My Girl!

My girl has lost her first front tooth! It feels like such a big deal! I think she looks adorable! She lost the bottom two already but the top one is just so visible. This is just a external sign of so many of the ways she is growing and changing. I'm excited for her and for the coming new year.

We are finally all getting over being sick. Thankfully it was mild for all of us, except for a intense fit of grouchy-ness on my part yesterday morning. I was supposed to fly to LA to celebrate Christmas with LaLa this weekend, and instead I was home sick and then made the mistake of standing in line at the UPS Store to ship a few packages. Nothing went well there. Then Billy wouldn't pick up the phone when I tried to call home, then *POW* I just went crazy. When I got home I was screeching and screaming and blowing my top. I was so frustrated and angry at all the plan changes and with holiday pressure and I just wanted to let everyone know. Annie at one point ran in and said "Pop, just do whatever she wants!"
They dressed and promptly ran for the park and by the time they came home, I felt better and I told them both how sorry I was for yelling, and having a fit. Annie said that she knows that I love her even though I was yelling. I still hate it when I get to that point. And yet, it felt so good to let it all out! If only I could just be heard for my needs when I'm in that place, rather than Bill or Annie hearing blame, criticism or fault. I really want to work on it, so next time I won't slime anyone, and just express myself.

Someone's Getting a Go Cart!

O.K. So I like to take my dollhouse fantasies all the way. So what? Who wouldn't love to get that go-cart? Or the kitchen set, or the big box of Lincoln Logs? Besides, this is the first year (after ten years of building) that I've ever had it out for the holidays!

So, I guess it's Christmas Eve already in the dollhouse and the children are asleep while the parents scurry around with last minute decorations and putting presents under the tree.

I still haven't gotten around to hiding the battery pack that lights the Christmas tree. See it there behind the Lincoln Log box? (Second photo down) And to those of you who want to see the dollhouse all lit up for Christmas, don't you worry! I'll take some pictures with the lights all-aglow before the 25th. Maybe by that time I'll have a tree skirt or a holiday box to cover the pesky Duracell's.


Would it be going to far if I left a tiny plate of (Fimo) cookies for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer?

Sweet and Simple

Annie has a cold so we're home relaxing and caring for our bodies. We made a delicious chicken noodle soup for lunch, Asian-style, and Annie slurped up a big bowl bok choy and all. I'm glad for the chance to just be cozy and slow, since there is so much I could do (or should do!) as the holiday approaches.

I was away for part of the weekend working, and I am amazed at how hard it is for me to leave my home, (wrenching) and how happy I am being back. Something about December makes me want sweet and simple and close.
The photo is of Annie doing her reading and writing workbook this morning in front of my Grandmothers Holiday tree.

After the Rain

Wow! It rained all day yesterday and it felt wonderful and Wintery. And then today was sparkling and bright so Annie and I took lunch and warm drinks to the beach. Ahhh! It was so bright and pretty, for about an hour, then it turned bitter cold so we had to roll up in our beach blanket and snuggle. I was hoping to get a beach picture that could be used for our holiday card, but nothing is really screaming out at me. These four are the best. Do you vote for any of them?

Yesterday the Home Schooler Craft Fair went really well! Annie almost sold out of her watercolor cards and I sold stuff too (see the little seller below.) We'll definitely do it again next year. I was pleased that the soup I made for the soup sale was one of the first to sell out! Yeah! I am feeling much gratitude for the home school mom's who work hard at organizing the many wonderful events here in the Bay Area. I'm glad to be a part of it all!

Home Schooler Craft Fair!

Annie and I have signed on to do the Home Schooler Craft Fair tomorrow. We have been busy making all sorts of goods. Annie has made a series of watercolor greeting cards, and some one-of-a-kind key chains , plus a banner and some ornaments. I've made some boxes, ornaments, cards, "peace, blessing and joy" banners, pencil holders and some little altars. Whew! I'm glad to be done, and curious how it will turn out. Part of the proceeds go to the BerkeleyWomen's Drop-in Center for homeless women and their children. I have also made a big pot of soup for the Soup Sale. Turkey Vegetable. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Setting up!

It took most of the day, and into the night, to set up our multi-generations of ornaments, knick knacks, and treasures! This year Annie did a bunch of the decorating herself, and nearly matched me in my excitement and enthusiasm. She whistled, sang and danced around most of the day, driving us a little nuts, but mostly delighting us! I still have a few areas to finish, plus knowing me, I will keep on shifting things around until I'm satisfied!
Oh there is so much to do, and so many people I would like to connect with during this season! I'm feeling sad that I will probably just do a small fraction of what I'd like to because my main aim during this month is to just enjoy and go slowly and waaaaaayunderbook so there is plenty of time for what shows up in the moment. So I'm torn between wanting the connection with the world, and connection to myself, and the sweet time Annie and Bill and I can carve away for ourselves.

So far we/I have plans to;
Go ice skating today!
Annie and I are in the Homeschool Craft Fair
Have a kids holiday party
Have a neighborhood, more grown up get together
I'm flying to LA to visit LaLa for three nights!!
Annie wants to go visit Santa
The Meyers' are coming to visit
Sara & Ezra are coming to visit
Grandma & Grandpa are coming to visit
Tuesday playdates with Ilana
Thursday playdates with Lily

Here are the things I'd like to do;
I'd love to fit in a visit with both of Annie's Birth families
I'd love to walk in a forest
I'd love to hand make more gifts
I'd love to clean off my desk
I'd love to go to the Imperial Spa and Chinatown one more time before 2008

Happy December!

I tried to steal some quiet computer-time this morning while everyone was still asleeep, and usually it's Annie nudging me to snuggle on my lap, but today it was Jasper. So I snapped a few, which is tricky since he isn't human. He really wants to lick me and sniff my ear, and getting him to look forward at the monitor just makes no sense to him. So here are a few outtakes of us and my warmest wishes to you for a cozy and contented December!