Recap of the Holidays: Part 1

I am admittedly behind. I blame each of you who sent us a gorgeous photo of your child, self, or family last month. In mid-November, we (and by "we" I mean "I") actually began the Christmas Card Photo Process. Eventually, I gave it three, freshly-shampooed-and-coiffured, 4pm-clean-outfit, make-the-dog-happy-with-peanut-butter sessions and still failed. You simply set the standard too high.

Why do I even try to do these things myself? I need to realize that to produce the perfect holiday photo of a toddler and a mut, minimally it takes a hint of talent and, ideally, it takes two fully engaged adults. Alas, we spent the month of December receiving beautifully staged photos while becoming increasingly panicked about our own situation.

If you have yet to receive our 2007 Christmas card, you are not alone. Our amateur photo card is actually on it's way. For anyone who needs proof that I indeed made a good faith effort to get a good photo, here you go, our holiday bloopers 2007:

Exhibit 1: The Baking Shots
Problem: I couldn't get Sully in the photo without grossing out all the people who received some of these cookies.






Exhibit 2: Tree Trimming
Problem: This clearly was going to be a staged shot because we didn't actually keep any ornaments within Carly's reach. The subject refused to play along.




Exhibit 3: Taking It Outside
Problem: We were doing good with this photo shoot until Sully had a mild panic attack on the slide steps.





Exhibit 4: The Cozy Fireplace Shot
Problem: (A) We don't have a working fireplace (see faux logs); (B) Someone put ants in Carly's pants.

After a few shots, she had to take a quick drink break.

Then she tried to get her dad's drink & a few of his cheezits.

Then I had to fire my assistant.

Then Carly had to take a call.

I later realized that teaching her to hop up on the furniture for the photo shoot later was going to bite me in the you-know-what.

Several little gems

Folks, the tree is up and Carly is in the Christmas spirit bigtime. Anyone like the Marian skirt?




Does anyone else recognize these dance moves from Greg's late night routine? (mom, hit "play" below and turn up the volume.)



Oh, and I forgot to post these last week after our first snow of the season. Of course, the storm came just in time to ruin my 3 hours of freedom with a babysitter, but who wants to Christmas shop when you can sit in traffic listening to Christmas music? Greg may have some competition at Costco on Dec. 24th.



Poor Sully. So much snow, so little time. He was devastated to discover that the snow melted the next day.

The photos say it all

Leafing Fall Behind

As a new parent, I have endless internal discussions about all the life lessons I'm responsible for teaching my child(ren?). This includes the concept of peer pressure, in all its glory. So when I found myself succumbing to the neighborhood peer pressure to rake my leaves into the street on this rainy afternoon so that the city can come vacuum them up whenever they happen to get around to it, I couldn't help but feel like an idiot. Raking is a thankless job with a lot as small as ours (did I mention we have no trees?), especially when Monday's forecast states: Windy, 40 degrees. Fantastic. Anyway, I could have done the raking earlier in the week, but Carly and I were having such a great time playing hide-and-seek in the piles that I never got around to finishing the job.



Anyone want an update from Thanksgiving? We had a great time and here's the proof.....





To be honest, it probably isn't fair for me to post this shot because CQ was balling about a half second later, but the first attempt at a [last name omitted due to internet weirdos] cousin shot should be duly noted:



Friday night at Bridget & Kev's home....I think Carly is smiling at Auntie Michelle's cute shoes:


The second cousin photo went much smoother:



And finally, Carly loved the attention at Grammy & Grampy's house and promises to be back soon:

Big Girls Don't Cry, they give Thanks.

Like millions of other Americans, we are heading out of town today for Thanksgiving. This morning, CQ and I dropped off Sully amidst some huge (HUGE!) crocodile tears and a coinciding guilty indulgence of 3 playtime sessions (that's right Greg, they are $8 a pop). Now we just await the glorious fun of holiday travel.

While I was chatting with my mom the other day, she reminded me that our holiday tradition is to say what we are thankful for before eating dinner (I do this every day, mom, before I sit down with my peanut butter toast). Thinking back, I'm pretty sure she is right. We can probably even prove it with the horrendous Thanksgiving meal that Dad videotaped, but I trust her that we've been doing it since the beginning. Unfortunately, I won't be celebrating with mom this year, so I thought I'd give it a shot so she knows I'm keeping the tradition alive.

Here we go............(one for each of my years)..I'm thankful for:

33) the ability to upload photos on my blog, after several hours chatting with the Mac "geniuses" (?)
32) the Rock
31) Carly's frog
30) that next year, I'll be thankful for my new niece (fingers crossed)
29) my new screened porch
28) all my friends with little kids who get me through the crazy times
27) crazy times
26) calm times
25) knowing that when we return this weekend, Sully's nemesis (another golden visiting the folks who live behind us) will have returned home
24) my blackberry (at least I didn't say tivo)
23) Mom
22) Scott
21) Grandma Rita
20) Julie, Judd, Nick, Charlie, & Joey
19) Grace & Werner
18) Dan, Michelle & Jack
17) Bridget, Kevin & Colin
16) having the ability & means to travel to see all of the above
15) their ability to come see us (Feb is booked, but we are open NYE & MLK Jr. weekend....anyone?)
14) having a great time celebrating both Werner's 60th and mom's 60th this year along with all their great friends and family
13) All the 2007 babes: Sienna, my nephew Jack, Owen, cousin Michael, Aidan, Bella's little brother Jack, my nephew Colin, & cousin Joseph...holy Toledo!
12) the February ski trip weekend & not feeling stupid arriving with a car packed with pretty much everything Carly owned
11) "The Office"
10) Friday happy hours
9) the Pit playground
8) my massive new cutting board, which has turned 2 of my 3 feet of counter space into a dream kitchen
7) living in the USA, despite its many flaws
6) my 11 morning donut runs with Nick this summer
5) winning the ipod contest at Irwin's wedding
4) our beautiful fall
3) Sully, even though he has recently developed a bold new love for the green chair
2) Greg, and
1) Carly Quinn!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Today was CQ's last day at swim class with dad, so I hauled myself out of bed and went along to take some photos & videos (hit 'play' button below). Now I just need a frame for her swimming certificate.

November 8th - 2 trips to the zoo

Myths I've busted this week:

1) I will be more motivated to cook gourmet, wholesome meals once it turns cold outside. It turned cold this week and I've yet to impress even Sully with any creative cooking.
2) I've built a wardrobe full of timeless classics. You know it's bad when you open up the Lands End catalog and start thinking about updating your style.
3) Now that I'm a stay-home mom, I will have ample time to prep for the holidays. Once I stop obsessing about making the perfect plans, I'll be behind on the shopping. (Anyone else want to just exchange gifts among cousins???)

So, anyway, here are the photos of our two zoo trips (one to Nana's for her birthday party and one into the city to see the other wild animals):

First, the cousins....Aunt Julie claims they are finally starting to look like cousins, what do you think?



Here is Joey eyeballing Carly's frog...doesn't that kid have any stuffed animals of his own?



Grandma Rita's (inevitable) photo crashing:



This first shot does a good job of summarizing today's playdate.



Here is a mammal enjoying lunch (hint: it's not Carly).


And finally, a shot of the elephant distancing himself from the screamer.