Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Sheepishly Emerging from Blog Silence

I know. I know. Horrifyingly delinquent on the blog. Work has taken over my life. What's that they say about establishing a good work/family balance? I'm usually relatively successful, but new responsibilities at work have left me reeling. In a good way, of course.

There's been a lot going on in the last couple of weeks. Dora traveled to Western Mass for a weekend of fellow horse people. I do love that she has the opportunity to spend time with people whose eyes don't glaze over when she talks horses. Then the next weekend she was in good ol' New Jersey for work.

We spent a couple of weeks furiously preparing for Thanksgiving. It's always an excuse to do the things we don't ever get around to. Like, for example, alphabetizing the spice cabinet. My mother is very proud. I know Dora often wishes that my mom's organizational genius didn't skip a generation. Sorry dear. Mary and Bob were in town for Thanksgiving, and it was a wonderful, though busy, few days.

Before I get to the Thanksgiving post, I figured we should catch up on the previous couple of weeks in pictures.

Arden and I have spent a fair amount of time shopping recently. It's not a very good thing when it comes to our bank account, but hey, a girl needs winter accessories to match her new coat! She did try to talk me into some new wrapping paper and a fake pumpkin. She was unable to will me into it.

Jazz hands!
Another new purchase....the Shark 2 in 1 Steam Vac. I should not be allowed in Bed Bath and Beyond. I somehow managed to walk out with just this, which was a planned purchase. I think we've decided we like the machine. We have a giant Bissell steam cleaner that, though it does a good job, it's ridiculously awkward to pull out for a quick cleaning of the floor. We bought this specifically to deal with the fancy new white tile in the new (still unfinished) bathroom, but I love to have it to do a quick cleaning of the kitchen.



We have spent a lot of time scootering. It's getting colder by the minute, but we try to take advantage of the weather when we're not facing sub zero temps. She finally mastered the scooter, and I no longer panic for her life while she's on the thing. That said, she will never scooter without a helmet. Ever.


Ah, fresh air brings out the cheerful girl



Since my last post, she started swim lessons! Folks, you are seeing it here first....future Olympian and possessor of a full ride to Stanford. But really, she loves it and so do we. Her class is 30 minutes once a week. Once the winter session starts we'll likely enroll her in two of the classes.


While Dora was away Arden and I went to see Megamind. We went to Chunky's for dinner and a movie, which is such a fabulous option.


The next night we met up with Annette and Mandy for a 'Girls Night Out'. Arden scootered up and down the harbor for about 1.5 hours. That's the USS Constitution in front of her. History lessons abound!



And down the hill....with two feet off the ground!


With Nettie


One can only get so artistic with the iPhone, particularly at night, but Boston at sunset is almost as spectacular as Boston at night.



Someone is ready for a visit from the man in the red suit. This was pre-Thanksgiving.



Rockin' the new George pjs and slippers. And her 3D shades, of course.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Halloween Weekend .... and then some

I waited to post about Halloween so we could relive it a week later. OR....I just hadn't gotten around to posting about it yet.

Winter has arrived in New England. Some parts of MA saw snow this morning. Folks, it's November 8th. This is entirely unacceptable, and makes me want to pack my bags and run back to CA. I remember a time when I thought it was so fantastic that it snowed on my birthday. Today, even the idea of it makes me weep. Alas.

Pictures!

Channeling Olivia Newton-John .... Physical



Posing with the mums that apparently did not die. Yay.

Baking cookies for her Not Halloween Halloween Party at school. My mom sent her these cookie cutters last year (www.williams-sonoma.com/products/halloween-stamped-cookie-cutter/?pkey=ccookie-cutters-pancake-molds) and they are awesome. So easy to use.


And cute!



Witch hat

Arden kicked off Halloween weekend with a trip to see Arthur for a trim.

Then it was off to visit Nonna for her 93rd birthday.

With the lady of the hour



Three generations, I love this picture

Halloween! King Knight!


A sasstastic King Knight....



Post trick or treating candy infused collapse

Saturday, November 6, 2010

A New Sister for Us, A New Auntie for Arden

We got some exciting news last night....Bobby and Mandy are engaged!!!!

We are absolutely overjoyed that Mandy is coming into the family, though let's be honest, we've considered her part of the family for a long time now :-).

There are so many things we love about Mandy...but I'm not gonna lie, her distaste for parmesan cheese is one of her most endearing traits. At least if you're me....

The happy couple!


This little girl is super excited to be getting an official second Aunt! Especially an Aunt who paints her nails with glow in the dark nail polish and makes AMAZING costumes with a lot of random craft material.


I wonder if we can talk Bobby into a wedding floor show of magic tricks....


We love you guys....congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Two Posts...One Night....Apocalypse?

Introducing One Eye....


No, it's not Halloween a day late. A certain someone woke up with a pink eye on Sunday morning. We weren't sure if we were dealing with something contagious, though it didn't appear to be a normal eye infection. She and I swung by the pediatrician's office first thing Monday morning. The winner? A scratched cornea. We haven't the faintest idea how she did it. Fine Saturday night. Sunday morning...damaged goods!

It was quite the process to determine what was wrong with her eye, and she was a trooper. Naturally, being the tremendously good mother than I am, I rewarded her with a Gingerbread donut on the way to school. I contemplated keeping her home but that led to .... "No! I will miss all the learning!"

She has to wear a patch for two days, then the pediatrician will look at it again. If it's healing with the patch and the antibiotics, she's all set. Otherwise, off to the eye doctor!

Disney, Take 427!

Well, we've been home for a few weeks now...'bout time to head back to Florida, right?

On the boat to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!


I love this picture


Apparently this was the pose of the night. True Arden.


Though tempting, we did not leave her behind bars. Well, not for very long.

Maze!



PRIZE!



Annnnd 6 hours later ....


Chef Mickey's is one of Arden's favorite places. This is evidenced in the ability to capture genuine smiles.



Dance break!


Pure joy


Mission Kim Possible at Epcot...our very own spy mission. As you can imagine, she *loved* it.



Epcot at night. Marvelously empty.

Waiting to go in to Mickey's Philharmagic -- one of her favorites this trip


Waiting for the fireworks to start at the Wishes Dessert Party


Can't complain about the view!



NYC in Orlando


Muppet fountain!



A Bug's Life Playground at Hollywood Studios .... definitely a great place to let the kids run loose!



One of my favorite pictures from the trip. In Canada at Epcot, outside of Le Cellier