Today is the Greatest . . .

In case you thought Addie spent most of her time in the buff, sometimes she wears a tutu.
"I'm a ballerina, ballerina!"

Thanks to so many for making this Christmas extra special. Addie couldn't have been more excited. I thought we might have gotten off on the wrong foot though when she came into the living room Christmas morning and said, "Where's Santa?" She recovered fast though when she saw that Santa had eaten the cookies we left out for him the night before and in its place were a few crumbs and plenty of presents. We started opening gifts around 8 am and with several breaks in between, including a screening of WALL-E left by Santa, we didn't finish until almost 2 pm.

That evening we had 12 for Christmas dinner at our place. We cooked a guajillo-tamarind turkey, garlic green beans with manchego, decadent scalloped potatoes and of course Cap's homemade apple pie. Afterwards we waddled over to the living room for some Wii bowling and Guitar Hero World Tour.

Merry Christmas!

I heard a new verse to Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer the other day sung by a little kid in line at a store.

Then all the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee, (yippee!)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history! (like Obama!)

See ya Columbus!

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Villas at Gingerbread Meadows

We might have gone a little gingerbread mad this weekend. Maybe it's falling home prices in California, but we now have not one but three gingerbread houses to call our own.

Saturday we went to a friends home for a gingerbread house decorating party. It was 2 pregnant ladies, me, Cap and Addie. We brought along our own kit but when I read that you have to let the roof dry for 3-4 hours before decorating, I had to phase that project and start construction on the other two. I attempted to cobble together a graham cracker structure that would at least stand, and Addie took over the decorating (well most of it. i couldn't help myself). It was a Mommy-Daughter Joint Venture. She took her role seriously and called for reinforcements when necessary. "Mommy, more glue! (aka icing)"


Our host's amazing assortment of candies.


The California Ranch-style home with sunscreens


The Black Gold Shanty


The Prehistoric Mansion
The roof decorating was all Addie. Cracks me up. One side has frolicking butterflies in a field of jeweled gumdrops. The other side has dinosaurs bolting down a hill of chalky smarties.

Move Over Rudolph

There is a new littlest reindeer of all.


Last weekend we went to the zoo and Addie saw some real reindeer.
She took a quick look in their general direction and demanded to see the monkeys.

Fireside Chats

Gran sent Addie her own little grown-up chair.
Now she can snuggle up by the fire
and study her flash cards in her birthday suit.

It's kinda like a spider; it's a squid!

In this photo, Addie is looking, uh . . . intently, at a blue plastic squid in the little chair.

This year, instead of a paper advent calendar, I bought a wooden one thinking that this is definitely the more sustainable option. Sure, assuming I actually re-use it, but what really happened is that I'll use any excuse to spend my lunchtime in search of bargains at TJ Maxx Home Goods. I've decided that instead of a giant store of useless junk (which it is), it's really a treasure trove of delight.

The advent calendar came with peppermints behind each door which I gave to my coworkers. Of course, my advent calendar is less eco-friendly now that I have to go find 25 pieces of mini junk to put in it. Since it was already December 3 when I bought it, I had to scrounge up a few tiny items we had at home already. I believe that little blue plastic squid came off a margarita glass or possibly from a Sonic cherry-limeade drink purchased decades ago in Texas. There is no telling.

When Addie extracted it from behind door number 3, she exclaimed, "It's kinda like a spider; it's a squid!"

What you talkin bout Willis?

Addie continues to talk up a storm - usually at home though when there are no other witnesses to her loquaciousness. The night before Thanksgiving she woke up at 4 am cheery as can be and ready to tell us a something about everything. It went a little like this:

Addie:
Daaaaadyyyyyyyy. I want milk please.
You can stay here, Mama, and close your eyes. okay?
I'll be right back.

Me:
Hrmph

(then snuggled into our bed)

Addie:
Do you have bum (meaning gum) Mama?

Me: rrrrggrmph

Addie:
Do you have bum (gum) in your mouth?

Me:
No. Go back to sleep.

Addie;
I don't eat peanuts.
Girls don't eat peanuts.

Me:
mmmmrmph

Addie:
If I go pee pee I can have candy!
I can go pee pee in my potty.
I can eat candy!

Me:
Sweetie. It's 4 am. Please go to sleep. It's still nigh-nigh time.

Cap:
You need to go to sleep, Addie, because tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

Addie:
We're gonna eat turkey!
Papa Mit and Grandma Vede are coming over.
Not Aunt Karen.
Just Papa Mit and Grandma Vede.
We're gonna eat turkey.
It will be fun!
And Jake is coming!
Not Clara.

Me:
We're going to eat turkey, but you need to go to sleep so you can have fun.

Addie:
I'm happy!
It's gonna be fun!


Now, if that was all for a turkey, I can't imagine what the Night Before Christmas will bring.

good-night good-night sleepyhead

A friend of mine told me that she never loves her children more then when they are sleeping.

And this is my 300th post! Wow.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rings on fingers
Rings on thumb.

Drum drum
Drum drum
Drum drum drum

- Al Perkins, "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb"

This is one of Addie's favorite books given to her by Cap's cousin, Nicholas and Alisabeth, who recently gave birth to their own gorgeous baby girl, Octavia Lucia. Congratulations!

And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Cloudy with a chance of showers

The weather report is in and we have showers.

For a year we've had a potty in our bathroom. Nada. I know she understands the concept, but there was mental hurdle to overcome. I asked another Mom for advice, and she said we need to upgrade our simple, unobtrusive potty for something with more fanfare. So, we went out about 6 months ago and got 2 more - one elmo potty that sits on the toilet and one blinky, singing, fake-flushing, sticker dispensing one. Addie immediately learned how to trigger the potty so it would think she had peed and she'd demand a "sticker for her chart" like the singing potty lady said she deserved. I always think about the singing voice back story. She is an aspiring singer and actress trying to get a gig and ends being the voice across America that coaxes and rewards children towards a diaper free world. A hero to us all.

But back to Addie. This is how it went down The First Time:

We were getting ready to put on her pjs and the poor girl had to pee something fierce. You could just tell, you know?
"Do you want to go pee-pee in the potty?" She has been known to sit on it, then jump up a second later and demand a reward. "You can have candy!"
"I want candy! Show me all the candy!" We have her leftover halloween candy and some scored from a recent pinata in a bowl high on a shelf.
"You can only have the candy after you go pee pee in your potty."
Addie sits down. Nada.
Plan B. Maybe if I can I distract her on the potty she might relax enough.
What do I resort to? My old trusty stand-by. Nailpolish!
So, I painted her nails a ruby red and then blow-dried them while she relaxed on her plastic throne. The girl is getting some
serous high-end service here.
Sure enough, with a few more words of encouragement, we have pee! Not much but some.
Woohoo. Dancing in the streets and of course candy.
Hmm, the girl still has to pee something might fierce.
Back on the potty. More showers, not much rain. But more candy.

Darn it if the girl hasn't realized she can do a minimum amount of work and still get the same reward.
She's crafty!

The First Picture Show

Saturday morning we took Addie to her first movie in a theater - BOLT, and in 3D no less. Well, technically it's not her first. Her first first movie was another Disney flick, Cars, which I took her to when she was 3 or 4 weeks old.

This time, she sat on Cap's lap and didn't move an inch until the credits ran. We had popcorn, drank Sprite and all three of us had to get "wanded" going through security. You should have seen Addie's confusion at having a stranger ask her to stand with her arms out while they wafted a baton 2 inches from her person. In line I overheard other parents explaining why their kids were being subjected to The Wand. "They are making sure that people don't bring in anything they shouldn't." When I was a kid that meant sneaking in candy from the 7-Eleven not a handgun. Tonight, Addie busted out her two silver baby rattles and "wanded" Cap and I before we could proceed with book time. She'll make a fine TSA agent.

I'm wondering why I feel proud that Addie can sit through a feature length like a zombie, but really I'm excited that I get to go to the movies too.



That afternoon, I wanted to get a pet hamster in a ball just like Rhino in the movie, but Cap said I'd just be allergic. Probably true. Instead, we went to the Aquatic Outlet by the airport and got a saltwater tank. I don't know if it was our trip to Hawaii or the one hundredth viewing of Finding Nemo, but we now have a tank with rocks and sand and water. No fish, yet. I guess you have to wait at least 2 weeks before you can bring in the swimmers and the anemones. Addie went bananas when we told her we could get a clown fish just like Nemo.

Maybe Santa will bring us a sea cucumber!

All in a Row

Okay maybe she's a tiny bit obsessive-compulsive.

At a recent birthday party while the other kids swarmed the play equipment, Addie took a break to play with the plastic animals. She would get one out of the bin and bring it over to a clear, flat space she found and line them up. Back and forth she went lining up her animals in a neat row. The parents were fascinated. What would happen if we moved one of the animals? Someone would move the blue brontosaurus 6 inches back. Sure enough when Addie returned with her new animal, she'd immediately move the brontosaurus back to his place in the row. Not once but 3 times. Nice and neat. and neurotic. I like that.

My parents used to tell me I liked to line up their shoes, heel to toe, out of the closet and down the hall. You'd think I would be more organized now.

Cute as a Button

Cap doesn't approve of this outfit, but I snuck it on her when he went off to work this morning. Daycare is closed for the holiday so we are each working half days and I have the morning shift with Miss A. We received two of this corduroy style jumpers from the rummage sale at my Dad's church. Twice each year we get a 20 lb bag of clothes and other goodies shipped to us. We've scored tons of great clothes for her (thanks Nana and Pop-Pop!).

Apparently Addie is siding with Cap on this choice of apparel, but I think she looks cute as a button. Wanna make a bet that she's wearing something different by the time I get home from work tonight?

Eggcellent?

How cute are these little egg cups?

We had a soft boiled egg and toast feast this morning. I had imagined a civilized, Anglicized egg tapping breakfast. I'm sure there is an art to eating an egg out of dainty cup, because my barbaric attempts didn't live up to my expectations. I had to pick shards of micro shell pieces off my egg and then my first attempt delving in for a a bite, resulted in an egg yolk lava flow. I hadn't eaten anything yet, but my plate looked like the set from Cloverfield. So much for civilized.

Election Day

My day went a little like this:

Told Addie I was going to dress her in blue in honor of Election Day.
She tells me she wants to wear red.
I frown and dress her in blue.
Cap dropped Addie off at daycare and we waited in line for an hour to vote.
Voted for The President along with way too many propositions and measures (fingers crossed on No on 8).
Have nostalgic feelings about voting in person and getting my I Voted sticker,
but am thinking next time I'll just vote by mail.
Rear-ended an Obama look-a-like with a matching I Voted Sticker (no damage thank goodness).
Worked.
Picked up Addie and told her we were going to watch Obama on TV.
Cap, Addie and I ate frozen pizza and watched election results.
Drank champagne, Addie dipped her finger in it a few times.
Election called.
History made.
Finish off the champagne.
We try to get Addie to say "Go Obama!"
She mumbles something that sound disturbingly like "Palin."
Addie toots in Cap's face.
And we know it's going to be a good 4 years.

Trick-or-Treat!

Score!

An Addie dinosaur (dragon), 3 little monkeys, Pumpkin Boy
and a little purple butterfly went trick-or-treating on Halloween night
along with Darth Pone and a Republican.
Addie had been looking forward to this night all week although we couldn't
get to her to say trick-or-treat (or thank you as often as I would have liked).
"Go to Mady, Kylie and Ethan's house!"
"I can share!"
"I'm a dinosaur! Rawwwwwrrrr!"
"I am happy!"
Sugarly loot was scored by all. Hurrah for me!
I've already eaten all of the hot tamales and laffy taffy.
Addie ate a tootsie roll (with wrapper) and 2 lollipops on Halloween and
now we're holding the candy ransom in hopes she might, for the first time ever,
actually use on of her 2 potties we have available. I am desperately trying not
to, well, seem too desperate. No pressure, right?

After our romp around the block, we all came back to the 3 little monkeys' house to continue the party
while the kids spazzed out from sugar, then zoned out to Finding Nemo
while the adults drank beer on the front porch
and handed out the last of the candy.

I'll admit that Halloween hasn't been my favorite holiday in the past,
but getting to enjoy it again with Addie has gotten me in the spirit.
I even want to Target today to score some half-off decorations
including a "fall wreath" which I plan to spray paint black next year.

Boo!

Check out the final installment of Halloween photos from Friday night
on the left side bar.

Happy Halloween!

Meet our little carnivorous dinosaur (dragon).

Not only did Addie shred up the halloween block party last Saturday
in her costume, but she also ate (part of) her first non-tofu hot dog.

Tonight the dinosaur will strike again
and hopefully score some candy for her parents.


Happy Halloween!

Tunnel Vision

I have come to learn that I have Addie Tunnel Vision,
especially when I'm behind the camera.

A week ago Sunday, we drove an hour to the wide open spaces of the
San Fernando valley to Underwood Family Farms with three other families.
If you base our experience on the photos, you would think we went alone.
Not only are there no signs of the Clara, Jake or Petra, but you can barely tell
that half of LA was eating corn, petting goats, going on hay rides
and picking pumpkins along side us.

I guess I got eyes for you only, my little pumpkin.

Check out more photos of Just Addie on the left.

Safety First

Story Number One
I was telling Addie the story of the Three Little Pigs, a bedroom ritual that,
as I've mentioned, is usually Cap's domain. Since he's out of town,
I'm left to stumble my way through on my own. Somehow our nighttime
ritual now includes 4 books (read), 2 stories (told) and anywhere from
1-3 songs (sung of course). Addie is very familiar with the Three Little Pigs
and the Three Little Bears but Cap may tell the story slightly differently.
When my wolf blows down the house made of straw, the little piggy runs
down the street to the house made out of sticks. At that point in the story,
Addie stopped me. "No, Mama. little piggy don't run in the street. too many cars.
stop. mama and dada. (something I couldn't quite catch) . . . no crying."
Ah yes, so true Miss Safety Patrol Addie! Running into the street is not a good idea.
Now my piggy has to run down the sidewalk instead.

Story Number Two
Addie and Roman, who is maybe 6 months her younger, were playing out
front of daycare last week. Little Roman started to walk down the driveway
heading straight for the street. His mom was right there and the kid was walking
slow as molasses so there was no imminent danger, but Addie threw her arms
around his waist crying, "No Roman! Don't go into the street!"

Maybe we can get her a reflective vest and a stop sign paddle,
and she can be crossing guard for Halloween.

And since the poll is over, the winner was Red Dragon with 47% of the votes.
We found a green dragon/dinosaur costume (final classification will depend
on Addie's mood) on-line. Fingers crossed she'll wear it or maybe
I should get out the reflective tape.

(p.s. we miss you Dada!)

Daddy's Little Girl

Our routine of late is that I pick up Addie from daycare and cook her dinner
(if you can microwaving fake-chicken fingers cooking) before Cap gets home.
We paint or draw, watch tv sometimes or look for roly-poly bugs in the front yard.
But when it comes to her bedtime it's all about her Dada.

Not only am I not allowed to read to her at bedtime, but I'm actually banned from the room.
I am sometimes given clearance to cross the threshold during book time only to bring
her a refill of milk. If I do try to break the code, I'm screamed at, "Mama, You go!"
And guess where she sends me? "You go kitchen, Mama!"
Am I raising a 3-foot tall Donna Reed dictator?!
Once I got close-fist punched in the face trying to kiss her good-night.

So what is it gonna take to get back into Addie's special club?
If I learned anything in middle school about popularity, it's not to appear desparate.
"Please can Mama read you a book? Pretty please with sugar on top?"
I can't even believe I'm trying to win over my own 2-year old.
Tonight though I tried a new tactic - bribery. I painted both her fingernails
and toenails tomato red and wouln't you know it?
I was granted three books.