It’s that time of year again. Can you believe that I am already old enough to have traditions? My first Thanksgiving was spent with family in Minnesota and I got so attached to the idea that I had several of them imported for the big feast again this year in Senegal. Grandma and Grandpa made the long trip across the water and they liked it so much they just kept right on going. Baby Adventure Traveler had a big impact on them and they decided to conduct their own investigations into Tunisia, Egypt, and Kenya. They saw wonders ancient and modern including a plethora of great African animals but I believe their greatest pleasure was seeing one pudgy little human.
This time of year is a good time to reflect on the past, look at old photos and hear stories of how everything came to be the way it is today.
It is also a time to play and be joyous and the spirit of the season really brought the kid out in all of us.
Grandpa especially. 
I really wore him out.
Not all traditions are easy to follow. Last year in December we lit Hanukkah candles and sang “Rock of Ages” quite poorly. This year there was a fat man in a red suit. 
I feel a bit conflicted and suspect there is some sort of a cover up going on. The guy with the obviously false beard and exaggerated paunch certainly had something to hide. I will see if I can figure out a way to meld these odd rituals in future years because they both had some interesting parts. But frankly, it matters little to me if we are eating potato pancakes or drinking egg nog, as long as I get to spend time with people who want nothing more than to laugh at my delightful antics.
I wish you all the best during this time of year and I hope that you too are surrounded by people who take ridiculous amounts of pleasure in watching you do something as simple as putting on sunglasses or helping sweeping the patio.
Happy Hollidays and as I say to every airplane that passes overhead, “Bye bye!”
Peace to all,
Omi, Baby Adventure Traveler
