Julianne's Christmas

New imaginary friend Diego & Linda the Llama are on TV in the background, saving Christmas Eve.

We always have a fine turkey dinner on Christmas Eve.

Santa came through with a half dozen kitties, and a dolly too.

Julianne's opening Magna-Tiles, mom's new favorite toy ;-)

Santa Claus & Lo Mein

Like mom, she loves lo mein

Riding the carousel at the mall -- she still ADORES frogs. Let me use this perfect snapshot as an opportunity to extend MAD PROPS to NANNIE BARBARA. If you enjoy the photos on this page, please let her know - I am only posting them. Everything you see going all the way back to Halloween is courtesy of her digicam and her talent, because I've misplaced the darn charger... which means I have a very expensive Kodak paperweight, until I find it.

Frog slippers, frog pajamas - frog mania.

Fine Arts: Playdough & Fingerpainting

Fun with playdough, with Mimae, Daddy & Uncle David.

The artist as a child, during her Blue Period.

Christmastime: Around the House

This is Julianne's CHEEZ: the face you get (lately) when you ask her to smile for the camera.

Julianne knows to keep away from Tucker. He has zero patience for her antics. Fortunately Grayson makes it up to her, and then some.

She loves the kitties Santa brought her. This one meows & purrs when you hold her.

Christmastime: Around The House

Look at that kid get down on the keyboard!

Relishing her basket full of hairbows

Plush Purple Petite Papasan

Magical Night of Lights at Lake Lanier Islands

Everyone loves driving through "Snowflake Lane", the bridge over our low, low Lake Lanier.

Scene from Aladdin

The twister with the flying cow, Dorothy's house in the air, and the wicked witch riding off on the bicycle was my favorite, hands down! Julianne was pretty excited about the twister. There was also an erupting volcano, but she much prefers dormant volcanoes, and she told us she was "not proud of that erupting volcano" for its hot lava.

Georgia Aquarium: A Day to Remember!

It was a thoroughly RAINY afternoon (thank you Universe, pray keep it coming), so Julianne got to debut her pretty raincoat. Pink is her new favorite color.

Papa carried her nearly everywhere, as his back will no doubt remind him tomorrow.

The central atrium is a dazzling area, especially when the rainbow lights are on. Above, Nannie Barbara and Julianne with Deepo, the garibaldi damselfish that serves as the Georgia Aquarium mascot.

We will be reading about and talking about the fishes, sharks, penguins, and sea otters we saw here for a long time.

Georgia Aquarium: Great Blue Wonder

Aquarium: Kitty Facepainting, Touching Sea Stars

Despite the entirely aquatic theme in which we were immersed, Julianne nevertheless chose a kitty to be painted on her cheek. A white kitty with a pink bow. This must be one of my favorite-ever face paintings!

First looking in on the starfish - I mean, sea stars -- then reaching in and touching them. The guides explained a change in terminology that I've noticed since raising Julianne, that what we used to call starfish would now rather be called sea stars, since they are not related to fish. I had noticed it in her baby books and on Go Diego! I really don't think the lovely creatures care what they call them, but it had been bothering me that nobody says "starfish" anymore. I felt like I missed that memo, but now I am enlightened.

"Me & Diego"

Julianne has entered that fun phase, The Imaginary Friend. We love Diego (Dora's cousin) and have watched his adventures from the animal rescue center for a couple of months at least... and now suddenly, he has come to stay with us. He's always playing with Julianne, and everything she does includes him. We sing his song, we read his books, especially this one where he saves Christmas with the help of Linda the llama.

Last night we were driving around in the dark looking at Christmas lights, when she told me "Diego's ear popped, and it really hurts!" That entailed a trip to the on-call doctor, who was in Lawrenceville on Sugarloaf... but fortunately her ears only had a little bit of fluid. We got an antibiotic prescription just in case, anyway, so that is a relief.

Christmas 2007 will be remembered in our family as the year of the Infirmary. BD's had several painful episodes with her kneecap and had to borrow my old crutches.. My mom's broken her toe badly again, PLUS she and I have the same sore throat/earache thing that has had my dad sick for a week. And poor uncle David doesn't need to catch it from us, because he has back surgery scheduled right after the first of the year.

But all that really matters is how eagerly Julianne and Diego await Christmas morning and evidence of Santa's visit!!

Santa Claus,

Her Nannie Barbara took her this morning to visit Santa. He was very nice. She told him that she wants a CAT and a DOLLY. I'm sure she will not be disappointed.

Deckin' The Halls