hello, december

We've been having some fun around these parts the last several weeks with very little photographic evidence. Sorry!

Had a surprise scotch-tasting party for the man a couple of weekends ago. It was far too much fun. How cute of a kid was this guy? Oh, my goodness! Sadly, we didn't get any snaps at the party, but the two included were of the morning after.




Went to STL for Thanksgiving. My grandmother has made the decision to sell her house and move into a retirement community. She has decided that the house is a bit too much for her. Mind you her house is spotless and the woman has more energy at 87 than I think I have ever had! I was sent home with some fantastic vintage fabric, a swan planter and this beautiful pink serving bowl. I'm proud of her for making the choice, it will be good for her to be around other people again. But I will miss the house I was practically raised in.



Painted the 2nd floor bathroom, just days before the party. That's my style -- to completely change a room when I should just be cleaning it. It did get a good cleaning in the process though, so that counts for something.

Put up the tree last night. Riley likes to place every ornament on a single branch. So it's pretty cute with giant clusters of shiny goodness and then completely naked areas. Oh, well. I am trying not to control everything! Well, I'm getting better anyway.



It's way after lunch and Lola is still wandering around in her pjs and robe because it is freezing in the house! And because she looks so cute!

no school today

R. had parent/teacher conferences at school today and had the day off. Our weather has been unseasonably warm for November, so we spent most of the day outside. Our day included a long walk to school for his conference (excellent report, with only a couple of things to work on), lunch with Aaron and then the library and then the long walk back home. We spent the morning and afternoon collecting leaves and looking into waterless fountains and crawling around the kid's corner at the library. It's been a great day and I think everyone at this point could use a nap!

Vader's Pumpkin Patch

Luke, I am your father and I insist you take a hayride to our corn maze. Or something like that. James Earl Jones could pull it off, I think.

munch time

Lola and I met Aaron at Sol Azteca for a little lunch date. Delish!

Playtime (or I know why the caged bird sings)

One, Uno, Un, Ein, Um

Lola turned 1 a few days back and I still can't believe it has been a year already. I still remember meeting her for the first time -- they wheeled me still in bed to meet her, maybe it was in the NICU maybe in a dream, I can't be certain. A nurse placed her on my chest and I did my best to hold onto her. Both of us drifting in and out of sleep and I knew I would never be the same.

In the past year she has made us laugh, made us nervous, made us swell up with pride, made a big brother out of Riley and honestly made us a family.

Eating is high on the list of her favorite things to do. She *loves* to eat. Tops on the list are blueberries, hummus/pita and pretty much anything you put down in front of her. She is standing, but not quite ready to walk. Crawling is so much faster and efficient, you know. She can sign our version of the word "more", says "duck, duck, duck", "hi", "bye-bye", night-night is a backwards wave and blows kisses when you say you love her.

She had a great weekend -- it was perfect. We had a lovely time with our visitors from St. Louis. Thank you to all those that made the trip.

It's hard to believe the panic and fear that surrounded her birth has given way to such a calm, funny and genuinely sweet little girl. We are so blessed. Happy Birthday, baby girl!

the kids are alright

We have been busy around these parts fancying up the house for out of town guests for Lola's birthday party. It was fantastic...we had such a lovely time. Pictures to follow on her actual birthday tomorrow! In the meantime, here are some shots from R's first ever soccer game. So what if the score was 10 to 0 in favor of those other kids in the orange shirts?!

It was so great to watch them all. It was almost as if they were playing dodge ball instead of soccer -- a huge clump of 7 and 8 year olds would chase the ball in any number of directions and then run away from it when they caught up to it. Too funny. They had much more success at their second game this weekend.

Hope your week is off to a good start. This week marks the beginning of working part time and keeping Lola home 3 days a week. We are loving it! We went for a long, long walk this morning and now she is snoozing with the sweetest little smile on her face. I couldn't be happier!

snaps

That's Riley on a recent trip to Powell Gardens. And L is just happy to be alive. Her new favorite toys are those that belong to big brother.

Oh, the places he'll go!

Riley graduated from Kindergarten last night. It was a wonderful program that included quotes from a number of presidents and songs about capitals. They were all cranked up to about 11 and had so much fun.

Riley was Abraham Lincoln and said with pride, "as I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master." JFK, John Adams and GWB were represented. All of the quotes were those that inspired and moved generations, well all but George Walker Bush. The only quote the teacher could think of was "no child left behind." There were audible smirks in the audience.

All of the kids worked so hard and were so sweet. We are so proud of Riley. He did so well and has known not only his line for weeks, but everyone else's as well. Such progress has been made this year. This was his second go'round for Kindergarten. Last year was such a struggle and he just wasn't ready. This year he has accomplished so much and grown up quite a bit. He is funny, charming, bright, creative, energetic, determined and a READER. Best decision I ever made. Look out 1st Grade here he comes!

Lola had fun at graduation, too. She sang along to each song with raspberries and squeals. Another 4 or 5 years, baby girl, and you will be there too!

oh mama

"Why do we have to feed her? She is going to have to learn to do that for herself, you know." says Riley, aka Dr. Phil Jr.