The Baby vs. The Tree

 Pay no attention to the Halloween pajamas.

Party of 5

Family Photo 11/28/12

all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile

We watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas last night on tv.  It was the first time I had seen it in awhile, and the first time the girls had really paid attention to it.  The show really defines the holiday season for me.  When I think about all the Black Friday shoppers, and all the money spent, all the stress and tension, it makes me sad.  The real meaning of Christmas seems to elude most.

"  He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more! "

I hope this year, like most, that I can spread joy, love, warmth.  I hope to teach my kids that Christmas is more than Santa and the Elf on the Shelf.  Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus, and about giving back, about being thankful, and grateful and appreciative...and about love.

O Tannenbaum

Our 4 day weekend is going might well.  Pick out our tree yesterday, trimming it today. =)

Happy Thanksgiving!

These are just 3 of the 131 pictures we took today trying to get a good photo for our Christmas card.  Guess we'll try again soon.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Pumpkin Pajamas

Halloween night, only 2 and a half weeks ago.

And He's Off

Life in the Fast Lane

Cecilia usually comes to work with me on Fridays and today I had to make 12 loaves of pumpkin cranberry bread for an event this weekend at the winery.  It was a whirlwind day, looking at all these pictures, but not a day unlike most lately.  It started out with Cecilia very excited to help make the bread.

That excitement quickly subsided and she wanted to watch a show.  Then we colored, she played with little Ariel and Eric paper dolls and we listened to, sang and danced to The Little Mermaid soundtrack.  Notice the Ariel sitting in the chair.

We had to go back to the grocery store before lunch, then when we got home, she climbed onto the back of the car and we had a photo shoot.

She ate barely any lunch, but took a good nap.  I continued to bake more bread, and clean out the corner cabinet.  After she woke up, we put the last batch of bread into the oven, and took a walk.  She rose her scooter.  We walked to the post office, to a jewelry store, and back home in time to take the bread out of th oven.  When John got home with Charlotte and Dominic, I had dinner ready in the crock pot, and chocolately chocolate brownies going into the oven for dessert.  We ate, then had a nice evening, just hanging out.  And when I say nice, I mean Charlotte was in time out twice, Dominic bonked his head on whatever he could pull up on, and Cecilia teased Charlotte with whatever toy was the special toy of the moment that they could fight over.

After Dominic went to sleep, we played Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders.

I'm exhausted, how can it only be 9 p.m.?  Plus, I have to work all weekend, oh what fun.

Sleepy Charlotte

She's so active, busy, hard to keep up with, that I find these pictures extra soothing.  When she comes to work with me on Wednesdays, it like I'm in a version of her favorite book, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake.  We dash here and there, to the next toy, puzzle, painting, all the while bottling wine, and leave a whirlwind of chaos behind us.  Wish I had that much energy. =)

Free Help

Cecilia helped us pick the last of the grapes.  She did a good job.  She bundled up, brought her ponies, played in the tractor, and even picked a few grapes.  She's fun to be around. =)

When I find Myself in Times of Trouble, Mother Mary Comes to Me

November
 6th marked 12 years that my mom has been gone.  It's hard not to think some times what life would be like if she were around, and it's easy to think of those times as happy, but the reality is that they might not be.  I could use some help with these kids, and I wonder if my mom would be able and willing.  I could use some advice at work, and I wonder if I'd be able to listen to what she had to say.  I wonder what it would be like to know her as an adult, as a fellow mom.  Wish she could be at Thanksgiving to make everything beautiful and perfect, and make those longed for mashed potatoes.

It's no lie that my life right now is chaotic, and emotional.  I was talking about it one day to my sister, Christy and she said she's adopted a few songs as Mom's Mantra's, even though mom might not have loved those songs.  One song Christy recommended was "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty, and even though I don't really like Tom Petty, this gives me new insight to his music.  Mom was so strong.  She taught me to be strong, which I view as a huge asset, but I'm sure there are those around me who wish I wasn't quite so feisty.   One other song Christy said reminded her of mom was "Let it Be" by the Beatles.  

"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be"

I find this song most soothing lately, especially since mom's first name was Mary.  Everyone called her by her middle name though.  Although, this would have never been mom's mantra.  She didn't know how to "let it be."  And I guess I'm not that good at it either, but there's many moments lately, where I take deep breaths, close my eyes, and try hard to let her "whisper words of wisdom, let it be."

Back Light

Just so you know, it's virtually impossible to keep up with a blog with the chaos that is my life right now.

This is a picture I took a few weeks ago for a camera class.

It's kind of weird but kind of nice to live so close to the winery.

11 Month Birthday

This is the best picture I could get of him tonight.  Hard to believe he wasn't here this time last year.

This is the Fuel to my Fire

I Am The Highway- Audioslave
Pearls and swine bereft of me 
Long and weary my road has been 
I was lost in the cities 
Alone in the hills 
No sorrow or pitty 
For leaving I feel 

I am not your rolling wheels 
I am a highway 
I am not your carpet ride 
I am the sky 
[ Lyrics from: hte+highway_20010132.html ] 
Friends and liars 
Don't wait for me 
Cause I'll get on 
All by myself 
I put millions of miles 
Under my heels 
And still too close to you 
I feel 

I am not your rolling wheels 
I am the highway 
I am not your carpet ride 
I am the sky 
I am not your blowing wind 
I am the lightning 
I am not your autumn moon 
I am the night 
The night 

Cousins Are Fun

Norah and Louis came and stayed with us last weekend, and there were giggles, and good times all around.  John worked all weekend, so I had my hands full (mostly holding Dominic) but I was able to snap a couple shots.  This is what childhood should be made of.

Little Sprout

I always wanted a baby in a pea in a pod costume.  Dominic makes my dreams come true.

Home Town

John has liked this song for months.  I was a little slower to warm up to it.  Phillip Phillips just won American Idol, and to me he is a Dave Matthews wannabe.  I finally asked John what he thought the song was about, and he said it's about a girl who moves back to her home town because her husband has a good job there.  Then he winked at me.  Hard not to like it now. ;)

"Settle down, it'll all be clear.
Don't pay no mind to the demons,
They fill you with fear.
The trouble it might drag you down.
If you get lost, you can always be found.

Just know you’re not alone,
Cause I’m going to make this place your home."

Day One

First day of NabloPomo.  Get ready for your yearly catch up.  I'll try hard to post everyday this month.  This is my new favorite picture.  I love those girls.

See you tomorrow!