Happy holidays, everybody!  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this season, since I’m finally old enough to grasp the whole present situation.  I’ve learned all of the words to Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Deck the Halls, and the Dreidel Song, and I enjoyed every night of Hanukkah candle lighting.  And although I was patient zero for a vicious stomach virus that took our whole family out over winter vacation, it seems to have impacted me least of all.  I sat up in bed one night, spontaneously vomited gyro meat and chocolate ice cream a few times, and then watched as my family members succumbed one by one to a more acute version of the same illness.  We’re all on the path to a full recovery, but I don’t think Mommy will be ordering gyros any time soon …

I’ve recently discovered a fascination with phonics, and spent most of the past month asking grown ups what letter various words start with.  I’ve got a pretty good ear for sounding things out myself, although I’d rather quiz the big people in my life.  I’m not crazy about taking a guess and being wrong.  I’m also not crazy about losing in general, and Mommy has discovered that a good way to motivate me to do just about anything is to turn it into a race I can win.  This applies to getting dressed in the morning, eating certain foods, etc.  I’m still working on my sportsmanship, however, and I sometimes get unduly upset at the prospect of being “last.”  Mommy frequently explains to me that there’s nothing wrong with being the final car in line at the Starbucks drive-thru (“we’re not last, we’re just next, right, Mom?”).

I have very limited screen time, but I saw my first animated feature over the holiday season: Toy Story.  I loved it, and am now obsessed with all things Woody and Buzz.  I’ve also developed an affinity for Seinfeld, which is sometimes on TV in the background when I come home from school at night.  I’m singularly fascinated by the antics of George and Kramer, and sometimes I’ll race into the kitchen to update Mommy on the plot or to tattle on characters who are behaving poorly (“Elaine called somebody ugly Mommy, and that’s not nice!”).

Current likes: When George and Kramer get angry

Current dislikes: Having people look at me when I’m upset

Eight nights, eight lights!