Never judge a gingerbread house by its cover

To the naked eye, this is the perfect gingerbread house. Cozy little cottage.



Woops! It's still under construction. Next time, we'll double the recipe. Looks cute from the front, though, right?

Getting in the Christmas spirit

Homeless Santa landed on Baby David's head. He thought it was a chimney. David didn't seem to mind.

The Christmas Mantle

The past three years, around this time, my mother-in-law and I have visited a certain neighborhood holly tree. We happen to bring along a small pair of shears. This year I drove. We pulled up to the aforementioned tree. She hopped out and quickly, but reverently, removed a few choice sprigs, then quickly returned to the car. We drove away.

The tree is on an island in the middle of a street in our neighborhood. It is lush with berries every year. Don't you agree a tree like that could use a little annual pruning?

And just so you know the full truth, the greenery that fills in much of the mantle is not from the holly tree. It's from our neighbor's huge pine tree across the street...

Anyone want to go to Confession with me this Saturday?

Thanksgiving in Cleveland

David and GG hit it off beautifully. They were introduced and he quickly proceeded to suck her fingers in a gesture of love.

Teresa got to blow out two candles on Lola's famous chocolate birthday cake.

David got cozy in Santa's arms on the Polar Express after spending the previous hour crying. He just needed a little one on one with the big guy.

"What would you like for Christmas little girl?"
Frankie was honored on this train ride with special attention from Santa for being so patient and good (one of Santa's elves stationed next to us reported this to him). He gave her his hat to wear.

A trip to a nearby farm park.

Only Teresa would sport a fur coat tilling the soil. We mustn't shed our glamor, even on the John Deere.

David, in good hands, on a brisk walk through the neighborhood.
Lolo and David sharing a moment.

On a separate note, we've all come down with colds. In an effort to spare my sore throat I've been whispering the past two days, and I must say the results have been somewhat inspiring. There's a calm in the house when I can't raise my voice, or talk for that matter. Frankie and Teresa whisper back when I whisper to them to be kind to each other, or that sorry, I can't read that book today. They've been playing creatively together all morning, seldom coming to me with questions and problems. Maybe I should write this up as an experiment in some child psychology book: "Whisper Therapy." And maybe I'll continue to whisper after the sore throat subsides.

The Toos is Two!

Waking up to a balloon = happiness.
Frankie dressed as a snow queen to honor the birthday girl.

Having a lollipop for breakfast = ecstasy.
Teresa is sensitive, shy, introverted, dislikes being the center of attention and enjoys playing by herself...pretty much the opposite of Frankie. As soon as she got her balloon, she went quietly to her room and locked the door. I could hear her singing "Happy birday Teesa!" to herself. She's my sweet little melancholic. She never misses an opportunity to share her things with Frankie (who never misses an opportunity to ask for Teresa's things knowing she will always oblige). Happy birthday sweet little girl!

Practicing

"Mommy, can you tie this on for me? And can you put David in?"

Sorry Frankie. Few more years. In the meantime, Dumbo will have to do.

Good morning glamour girl

I just wake up, throw on a fur coat, put my hair up in a few bows and clips, grab my coffee and laptop and *poof*, I'm glamorous. I bet you all wish it were that easy.

In truth, it's not easy being beautiful and almost two. Five minutes after this picture was taken Frankie demanded her fur coat back. But I can still dream.

This is hilarious

A tribute to mothers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osWuWjbeO-Y&feature=share

Like Father Like Son

I feel confident in my pink boppy when I'm next to Daddy.

Deep thoughts, by Frankie

Frankie was silent through her second viewing of Snow White. The first time she saw it (yesterday) I was a little anxious the evil queen would be a bit too scary for her. Would she wake up in the middle of the night with memories of the queen's side-kick attempting to stab Snow White in the forest, or of the grisly biological transformation of queen into old woman, or of Snow White falling to the ground after the fated bite from the poison apple?

Nope. She was fine.

But tonight as she watched the dwarves chase the evil old woman through a dark forest after her attempt on Snow White's life, she decided to voice her thoughts.

"Poor queen," she said.

"Poor queen??" I said. "She just tried to kill Snow White! She's really mean."

"Yeah, but the dwarves are chasing her."

And she was right. Really, it's the queen who's the most pitiable in the movie. Isn't it funny what sticks with a child? She saw straight through the scariness to something poignant and was able to express it. Or maybe I'm reading too much into this...

Halloween

The crew, sans Jackson the ninja, who preferred to trick or treat with some boys. What nerve.

The Spanish dancer, Maria.

Snuggles before a big night.

Tres Cocineros (three Cooks)

I love how Teresa is nuzzling David. Not sure David is so thrilled :)

Dave made the observation: "Wow, look at the size of Frankie's hands."

David, you are adored.

I think Frankie may have ESP...

... not only does she frequently know the cards I have in my hand when we're playing Go Fish ("Mommy, ask me for my three"), but today I snuck quietly into the kitchen, put a mug of milk in the microwave and quickly added a couple spoonfulls of Swiss Miss, only to hear a little voice from another room: "Can I have some hot chocolate?" (disclaimer: I hardly ever have hot chocolate) Maybe she should be a soothsayer for Halloween instead of a fairy.

The fearlessness of youth

Nothing like standing in a cold, muddy puddle of water on a brisk 60 degree day. Oh, and add *pantless and barefoot* to that.

Fall brings out the crazy in this family, apparently. And yes, I did immediately whisk them inside to warm up...immediately after I got a few good shots that is...

Visit from Stacey and Mama Forbes

And just sitting up, hanging out, and being cute before bed.

David having an Anne Geddes moment

Bundle of baby...is there anything cuter?

Drowning our rainy day sorrows

So, we got Coke, Miller Lite, Nestea, Coors Lite and leftover chocolate milk. Each comes with a cute little plate. What's your preference?

Thankfully they've not figured out how to open them. Yet.

Happy Anniversary Lolo and Lola!

30 years- what a legacy and example to us all. Congratulations!

Wake up call

I happened upon Frankie in the refrigerator, finger-deep in a pan of jello. Jello was on the floor below the refrigerator.

Me: "Clean up the jello you dropped, please."

F: Pause... "You didn't scream?"

Me: "Um, no, I didn't scream."

F: "Wow, you're being nice."

Hmm. Maybe I need to take more naps...

What we do on a beautiful fall day

Enjoy the new swing set- thanks Uncle Jeff!

Pick some mums..

Watch a swallowtail enjoying our roses...

A few seconds earlier when it had alighted on the rose, this would have been an amazing picture!

Keep a tab on our eggplants and their blossoms
This little butterfly (moth?) looked blue as it was flying from flower to flower. Looks rather gray here.