Christmas 2007

It gets better every year, the older Katie gets. The day after Christmas we had a fire in the fireplace, and she seemed douptful after asking if Santa was in there. I told her he was back up in the 'Pole with his wife resting his feet.

For Christmas, we all got lots of fun stuff. Some of Katie's favorites include 6 pairs of plastic sparkly 'princess' shoes, that have their own carrying case, a little bear with gold wings, and a Dora DVD. But when asked what her favorite present was, she says 'Robbie Rotten'. And I think that is cool.

Mark and Amy are expecting a baby boy in early February. They had a shower a few weeks ago and I made the cake. Katie got to take home the balloons, and Mark and Amy got hooked up with stuff for the little one! All in all, it was a very pleasant day!

Thanksgiving 2007

We had that here, and it was good. Here are some pics from the day.

Oh Christmas Treeeeee

Well, we went to get our tree a little over a week ago. Ended up at Valley View Farms, after a fruitless hunt for a tree to cut ourselves. What I mean is, we trekked all the way out to Jarrettsville, in the snow, sliding all over the place, and the farm was closed for the season. To replenish the tree supply.

Yes, it was my idea. I thought it sounded impossibly romantic, to trek out to the country-in the snow no less!- and find a tree, let Brook sweat while chopping it down, and then sit and drink coco somewhere. Just like they do on TV.

Guess I should have called before we even left huh? The snow sure was beautiful though. And although VVF is way pricey, you can't beat the majical quality it has with all the decorated trees, sparkly lights and tinkly ornaments on display. I have taken Katie there these last 3 (3!) years, and she picks out a few ornaments. Big Bird again won a place in the shopping basket this year even though it was the same exact one she picked last year. I wonder if he knows how lucky he is?

Along with millions of others, we sat around the house today, bloated and tired.
I had to convince Brook to go with Katie and I to the Festival of Trees out at Timonium fairgrounds. I thought it would be a relaxing 'kick off' to the Christmas season. After all, the advertisement featured a tranquil setting, beautiful sparkling trees, and a few people milling about.
Boy was I wrong. The parking lot should have been our cue to turn around and get out.
We considered it, Katie had fallen asleep. She'd never know!
'It's for a good cause honey', I said.
While waiting in line to get in we were assaulted by holiday music pumping out of a fuzzy speaker, making it impossible to feel any sort of fa-la-la.
Once inside, there were thousands of people.
Thousands.
I was impressed by the size of it all, and there were amazing trees, lights, and booths of crafters selling their wares, but the crowd made it impossible (for Brook and I) to enjoy it.
Katie, however, was tickled at the penguin wishing well, the carousel whirling about at an alarming speed, and, of course, the reindeer ponies.
It was a given that Katie would not be made to stand in the line for a pony ride, and so while she and Brook walked around, I stood, with other parents, and tried not to share their look of haggardness.
Little boys crying 'I want to go home'!
Their fathers saying 'no, Billy, your really going to like this'!
Have you seen the movie, the Christmas one about the Red Ryder BB gun? Where Ralphie and his little brother are in line to see Santa at the department store, and there is pandemonium all about? That is what happened today.
We were there such a short time, but my mind was racing with thoughts.
'Is this what the rest of my life is going to be like?
Will we have to submit ourselves to this sort of torture in the name of 'fun'?
And, worse, is it always going to be at my prodding and suggestion?
Thankfully, Katie was oblivious to it all. When it came time, she wanted to ride on the white pony, named Misty.
I put her on, and they were led around and around and around. I walked beside her, and Brook took pictures. He knew he had to or he was going to catch hell from me. I figure if we can walk away with one good shot for the memory, it was time well spent.
After that, we went to buy a sandwich and after not finding a place to sit, we were like 'let's get the hell out of here'. I mean, 'let's go have a picnic in the van'!
After all, it was a balmy 30 degrees. Nothing like perfect picnic weather!
On the way home, Katie said 'Thank you Daddy, that was so much fun!!'
And the way his shoulders relaxed as he looked at her in the rear view mirror said it all.
It isn't about us anymore, it is about her.
Happy Thanksgiving.

My husband has been asking me to do something like this for awhile now. So here I am, out in cyberspace without a clue.

For anyone who cares, I will post things I find to be interesting relating to our family, pictures, whatever.

For my first posting I thought I'd let you all know how important Sportacus is in our house.

You don't know about Lazytown? Get with it! This is all of us taking turns 'being Sportacus'. Boy, if we thought we were cool before, now look at us.