Tonight was the Firespring holiday party. This year’s theme was “Las Vegas,” which meant a lounge singer, blackjack and roulette tables, a big buffet-style dinner, etc. At the end of the night, we cashed in our tiny pile of chips for tickets, which were then entered into a raffle for prizes. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the winners were announced, but we’re still pulling for that new iPod.

Last year we were shopping for who knows what, and we stopped to look at Christmas stockings. It brought (happy) tears to my eyes to think that we would need a new one for this year. 

Photo credit to Jason.

Tonight was Bath Night in the Morehead household, one of the funnest nights of the week.

I realize that I’ve posted a picture of Simon practically every day so far, but the DPP is all about what we’re looking at, and, well, he’s what I’m looking at this month.

I don’t really know what these guys are looking at, but Simon loved meeting Jersey (our pastor’s dog), and it’s almost certainly a sign that we’ll be getting one of our own someday—but only once Simon’s old enough to help take care of the pooch.

I tried really hard to get an “artistic” shot, but then I realized that in my efforts to do so, I was actually missing out on the joy of the moment. So I snapped a few shots just to document the encounter and then put down the camera to join in the fun.

What could be more exhilarating for a ten-month-old who has just learned to crawl, than to have a great big house to explore? (Nevermind how nervous this makes his parents.)

This morning, desperate for an outing, I made a phone call to Rebecca to see what she and Liv had planned for the day. They were headed for the Pioneers Park Nature Center, so Simon and I happily tagged along. In the new building, the Prairie Building, they have a kids’ play area, where Simon found plenty of questionable things to put in his mouth, including shed snake skin (is there a special name for that?) and the bottommost part of a deer leg (I think it must have been real). Ew.

One of the guys that works at the center took out a bull snake and let us all pet it—this Simon found fascinating, as he loves new textures (he was almost equally impressed with the fraying carpet under Jake the Snake’s cage). As we were thanking Dude (Ted) and getting ready to leave, Rebecca mentioned that they had a nice gift shop there. I mentioned that I would like to look for one of the toys that Simon had been playing with, a wooden snakelike toy with wheels that folded over itself. Dude (Ted) said that he had made the toy. “Oh, how cool,” I said, “Do you sell them in the gift shop?” No they don’t. “Oh,” I said, “You should make some for the gift shop; I bet they’d be a hit.” (I really don’t know why I was so obsessed with the gift shop.) Anyway, Dude (Ted) said that he could make me one (and for a very reasonable price, I might add), so he’ll give me a call in about a week or so when it’s done. Very cool.

In warmer weather, Jason and Simon loved to sit on the porch and watch the neighborhood happenings. Now that it’s grown cold, they have to be content with a new perch on the bookshelf in the L’Abri corner. It’s not as much of a sensory experience, but it still keeps Simon’s interest for a time.

Simon and I spent the day with my sister, Rhonda (aka Aunt Fun). We tried to decorate the house for Christmas as a surprise for Jason, but we were utterly defeated by the garlands.

I’m never sure if we’re winding him up or wearing him out. (Photo by Jason)