Saturday, November 28, 2009

Santa Visit 2009


santa 09
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
We saw Santa on Wednesday. Aidan said this was the real Santa because his beard was long and attached to his hair. Norah didn't cry for the first time ever, and when I praised her and asked why she changed her 'tude, she said that she didn't want to discuss it.
Too funny.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The power of Visa

A scene at Walgreens today:
I am about to pay for my purchase and Aidan stops my hand and says,
"Mommy, I want to see a football game."
Me: "I know that, honey, but Packer tickets are really expensive."
Aidan: "But mommy, if you use your Visa card, you'll be automatically entered in a chance to win two tickets to a playoff game!"

Hmmmm. Perhaps commercials should be aired w/ subliminal messages about being good and not arguing w/ your siblings.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Look! Yay!

My photo! It was chosen on the internet travel guide!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Something I will continually remind her about...

A recent conversation between Norah and myself...

N: "mommy, when you had your babies come out of your belly, did it hurt?"
Me: "no. the doctor gave me medicine"
N: "what did they do about the hole in your belly?"
Me: "they sewed me up!"
N: [thinks real hard and responds seriously] "i don't want a baby in my belly when i grow up"
Me: "well, babies can come out other ways. not just from cutting your belly."
N: "how?"
Me: "you'll learn all about that when you are older"
N: "mama, please tell me, just tell me."
Me: "no, honey"
N: "its ok, you can tell me"
Me: [deep breath and then I tell her]
N: [laughs] "you're just kiddin'!!"
Me: "no, honey, I am not."
N: [says very quietly and seriously and wide eyed] "mama, i don't want a baby. ever"

Then today...
Elliott: [complaining about Norah getting to stay home from school and play on the computer] "I wish I was Norah"
N: [very seriously with big eyes] No you don't. Then you'd have to get a baby out of your belly. They cut you. And sew you up. Or it can come out of your 'china.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Letter from the boy

I got this letter from Aidan earlier this week:

Dear Mommy,

Can you teach me how to cook like you? Can you teach me not to complane when I am playing piano? Is it hard when you make new resapes? Why can't we talk about next year? Is it rood? Why do you sleep in on the weekends?
You are the best mommy ever.
Love,
Aidan

How great is that?
Re: talking about next year. I kindly asked them to refrain from discussing next Halloween until we get through the next round of holidays, and focus on the here and now, instead.

Tu Tu Cute


Miss Norah's been asking for a tutu for awhile now. So the other day we headed over to JoAnn and she picked out some ribbon and tulle and I got started. She picked green and light pink. Too bad that once the pink was cut, it looked white :(


Instead of using an elastic waistband, I decided to use a ribbon for the waistband, using the method I found on a video on youtube and on this website.It looks much cuter on than it does on the hanger (but those pics will have to wait until the princess is feeling better). But if (when?) I do it again, I don't think I will make it quite as long or quite as full. And I will choose a different type of ribbon.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Big girl


Big girl
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
Today was the first time that I officially felt like she no longer looks like my baby and she's growing up. I mean - crap. Look at that.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

I don't mind if I do...


Jackson Square
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
...toot my own horn for a moment, that is :) This one is all about me.

Today I opened my email to find this email:
You've been sent a Flickr Mail from Exxxxxxx:

------------------------------
------------------------------

:: Schmap: New Orleans Photo Short-list

Hi flabonganator,

I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has
been short-listed for inclusion in the ninth edition of our
Schmap New Orleans Guide, to be published at the end of this
month.

[link]

Clicking this link will take you to a page where you can:
i) See which of your photos has been short-listed.
ii) Submit or withdraw your photo from our final selection
phase.
iii) Learn how we credit photos in our Schmap Guides.
iv) Browse online or download the eighth edition of our
Schmap New Orleans Guide.

While we offer no payment for publication, many
photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap
Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and
are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a
maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and
link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.

Our submission deadline is Thursday, November 12. If you
happen to be reading this message after this date, please
still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are updated
frequently - photos submitted after this deadline will be
considered for later releases).

Best regards,

Exxxxx,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

Of course I submitted the photo! I am absolutely flattered! I know its just an internet guide and I am just learning photography, but its so cool.

The photo to the right was the one they were referring to.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Trick or treat...smell my feet...

...gimmie something good to eat.

does anyone else remember that?

The kids went trick or treating twice on Saturday. Lucky kids! It was blustery cold, though. We went from 3-4ish w/ friends in Pewaukee, then again at night in our neighborhood, when it was a tad less windy.

Some photos from the two events and from their halloween parade at school a few days before halloween.


SIX?!?!

I threw a 6th birthday part for Norah and Elliott. I got some bug up my bum that energized me to throw one at home...for both kids...16 guests. And it was a rainy day. Thankfully, everything went fine. A little chaotic at times, but fine. The kids seemed to have fun! I tried to keep the boys and girls separated for most games/crafts, and rotated them through games/crafts. We painted pumpkins, decorated cookies, did a freeze dance, played a pumpkin roll race, and played hot pumpkin (like hot potato). Oh, and each did a scavenger hunt - the boys hunted for bones to put back together a skeleton, and the girls hunted for the black cats hiding from the witch. Each bone/cat had a hint that led them to the next.



Thank you to Robyn for taking the birthday party shots for me. If she hadn't offered, then I would not have had a single shot because I was so busy! And thank you to Kelly for helping me. I could not have run the show myself.