december, in review

So... the month of December? Let's see.

On the 2nd we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary with very little fanfare and a vow that next year's celebration will involve a plane and some place tropical. Kids may or may not be included. I did however treat myself to some new costume jewelry, a spray tan, a manicure and a blowout for the weekend's parties and felt absolutely fabulous.

On the 17th we celebrated Abby's 6th birthday. Despite a day of special activities at school and a trip to the aquarium and dinner with Mommy, Daddy and Claire, she insists her birthday is not over yet since her party will take place in January. The fact that my baby is now a sassy, independent six year old who is suddenly able to read and write is a topic worthy of an entire post of it's own that I may or may not get around to before this month long birthday of hers comes to an end.

Claire was in a preschool holiday show, which was just adorable. It was wonderful to see how much more confident she has become in just a few short months of school.

We got our first big snow storm, which was of course big excitement for the kids.

The two feet of snow and resulting snow day were not so exciting for me, but all the same I did manage to get all my photography orders out, get my own Christmas cards out, buy presents for everyone from the milkman to the preschool student teacher and get all the food prepared for the big day.

And finally, Christmas. After the pain staking advent calendar count down and the daily search for Elfie, the big day finally arrived. I would say Abby was more excited this Christmas than she has ever been. Santa and letters to Santa were very serious business this year. There is no question in my mind that she believes 100%. In the end, the big guy came through with the things both girls wanted most- a Nintendo DS and a gooey ball for Abby and a trampoline and lots of lip balm for Claire.

We enjoyed a wonderful day with family and are currently living in the aftermath of new toys and left over food.

This week will bring several more get togethers with family and friends, my birthday (35, eek!) and New Years Eve plans that include lots of Chinese food, good wine, good friends and six kids with party horns and confetti.

Until next year!

from our home to yours!

she skates!

At the end of her very first ice skating class: "Why did I have to get off the ice, Mama? I wanted to keep skating"

An hour or so later: "Mama, I have two problems. My bum hurts and I am kinda sleepy"

She took quite a few tumbles, but she got up with a smile each time and by the end of class she could make it across the rink without falling. It would seem she is going to like ice skating.

the wish list

My second post for the entire month of November and instead of being about the many, many things I have to be thankful for this year, it is a wish list? Classy. But in my defense, my mother requested it (hi, Mom!). And this year it is all about giving this stay at home mom turned photographer some much needed style.

After six long years I no longer have children in diapers, which I think is a milestone worthy of a new bag. I am loving all the pretty, shiny things over at Kate Spade this year. I especially love the lines of this bag.

Necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Not the expensive stuff, but fun every day stuff to dress up my jeans, platinum rolex and basic black. Like the many oh so pretty things at White House | Black Market and Banana Republic.

Idole d'armani. Because it smells real pretty. And I like to smell pretty.

The Phillips iPod Docking Table Radio. Because our home is in need of more music, and this little guy is an iPod dock, CD player and radio all in one good looking little package.

The Sephora gift card. Simple and oh so fun to use.

And because my list would not be complete without a couple of photography related items:

The Nikon 50mm 1.4 lens. An upgrade to my beloved 50mm 1.8, offering better glass and all the potential of 1.4.

Since I have a bad habit of leaving my bulky, heavy and not so stylish camera bag filled with gear unattended in parks and on beaches while I shoot, I am thinking a shootsac would be a good investment. And that black and white cover is just plain adorable.

And because no list would not be complete without one ultimate fantasy item, the D700. A full frame pro camera body with insane high ISO capabilities. Isn't it just so pretty?

where have I been?

Has it really been over two weeks since I last posted? Yikes.

In my defense, I have been busy over here, posting pictures of other people's kids.

Halloween was also a big event around here. Much bigger than it ever was before kids, and I think this year was the most fun yet. We spent the week decorating the house inside and out with spider webs, lights, pumpkins and ghosts. The girls each had parties at school, treat or treating at Daddy's office and then finally on the big day, a pre trick-or-treat pizza party, the actual trick-or-treating and then an after party. Claire wore the pink cat princess costume that she spotted in a catalog back in September and was determined to have. Abby, after years of princess costumes, went with super girl this year.

I would post fabulous pictures of them in costume at these various events here, but I did not manage to get a single really good picture. Or any pictures of them actually trick-or treating. Heh. Some photographer I am. And also kind of funny considering that on Abby's first Halloween, I snapped a picture of her at each and every door.

Instead, a few random snap shots...

pink cat on parade

super kindergartener

on the big day, ready to party

a day in the life of a stay at home mom

7:45 "Look Mom, my tooth fell out!" "In my banana!!" Proceed to remove bloody tooth from banana.

8:25 Pull out last years winter coats for school. Even though it is October. Gahhh.

8:54: Run back into preschool with a sweater for Claire unearthed from the trunk to make her look more presentable for school picture day. Why do I always forget picture day? And also, the fact that I found an appropriate sweater in the trunk? Pretty much proves that cleaning out your car is overrated.

9:05 Walking down the elementary school corridor when the bell rings and I jump out of my skin. Good lord, it has been a long time since I have been inside a school.

9:35 At school office copier chatting with another mom as I run off copies of letter T related worksheets for Abby's Kindergarten class. Strangely relaxing.

10:00 One whole hour to myself before preschool pickup.

10:45 Packaging up a photo order.

12:00 Making soup for dinner with the preschooler while waiting for the bus.

1:27 At the doctors office. There is no record of my appointment. Can I come back tomorrow?

3:15 In the car on the way to the salon to get Abby the manicure promised to her when she lost her first tooth: "Mommy, can I get my hair styled too?" Um, seriously kid? You are FIVE.

Proudly showing off her manicure. Our deal: when she lost her first tooth, I would take her for a manicure and she would then stop sucking her thumb.

4:49 On the couch with both girls vegging in front of Nick Jr. In sweats. Ahhhh.

5:50 CRISIS SITUATION #$%! Tooth is missing!!!

5:55 Tooth recovered.

5:56 "Mommy, are Santa and the tooth fairy real? Megan and Katherine at school told me it is really your parents that do all that stuff." Curse Megan, Katherine and their worldly older brothers.

6:15 The home stretch--bath time!

6:35 DADDY IS HOME!!

7:05 Fight breaks out over who gets Daddy to "do them"(read bedtime books) first. One of these days, they will realize that going to bed first is not a win.

7:45 Both girls officially in bed. Is there anything in the world sweeter than a sleeping child??

abby sings

WARNING: this link is posted for grandparent enjoyment only. All others, believe me when I say that Abby inherited her singing talent from her grandfather and this is not a good thing.

you know it is october when...

...the house is decorated with ghosts, the costumes have been selected, the gummy eyeballs have been purchased for the Halloween punch, mom has forced you to pose for what feels like one hundred pictures with pumpkins, you have taken not one but two random rides through farms on hay filled wagons and candy is falling from the sky.

If I did not like summer so much, October would be my favorite month of the year!!

on my happy list today

Discovering underwear that is both comfortable and sexy. And also reasonably priced enough to buy in bulk.

A series a coincidences that brought new friends into our lives that promise to become great friends.

Two and a half hours to myself on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Just enough time to do a pilates workout, take a leisurely shower and enjoy a bit of me time on the computer before getting big "I am so happy to see you again Mommy hugs" from both my school girls.

Cheddar Corn Chowder. The perfect fall meal.

Two twin sessions this weekend. Newborns and three year olds. Because I like a challenge.

A spur of the moment train ride to the Boston Children's Museum this week with nothing but a small pocketbook in hand. No diapers, no stroller, no heavy camera. Just a beautiful afternoon enjoyed with my girls.

The promise of a beautiful fall afternoon with new friends that are quickly becoming old friends.

A birthday party with pony rides. Does childhood get any sweeter?

two weeks later...

Two weeks of getting ready for school everyday-- no more part time preschool schedule.
Two weeks of a new school with new rules and new teachers.
Two weeks of making new friends.

Today when she got off the bus, this is what was waiting for her...

Her very own fast scooter, just like the big kids.

And this is what the rest of the afternoon looked like...

The highlight for me was the spontaneous hug and the "Thank you Mommy, Thank you sooo much" that I got an hours after the box was opened.

We are proud of you Abby!