My son Oliver has recently become obsessed with The Gingerbread Man. He bursts into spontaneous quotes at random times and I’ve started to hear the “run, run as fast as you can – can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man” song in my sleep.
His preschool class had been reading and acting out the story in December and even had a little Gingerbread Man holiday party before Winter break. So at least I know the root of this new mania. And honestly – it’s pretty cute. His garbled version of “run, run as fast as you can” always makes me smile.
I only worry about what will happen when he returns to his class in January and they have moved onto a new book. I wonder if Oliver will try to stage a Gingerbread Man coup d’état. I wouldn’t be surprised given his aversion to change. Either way, I expect some indication of alarm (“What? No Gingerbread Man? What are you trying to do? Ruin my life?”)
In fact, I worry about all of my children and their reaction to the disappearance of holiday decorations, treats and DVDs. We have been rockin’ around the Christmas tree (literally) for about a month, and I don’t think they remember what life was like before. I thought that their obsession with Halloween pumpkins was bad – but that was nothing in comparison to LIGHTS! Every day after I pick them up at daycare, I have to take them on a tour of the neighborhood light displays. Their daycare provider lives in a predominantly pre-fab neighborhood where people think nothing of displaying 50 plastic lawn ornaments (none of which have anything to do with the holiday season), so you can only imagine what they can do with holiday lights and inflatable snowmen, santas and various cartoon characters in holiday garb. To be fair, the kids will sometimes yell for pumpkins – but that’s only because some of the houses still have a few plastic jack 0’lanterns on display.
Luckily for me, I can distract Oliver from this defection of holiday cheer with Gingerbread Man videos. Chris has started pulling up these clips on YouTube, so now the little weirdo demands to see them every time he catches sight of a laptop. Okay – so maybe “luckily for me” isn’t entirely accurate… But I try to drink from the “half full” cup of insanity that seems to come with unlimited refills.
We have found some really bizarre ones, which are surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) some of Oliver’s favorites. Here are a couple (if you are not familiar with the story, I suggest watching this old school version that Oliver also likes):
Lately, I’ve been feeling a little bit like the Gingerbread Man. Everyone is out to get me. Just kidding! (Sort of.) But I do feel like I have a frightening number of responsibilities chasing me toward inevitable doom. Or at the very least toward an even bigger holiday weight gain than I expected. Stress eating + holidays = “fat clothes” coming out of their closet hibernation.
I meant to take last week off from just writing, but all of the last minute work projects, holiday events, children home from daycare and the never ending disaster of my messy house have taken their toll. I haven’t read or commented on any of my favorite blogs. I haven’t responded to e-mails from friends. I haven’t caught up on any of my prime time television viewing… I’m a holiday slacker. But as I said before – the holidays are almost over. So no more running. I’ll just let it all catch up with me and hope that I don’t get eaten alive.
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Funny thing about the ginger bread man… he’s fairly tasty. Us? Not so much. So I think you’ll be okay. :)
Hang in there… the holidays are so wonderful and so exhausting all at the same time, aren’t they?
I remember when I first heard that story at a mommy and me class with my oldest son. I thought the story was really scary but he didn’t seem fazed.
And don’t worry about taking some time off. It’s good to have a break from everything. It will all be there when you get back!
We missed you. :)
Sounds like you really needed a break – continue it if you need to! So funny about the lights displays every day. Reminds me of my 3 year old nephew Thomas who still shouts CHRISTMAS at the top of his lungs whenever he sees any lights displays. Not sure when/if he’ll stop that!
Welcome back! I hear ya about crazy Christmas. Mine was a little too crazy this year. Next year I’m hoping to slow it down a bit. Either way, don’t let anything devour you. You’ll make it!
I love this time of year and hate it all at the same time. I really got into xmas this year, but I am so over it now. I can’t wait to take down my holiday decorations.
BTW: I made the ricotta cookies and OMG!! we LOVED them. I put some green crystalized sugar while the icing was still a little wet. And my circa 1950’s oven took a little over 15 minutes to cook them. :-) Thanks for sharing.
Luckily, Target already has Valentine’s Day merchandise on the shelves, so just point them toward the red, shiny hearts and hopefully they’ll be OK.
So your children are obsessed with seasonal decorations. Lucky you with valentines and Easter coming up. After that it’s a bit of dry spell until the 4th of July.
Don’t feel so bad about ignoring us, you should see the number in my google reader. It just taunts me. I have to clean it out . . . but I might read those blogs, someday.
It amazes me that Oliver likes the Gingerbread Man. I always thought it was one of the scariest of the old children’s tales. Maybe it’s because he always loved it when you chased him around saying “I’m gonna getcha getcha getcha!” You’re right about apres-Christmas let-down. So sad to dismantle everything. I love your half-full glass of insanity.
It’s kind of a dark story. My kids love it too. Enjoy the craziness, soon it will be just the long quiet gloomy stretch of January and we’ll all miss this a bit.
I’m behind on the whole blogging thing too. Which reminds me that I’m behind on EVERYTHING IN LIFE. Sigh…
I LOVE the name Oliver, by the way. That’s just one of those random comments and I’m leaving it at that. You’re welcome :)
First I have to admit, I haven’t been writing either or commenting. I have been delighted by my not as full as I imagined reader!
And, in Kindergarten my teacher did a whole Gingerbread Man thing, I can still vividly remember hunting around the entire school to find the ones that ran away! How sweet. Now your son has YouTube, amazing.
Oh, the gingerbread man. I love the gingerbread man.
Things do have a way of catching up. I feel that way about this entire year – it’s all caught up with me over the holidays. I hope you got some rest and enjoyed your holiday slacking. Happy New Year to you!
I think that gingerbread group should be on America’s Got Talent and actually have a shot at winning.