Bathtime

Piper likes helping me give Simon a bath.  Here they are being silly, though from Simon's expression you would think that he's less than amused.

Mega Brows

At a White Elephant party we ended up with an poster of President Obama and these crazy Mega Brows.  They were so silly.  Really we should have put them on Simon 'cause that would have been genuinely hilarious.  Cheap fun is always good.

These were the Grandpa eyebrows.

These were the Angry Scotsman eyebrows.

The Unibrow, of course.

Gingerbread houses

Back in December I decided to decorate gingerbread houses with Piper.  We did it last year too but this year we invited some friends over.  Sorry for the somewhat crazy photography, I was trying to help Piper while keeping from getting frosting all over me at the same time.  We had lots of fun and lots of candy.

Emily and her three boys

Piper, Anne, Hank, and Ellie

Gratitude Revisited

I was feeling a need for a dose of gratitude today.  So in no particular order, here are some things I'm grateful for.

1. Despite Piper's mega-tantrum in the car, which included screaming "you're a naughty poop" at me over and over, she didn't wake Simon from his nap.

2. Amid the seemingly endless barrage of idiot drivers today I was able to keep my cool and stay safe, though I may have muttered a bit of colorful commentary under my breath.

3. I have a healthy body that functions properly.  It may not be the shape or size that I want it to be but at least I'm not sick.

4. I got in a mid-morning nap today while Piper was at pre-school and while Simon was sleeping.  It was just the perfect length.

5. Milk.  This might sound odd but it's a great and filling snack for me, on its own or paired with something else.

6. After a little coercion Piper tried the bell peppers and mushrooms in last night's chicken cacciatore and liked them.

7. The prospect of getting a much-needed haircut this weekend.

I'm Still Alive

I'm here but we're still adjusting from our trip.  I have to upload the pictures from our trip.  Stay tuned.

Christmas Memories Part 3

I was about nine I think when I asked for and received a My Child for Christmas. I named her Cindy Lou, yes, like in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, though I had forgotten about that when I named her. She had blond hair, blue eyes, a button nose, and a blue sailor dress. I remember this doll that Christmas because I specifically asked for a Graco stroller to go with it. How's that for effective advertising?! I also remember it because it's the Christmas that we went to IHOP for breakfast (I took my doll with us). Somehow we had forgotten to buy a ham which we always have for Christmas breakfast. I don't know why we didn't just have pancakes or something at home but we went to IHOP on Christmas morning.

Christmas Memories Part 2

When I was about 14 I had saved up my babysitting money to buy myself a Nintendo GameBoy. It cost $89. I purchased it not long before Christmas. Now don't ask me why I didn't save my money and just ask for it for Christmas. I had bought it and asked for a game for it for Christmas. To my surprise on Christmas morning my parents gave me the game I requested AND a CD player. I hadn't asked for one and had been content with my GameBoy. I was blown away by such a generous gift. My brother and sister claimed I was spoiled. They were right but it was completely unexpected.