Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Madeline has discovered Rudolph! One day we were listening to Christmas songs and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on. Well, she listened to the song and began asking questions about it. She wanted to know the story of Rudolph. So, I explained to her that Rudolph was born with a very bright nose, you could even say it glows. The other reindeer made fun of his nose, called him names (what kind of names? I couldn't think of any.), and wouldn't let him play any of their games (what kind of games did they play? Like chase, hide and seek.). Then, on Christmas Eve a super big winter snow storm hit and Santa needed some help seeing through the thick snow. So, he asked Reindeer if his bright glowing nose would guide his sleigh so he could deliver all of the toys to all the boys and girls of the world. Well, the other reindeer heard this and decided that if Santa likes Rudolph, then they can too; he must not be so bad after all. Then, all of the reindeer let him play their games and they never called him names again.

We've discussed that story many, many times since that day. The people in Kroger got a lesson on Rudolph yesterday. She knows some of the song now, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer has a very shiney nose, won't you guide my sleigh tonight!" There are a couple different versions depending on what she remembers when. So, yesterday I was able to find the CBS version of Rudolph and the Misfit toys on the internet. Well, she's watched it twice since yesterday afternoon and loves the Abominable Snow Monster (Bumble). This morning, however, she very groggily woke up saying the other mice wouldn't let her play with them. She was very distraught. I told her she was just dreaming, and I'm sure her friends would never do that to her. She shouldn't play with those mice again since they weren't very nice to her. She said ok, and went back to sleep.

Needless to say, Madeline is very excited about Christmas. The ornaments on the tree get rearranged every so often and the Days Before Christmas calendar is updated diligently, as well as the Advent calendar. I finally got her to leave the tree lights on all day (except when we go out) instead of turning them on and off whenever the mood struck. This is truly a different Christmas than any before.

Oh! The Rudolph stuffed animal Sue sent a couple years ago has become the toy to play with these days. Rudolph will say hi to Madeline and she'll say "I know a song about you!" and she'll start singing. Then, we take off for all of the houses of the world. Rudolph (and a Panda stuffed animal she found in the bottom of her tent) have been added to the necessary friends to be cuddled in bed at nap and night.

I guess that's all for now. In case you're wondering what she is doing as I write this... she is playing Library with her Daddy. She is the librarian and Daddy is the customer. She loves this game, and plays it often.