ABCs of a breakdown.

after missing the park avenue tree lighting (sniff, sniff, never been) i committed to pack in as many christmas outings as possible. 

so this week, post st. lucia & pre utah, i dragged the babies all over the city.  it was a blast...but that may have had more to do with the company. 

today we made our final pilgrimage.  

the kris kringle of abc carpet and home, where i love everything & can afford nothing.

after the fiasco at santaland, i thought my kids deserved another opportunity to cuddle up to a strange man in a red (deep velvety maroon, actually) suit & whisper what they want for christmas.  hah.  hindsight.

 a strong start. despite fierce colds coming on & fierce winds, we were on time and everyone was happy.

a line < 30 minutes = fantastic.  but then there was the matter of this dinosaur display which my children (anton) were obsessed with getting to. 

i could not for the life of me get him obsess about staying in line?  

 then there was the flash / no flash question. 

i desperately need to learn how to use my camera.  

i didn't want to be overexposed but these kiddies don't do the "still" thing well.

 finally a combination of not feeling well, wanting the dinosaurs and NOT wanting santa, anton melted down.  stella wouldn't get anywhere near the guy.

cue photo op.

peace on earth was restored to all by ryan.  

thank you for teaching anton about triceratops (sounds a lot like "motorcycle" and "apple") and basically watching him for me all morning.  

what.i.am.

i adore sesame street musical collaborations.  

 

 this is one of my favorites-- the message and the catchy tune.
and will.i.am.   

anton always bobs and claps along.
hope it makes you happy too.

coming home.

my sister planned a killer family holiday in st. lucia.  everyone should have a sister like noelle.  i'll tell you, that girl is a doer. 

i took this picture. which speaks to the islands' natural beauty

the week was amazing--rainforests, snorkeling, private beaches, etc. on saturday we swam all morning, flew all evening and finally landed around midnight.  the babies snoozed (thank goodness but how do you get two sleeping toddlers and ALL. THAT.  STUFF.  off the plane).  

so here we are.   home.  

i love to travel.  i just hate getting there.  and getting back.  

and getting back to real life.  

i have a mountain of laundry to do.  actually, make that a mountain range.  

i've have to forgo Christmas cards this year.  i don't want to but i have to be realistic or get a personal assistant for the week.

i'll focus on this loveliness instead.

Jason & I made chocolate at the Rabot Estate.  Specifically Jason ground like a demon to turn his cocoa nibs into liquid to make chocolate while I took pictures and got scolded for chatting.  

St. Lucia's version of Cinque Terre.

Our boy knows how to unwind. 

Speechless.