all good parents of toddlers are wont to do, and sent Elizabeth off to bed.


She had other ideas. Shortly after East Coast New Year's, we heard a loud BUMP from upstairs. Nancy went to investigate. Elizabeth was diving off the foot of her bed. Since it's New Year's Eve, we thought, what the heck, let her stay up a little more.

Elizabeth was a party monster. She wanted to know "What are we watching?" She played with her bouncing ball, drew several masterpieces on her MagnaDoodle. She chased after George and the cats, who had already settled into their post-bedtime repose and were displeased to be back on Baobao high alert.

She took her father's New Year's Even credo "Let's Stay Up All Night!" to heart and finally settled in for the night at 11:30. PM, sharing the following wish with everyone

Christmas Eve and Morning at the Jensen's

CHRISTMAS EVE: We bake cookies for Santa; reportedly he prefers peanut butter and chocolate chip by the time he gets to our house

We leave them out with a carrot for the reindeer

and Elizabeth pretends to be a baby before she goes to bed.



CHRISTMAS MORNING
We awoke to tears "I'm all wet!"After a quick bath, we head downstairs. Elizabeth liked her stocking pretty well



She opened a few presents but got sucked into her Dora coloring book, and proceeded to spend the next hour coloring all the characters' teeth - blue. Huh.





It's noon, it's snowing, none of her toys arrived yet from Santa and yet we have had a wonderful holiday. The only thing we could ask for it to be with all of you who we love, and who love us so much. Happy Christmas to all.



p.s. overload hits

Lucy is my Homegirl

It has been snowing for a week in Seattle. Our original plan to travel to New England was scotched by the weather. So we are having a stay-at-home Christmas. We're baking and doing a lot of arts and crafts.

One aspect of all the weather is we are watching a little more TV than usual, as Elizabeth absolutely hates the snow, unless she is in her pajamas and crocs, or naked, which limits her exposure to the elements.

Last week, I showed her a sampling of Christmas specials we DVR'd, including Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Charlie Brown. She dismissed Frosty after a minute, wouldn't look at SCICTT, and would only watch the part of Rudolph that included the Abominable Snow Monster, which she laughed at.

But oh Charlie Brown. Good old Charlie Brown. She loves Charlie Brown. It's my favorite Christmas program and initially I was moved, imagining that she responded to its gentle message and quiet score. But no.

Specifically, she loves Lucy. How Lucy yells. How she bosses other people around. How she threatens Linus with the five good reasons. Elizabeth told me this morning, with her eyes shining, "I love Lucy Mama." And then cackled. I am worried.

Elizabeth's Letter to Santa

(This is verbatim) Dear Santa Claus, Happy Birthday. I don't run away from Mommy. I pick up, and pet Maggie and Uffe and they are happy. Please bring George to the vet. I ran off George's legs all by myself.

(this next part was interpreted by her father) Please deliver any gifts to Nana and Gege's in Hanover. If there is a ladybug and turtle available for me, they would be greatly appreciated.

Love Elizabeth

6 Inches of snow, more to come

Taken last night during a brief despite in our snowstorm. Holy crap it's cold! I've lived here too long and my blood got thin.

Elizabeth wandered into the backyard at noon fully suited up, lasted 10 minutes and then came inside declaring "It's too cold Mama. Take my coat."