day three hundred sixty-five(!!!): looking ahead

Whew, well that year just flew by, don'tcha think?!

I must admit, I'm a wee bit impressed that I managed to post a photo a day for a whole year. Sure, I cheated a couple of times by posting a photo on the wrong day but for all intents and purposes, I'm calling it a success. It definitely helped to know that all 2.5 of you who follow this blog were checking in periodically (and occasionally letting me know when it had been a few days since the last post).

Going forward, I think I'll keep the blog going... but change it up a little. No daily requirement. Fewer words. Stuff like that.

Happy New Year! Twenty-Eleven is going to be fabulous, I can feel it in my bones!

day three hundred sixty-four: sunny, but cold

Ever since we had our house insulated in the fall, we've had crazy condensation on the few windows that are original to the house (which is crazy old). We never had this happen before because the inside temperature was never so far off from the outside temperature... and there was always plenty of air flow (air blowing straight in from the outside, and vice versa) to prevent condensation from building up.

Getting those windows replaced, or at least covered with some type of storm window is definitely on the top of the to-do list for 2011.

It's a long list already.

day three hundred sixty-three: snowbird

I seem to have lost all motivation to take pictures.

And anything else productive.

I'm really taking this "Winter Break" thing literally, and it's been a dream. Lots of sitting on the couch, playing crappy games on the computer, watching even crappier shows on TV. By Monday, I'm sure I'll be ready for some type of routine again, but for now I'm fine just doing nothing.

(Preferably under a warm blanket 'cuz it's cold outside!)

day three hundred sixty-two: happiness is...

• chocolate and vanilla frozen yogurt
• oreo crumbles
  
• mini-m&ms
• mike & ike's
• gummi bears
• marshmallows

day three hundred sixty-one: uncle cello player

Avery has just (as in 2 days ago) started playing the clarinet in preparation for 5th grade band, and once again I'm shocked that my kids have any musical talent whatsoever. I'm not sure I could learn to play an instrument if my life depended on it, but it seems to come relatively easy to the youngsters so far.

Clearly they get those genes from the other side of the family. Andrew's youngest brother, AJ, is nothing short of a musical genius. He plays several instruments beautifully, and is completely self-taught. Today he treated us to a brief performance with his newest instrument of choice, the cello.

day three hundred sixty: patent pending

About a year ago, Andrew's company started a rewards program to encourage the employees to file more patents for the applications that they were writing. Andrew and a team of co-workers filed 3 patents almost immediately, but then we forgot all about the promised reward.

So it came as quite a shock when Andrew called to see if I could give him a ride home (he usually rides the bus to/from work) with his brand-new 50" HD-TV. Compared to any TV we've had in the past, this thing is gigantic. The kids are loving it, of course, but I must admit I feel as if it's a bit wasted on a family who watches so little TV and doesn't even have basic cable.

day three hundred fifty-nine: universal ipod touch shock syndrome

day three hundred fifty-eight: christmas eve

These elves are hitting the hay (early for us compared to other years)!

Good night all, and Merry Christmas tomorrow!

day three hundred fifty-seven: macro

day three hundred fifty-six: busted

Someone's having a hard time leaving the prezzies under the tree alone...

day three hundred fifty-five: just 10 days left in '10

(not that I'm counting or anything)

day three hundred fifty-four: fuzzy

I'm feeling a little "gleary-eyed" after a long day of swim lessons, last-minute shopping, car repairs, dinner with Henry & co., a chilly photography outing to Peacock Lane, and happy hour at El Gaucho. Not bad for the first day of "vacation."

Many more pictures of Peacock Lane to come tomorrow... or the next day. First up, I've got about 150 pictures left from Avery's party to edit.

day three hundred fifty-three: happy birthday to (different) avery!

day three hundred fifty-two: zinnia's growing up!

day three hundred fifty-one: labyrinthitis

Cayden missed his last hour of school in 2010, thanks to a no-good, very bad earache. He'd been complaining about it last night, but seemed fine this morning. Apparently, he went to the office twice during the day, but kept getting sent back to class. When he showed up in tears at 1, that was convincing enough to call home. I immediately made him a doctor's appointment, and sure enough he's got his second ear infection of his life (his first was at age 5... much older than most kids).

day three hundred fifty: christmas miracle

Teacher gifts are done! With two days to spare!

day three hundred forty-nine: annie

Avery and I had the privilege of watching one of her closest friends perform in a tech rehearsal for "Annie," a show she's been practicing for all fall. We're unable to go to the actual performance on Friday so it was a real treat to be invited tonight. The kids did such an impressive job, especially considering this was their first time on this particular stage, with the lights and curtain, etc. I'm sure it's going to be quite a show on Friday!

day three hundred forty-eight: ambitious

day three hundred forty-seven: ballet-rina

Maybe it's because there's only 8 hours of daylight right now, or maybe it's because there's all sorts of Christmas prep going on right now. Whatever the reason, I keep checking my camera and finding pictures of Josie. And nothing else.

Oh well, when I look back on this year (thanks to a Blurb gift card from Megan!) I'll be reminded of just how much time she and I spent together these last 347 days.

day three hundred forty-six: santa!

day three hundred forty-five: crazy eyes

Today was a long day. Andrew had a 3-hour meeting right smack dab in the middle of the day so I decided that the kids and I would just stay home rather than braving the rain and the crowds. Avery & Josie stayed in their jammies all day long (Avery's favorite!) and I didn't go anywhere until about 4, which is unheard of for me. The above photo was taken at some point during the 1,734th game of people that Josie and I played throughout the day. The crazy eyes have taken over!

day three hundred forty-four: charlie

Every 4 weeks from now until the end of the school year, Josie will get to bring home one of the Class Critters, stuffed animals that come home for weekend visits with a journal and a book about their lives. Each child is put in charge of taking care of the critters, showing them a good time over the weekend, and then journaling about their adventures for the class to read on Tuesday.

This weekend, Josie is hosting Charlie the Dog. He joined us on a downtown expedition today, and will come with us to see Santa and to get our Christmas tree.

Luckily, Charlie and Bear get along quite well... in fact, it turns out that they are brothers! What an odd coincidence.

day three hundred forty-three: denim

(The Daily Shoot, assignment #389)

I have a love/hate relationship with jeans. I've gone years without ever wearing them, and I've gone stretches where I wore them every single day. I'm currently stuck in one of those "every single day" ruts. Which means it must be time to go shopping!

day three hundred forty-two: single rainbow

Not nearly a exciting as a double rainbow, but still fun to see.

day three hundred forty-one: shades in december

Josie was pretty cute today, at least for the first half of the day. She received an invitation to tag along with Avery for a dual-sibling playdate after school. When I told her about it, she was thrilled, but wanted to know every last little detail.

"So is it a playdate or not?" Not sure what that even meant, I just told her that yes, she would go for the playdate after school.

"But is it a real playdate or not a real playdate?" To which I replied (again) that I wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but that it was a "real" playdate to the best of my knowledge.

"Are you going to stay with me or leave me there and not be there with me?" Aha, I finally could see what she was getting at.

"I am going to leave you there to play and then I will come back and get you."

"Oh yes, that is a real playdate then!"


Very good to know.

day three hundred forty: black on black (on black background)

As the days have gotten shorter and the house has gotten darker, there have been many more squeals from Cupid as someone inadvertently sits on her, while she naps on the black chair in the living room. Totally her fault, if you ask me.

day three hundred thirty-nine: baby's preschooler's first haircut

Just don't look at how dry my hands are, because they're really dry.

day three hundred thirty-eight: game day

Football? What football?

Civil War? I'm not sure I follow.

The only game on our minds today was basketball as Avery had her season-opening tournament... complete with FOUR games from noon to 4:00 (yes, spanning the entire length of the Civil War, thank you very little).

I didn't take many photos, but I was sure to grab a shot of the final score when the Fireballs creamed the Blue Lightning 12-2. The other three games were all close (within 3, 4 and 6) but with not-so-good outcomes.

No worries though; compared to last year, this team has come a loooong way baby!

day three hundred thirty-seven: random shot of winter berries

day three hundred thirty-six: civil war!

day three hundred thirty-five: december morning at the pool

Thanks to the wonders of afternoon kindergarten, Josie is now in the same class swim class as her very favorite redheaded friend! I guarantee this won't last long (said friend is already ready for the next class) but it'll be great while it lasts. Even after just 2 classes, Josie's already trying things that she's never dared to try before. Peer pressure... ain't it swell?