When does something you do become a tradition? After you do it the once, twice? Or, must you spend a life time doing the same thing year-after-year before it is forever a part of who you are? Closing in on 2-years-old, Alex’s Christmas tradition takes him to San Francisco.
With mom’s sleigh (aka Ford Escape) loaded with presents, and the California I-5 Freeway clear, the six hour journey north from Los Angeles couldn’t have gone smoother this year if Rudolph himself was guiding the way. There are a few good tricks to handling a child who has to be strapped into a car seat that restricts him like a straight jacket. First, bring good music. But, leave U2 at home. Do You Know the Muffin Man or Where is Thumbkin can get you half-way through the state; you can Skip to My Lou the rest of the way. Second, prepare to stop -- and then climb and crawl. Congress should pass a law that requires every fast food restaurant along any interstate to put up an indoor Play Land with red, yellow and blue tube tunnels and curling slides. Finally, remember…there is an end to every road trip -- eventually.
San Francisco is a city that glows throughout the year, but at Christmastime the city also glistens with twinkling lights. You can lose your heart on Cable cars, at the Golden Gate, strolling at the Fisherman’s Wharf or twisting down the famous turns of the elegant Lombard Street Hill. And, of course, a few dozen cousins and aunt Fifi’s special recipes are also a part of the holiday cheer.
As the Christmas traditions of my childhood have faded away, Alex’s traditions are just beginning. As Alex’s journeys may take him far from home for the holidays, the good news is that Santa can find good little boys everywhere. Alex tops the list!
With mom’s sleigh (aka Ford Escape) loaded with presents, and the California I-5 Freeway clear, the six hour journey north from Los Angeles couldn’t have gone smoother this year if Rudolph himself was guiding the way. There are a few good tricks to handling a child who has to be strapped into a car seat that restricts him like a straight jacket. First, bring good music. But, leave U2 at home. Do You Know the Muffin Man or Where is Thumbkin can get you half-way through the state; you can Skip to My Lou the rest of the way. Second, prepare to stop -- and then climb and crawl. Congress should pass a law that requires every fast food restaurant along any interstate to put up an indoor Play Land with red, yellow and blue tube tunnels and curling slides. Finally, remember…there is an end to every road trip -- eventually.
San Francisco is a city that glows throughout the year, but at Christmastime the city also glistens with twinkling lights. You can lose your heart on Cable cars, at the Golden Gate, strolling at the Fisherman’s Wharf or twisting down the famous turns of the elegant Lombard Street Hill. And, of course, a few dozen cousins and aunt Fifi’s special recipes are also a part of the holiday cheer.
As the Christmas traditions of my childhood have faded away, Alex’s traditions are just beginning. As Alex’s journeys may take him far from home for the holidays, the good news is that Santa can find good little boys everywhere. Alex tops the list!
