Christmas Pics

Happy New Year everybody

We spent Christmas Eve in the MotherLand of Brooklyn, at my brother John's house. Christmas morn was at home.

The tree my brother ordered never arrived so he decorated the vacuum cleaner.

He and Hope have fun together

My niece Caitlin met Athena for the first time.

Hope enjoys dessert

She was a bit surprised that her minion speaks

A pop up book of super heroes. Hope continues to love books.

We watched 'A Christmas Story' so many times that Hope finally said ' is there a football game on?'

Athena is 3 months old and pretty much oblivious to the fuss. Hope enjoyed opening Athena's gifts for her.

Hope got a new 'cartoon/football watching' chair.

Have a safe and happy new year. I wish you all good things.

Wishing You ...

All good things

Joy and Peace and at least one good Hug every day.

yes, that is bubble wrap next to Athena. Her big sister likes to be safe. True love.

Hope's Christmas Wrap-Up

I thought I'd share some photos from Christmas with Hope (sounds like a Lifetime movie) to start the New Year.

at uncle john's house in brooklyn on christmas eve

doing a move she calls 'ninja barbie'

her favorite doll from aunt lauren

just plain joyful

working hard to open the gift she got for the cats

a little exhausted

 Isadora likes her gift

Siren celebrated his 10th birthday on christmas day

Happy New Year everybody!!

Merry and Hopeful

I'm off to Brooklyn The Motherland tonight. I'm sure I'll return with some good traffic stories as well as at least one profound Guido quote.

Whatever your celebration style may be ...

Grand

Fancy

Whimsical

I wish you all good things.


And as always, there is Hope

Growing Up

I think I posted a pic of this Santa a couple of years ago. He stands on my neighbor's porch. I call him Drug Dealer Santa since he really reminds me of a drug dealer in Brooklyn who would dress as Santa to handle the holiday pot rush and confuse the police.

But I digress.

My neighbor's porch faces the front of our house. I'll never forget how excited Hope was on her 2nd Christmas to see him there. She stood at the window forever just gazing at him. We always said good morning and good night to him. We waved as we passed him in the car and we'd often walk over to see him.

Fast forward to the ripe old age of 3 1/2.

I've been waving and greeting the old guy as always. Hope hasn't said much. Finally the other night she looked at me with all the sweet, patient kindness she possesses and said ...

"Oh Nana, he's not real. Didn't anyone tell you?"

She does believe in THE Santa.

Food Network's Newest Chef

One of Hope's favorite Christmas gifts is a chef set - outfit included.

I'm thinking of branding her 'The Littlest Chef' and shopping the networks for a reality show.

I can't cook if I can't see

Never mind, I'll do my own wardrobe

Ready for my close-up

Who needs a big pot when they've got a garbage can! Work with me people!

Delicious!



I'm hoping there will be a spot on the show for me. I can throw food like Emeril and curse like Gordon Ramsey.

My Christmas Eve Peeve

The Time
Late afternoon on Christmas Eve. The day before Christmas. Early enough in the day to know that the chubby dude with his posse of horny donkey-like creatures hadn't even left his pole yet.

The Place
My humble home, discretely decorated for the season

The Setting

A warm, mellow gift wrapping room adorned with rolls and rolls of vivid Christmas wrapping paper.

In the background the meaningful holiday message of hour 723 of the Hallmark Channel Christmas movie marathon - a beautiful woman who is really an angel is flirting with a widower Dad who is having trouble connecting with his rebellious daughter. Showing Next - a single Mom falls in love with a rock star who is really an angel looking to see his rebellious daughter one last time.

I was lovingly assembling Christmas toys

when my meaningful movie was interrupted by a commercial. The excited, almost frantic, voice said ...

"Now that Christmas is over..." and went on and on about opening at 5 AM Monday and slashed super sales.

Now that Christmas is over?

Had I missed it all? I knew I shouldn't have ignored the signs

but really
seriously

I would have felt it if my head had exploded

Surely there must still be time for dinner and gifts and music and children before we headed back to the stores.

Where are the Christmas Tree Ornaments?

Nana, look at the beautiful tree

I don't have anything in my bucket

I'm going to ride my horse now

 

Hope, are you touching the tree?

No Nana, I'm just looking with my hands

The star is very high Nana and I can't see it

 

I was thinking

 

You could take the star down and let Chuck E. Cheese go on top of the tree
Daddy said it was OK

Nana! look! I found Moose. He was sitting on the table

 

If I find all the tree things you'll put them back?

And everything will be OK?

Sounds good Nana

Merry Christmas Everybody

"Oh My Goodness"

has become Hope's favorite phrase. She uses it frequently and with ethusiasm.

Here are some neighborhood sights that have called for an "Oh My Goodness"

 Oh my goodness, where is that bell music coming from?

 Oh my goodness, there is so much

 Really Nana, there is so much here

Oh my goodness, my eyes can't see everything

Nana, do you like Santa?

Yes

I don't like Santa

That's OK

Oh my goodness, I want to like Santa

Oh ny goodness, the presents will get rained on

Oh my goodness, I can't eat a lollipop that big

Oh my goodness, it's a snowman elf

Oh my goodness, that is a circle tree

Oh my goodness, where are the Daddies?

Oh my goodness, I love this hat

There are so many Oh My Goodnesses out there

Don't forget to look