Kicking off Christmas Celebrations – The First Weekend of December

This Christmas was our first as a family of three, so instead of lots of the usual parties and cocktails, it was all about family time. Each weekend in December, we planned a special holiday activity. 

Our first weekend outing was to the Alexandria Scottish Parade. It marks the beginning of the holiday season in Old Town and all the Scottish clans come out in their tartan glory. We met our dear friends to watch the parade. 

It was seasonably cold and H wore his fleece hat that makes him look like a dock worker. He was fascinated by the loud marching bands, but much more interested in the other parade watchers’ dogs!

Afterward, we made a stop in Silverman Antiques and Gallery. It’s a lovely antique shop in Old Town. I was almost wooed by a Civil War-era diamond ring, but my practical nature reigned supreme. 

  

The other big activity this weekend was the Christmas card photo shoot. We planned it for weeks, setting up the ‘shoot’ downstairs, testing the camera settings and lighting with a stand-in teddy bear. Come to find out, a teddy bear is a lot more cooperative than a 9 ½ month old.

Henry was not happy that he was supposed to sit in front of the lights and not play with them. Such novice baby photographers, we were. C and I exchanged less than loving words, Henry had a meltdown, we tried several different locations…and finally we got about two great shots from which to choose. Years from now, we’ll see the card and think fondly of the behind the scenes drama that ensued to get just the right picture for H’s first Christmas card.