Merry Christmas!

Well, everyone had a great Christmas here today, I must say. Reid's highlights, relayed in several stream of consciousness conversations with whomever called and asked, included a Pirate Ship (lego), Rocket Ship (Space Shuttle), tool box, a super-hero kit (see cape et al) and the reincarnation of his long lost and much-beloved fast shoes. Sania received an activity cart to further flex her awesome walking powers. Enjoy the pictures.

Funny

Boosted gratuitously from Jessica Hagy's brilliant "Indexed."

This is the first year that we've really been able to hold the possibility of Santa-related penalties over Reid's head, and I've got to say it's been fun. We basically spaced on the whole, "I'm calling Santa" business, but this last week, we've been in position to throw around Santa's impetuosity and it's been a good time.

Today was Reid's last day of school, so tomorrow he and I are going to cruise around and laugh at the people who haven't bought all their Christmas gifts yet. Maybe get an oil change. Who knows.

Sania's Little Critter

Sania's showing a lot of interest in walking lately, signaling the end of the narrow window of interruption-free bathroom usage we've enjoyed since Reid (mercifully) stopped following us into the restroom most of the time.

This clip is especially funny because it devolves into a minor-league bout of road rage in the final act, and Sania even bites the steering wheel.



Sania's Bike on Vimeo

Feliz Navidad

In the spirit of Christmas, Reid wanted to debut his latest bilingual hit here on the family blog. In fact, his school had a holiday concert Friday (after which he and I retired for lunchtime steaks in what I'd like to think is a holiday tradition) and they learned a whole pile of songs, a couple of which were complete surprises to us.

Well, one day in the week or so leading up to the big show, Reid drops "Feliz Navidad" without warning on his unsuspecting parents. Thrilled, we burned through hours of videotape attempting to capture it again. We are not, it should be pointed out, so insane that we dressed him up in holiday finery and lit the room well and tried to make a video of Reid singing a Christmas song in Spanish. Oh no, my insanity ends here at posting video on the Internet. Enjoy.



Reid Wishing You a Merry Christmas on Vimeo

Running Man

We're trying out a new video client over here at the Rizkerson. Let me know what you think.



Reid Running on Vimeo

This is pretty old footage. It was so trying to upload video on the blog before, and I was struggling with different technologies and some file-size considerations, so I shelved our online videography for a while. This client, Vimeo, is pretty easy to use, so we'll see if it works out for a while.

Reid likes to run. No doubt about it. By the end you can hear me wheezing. Sorry, too, about the low light, but K and I have examined and ruled out installing Klieg lights all over the house.

Some Lists

I thought it would be nice to run down some amusing lists from our lives.
This is a list of things Reid takes to bed with him. Items with an asterisk have been taken to bed multiple times.

• damp towel (aka "My cape")*
  
• lip balm
  
• bar of soap (removed by parent after Reid falls asleep)
  
• trucks (two kinds)
  
• alternate pair of pajamas
  
• books*
  
• comic book (destroyed by sweat, knees)
  
• placemat/map of the world
  
• bottle of children's vitamins (gummy)
  
• Buzz Lightyear/Sheriff Woody (big, little, huge, mix it up)
  
• Buzz Lightyear motorcycle (no rider)
  
• backpack
  
• scarf/gloves/other outerwear
  
• empty cups
  
• adult clothing (either/both parents)
  
• inflatable globe
  
• wind-up fish
  
• maracas
  
• paint roller
  
• green battery-powered toy that sings, "When You're Smiling" and then says "Happy Halloween!"

Vetoed items

• three-piece truck/boat/boat trailer toy which says "Start your engines" in a stern voice and then plays a lame Miami Vice-like Jan Hammer riff. Just terrible.

Surprising things Sania has done lately (partial)

• Put hand in VCR slot. Smiled.
  
• Climbed entertainment center and been surprised/struck in the face by the ejecting DVD tray.
  
• Got both legs stuck under a piece of furniture without lifting it.
  
• Held her own bottle.
  
• Burped herself awake.
  
• Ate cheerios.