*DISCLAIMER: This post is not safe for small, Santa loving kids* 

Aidan got to sit on Santa's lap at the Somerville firefighter's Christmas party a couple of weeks ago. This is sort of a special Santa visit since the part was being played by my dad. This is why I didn't freak out when he gave Santa a kiss and Santa kissed back. If this had been at the mall daddy may very well be trying to post bail right now for beating a man in a red suit.

As usual, Aidan had far more interest in the girl dressed in the Frosty Costume and the woman making balloon animals. I wonder if we told him we were going to see balloon animals and Frosty if he might spend more time being facinated by Santa? We'll have to try next year.

I've added some more photos of Aidan to the photo album the new photos start here .

We’ve been making Aidan laugh for a very long time. Its never been very hard. All my tired material is brand new to him and he’s an easy audience. Mostly though, his brand of comedy has been physical. Funny faces, prat falls, peek-a-boo, dramatic movements, and a good old fashioned chase have been the standbys to make him giggle. What’s eluded him is the magical comedy of the screen. 

For some time he’s had favorite shows. The Wiggles, The Backyardigans, Go Baby, and host of other shows that make daddy’s head hurt have all made him run to the tv and watch intently for at least 30 seconds before continuing on to another home wrecking task. Its only in the last couple of months that he’s been demanding to watch some of the many Disney movies Jaime has been amassing on DVD. Its only in the last few weeks that he’s actually watched for any length of time with any real interest. Now, finally, he finds them funny and I couldn’t be prouder. 

There’s a scene in The Incredibles, I think its chapter 16, where Helen Parr (Elastigirl) is sobbing about losing her husband to seamstress to the supers, Edna. Frustrated with her lack of spirit and emotional breakdown, the tiny Edna jumps up onto a kitchen counter and demands that Helen get a grip of herself and “Confront the problem! Fight!…Win!” At the word win she’s strikes an “X” pose as if in mid jumping jack and adopts a giant, enthusiastic and deviant smile. Cue Aidan’s raucous laughter. 

I thought for sure the moment that would first make me this proud of his sense of humor would be the day he found farts funny but alas that day has not yet come. Instead, I can take pride in his finding something that is socially acceptable as funny and wanting to watch it over and over and over and over and over and…

I recently upgraded my camera. I went to a digital SLR from my point and shoot. Admittedly, the Panasonic Lumix I was shooting with is a terrific camera with a lot of capability but I found myself wanting even more control and flexibility. I'm shooting with a Canon 30D now and having a bunch of fun. I'm already seeing the differences in the shots I take with it. This is one of them. You can see more of Aidan's shots by clicking the photo. You can see more of my other shots here

We had our Mancini Family Reunion in Connecticut this weekend. It was the first time that we've had Aidan out for a full weekend and sleeping in foreign territory. The last attempt was around Christmas when he was still comparatively stationary. Now that he's hitting stride, this was a different story. I call this a dry run because we look at every outing like this as a learning experience for Disney. I think we just learned Disney is going to be harder than we hoped. 

Napping was out of the question this weekend. He refused until he just about passed out from exhaustion. Going to bed later without a nap didn't expand his night time sleeping like you'd think either. He woke up at the same horrific hour as he does every morning as if he needed to start his shift at the coal mine. 

For those who haven't had to deal with a tired 18 month old, imagine being caught in a sleeping bag with a claustrophobic badger. Its pretty close to that without the rabies concern.

We're home now and he's sleeping peacefully. I did manage to get some shots of him in between the carnage. Click on the photo above to go to the photo album or head there on your own from the links to the right. 

It wasn't so very long ago that it took a lot of word repetition to get Aidan to say a word. Even then it was really hit or miss. As he embraces parrot mode now he's picking up words with a frightening speed.

Yesterday he came home with a onesy shirt on and no pants. I picked him up for a hug and noticed his butt was all wet. Since he enjoys dumping the contents of his sippy cups into his own lap while he's in the car I could guess the cause. I asked him anyway "Why is your bum all wet?" He looked at me, smiled and said "Bum. Bum, bum, bum!"

Perfect.

The hazard of this of course is him driving with daddy. Its seems unavoidable that at some point he'll come home from a trip with me saying "Pick a lane A-hole!"