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Best Shot Monday – Shopping partner Monday, Dec 31 2007
BSM 3:27 am
It’s Monday again and time for Best Shot Monday!
This kid is really on the ball! (haha! I know, that was corny).
But I bet you can all guess where we were?
She’s a great little shopping helper…assuming you want to dawdle and dillydally until something catches your eye, and then run across the store oblivious to other shoppers.
What, that’s not your style?! Yeah, it’s not really mine either. But it’s hard to stay too frustrated when she’s so darn cute. I mean, how do you say no to a face like this?
Now, go bask in the awesomeness of more great photos at BSM’s new home at Mother May I.
Highlights of the last three days Sunday, Dec 30 2007
Christmas and Nadia and entertainment 5:18 am
Well, I’ve been too busy being lazy to blog. But there’s been lots of fun stuff going on here in Casa Newell so here’s an overview.
Thursday evening we rediscovered the meaning of the term “date” – hubby and I went to dinner and a movie. After dropping Nadia off at his parents, we both kept glancing back at Nadia’s empty car seat; it was a strange feeling to be out together without her. But a good kind of strange! We went to dinner at Red Lobster, and it was actually a bit of a disappointment (poor service, food wasn’t so great)…so we were glad we had a gift card to spend rather than our own hard-earned cash. But the movie more than made up for it. I remember when we used to see practically every single new movie in the theatre, but these days we barely even know what’s playing at any given time. So the previous night, we had sat down to review synopsizes and decided on Juno. I was expecting to like it; I thought it would be an enjoyable and fun movie. And it was…but it was so much more. From the moment the opening credits began I was enthralled. It’s funny and touching and quirky, well written and well acted, with an off-beat soundtrack that matches the movie perfectly. And I haven’t seen my husband laugh so hard in quite a while. One of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time and now I’m rooting for it to sweep at the upcoming Golden Globes! All that hype about it being the best movie of the year is totally true.
Friday afternoon I was treated to my own personal in-home chef. But first I had to build her kitchen. Watch out for up-and-coming Chef Nadia – she microwaves a mean plastic french fry! But one day when she’s famous, remember that it all began when her parents gave her a new kitchen set for Christmas when she was 2 years old. It just arrived a few days late. I had already made a trip to Build-a-Bear for a new wardrobe for TeBear as one of Nadia’s Christmas gifts; but when I casually mentioned the idea of TedBear having his own clothes, Nadia was quite vehement that she wanted him to continue sharing hers. Okay then. So I returned the clothes and pooled the cash with 2 WalMart gift cards she’d been given to buy a kitchen set. But it was the week before Christmas and out of stock at all the local stores (yes, I called them all and sat on hold for 10 minutes with each one) so we had so settle for site-to-store shipping and it didn’t arrive until Thursday evening. So Friday while she napped (um, I mean, hung out in her crib and yelled to get up) we put it together. She saw it she said “oh, it’s my kitchen! cook now!” And she cooked for us all afternoon, and again all day today. There’s a stove and oven and microwave and fridge…but what’s her favorite thing? The phone, of course! She had to call everyone and tell them about her new kitchen; the conversations went like this “Hi Oma/Tim/Baba! New kitchen! Cooking now! I love you, bye!” Funny kid.
Even as enthralled as she was with the new kitchen, all we had to do was mention “Baba & Pappy” and “Madeleine & Pennelope” and Nadia was ready to go. We had Christmas over there Friday evening and it was a great time! Nadia enthusiastically dug into her gigantic bag of presents, but as soon as she found the books she was pretty much done. I showed her each item as I pulled it out, but she was so engrossed in those books that she barely even glanced over. Until I got to the little green dancing, singing monster and that became the new favorite. She got several fun new toys, a pretty dress, Elmo bath towel, and three new fairies for her growing collection (she’d better like fairies! but if not, *I* do!). Daddy’s favorite gift was the case of beer – what else?! And I was happy to add a Sweet Shop to the Christmas village. I get a new piece every year from my in-laws for my birthday and Christmas and it’s always fun to see which one it is that time. I only began the collection about 5 years ago, and now I have so many pieces that she’s not enough room to display them all at once! And today I used my new crock pot cookbook in making out our menu for the next couple weeks.
Today was a beautifully lazy day. We got a late start and next thing I knew, I glanced at the clock and it was noon already! But even without doing much of anything (except trying to clean this mess of a house, which you can barely tell I did anything since a certain small person comes behind my undoing everything I do *sigh*) I’m still not getting around to posting this until after eleven in the evening. So, good night!
P.S. Am I the only one that can take great pictures all the time, until there’s something I really want pictures of? Like, there are no good pictures from last night from Christmas with Baba and Pappy. Now that’s largely because I left the camera to the side most of the time , but even the few I did take are blah. Happens every time there’s a special event!
The Nativity Story according to Nadia Thursday, Dec 27 2007
Christmas 3:48 pm
I got the Nativity set down to take pictures, and Nadia was fascinated.
And so together we reenacted the story of Jesus’ birth.
And we kissed Baby Jesus.
And we laid them all down for a nap.
Christmas Day 2007 Thursday, Dec 27 2007
Christmas 3:34 pm
So, how was your Christmas? Ours has been wonderful – and we’re not even done yet! There are still two more rounds if presents and fun coming!
Christmas morning began with The Discovery of Presents. It was a happy discovery, although it did not involve the squeals of glee that I’m sure will come next year and every year after. Nadia walked into the living room, calmly pointed at the cradle full of gifts and said “Oh, look that.”
She grabbed the topmost package and plopped down to open it. Yes folks, she really did unwrap her own presents for the first time in her life. In fact, she opened all of them herself…but it took over an hour. It was just us and there was no hurry, so we just let her do it at her own pace. And “her own pace” meant open a presents, play with it for 20 minutes, and then open another one.
Mr. PotatoHead was a success.
MagnaDoodle was a success.
The bag of wooden emergency vehicles and trains was a success.
But the cradle? The one I’d lovingly restored to its former beauty? The cradle I’d been so excited to give her? Well, she barely even noticed it. Just like a kid to go for shiny bits of plastic over a solid wooden heirloom toy! Now she does like it and I’m sure we’ll get years of play from it, but there sure wasn’t the delighted reception I’d anticipated. Oh well!
But she did find that it makes a mighty fine place to park her trucks.
By midday our quiet little family party expanded to include Grandpapa! And Loora! And Ma-lin! And Pem-pe! (Nadia’s versions of their names). Nadia was beyond thrilled to see everyone. Especially her cousins; when we’d told her the previous evening that they’d be coming over, she raced around the room deciding who should play with what, in what order. And she stuck to it; as soon as they arrived, Nadia shepherded Pennelope to the shopping cart and Madeleine to the doll house and instructed them “now play!” Nadia’s biggest problem with sharing her toys is actually that she wants everyone to play with them all at the same time, even if they don’t want to.
So the girls played and laughed and squealed their way through the afternoon while the big people had a Wii bowling tournament. Actually Madeleine took part in both parties, and let me tell you, you’ve never seen anything as funny as a six year old bowling with Wii.
It was a Very Merry Christmas Day. And tomorrow we get to do it all over again with Baba and Pappy! And on New Years Day we get to do it a third time with my family. Woohoo!
Another reason to be thankful Thursday, Dec 27 2007
Uncategorized 3:44 am
I’ll be back soon with Christmas stories and pictures (cuz believe me, I’ve got pictures. and then some).
But for now, I have to tell you about something else.
You know all those in-law horror stories, with everyone trying to one-up each other about how they have the worst in-laws in the world?
I totally would not win that competition.
My in-laws are great. I love them and they love me. I sometimes joke with my husband that I married him just to have them as my in-laws – yes, they are that great.
Here’s the latest reason I feel so blessed to have them as my in-laws.
Last night after all the fun of Christmas I came back here to the office and made an unpleasant discovery. My computer monitor was dead; it would turn on for about 2 seconds and then the screen went black. Now we inherited this computer free over two years ago so I really couldn’t complain…but this was bad timing. Not only did I want to review the 200+(!) photos I had taken through the day, I also needed to do some work. I had a submittal due first thing the next morning, and even though I’d had 5 days to work on it of course I put it off until last minute. So no computer was bad news.
I called the in-laws to confirm that the screen was indeed beyond repair (I am not known for being computer savvy). There is a used electronics place right around the corner and my FIL said he’d meet me there today to help me find the right new-to-me monitor.
But it was nasty out this morning and he called to say there’s no reason for me to go out in the cold and wet; he’d just find the best deal, deliver it to me and I could pay him back. Pretty cool, huh? Wait, it gets better.
A couple hours later Nadia and I answered the door to our own personal Santa Claus. Pappy was carrying a brand new 19″ flat screen computer monitor…and when I asked how much it was, he just said Merry Christmas. Wow!
He helped me get it set up. And then he helped me clean off my machine and get it running better (like I said – I’m not so computer savvy).
Folks, this monitor is awesome! I never realized what a difference 4 inches would make, but this thing is freakin’ huge. And the color and resolution is incredible. I can see like never before. Editing pictures is a new experience.
So thank you to Baba and Pappy, my wonderful in-laws!
And thank you in advance for keeping Nadia tomorrow so Vasily and I can catch dinner and a movie! Can’t wait…it’s been, well I don’t know how long it’s been, but too long. We’ve only seen two movies in the theatre together since Nadia was born! Woohoo!
Rock-a-Bye Baby Tuesday, Dec 25 2007
Christmas and Motherhood and Nadia 4:11 am
I saw it driving back from the grocery store a couple months ago: a shabby white cradle.
It sat in the middle of the fading grass, surrounded by mounds of garage sale merchandize. I did a u-turn and pulled along the curb to inspect it. It was faded and peeling, but was solid and in perfect structural condition. The stuff of little girl dreams. I could envision my princess discovering it on Christmas morning, could imagine her spending countless hours rocking her stuffed babies.
So I handed over two crisp dollar bills, and piled it into the backseat amongst the cheese and frozen potatoes and Nadia, the intended recipient.
Yes, she’s seen it. It won’t be a surprise, strictly speaking. But she’s only two years old and I didn’t think she’d really remember it as long as it stayed hidden away until the big day. I was wrong. Two weeks later she was still talking about “TedBear’s bed.”
A coat of paint has given it new life. Last week while she was with Baba and Pappy, I pulled it out of its hiding spot and placed it on the bed of newspapers covering the garage floor. I sanded and painted and shellacked to refinish it a glossy white.
Shortly after Nadia got home that day, she played on the kitchen floor while I made dinner. Next thing I knew, she was peeking through the cat door to see it drying in the garage. “Hi TedBear’s bed!” she said, “Nana needs TedBear’s bed.” Doh!
Today Daddy painted the wooden kitty cat for it (I’m not the only procrastinator around here!). With it’s gray and white fur, it resembles the fourth member of our family, dear ol’ Smudge.
The cradle now sits under the soft twinkle of Christmas light in the living room, adorned with a shiny gold bow.
It waits to be discovered by a sweet little girl with pink footy-pajamas and bed-head curls.
I can’t wait to see her sleepy eyes brighten with delight.
I can’t wait to bring the magic of Christmas to life.
We’re ready! Monday, Dec 24 2007
Christmas 8:23 pm
We’re ready! Christmas can come anytime now.
Presents are wrapped. (except for a couple still coming in the mail…but we don’t need them until Friday so they should still be here in time)
I’ve vacuumed the house and washed widows. It didn’t take long with such a good little helper.
My kitchen counter is stacked with baking necessities for one last batch of Christmas cookies. Nadia will be my baking elf as soon as she wakes from her nap (she actually is sleeping today!).
Christmas memories 2007, here we come!
We’re ready! Monday, Dec 24 2007
Christmas 8:23 pm
We’re ready! Christmas can come anytime now.
Presents are wrapped. (except for a couple still coming in the mail…but we don’t need them until Friday so they should still be here in time)
I’ve vacuumed the house and washed widows. It didn’t take long with such a good little helper.
My kitchen counter is stacked with baking necessities for one last batch of Christmas cookies. Nadia will be my baking elf as soon as she wakes from her nap (she actually is sleeping today!).
Christmas memories 2007, here we come!
