a day in the life

Grandma

Her hands made things. Lots and lots of things. Cherished ornaments, knitted blankets and sweaters, my Christmas stocking. She was crafty, and she passed that love on to me.

I used to call her for knitting advice. Often.

She was strong. She was knocked down and got back up. I hope I will always get back up when I get knocked down too.

She was daring. She was a roller derby champ. She used to tell us such stories. I wish I would have written those stories down.

She loved butterflies. Many butterfly pictures and trinkets gifted to her by her grandchildren graced her home.

She smoked, for a very, very long time. Since she was 12. But somehow still managed to quit. I was really proud of her for that.

She had three children. So do I.

She gave us the My Little Pony barn. My children still play with it today.

I share her name-Eleanor. If I had another daughter, she would have shared that name too. She made me promise I would never use Viola, her middle name.

She made the best zucchini bread. She made the best everything. Just not with microwave dishes. That one didn't turn out so well. One of my favorites was a chicken casserole with some kind of light orange tomato sauce. I remember it being my favorite, but I have no idea how to make it. It has been years since I have eaten it.

She was my grandma.

And I will miss her.

May the fourth be with you

Contrary to what the title says, this post is actually not about Star Wars, but as I have never once in my 34 years ever thought that this indeed was "Star Wars Day," even with my super geeky fanatic husband, I thought it was still a perfect title.

So no, this post is not about Star Wars, but yet again about my little sister's beautiful book, Any Day a Beautiful Change.
Last night I got to go to Katherine's book reading, my very first book reading. It was, cool. She was introduced by David Hassler, whom considers himself the reason the book was written as he was responsible for their meeting.  Perhaps a joke, but an inspiration to Katherine to say the least.
Then we got down to the reading.
I stood in the back, quietly snapping photos, and looked at the faces of the listeners. Great big grins at times, only to be traded with eyes welling up with tears at other moments. I shared those grins and tears. When I read it the first time, the second time, the third time, and when I heard my sister read her own words. They are powerful. And helpful. And beautiful.

Questions came next, one from Maj Ragain, her old poetry teacher, whether she was still writing poems. She sheepishly answered, no, they didn't come as often. But later, after a particularly moving chapter, he spoke up and said, "No. You still write poetry."

This book is poetry.

Then came another question from the audience. "Do you feel you have aired out all the cobwebs, or do you think there are still more to come?"

Katherine replied, with perfect comedic timing, "This is my father." Chuckles ensued.

I am so glad she wrote this book. And I know you may get tired of me saying it, but it is my job as the dutiful older sister, to tell you as often as I can, you must read this book. You will love this book. So thank you Ben, the ginger haired boy, for telling Katherine "You should write about us."
I'm so glad she did. And for those of you wondering, and asking "Now it is your turn (to write a book)" I will say, no, I'm just happy standing in the back taking the photos.

Weekend recap

This weekend was a good one. A really good one. Friday we went out with friends for sushi (lots and lots of sushi.) Lots of laughs, lots of driving (ha) and lots of sushi. I even managed to almost recreate my beloved V8 roll. By the end of the year I have decided I will be a sushi master and just make it at home any time I have the craving.

Saturday morning started with a lovely sleep-in. Until 9am. Yes, my standards may have changed, but it really was lovely. When we got the day started, I did laundry, cleaned, researched my new lights and got some shots with the bigs. LOVE my new lights. Preschool pictures here I come!

Saturday evening we got out the old whirly pop, invited over Nonnie and Grandpa, and had popcorn (with M&M's) and watched Oceans. And laughed about how Beverly's husband is a retired museum. And a professor. Kids to bed, me to my studio to work some more on a very cool assignment for WCS going up Wednesday! and Bj (or WILLIAM as he may or may not want to be called now) over to Nerd McGeek's Game Emporium. After I finished for the night, and shared finished projects with Jess as Jess shared finished projects with me (cause she is all crafty like now) I watched Water for Elephants. I loved it. Though I did not mean to stay up so late (and even later due to the time change) to watch it. Oops.

Today was church in the morning followed by lunch, park for the bigs, me scrapping to some great music, quest to find Charlie's new big boy bed (score of $29.99 off of $90, yes please, thank you very much) and home for a bit more playtime outside, crockpot lasagna with Mor Mor, and even more playtime outside. Lillian and I played a bit of softball-hitting, amazing. Throwing, laughter inducing.

All in all, an awesome weekend.

And just like that, he was one.

Doesn't it seem like just yesterday when Bean looked like this?
It certainly does to me. Or perhaps you remember him like this.
However you look at it, he has grown up and changed a lot this year.
He still has his gorgeous blue eyes that crinkle when he smiles and his Daddy's long forever long lashes.

And a super sweet smile.

And personality?


Yes. He has a lot of personality.

No seriously, a LOT of personality.

He loves pretty much any food I put in front of him sans avocado (which I haven't tried again because wow they have been expensive) and twice now has been very tentative about cake (video soon.) Still goes to bed at 7:00pm and still nursing although I can see that he will be done with that soon. I will be very sad when that is over as I have nursed him longer than the other two and that is just my favorite time to play with him. He is super ticklious under his arm pit, and I love hearing him giggle. He is nearly impossible to change thus we give him non-baby, and well, let's face it, semi dangerous objects to keep him occupied during diaper changes. I am talking thermometers, big kid toys, and Vick's containers. He now can say Mama, Daddy, ball, and yesterday said Yakson in a whisper. He loves to wrestle with Charlie, loves to pull Lillian's hair, and LOVES to be chased. He can totally get past our toy barricade and although still has the oddest crawl I have ever seen, still is not trying to climb steps or walk. We enjoyed his first Christmas a pull here or there on the tree, but he is a very good listener when we say "No touch."
I can't believe it was a year ago that I came home from the hospital with him. Still sore from the SPD and the worst decision I have EVER made in my entire life, getting a stinking tetnus shot. I forgot how much those hurt.
I still kick myself for not getting a single photo of Jess
who answered my call at 2:30AM!! and drove all the way from DE to help me through the delivery, or DADDY who of course is his DADDY until much later.
But don't worry Bean, Daddy held you all the time. So there you have it. Bean, Jack, Jackson is one. ONE. Or, as we said at his party, Uno.
Love you so much Bean

love, Mama

Hello, goodbye; More or less.

This was a year of hellos and goodbyes.

Bj: Goodbye to being gone every week. Hello to going to an office everyday. Goodbye to car allowance. Hello to best friends, game nights, family and old friends. Goodbye to Football on the computer. Hello to games on TV.

Marie: Goodbye to dear friends in PA and more distance between the friend in DE. Hello to dear friends in Ohio, family, trips to see brand new babies, and familiar streets. Goodbye to photography business in PA with families I have watched grow through the years. Hello to growing a business here.

Lillian: Goodbye to dear friend I, Uga, and a bedroom in a tower. Hello dear friend Maya, fabulous school, dance and piano, family and new friends.

Charlie: Goodbye to Logan and London and Hank. Hello to Laney and all the trouble I'm sure the two of you will get into together. Goodbye to the only place you knew as home. Hello to a place that will become your home.

Jack: Hello world. Jack will be one tomorrow. I will not have a baby. A toddler. A toddler with personality. One starting to stand. With FOUR teeth-a record for my babies. An eater. A laugher. A Houdini. I am trying hard to look forward to the new toddler-dome, trying not to be sad that my babies are not going to be my babies for much longer. But that doesn't mean I didn't hold him extra tight and give him a few extra kisses as I put him in bed tonight, on the eve of the New Year and the eve of his birth. My baby...

This year my word(s) are more and less. I will be saying to myself all year, Do we need more of this or less. More reading, less stuff. More activities? Less time committements? We may have to make some tough decisions, but I think more or less will help us in our crazy three children busy lives. More...or less.

Christmas Day

Today may be considered nearly perfect. No, there was no snow (boo hoo) and yes we got up very early (5am, ahem, Jackson) but we spent the day together. Wishes came true (one package to arrive in June) and many memories were made. Presents cherished (train whistle from Uncle Justin and Fawn and Vidia from Santa...whew) and handmade gifts given from the heart. Today was a wonderful magical day. Merry Christmas 2011. Now to get ready for Jack's first birthday...in a week!

On the 4th day {Before} Christmas

Today was a very busy and fun day. Somehow we managed to not have a single Christmas cookie in the house and as our cookie tasting is scheduled for tomorrow, the bigs and I got to work. We made gingerbread with white chocolate filling and peanut butter with chocolate. Tomorrow will be pretzels with peppermint chocolate and (going to see if for the first time ever I can do this without messing them up) sugar cookies. While I may not make very sturdy houses, I can make a mean gingerbread cookie. Not that it has anything at all to do with cookie making, but today in 12 days I will have my Christmas card and a pocket for all of the cards that I received this year. As Katherine and Ben may not actually receive a card from me as I once again accidentally sent something to their old house, here is this years version :)
We topped today off with a dinner at Texas Road house (with two free kids meals, yea) then some very impromptu caroling, another trip over to the dancing light house, and carol singing all the way home. Very Merry indeed.

On the 5th day {Before} Christmas

Today we saw Santa. He "Ho! Ho! Ho'd" and he jingled his bells, and he made the coolest train whistle sound I have ever heard. Lillian was thrilled. Charlie was thrilled. Jackson, was not. 
But it's ok...I think Santa knows how good you all have been this year :)

On the 6th day {Before} Christmas

Tonight was movie night. We had planned on watching Muppet Christmas Carol as we have yet to see the Muppet Movie in the theatre, this was the next best thing. Foiled again. Apple TV just wasn't letting us, so we decided on the next, next best thing. Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Lillian was once again thrilled to see everyone so young, Charlie was only half interested, and Bean danced to the songs but mostly just threw his ball around. Still, it was a fun cozy night.
(Lillian likes to set up two chairs to make it seem like a movie theatre :)

On the 8th day {Before} Christmas

This year I was excited to find a set of five little gingerbread houses-that means each of us would get one to decorate...well. I know that I am a pretty good singer. I have spent many years training, practicing, and performing. I know I take some pretty good photos. I have spent many years reading, learning, and practicing. I am comfortable enough to say, I do not believe I will EVER be good at gingerbread houses.
They are falling apart. No gingerbread man would want to live in them. They look nothing like the picture. But we had fun making them again. Kids took control and did their own house (well Jack crawled around) and although they may not be "pretty," we had fun. Another holiday memory in the books :) For the record, Lillian's is the front right, Charlie's is the middle back, I did the right and left back and Daddy did the front left.