Take Me Back to the Track, Jack! from feather nester on Vimeo.
She's the one in the middle. This was SO fun!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
April in Pictures
Mostly Easter, really, which was LOVELY.
We planted seeds...
Had a picnic...
Hunted eggs...
Hid in pots (What? That's not weird.)...
Went for walks...
Ate jelly beans...
Discovered surprises...
Met giant bunnies...
Colored eggs...
Did I mention the egg hunting? She did that four times. Twice at school, once at the botanical gardens, and once with the Ouisers.
Happy Easter, peeps! Sorry I don't have time to write more, but I thought pictures would be better than nothing. I'm LOVING the full-time gig, but man, time is a commodity.
We planted seeds...
Had a picnic...
Hunted eggs...
Hid in pots (What? That's not weird.)...
Went for walks...
Ate jelly beans...
Discovered surprises...
Met giant bunnies...
Colored eggs...
Did I mention the egg hunting? She did that four times. Twice at school, once at the botanical gardens, and once with the Ouisers.
Happy Easter, peeps! Sorry I don't have time to write more, but I thought pictures would be better than nothing. I'm LOVING the full-time gig, but man, time is a commodity.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
December (thus far) in Pictures
Our attempt at a Christmas card photo, taken on Thanksgiving. Our posed shots never work. The Husband looks drugged.
This is a whole series I took of the girls while we were waiting for the Christmas parade to start. Once again, we did not purposely coordinate their outfits, but I swear they look like they're in the middle of a professional photo shoot here.
This is the first year we didn't have massive Santa Anxiety. She wouldn't talk...she had her fingers in her mouth the whole time...but she seemed happy about it!
My Advent calendar! I didn't have the magnets on the backs yet when I took this photo, but it's on my fridge now. See all those perfect little letters? Cut out of silver cardstock with what is one of the best gifts I've ever received: A Silhouette digital paper cutter. Man, I love that thing. So, the Adventivities are written on little slips of paper inside the tins, but you could put chocolate in there, too, or even little tiny gifts or ornaments.
This is the giant snowflake I made out of paint stirrers and popsicle sticks and hung on my front door. The Husband's coat caught on it and broke some of the pieces off. Which the dog promptly ate. So right now it's on my dining room table, but I have spare parts, so I think I can repair it.
This is what happens when you let a three-year-old "dust" the cookies with sugar.
My FAVORITE Christmas food! Clementines make me so happy.
This is meant to serve as photographic evidence that I got her into at least ONE of the six holiday dresses she has. She's on an anti-dress kick, though I may have finally figured out how to thwart her: I think it's the tights she hates, not so much the dresses. I need to stock up on leggings.
Naptime on the couch. I love sleeping kiddos.
Please make special note of the coconut snow, the caramel chimney, and the cinnamon firewood. And that's supposed to be a sled that the giant snowman is riding, though, proportionally, it looks more like a flatbed. I dig it.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Nutcrackers
One of the Liliputians holiday book is the Little Golden Book version of The Nutcracker.
We've been reading it a lot, and, of course, she keeps seeing nutcracker decorations in the stores and outside people's homes. We drove past one this morning and she pointed it out to me.
I told her, "You know who has a lot of nutcrackers? The [Ouisers]. Uncle M used to collect them when he was a kid and he still has them all. Maybe we can go over there soon and S will show them to you."
"Yeah! ... I wish I had a nutcracker. All we have is crackers."
We've been reading it a lot, and, of course, she keeps seeing nutcracker decorations in the stores and outside people's homes. We drove past one this morning and she pointed it out to me.
I told her, "You know who has a lot of nutcrackers? The [Ouisers]. Uncle M used to collect them when he was a kid and he still has them all. Maybe we can go over there soon and S will show them to you."
"Yeah! ... I wish I had a nutcracker. All we have is crackers."
Angels
THANK YOU all for your words of support. I know everyone goes through this stuff, but, man, some days you just want to rip your hair out. It helps to hear the encouragement.
And then there are moments like these, while we were having lunch together at Whole Foods on Wedneday:
Liliputian: "Mommy, what's an angel?"
Mommy: thoughts racing about how my daughter is entirely uneducated about Christianity and how the HECK do you explain angels without that referential context?!? "Angels are God's helpers and they have wings and white robes and are very beautiful and sing and they help people and watch over people. Some people think angels are pretend. Some people think they're real. Mommy doesn't know if they're real or pretend. Do you understand?"
L: "Yes, Mommy. Sometimes, when you're playing in the street, and angel might come and you can catch it and eat it."
I was laughing so hard, I couldn't even correct her. Plus, I can't say for sure that I know her to be wrong.
And then there are moments like these, while we were having lunch together at Whole Foods on Wedneday:
Liliputian: "Mommy, what's an angel?"
Mommy: thoughts racing about how my daughter is entirely uneducated about Christianity and how the HECK do you explain angels without that referential context?!? "Angels are God's helpers and they have wings and white robes and are very beautiful and sing and they help people and watch over people. Some people think angels are pretend. Some people think they're real. Mommy doesn't know if they're real or pretend. Do you understand?"
L: "Yes, Mommy. Sometimes, when you're playing in the street, and angel might come and you can catch it and eat it."
I was laughing so hard, I couldn't even correct her. Plus, I can't say for sure that I know her to be wrong.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Vent
Not to be confused with AD-vent.
We had a GREAT morning over here. We're going through all that "Hey, now that I'm three, I think I'll test you at every turn and defy your every command just for the sake of being obstinate" stuff, and the back talk and whining is driving me INSANE. And it's awful because after the Liliputian gets in trouble she does this whole "Mommy, I love you!" with sincere tears thing, NOT being willfully manipulative (despite what I know some of our family thinks: that she IS being manipulative, but I stand by my gut), but truly needing the reassurance that we love her...and I know this because I'm the same way - I struggle with reconciling how someone can be angry with me and still love me at the same time. And yes, I've already considered that I could be projecting, and to the best of my soul-searching ability, I really don't think that I am. So we've been working a LOT on trying to teach her that we always love her, even if we're angry...and we try to point out to her if she (oops) sees the husband and I argue that even if we're fighting and angry, we still all love each other because we're a family, blah, blah, blah. So, I think that's getting better.
But this morning she wanted to put socks on over her tights, and I should have just said yes because who cares? But I said no because I keep trying to dress her the way I want her to be dressed (I need to let go of that with this child who is clearly as strong-willed as I am about everything, including clothes), and then it became one of those things where you HAVE to follow through to make a Point, even thought you start wishing you'd just let her have her way in the first place because OMIGOD you don't CARE, but jebus the WHINING and the NOT RESPECTING MY AUTHORITAY!
We went through this whole long series of time-outs that escalated into losing all sorts of toys and it wasn't until The Husband threatened taking away the tv that she finally gave in and, wow, THAT makes me feel like a great mother. The only currency you care about is the tv?!? She doesn't even WATCH that much tv! She always asks for it, but then she leaves the room and hardly even WATCHES it! Unless I'm totally out of touch with how much she's actually watching and am lying to myself about it so I can justify it as a babysitter allowing me to get my own things done. Adulthood SUCKS, yo!
The end.
We had a GREAT morning over here. We're going through all that "Hey, now that I'm three, I think I'll test you at every turn and defy your every command just for the sake of being obstinate" stuff, and the back talk and whining is driving me INSANE. And it's awful because after the Liliputian gets in trouble she does this whole "Mommy, I love you!" with sincere tears thing, NOT being willfully manipulative (despite what I know some of our family thinks: that she IS being manipulative, but I stand by my gut), but truly needing the reassurance that we love her...and I know this because I'm the same way - I struggle with reconciling how someone can be angry with me and still love me at the same time. And yes, I've already considered that I could be projecting, and to the best of my soul-searching ability, I really don't think that I am. So we've been working a LOT on trying to teach her that we always love her, even if we're angry...and we try to point out to her if she (oops) sees the husband and I argue that even if we're fighting and angry, we still all love each other because we're a family, blah, blah, blah. So, I think that's getting better.
But this morning she wanted to put socks on over her tights, and I should have just said yes because who cares? But I said no because I keep trying to dress her the way I want her to be dressed (I need to let go of that with this child who is clearly as strong-willed as I am about everything, including clothes), and then it became one of those things where you HAVE to follow through to make a Point, even thought you start wishing you'd just let her have her way in the first place because OMIGOD you don't CARE, but jebus the WHINING and the NOT RESPECTING MY AUTHORITAY!
We went through this whole long series of time-outs that escalated into losing all sorts of toys and it wasn't until The Husband threatened taking away the tv that she finally gave in and, wow, THAT makes me feel like a great mother. The only currency you care about is the tv?!? She doesn't even WATCH that much tv! She always asks for it, but then she leaves the room and hardly even WATCHES it! Unless I'm totally out of touch with how much she's actually watching and am lying to myself about it so I can justify it as a babysitter allowing me to get my own things done. Adulthood SUCKS, yo!
The end.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Advent Calendars
So, thanks for being patient with a sell-out, guys. I totally got $60+ worth of holiday cards for the price of only $8 shipping. Sweet!
As thanks, and because I'm a little bitsorry for inspired by Scarlet and her Advent-y ignorance interest (it's such a good thing she has such a sense of humor), I thought I'd do an Advent post. Because, seriously, I apparently have to tell you guys EVERYthing (it's such a good thing BOTH of you have such a sense of humor).
These are ALL OVER the blogosphere right now. Homemade Advent calendars, a shift away from edible Advent calendars to calendars with activities (ideally, cheap or even free activities, probably even things your family planned to do anyway...shhhh! The little ones don't know THAT!). Growing up, I always had, and loved, the paperboard ones with the little shaped chocolates inside? Like this:
The last few years, I've done one with miniature ornaments for a little tabletop tree, but that really wasn't ALL that satisfying, given that I'm the adult with the BIG tree anyway. I didn't need an extra thing to decorate, and the Liliputian was too young to understand, care, or not swallow small objects.
THIS year, people, THIS year we are ALL ABOUT the Advent-y activities! (As a side note, I started this post first thing this morning after a conversation with Scarlet in which she asked me to share my Advent list with her/you. That was BEFORE the Nyquil that The Husband made me take this morning kicked in. I then passed out for...oh, a good eight hours, save a few 10-minute emergences for food and water. I'm so screwed tonight. But since waking up again at 4:00, I've discovered that Toddler Tamer and Ouiser have also made similar posts, so totally disregard all the smart-assery at the beginning of this post about being the only one who was apparently up on the Advent trends. Apparently, it's just Scarlet. I'm gonna get coal in my stocking. So, I'm not going to bother linking to lots of strangers lists or calendars.)
Here's our list! You'll notice some days are double-booked. That's kind of a back-up system since many of these activities are being tried with her for the first time and I sometimes felt I needed a spare idea in case of disaster. I mean, she's barely three with the attention span of a gnat. It's not like she remembers anything I tell her anyway. If all else fails, we'll bake cookies every single day for the neighbors.
As thanks, and because I'm a little bit
These are ALL OVER the blogosphere right now. Homemade Advent calendars, a shift away from edible Advent calendars to calendars with activities (ideally, cheap or even free activities, probably even things your family planned to do anyway...shhhh! The little ones don't know THAT!). Growing up, I always had, and loved, the paperboard ones with the little shaped chocolates inside? Like this:
The last few years, I've done one with miniature ornaments for a little tabletop tree, but that really wasn't ALL that satisfying, given that I'm the adult with the BIG tree anyway. I didn't need an extra thing to decorate, and the Liliputian was too young to understand, care, or not swallow small objects.
THIS year, people, THIS year we are ALL ABOUT the Advent-y activities! (As a side note, I started this post first thing this morning after a conversation with Scarlet in which she asked me to share my Advent list with her/you. That was BEFORE the Nyquil that The Husband made me take this morning kicked in. I then passed out for...oh, a good eight hours, save a few 10-minute emergences for food and water. I'm so screwed tonight. But since waking up again at 4:00, I've discovered that Toddler Tamer and Ouiser have also made similar posts, so totally disregard all the smart-assery at the beginning of this post about being the only one who was apparently up on the Advent trends. Apparently, it's just Scarlet. I'm gonna get coal in my stocking. So, I'm not going to bother linking to lots of strangers lists or calendars.)
Here's our list! You'll notice some days are double-booked. That's kind of a back-up system since many of these activities are being tried with her for the first time and I sometimes felt I needed a spare idea in case of disaster. I mean, she's barely three with the attention span of a gnat. It's not like she remembers anything I tell her anyway. If all else fails, we'll bake cookies every single day for the neighbors.
- bring out Christmas books/DVDs
- holiday coloring pages
- make popcorn wreath AND Christmas in Downtown Dickson
- hang stockings AND Christmas books from library
- make gingerbread man wreath
- make jingle bell ponytail holders
- make wrapping paper and wrap gifts
- purchase present for charity/ship/donate
- make dot garlands
- get picture taken with Santa AND make candy cane reindeer
- buy Christmas tree AND make twig & button snowflakes
- decorate Christmas tree AND paint toenails Christmas colors
- finish decorating house
- write/send holiday cards
- write letter to Santa/phone call?/video?
- snowflake quesadillas
- make pipe cleaner reindeer, Santas, and snowmen
- make gingerbread house
- make egg carton doorbells
- make cookie puzzle
- call relatives to sing
- look at Christmas lights
- holiday DVD with popcorn and cousins
- bake cookies for Santa
- CELEBRATE!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Holiday Cards
We've used Shutterfly for our holiday cards for several years now and always loved their designs. They offer everything from hip and modern to classic and traditional from some great designers. My parents and grandmother always love the calendars and photo books we create as gifts as well. We've made our own photo books for ourselves, too, always around the holidays, when they offer especially great deals.
Here are some of my favorite holiday card designs this year from which we'll likely be choosing (I tend to lean toward the modern, graphic designs):
Shutterfly has a great holiday card promotion going on right now: share your great experiences with Shutterfly products on your blog, and receive a promo code for complimentary holiday cards!
Huh. Apparently I favor the designs advertised with black and white photos, too!
I really do love this site, guys. I'm not JUST blowing smoke. This promotion...yeah. But I have had really great experiences with this companies products for a number of years. Last year I tried Kodak again because of a promotion they were having, and found their products inferior to Shutterfly's.
Happy Holidays, Happy Cyber Monday, and Happy shopping, peeps!
Here are some of my favorite holiday card designs this year from which we'll likely be choosing (I tend to lean toward the modern, graphic designs):
Shutterfly has a great holiday card promotion going on right now: share your great experiences with Shutterfly products on your blog, and receive a promo code for complimentary holiday cards!
Huh. Apparently I favor the designs advertised with black and white photos, too!
I really do love this site, guys. I'm not JUST blowing smoke. This promotion...yeah. But I have had really great experiences with this companies products for a number of years. Last year I tried Kodak again because of a promotion they were having, and found their products inferior to Shutterfly's.
Happy Holidays, Happy Cyber Monday, and Happy shopping, peeps!
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