Reliving the Moments

Stella was watching home movies of Christmas and kept saying, "In!"  I gently tried to explain that people can't get in iPhones, she wailed, "Please!" and then broke down in sobs. Because she's almost two.  Irrationality prevails.  I get it.  And Christmas was fantastic.  I'll just relive it here...two months later.

We celebrated with the Nicolais a week before Christmas.  Jolly Old St. Nick came while we were eating lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  Amazing guy, right? 

While Anton enjoyed his bottle and snuggled in for a car nap, Stella frosted cookies for Santa.
Loose interpretation of the word "frosted."

She ran past the presents to check the cookies.  Santa only took a nibble so Stella finished them off.  That's my girl.  Priorities people, priorities. 

I tired everything to get picture of them together by the tree.  

EVERYTHING.   Humor, bribes, threats, pose suggestions.  

Here's where I suggested Stella give Anton a hug.

Here's where I offered them cookies to be still.

Here's Anton while Stella ran her energy off.

Better luck next year.  Or maybe in ten years. 

We spend the 25th with the Gardners.  Epic fail capturing the moments with pictures but believe me, it was a heavenly visit.  Even if the babies (and some adults) had a nasty stomach virus.  Some highlights, since the blog is my journal until this arrives.

• the MOST perfect presents (no one gives gifts like my in laws) ((and yes, I'm leading with gifts. that's how good.))
• a patient dog for Stella to love on and feed and follow and boss around
• Anton LOVED playing with cousin Chloe.
• Cafe Rio mint lemonade.  Life changing. 
• visiting with siblings we don't see enough of, cousins we don't see enough of, and friends (you-guessed-it) that we don't see enough of.
• Stella built her first snowman.

LOVE....at the beach

We spent Valentine's Day (plus a few) at the beach.

We missed Jason but loved the breeze and warm sun on our skin t-shirts. As badly as I want to be brown, we aren't messing with sun damage.

Stella and Anton were deliriously happy--seagulls, playgrounds, digging toys, special snacks, beach chairs, sand castles and wave jumping. 
Anton ingested several handfuls of sand.  How does that happen more than once?

Thanks to everyone who encouraged us to go. The fun to travel-hassle ratio was worth it.

Halloween Happened.

Stella caught on to the whole "trick or treat" idea quickly.  Anton mostly went along for the ride.

The costume shoot was several weeks later.  Anton was starting into 4 weeks of respiratory infections on Halloween (see above).  He was a happier elephant in November. 

 I was planning a Goodnight, Gorilla themed Halloween.  It was Stella's first favorite book.  She talked about the keys constantly.  I was going to be Joe the Zookeeper and get Stella a set of keys to go with her Gymboree monkey.  Ta. Da.  But things got away from me.  

Funny that I can't remember what had me so busy in October. 

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving isn't ALL about the food.  But pretty close. 

This year we broke tradition (Thanksgiving at my parents' house) and went out my uncle's new house palace.  Dinner was FANTASTIC.  Ohhhhh, the food.  Jason said this was the best meal he's ever had...or something like that.  Here's a quick run down so I can read this and reminisce in March.  

- french onion soup (my favorite) or italian wedding soup (tough choice)

- fried turkeys (glad I finally got to try one but I may prefer traditional)

- mashed potatoes

- sweet potatoes (not in the usual sugary sauce but still sweet.  loved them!)

- sausage stuffing (i just started to salivate)

- creamed spinach

- artichoke casserole

- peas with onion and prosciutto (you didn't know peas could be this good)

- homemade rolls

- corn casserole (paula deen knows what she's doing.  this dish change you life.)

I regret dressing Anton in his Christmas outfit and not in our pink/blue color scheme.  I also regret not doing my hair.

We stayed over a few days which made it feel like a vacation.  We lounged around, went for a walk on the beach and Stella played with their patient Boston Terriers.  It was lovely.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

 

stella and anton have a cousin, sweet chloe.  this little doll made me an aunt for the first time :) 
thanks libby for the adorable outfits.

Thanksgiving

a few samples of how the nicolais prep for thanksgiving...
1. melt about 3 cups of brown sugar in an equally alarming amount of butter and pour over sweet potatoes to negate all nutrients.
2. roast peppers until they're sufficiently blackened. peel off skin and add olive oil, garlic (see #3), and parsley. (jason's job this year)
3. chop 25 gloves of garlic. do not use garlic press because mom swears it is too hard to clean.
4. boil/steam 14 artichokes to stuff with breadcrumbs.

the best part is sharing the deliciousnes with family and friends and enjoying an evening of stories, music, and togetherness.

Is that romantic or what?

Jason and I have a Valentine's tradition of dining at Wondee Siam, our favorite hole in the wall Thai restaurant. A low key celebration is both of our preference, nothing over the top or contrived. And we find our tradition romantic. This year in discussing our plans, Jason teased that he was going to get me a heart shaped box of chocolates, a dozen roses, and teddy bear holding a balloon. Ultimately we decided no gifts this time.

Thursday rolls around, I hide a few love notes around the apartment before I leave for work and shape a rice krispie treat into a heart. That evening Jason picks up Thai take- out (I had a terrible cold) and we settle into the couch to watch Once.

A wonderful, relaxing evening...and then Jason pauses the movie and instructs me to close my eyes for a surprise. A surprise gift?! For me, when we said no gifts?! I put out my hands and felt cool pastic, opening my eyes to behold a new bottle of...fish oil. That's right I got fish oil supplements for Valentines Day. And then one more caring guesture...Jason says to me, with a voice oozing love, "They even reduce fishy burps." It did say so right on the box and I did suffer from fishy burps with previous supplements.


A perfect Valentines Day.

Happy Halloween

Things I learned today...
1. Kindergarteners adore light up necklaces (I had a feeling about this but it was fun to test the theory; mine had blue ghosts).
2. Making apple pie is way too complicated to do with children. Next time I will either follow Jason's advice and take it off the "ballot" or slip in a pre-made pie crust. I prefer the taste anyway.
3. I really, and I mean REALLY, like toasted pumpkin seeds. So much in fact, that I'm thinking of buying some post-holiday, sale pumpkins to eat the seeds. Ewww...Jason just suggested I buy a bag of pre-made seeds. I am going to allow myself to live the rest of my life believing the only good ones are the ones you roast yourself.
4. Academics on Halloween are pointless and should not even be attempted.
5. Halloween is a perfect date night. Restaurants aren't crowed, and being out and about allows you experience the joy of NYC costumes. A few times tonight on the way downtown I thought to myself, "Is that guy dressed up?" I'll never know.