Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas Pictures

I have no photo to go with this story. I think I mailed it to my mom. I do have the negative somewhere, and when I find it I will post it. But until then, here is the story.

One year, about 4 years ago (seems like 10) I decided to take a Christmas pictures of all (3 at the time)the kids on a bench in the backyard. Wyatt was 5, Lizzie was 3 and Ben was about 6 months old. I knew a photo studio would be a nightmare, so I decided to go with the backyard bench and a few Christmassy props.

What a freak show. I wrote an email to family members immediately following the incident:

They are plotting against me. Even the baby. Oh sure, they act happy and cheerful. They smile beautiful smiles and are very compliant during the "getting ready" process. They clap and jump up and down while I arrange the Poinsettias. They clamber up on to the wooden bench singing "jingle bells". They snuggle up close on the red and black check blanket and are clearly excited about the whole process. I think, "wow this isn't going to be that difficult after all!" And then I say "OK.....Say "Cheese"....and it's a free for all. The baby starts fussing. Wyatt Henry drools and wipes it on his shirt. Elizabeth suddenly can't keep her eyes open. So I say, "whoa..ok..let's try that again. Say..."Merry Christmas!" Wyatt Henry screams it at me like he's the Hulk. Lizzie is now rubbing her eyes. Ben is trying to eat the blanket. I lower the camera and rearrange them and say, "ok you guys. Now, listen...look at Mommy and be still. Just smile when i tell you to smile. OK?" They all smile (big beautiful smiles) and i quickly raise my camera, foolishly thinking they will keep smiling. Just as i press the button, Lizzie climbs off the bench, announcing that she is going to bed because she's tired. (at 10:30 in the morning). I say, " Wait Baby, we're almost done. Just a few more minutes." She gets back up on the bench. I tell them to smile. That must be their code word for "freak out".

Wyatt Henry acts like it hurts him to smile...his eyes are like dime slots, his brow is furrowed. His "smile" is really just a disply of all his teeth. The child clearly thought I instructed him to grimace. Benjamin is now screaming and is as red as his shirt. Elizabeth isn't even pretending to be interested...she's just looking past her brothers, and sighs. Totally frustrated, I say "Wyatt, that is not a smile. What are you doing, son? Elizabeth, can you please at least look at the camera?" She says, "The sun is hurting my eyes." I explain that the sun is behind her, that she is sitting in the shade." She says "oh." and then shrugs and says, "Well, I'm still sick." and closes her eyes and puts her head back. Ben is just freaking out and Wyatt Henry says, "ugh! Ben is heavey!" I consider threatening all of them with spankings if they don't just smile and be still, and then I realize how counter productive that would be, so I just send them all into the house. Lizzie suddenly is awake, Wyatt instantly remembers how to smile. And Ben magically stops screaming and gives me a big drooly smile and giggle. The only one crying is ME!!!!! Ho, Ho Ho!!!!!!! We will regroup and try again later. ;-)


We never regrouped, by the way. Just so you know.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

4th Day


Today is the fourth day of Christmas.

Four calling birds....

Some say the 4 calling birds are symbols of the four gospels writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I don't know if that is true, but it's a good enough excuse to read them, is it not?

p.s. FYI, I wrote this at 12:10 am MONDAY morning, not Sunday, regardless of what the date stamp reads. I'm just sayin'!

Friday, December 26, 2008

It's not over yet!!!

If you thought Christmas was over, think again! Today (dec.26) is the first day of Christmas that we sing about in the 12 days of Christmas....we still have 11 more to go!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! This party is just starting, folks!

I'll post more on the meaning of the 12 days later, but if you just can't wait, click here.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

12 Mexican Foods Of Christmas

My very favorite kind of food to eat is Mexican food. I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE it! I love it so much, that I (with the help of my family) wrote a lovely little song about it, my own happy version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
A bowl of guacamole.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
2 cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.


On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.


On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.


On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
5 REFRIED BEEEEEEANS!!!!!
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole


On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
6 Sopapillas
5 Refried beeeeeans!
4 Corona lites
3 Nachos
2 Cilantro leaves and
a bowl of guacamole.


On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.


On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.


On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.


On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.


On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
11 enchiladas
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.


On the twelth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....


12 Margaritas (hiccup!)
11 enchiladas
10 beef fajitas
9 jalapenos
8 chicken tacos
7 chips with salsa
6 sopapillas
5 refried beeeeeans!
4 corona lites
3 Nachos
2 cilantro leaves
and a bowl of guacamole.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Friday, December 12, 2008

MIA

Missing: My list of The 12 Mexican Foods of Christmas.

Last Seen: Around my desk about a week ago

Approx. age: 1 month

Distinguishing features: FIVE refried beans!!!!

When I find my list, you'll be the first to know.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Crafty Carnage



Today, we got crafty!

Here are the kids' ornaments.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Sammy Claus

Christmas on Plum Creek

"There had never been such a Christmas as this. It was such a large, rich Christmas, the whole church full of Christmas. There were so many lamps, so many people, so much noise and laughter, and so many happinesses in it. Laura felt full and bursting, as if the whole big rich Christmas was inside her, and her mittens and her beautiful jewelbox with the wee gold cup-and-saucer and teapot, and her candy and her popcorn ball.
And suddenly someone said, 'These are for you, Laura.'

Mrs. Towers Stood smiling, holding out the little fur cape and muff.

'For me?' Laura said, 'For me?' Then everything else vanished while with both arms she hugged the soft furs to her...

'What do you say, Laura?' Ma asked, but Reverend Alden said, 'There is no need. The way her eyes are shining is enough.' "


~Laura Ingalls Wilder, On The Banks of Plum Creek