Seen & heard Sunday night...
L: "Who's my favorite Daddy?"
Ball&Chain: "I don't know? WHO?"
they just may not be grammatically correct
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Art of Lying
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In 2011, I want to be better with my hoarding ways. We get SO much art sent home from school. Some of it never makes the pile I keep... but some of them, I can't part with. The example posted above.They paint, draw, scribble a TON of things and the teachers often transcribe what it is. Apparently this one (hopefully) has the theme of FICTION.
I haven't fallen. I haven't been to the park in ages. I will, however, be scanning pictures that come home from now on to save the memory and decrease the clutter.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Rudolph is a (Dirty) Chip off the Ol'Block
I'm a HUGE stats dork. Excel? It's my dirty little secret. That bastard can make me happy no matter what kind of mood I'm in.
In the same vein, I LOVE finding out stats, numbers, visitors, who stays, who goes, how you find this little space online.
I started paying attention when I realized how many smokers out there are attacked to this space... bizzaro world. Now? Now Rudolph has brought you here, perhaps. Here's my question though - why is Rudolph considered dirty? A weenie, fine. Perhaps a loner. Dirty? I don't buy it.
Rudolph's dad a jerk - check. I believe. I BELIEVE. But fault the little guy for being dirty? Can't we just leave that B alone?
In the same vein, I LOVE finding out stats, numbers, visitors, who stays, who goes, how you find this little space online.
I started paying attention when I realized how many smokers out there are attacked to this space... bizzaro world. Now? Now Rudolph has brought you here, perhaps. Here's my question though - why is Rudolph considered dirty? A weenie, fine. Perhaps a loner. Dirty? I don't buy it.
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| snap shot of some search keywords |
Rudolph's dad a jerk - check. I believe. I BELIEVE. But fault the little guy for being dirty? Can't we just leave that B alone?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Dreamy Christmas - Wrap Up
So where last we left our holiday heroes we were enjoying the look of Christmas magic.
I have to be honest, homegirl made out. Among other things, she got just what she needed like fantastic outfits from Nana Lu, just what she wanted like Rudolph the Red Nosed Dang Reindeer from her MyUncleChris and super fun snow globe light up Frosty’s from Uncle Ricky. Of which a few days deep she has almost drained the batteries. Nana Lu told me about this video, the kid who got books and called NO FAIR on Christmas past. Want to know just one of the reasons I love my kid? She got books too – and before she wanted to open the rest of her presents she wanted to stop and read them. How cool is she? You get books for Christmas, in her mind.
Last year, in pursuit for the best holiday card ever, 2009, I purchased some footie pajamas. Adult sized. Unfortunately the ball & chain and I were not our most svelte so they didn’t fitat all right. The good news is, this year they fit perfectly. I picked up some complimenting pajamas for the rest of our house guests and the result? Christmas. Magic.
I have to be honest, homegirl made out. Among other things, she got just what she needed like fantastic outfits from Nana Lu, just what she wanted like Rudolph the Red Nosed Dang Reindeer from her MyUncleChris and super fun snow globe light up Frosty’s from Uncle Ricky. Of which a few days deep she has almost drained the batteries. Nana Lu told me about this video, the kid who got books and called NO FAIR on Christmas past. Want to know just one of the reasons I love my kid? She got books too – and before she wanted to open the rest of her presents she wanted to stop and read them. How cool is she? You get books for Christmas, in her mind.
Last year, in pursuit for the best holiday card ever, 2009, I purchased some footie pajamas. Adult sized. Unfortunately the ball & chain and I were not our most svelte so they didn’t fit
After present overload we sat around, sipped on some mimosas and freed some of the toys from their treacherous shackles and awaited the next wave of arrivals!
Seriously: Elves, Santa, toy manufactures worldwide…. what is UP with the packaging? Are you preparing the toys for serious earthquake survival? I mean forget about the who environmental impact of all that plastic, twist ties reinforced with tape, wire and sticky glue – what about the cost for these materials? The aggravation alone – I would pay MORE to be able to buy toys that don’t require a toolbox and bone cutting scissors to free the toy.
Seriously: Elves, Santa, toy manufactures worldwide…. what is UP with the packaging? Are you preparing the toys for serious earthquake survival? I mean forget about the who environmental impact of all that plastic, twist ties reinforced with tape, wire and sticky glue – what about the cost for these materials? The aggravation alone – I would pay MORE to be able to buy toys that don’t require a toolbox and bone cutting scissors to free the toy.
Grammy & Pa Pa arrived and present giving and receiving take 2 took place with only 1 causality caused by poor labeling. Continuing the legacy (from a few hours earlier), everyone got spoiled and L walked away with some serious booty. A favorite of mine? A nativity scene - made by Melissa & Doug. We have a Christmas tree, we even have a menorah... but a nativity set? We didn't. It's perfect! Not to mention, Belle & matching movie - L was in heaven.
Fun fact? Grammy & Poppa and Uncle Ricky both bought us wines inspired by the love of my summer sipper. Looky looky. Blogging brings additional benefits!
The day progressed with fun, relaxation, delish food (thanks to the talented ball & chain) and some more relaxing. It was a pretty perfect day. I was right, what can I say? Holidays at home ARE the way to go. Since it was our first year home, we eased into it all. Next year we'll most likely pare down the Christmas Take 2, etc but the holidays at home are here to stay.
The day after Christmas we were scheduled to go to the ball & chain's brother's house. While I know how much L loves her cousin time, I'm not going to lie. We got hit with a blizzard and I couldn't be happier. Thus the beginning of this post (posted yesterday)... started during the storm, 1 week ago (at this point). We watched movies, played in the snow, drank hot chocolate with mash-a-mellows and enjoyed the aftermath. All house guests made a run for the boarder first thing in the morning to avoid the snow and while the time with the fam was nice - again, not going to lie - to have the house to ourselves was fantastic.
Here's to hoping!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Dreamy Christmas - Introduction(ish)
Oh happiness. Christmas miracles of Christmas miracles. Let me set the scene. This post started, to date of my completion and re-read the 26th of December. Keep that in mind, based on the publish date; whenever that might end up being. As I go through, I realize this bad boy has to be in two parts (Hooray, two posts taken care of! CHECK!) That’s how busy we’ve been or been busy relaxing in-between the next ‘course’ of family visits. OK, now back the 26th… this feels like virtual time travel.
We are gleefully sitting on our couch. Snugged up, candles burning & kid napping. Christmas amazing. I am typing from my wireless keyboard to my iPad. Oh yes.
Wireless. iPad Maybe it’s just me, but those two words feel like porn might to those that well, like the porn. You get the picture (though now I’m not sure what kind of picture you are getting).
I'm sipping an ice cold drink from A Christmas Story glass and we are snowed in. Oh yes we are. This is truly the best Christmas eva. We've had a house full of love, celebration, relaxation and Christmas magic for days. It wouldn't be a family gathering with out a little yelling (it's how we communicate) a touch of cussing and a few minutes of aggravation. If it was missing any of these components we would have been at someone else’s house - likely other people all together. Despite the plan to stay home and not travel, we got (mostly) that. Traditions began and our home was the meeting place for the holidays, for the first time ever. Though I think we hosted an Easter a bit back, when we were in Boston. This was very different.
Nana Lu & Uncle Ricky arrived Christmas Eve, quickly followed by MyUncleChris. The first tradition we introduced was having a relaxing and stress free dinner. I highly suggest it. Basically, you don't make dinner at all. Who doesn't like appetizers? We noshed through the night, watched Christmas movies and set up for Santa. Milk & cookies (that L helped to make & decorate) for the big man and carrots for his ride. Magically wonderful.
Christmas morning the kid woke up at the reasonable time of 7am. Not bad. She ran to the living room to see that Nana Lu wasn't there, as she expected. She was out walking the dog, to prepare for the reveal. I asked her, "Where do you think Nana Lu is?"
Wireless. iPad Maybe it’s just me, but those two words feel like porn might to those that well, like the porn. You get the picture (though now I’m not sure what kind of picture you are getting).
I'm sipping an ice cold drink from A Christmas Story glass and we are snowed in. Oh yes we are. This is truly the best Christmas eva. We've had a house full of love, celebration, relaxation and Christmas magic for days. It wouldn't be a family gathering with out a little yelling (it's how we communicate) a touch of cussing and a few minutes of aggravation. If it was missing any of these components we would have been at someone else’s house - likely other people all together. Despite the plan to stay home and not travel, we got (mostly) that. Traditions began and our home was the meeting place for the holidays, for the first time ever. Though I think we hosted an Easter a bit back, when we were in Boston. This was very different.
Nana Lu & Uncle Ricky arrived Christmas Eve, quickly followed by MyUncleChris. The first tradition we introduced was having a relaxing and stress free dinner. I highly suggest it. Basically, you don't make dinner at all. Who doesn't like appetizers? We noshed through the night, watched Christmas movies and set up for Santa. Milk & cookies (that L helped to make & decorate) for the big man and carrots for his ride. Magically wonderful.
Christmas morning the kid woke up at the reasonable time of 7am. Not bad. She ran to the living room to see that Nana Lu wasn't there, as she expected. She was out walking the dog, to prepare for the reveal. I asked her, "Where do you think Nana Lu is?"
Quite seriously she responded, "Maybe she's with Santa or somethin?"
Santa delivered many a present to our good little girl. Some might say he went overboard, but I would maintain that he found some serious deals. The good news? He also got the wrapping done early. The bad news? Only a few presents turned up with out a label. What's the worst that could happen? They must all be for the kid of the house? Right?
L's first present she opened knowing Santa Claus had picked them just for her was.... (drum roll please):
A pair of oven mitts. Perhaps meant for her father... maybe, maybe not.
About three presents deep, she was done. Not done as in, no more presents to open. Done as in, she was all set with the whole thing. I can't be sure, but after prodding and (honestly) bribery, she finally got through her goodies from Santa. Including endless coloring books, play dough and other random tchotchke Santa had been saving since he went to BlogHer. A paint set, additions to her dollhouse, markers and crayons, oh my. Barbie & her horse and some alternative clothes to change her up in. Side note: Barbie dresses pretty loose if you ask me. Since Santa figured Barbie might need a Ken, the right thing to do would be to make sure Barbie got the right kind of Ken... like an Edward instead. Oh yes I he did.
Picture compliments of MyUncleChris who promptly posted this pic and the following caption on Facebook: "Ken is not allowed in my sister's house so Belle gets Edward for a date this christmas."
With the opening of a bike helmet, we thought it would be clear that a bike was "somewhere" under the pile... like the largest present front and center of the fireplace, under a bike sized bag. Oh boy - she doesn't have the finding gene of her father. Did you know he once found a contact in a swimming pool? True. Story.
Also a true story? It took her about a half hour to figure out that the giant bike sized bag contained a bike. I didn’t get too many pictures from the morning, but I did get this one – this is the exact moment she screamed, “I FOUND MY BIKE-A-KLE!”
Also a true story? It took her about a half hour to figure out that the giant bike sized bag contained a bike. I didn’t get too many pictures from the morning, but I did get this one – this is the exact moment she screamed, “I FOUND MY BIKE-A-KLE!”
I leave you with the look of Christmas magic .. to be continued...
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