The Dance Is Here

The Sundance Film Festival that is. Hollywood takes over our cute little town for 10 days every January, and throngs of PIB's (People In Black) wreck havoc in the form of LA-worthy traffic jams, insanely bad driving by people who have no business behind the wheel when the snow is falling, making it impossible to get a reservation at any restaurant within a 20 mile radius, making a stop at the grocery store for some milk a harrowing experience and clogging up the line at my favorite coffee shop and then taking all the good seats.

Although the coffee shop line is the best place to check out the clothes. They are my absolute favorite, a sight to see. To the lady in the 5 inch stilettos and mini leather jacket, "Did you happen to notice that foot of new snow out there?". Or the chick overdoing it in the head to toe puffer jacket with the aviator fur hat, "Oh yeah, you blend." Or to the guy in the matching tasseled fur boots, hand muff and Russian trooper hat, "Really?. . . Really?" The PIB's also have an unwritten rule to never, under any circumstances, remove their sunglasses. No matter that its dark and storming and, oh yeah, we are indoors.

But my local barista did slide my usual toward me once she glimpsed me through all the weirdos and whispered, "This one's on me." I wanted to hug her, it really is the small things that can make a person's day.

And OK, I'll admit it. I have some movie tickets and am pretty excited to see some of the amazing movies that are in town. I'll be there, but I won't be wearing black, you can bet on that!

The China House

"Hey Mama, where Robyn go?"

She went on a trip.

"Were she go Mama?"

She's away at school, honey. It's very far away and we miss her soooo much, but she'll be back soon.

"Bat soon. . . Hey Mama, go see Robyn."

We can't go see her right now, she went to China. It's really, really far. She got on a big plane and flew in the sky, but she'll be back soon to see you.

"I see Robyn, Mama." "Hey Mama, where Robyn go?"

She's in China at school, but we can call her later, OK?

"Hey Mama, I go see Robyn."

She's far away at school, she's in China on a trip. We're going to Grandma's house, though!

"I go trip Mama." "Hey, Mama."

Yes, honey?

"Hey, Mama. I go to China's house Mama. Go China house now see Robyn."

No, sweetie. We're going to Grandma's house.

"Hey Mama. Go China house right now." "Hey Mama."

Yes?

"Want tooties mama."

China house? China's house? Not sure what his little mind is thinking. Beijing, China apparently is just someone's house down the road that I refuse to take him to, mean Mama that I am.

It's going to be a really long three months.

Kind of feels like this. Everyday. All the time. Constantly. You get the idea.

Do You Remember Your First Time?

Skiing I mean. Get your mind out of the gutter, there are children present.

It was finally warm enough weather to test out the tiniest skis you have ever seen. 'Nama Penny and Princess Rachael joined me and the crazy redheads to witness the munchkin's first time on skis other than on the driveway.

Here we are, trying to smile for the camera so we can capture the moment. The munchkin just keeps sticking out his tongue, so I tell him to show us his teeth instead.

Hmmm, maybe thats not much better either.

Skiing with Grandma Penny. He just kept yelling, "Weeeeeee." A good sign.

After a number of little runs on the side of the hill where we all took turns hiking back up the hill with him, we decided to give the chair lift a try. He absolutely loved it, and as soon as we skiied off at the top of the hill, he yelled, "Do it again!"

Not the skiing, just the chairlift. Of course.

Like my sticker Uncle J?

At the end of the day he could barely keep his eyes open or his head upright. The girls and I took a few more runs after the boys left, but his Papa told me he was out before the car left the parking lot.

Maybe this is how we will get him to sleep more. . . ?

My luck, probably not.

It was incredibly fun, and I was happy (though somewhat shocked) we didn't have any tantrums or breakdowns. He liked it so much, he talked about it all night. Which was a nice change from, "Where Robyn Go?" "Hey Mama, Where Robyn Go?" "Mama, go see Robyn now."

We are in withdrawals from Auntie Bob. She has left us for some school on the other side of the world and won't be back for months. Miss you Bobbie, wish you could have been there!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

The munchkin and I stopped by the community field house to meet up with the big redhead who was there playing soccer, and ended up staying for hours. The little guy kicked the ball around with his Papa for a bit, but then noticed a few 6 and 7 year olds playing baseball with their dads and decided he wanted to play too. Of course this was in his usual redheaded fashion involving lots of stomping.

He "borrowed" a bat and a tee from one of the little boys, and began copying them by hittting balls over and over again off the tee.

Did I mention he is only 2?? It was pretty incredible to watch, as I had no idea he could hit it so well. If I didn't know better I would think Grandma Penny has been out there with him practicing on the sly.

On second thought, that may not be a far stretch. . .

OK, we may have a lot to work on here. He refused to stand on the right side of the tee. Or hit the ball in the right direction for that matter. He thought that big white square was a great place to aim for.

I just really want to know what happened to my tiny little boy. He has disappeared and this small little man-boy person who yells, "Hey mama, look me! Hit bessbolls! Hi-ya!!!!!" has taken his place. And when he hit a particularly good one into the tarp, he turned to us and yelled, "Goooooooaaaaaaaaal!"

We may have our sports mixed up, but we sure are having fun.

In A Holiday Whirlwind And Loving It

That it's been a busy few weeks is an understatement. You know when you take an exciting trip someplace and do a ton of fun things, and come home exhausted and then need a vacation from your vacation? The holidays are kind of like that for me. All the excitement, the anticipation, the preparation. Then WHAM! It's here and amazing, then gone and you're left in an exhausted pile on the floor next to the dirty clothes, needing a good wash and press. Kinda like that.

So why am I already looking forward to next year??? I must be some kind of crazy, that's why.

Princess Rachael came home from college. We get her for six weeks, yay! Which will be good, because the munchkin's favorite person, Auntie Robyn, aka "Wobyn" is leaving us for 3 months to go to China and study. How the little one is going to live without her I am scared to find out. It's not going to be pretty, that I do know.

Then we had a very important birthday to celebrate, as the munchkin turned 2 years old last week. We had a huge bowling party, and since he's only two and has no friends, we invited all of ours! How many more years can I pull that one off ya think?

He did alright though, and he got to blow out his candles no less than 4 times. It is the best part you know.

That and he got to eat all the pizza he could consume. Which is surprisingly a LOT for such a little punk.

Then of course there was the usual shopping and wrapping from Christmas. Which takes oh so much longer than you ever expect it to.

And then there were the cookies.

Ah, the cookies.

Every year at Christmastime I make cookies, lots and lots of cookies. It actually doesn't really feel like Christmas is really coming for me until the cookies are well underway, and this year with the help of the Sink Girl, we knocked them out in record time. There was only one mishap, as I for years have made hundreds of gingerbread snowflakes. The cookie cutter collection of snowflakes in all shapes and sizes is a Christmas mainstay. And currently in storage. Great foresight on that one, eh?

So I had to improvise a bit and make due with stars. Hopefully they did not cause too much grumbling.

Not bad I think.

OK, now it feels like the holidays. Cookies just do the trick for me and get me in the perfect holiday mood.

Santa brought him a drum set. He (Santa) thought he would enjoy the Wii Rockband. He (we!!) did, and played it for hours on Christmas morning. The best part? He doesn't care if it's actually hooked up or not. Not plugged in= no actual noisy, banging drums. It may be the perfect gift.

The rest of us may or may not have spent even more time playing with his gift. Good job Santa, and look for me on tour soon, I sang so much yesterday my throat hurts!

Notice the matching PJ's. Cheesy, but adorable nonetheless.

This might be my favorite Christmas photo. My mother unwrapping my little bro's framed Olympic jersey. A very moving moment, only improved by the kiddo mining for boogers. That's my boy!

We spent the rest of the afternoon (well, what was left of it after all the rocking out) sleeping, eating, and playing toys among the wrapping paper. And I can honestly say I can't wait to do it all again next year. Happy Holiday's everyone!

Broken Hearts and Frosty the Killer, It's Just Been That Kind Of Morning

So I am ready for work and starting to head out the door. The two redheads are at the kitchen island eating breakfast, just enjoying their time in the morning before the little one heads off to Grandma Penny's for the day. I kiss them both goodbye, and start to walk to the door.

"Mama, no going. Come bat. Mama, come bat."

Ouch. Ouch, ouch, ouchie. I think my heart is still on a puddle on the floor in the entryway. This working mom stuff sucks. Seriously. Sucks.

On a lighter note, the guys building our house sent my husband this photo this morning.

They are good 'ol boys and I lov'em. They are also avid hunters, and my big redhead has never shot anything in his life, San Diego boy that he is. They keep trying to convince him to go "shoot shit" with them. Ducks, deer, whatever. When I drove out there the other day after work, they had a friend who had stopped by and they were all ogling a bow of some sort. Some contraption to shoot lots of shit I imagine. So my question is, did they build this or did their kids? Scary either way I think.

And How Do You Know This?

We were all in the kitchen cleaning up the other night (Read: I was cleaning, hubby was surfing the internet and munchkin was splashing water everywhere in and around the sink, his way of helping me do the dishes. Oh so very helpful) --and we decided we would all snuggle up and watch some T.V. before the munchkin went to bed.

Me: Maybe there's a movie we can find that the little guy would like?

Hubby: Hanna Montana is on at 8:30.

Me: And you know this how?????

I am afraid. Very afraid. You should be too.

All Wrapped Up For Christmas

It's getting there, slowly but surely. The house is wrapped and there are big strong men out there right now puting on shake and siding and rock. Oh my.


Oh so much better than my 2 front teeth.

Planes, Trains And An Apple Tree

A long weekend at the beach.

I just love how that rolls off my tongue. Or maybe I just love it because I'm sitting here after an exhausting day at work wishing I was about to embark on another long weekend at the beach rather than having just returned from a long weekend at the beach. It could also be because I spent the better part of my workday tied up in corporate meetings. And I work in finance, so I bet you can just imagine how riviting and exciting my day has been. Yeah, a weekend at the beach sounds pretty good right about now. Did you know they still make us gals wear panty hose? Who still wears panty hose anyway? I do I guess. Against my will.

Very much against my will.

I wish I was here instead, making birthday cake sand castles.

Or back at our aunt and uncle's beach house, where they have an apple tree in their yard. Apple trees don't grow at 9,000 feet. I don't think I will ever get to have one in my yard.

Do you think they would notice if we just moved there and pitched a tent?

And that's just the fenced in part. This is their real backyard. I'd hate them if I didn't love them.

I might even be having sentimental thoughts about visiting at Legoland, and it wasn't even that great. The munchkin thought it was pretty fantastic though, and that's all that really matters.

I mean, he got to drive for goodness sake. You know how boys are about their cars.

And planes. We did this ride over and over again. And by we I mean them.

It was a great long weekend. We have the swords to prove it.

And now that the blasted panty hose is off and I am relaxed and sitting in front of a fire with a fabulous glass of red, I'm pretty sure I like this place quite a bit too. Yeah, I think right where I am is just exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Just Another Day At The Beach

We're in Southern California for a few days, but don't be jealous, it's just awful. Truly awful.

Here is a horrible picture of our boring, ugly Sunday night.

Not Thanksgiving Thanksgiving

We shook things up a bit this year, and decided to do something quite unorthodox.

We had Thanksgiving NOT on Thanksgiving. Nope, no roasting turkey and making pie crust for me yesterday. No basting, not one cranberry was simmered down into a sauce, not one onion satueed for a stuffing and I didn't beat any heavy cream into soft peaks for the topping off of desserts. I didn't even have a glass of eggnog. Sacralige, I know.

But don't feel bad for me, I did all of those things on Wednesday instead. That's right, my family went against tradition and ate our turkey on Wednesday. The great thing about my huge family is that it's a huge family. The bad part about my huge family is that we are a huge family. That means a lot of schedules to juggle. A lot of time constraints to consider. A lot of boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/inlaw commitments to carry out. A lot of pets. A lot of traveling. A lot of. . .you get the idea.

It just made sense to find a time when no one had any conflicts, and that sure as cuss wasn't Thursday. (I apologize. I saw the Fantastic Mr. Fox yesterday, and that's how he talks. Blame it on George Clooney.)

And even though we didn't go the traditioal route on the date, we most definitely made up for it with the menu.

25 lbs!!! It took nearly 6 hours to roast this baby. Also on the menu was wild rice and cranberry stuffing, a delicious apple, sausage and cornbread stuffing (because there can never be too much stuffing), pureed yams with brown sugar and cinnamon, classic mashed potatoes and gravy, brussles sprouts with bacon and shallots, apple crisp with vanilla ice cream, and a pumpkin and sweet potato tart with vanilla whipped cream that was to die for. I might still be full.


And we were able to break out my Grandmother's limoge. It was just the right thing to do.


But the biggest highlight of our Thanksgiving not on Thanksgiving was the birthday cake. And it wasn't even anyone's birthday. (That tunnel in the side of the cake you see? My dad. He couldn't help himself.)


Yes, birthday cake. It's always a good idea.

I had called from the grocery during my 3rd last-minute-shooping-because-I-forgot-something trip, and I asked if anyone needed anything else because I wasn't coming back again. The message was relayed to all within earshot, and the only person that felt they needed something was my munchkin. "Birdday Cake!" he yelled from across the room. I heard it loud and clear.



His 2nd birthday is in a month, so really, this is good practice. OK, we may have been "practicing" for months already, but any excuse to buy or make cake is a good one in my book. I now just have someone else to pin it on, that's all.


He doesn't get this from me.


I would never do something like this.


It was wonderful, even when my team lost both the Trivial Pursuit game AND the Ping Pong World Championship Match. We spent all day on the actual Thanksgiving playing board games and having Wii tournaments, taking walks, watching movies, napping, and really just enjoying the holiday together. I absolutely love the hustle and bustle of cooking for a large group of people, but this holiday was quite possibly the most relaxing I have ever had. I am so thankful for all the crazies in my life that make up this thing we call family.
And the very best part? I went out to dinner last night with some great friends to a fabulous restaurant and I ordered the Thanksgiving special. Perfection. Perfection without dishes to do.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

Knock Knock Who's There

Princess Rachael wasn't coming home until Christmas, mainly because her Thanksgiving break from college is so short. Also because Utah is a tad more than a hop, skip and a jump from Providence. And really because airline tickets are ridiculously expensive. That, and she has six weeks off starting in mid December. Instead she was planning to head to New York City with friends to spend the holiday there, so when she called Grandma Penny last Friday night to say that her professors had cancelled all of her Tuesday and Wednesday classes and she wanted to come home pretty please, we tried to make it happen.
But since Utah is still very far away from Providence and tickets are still ridiculously expensive, it just wasn't gonna happen. Last minute airline ticket prices over a huge holiday weekend are insane, by the way. Criminal even. How do those airline folks sleep at night? Probably in ridiculously expensive beds from all the markup profits they get from last minute travelers, that's how. Arses.


The point is, no Princess Rachael.
Too bad so sad.


But this is the good part. Hubby and I got to talking about it late Sunday night, and we decided to do something crazy. We have some free round trip tickets we hadn't used, and wouldn't it be fun to have her back for the holiday? Even better, what if we brought her back and didn't tell anyone?


And that's exactly what we did.


BTW, are you noticing my mad Lite Brite skills?


It was set up great. We were all at Grandma Penny's, and the doorbell rings. No one gets up, so Grandma goes to see who it is. The door opens, the was some screaming, then the door slammed shut. Grandma looks around, bewildered, then rushes back to open the door again. More screaming, maybe some crying. Amazing.


Happy Thanksgiving to us!

An Uninvited Rainbow

No one tells you, but once you have a child, all of your understated and classic collections of all things white and beautiful are slowly but surely replaced, and you become engulfed and eaten up by a rainbow of loud plastic dishware in every size and shape.

It took nearly 2 years, but OMG this is ridiculous.

Fall Pics Of The Crazy Redheads

As fall sprints toward an abrupt end in these parts, we are trying to squeeze in every ounce of outside time we can before it requires us to don Gore-tex and Sorels. Not that we don't love Gore-tex and Sorels, but sometimes it's nice to leave the house without an extra layer or ten of outerwear. I'm just saying.

Boys and sticks. There is just something important between those two things. Digging, whacking, more digging. Hours of entertainment.

There's the flipping again. There is always flipping.

Flipping and throwing.

Hey mom, I need a haircut please. This thing on my head is almost a mullet. A cute mullet, but a mullet nonetheless.

Also mom, did you notice that I am suddenly HUGE? Yeah, that's 'cause I'm nearly 2. Huge.

Nice Helmet

Just practicing for ski season over here, don't mind us. Mostly just racing around the living room knocking into the walls and furniture. He's amazed he can whack his head (on purpose of course), fall down, and still be fine. Or fine enough to do it again and again, so maybe not so fine.

Whatcha lookin' at??

He's very excited about his new gear.

In munchkin speak: "Tum ON! Set GO! I luuv-eet Mama!"