Good-bye 2009

Wow, that went fast.  Too fast.  This month flew by, and here it is New Year's Eve and in twenty minutes it will be 2010.  I have a good feeling about 2010, it just sounds promising.

2009 was a fun year, and I'm hoping to capture a few more memories here on the blog in the next day or two.  The Christmas break has been bliss, especially now that the final party hosted at our house is over and peace has been restored ;-).  So, here I sit, alone by the fire trying to keep my eyes open while I wait for my teenager to come home from a New Year's party.  Chris was wiped out by 10pm, Caroline went to a friend's for a sleepover, and after the cousins left tonight, the little girls couldn't keep their eyes open one minute longer.

In the past I would have thought I needed to be somewhere celebrating, but not anymore.  I can't remember the last time Chris stayed up until midnight, so it's just me here enjoying the Christmas tree lights one last time before we take it out tomorrow and contemplating the new year ahead and its endless possibilities.  Not too shabby.

Happy New Year my friends.

Memory Lapse?

Today Liza brought home a little something from school, and I thought you all might find it as funny as we did:

Don't worry, Ryan's feelings were only mildly hurt.  The rest of us were laughing so hard that Liza referred to him as "Brudr" instead of his name . . . too much!

Tea Party

No, not that kind of a "tea party" . . . a Julie specific "tea" party, meaning drinking my absolute favorite peppermint herbal tea before bed.  Soothing and wonderful and just one of those things that makes me, me.

Just thought I'd share, because if you don't drink herbal tea, you're missing out on one of life's most relaxing little pleasures :-).

Feels Like Christmas

SNOW!  Yes, snow, the wonderful Christmas kind of snow that falls softly overnight and blankets the neighborhood the next morning . . . just what we need to really feel the warmth of the season.  After decorating gingerbread cookies last night and watching the classic "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" the little girls were skipping around the house this morning after we had hot chocolate with whipped cream, and then while Christmas tunes played in their bedroom as they got ready for school.

Ahhhh, I love it.  It's mornings like these when the excitement from Elizabeth is just electric and is truly what makes Christmas so special . . . those feelings you remember from your childhood.  It's those memories of  family, warmth, and heightened anticipation, combined with the smells, sounds, and tastes of the season that one never forgets.

Hopefully we'll have more mornings like today this season . . . even if the girls did get to school 30 minutes late!!

Oh, and I'm putting the thought that I haven't STARTED Christmas shopping yet, completely out of my mind . . . I think today I'll enjoy more hot cocoa and turn on the fire :-).

Manna from heaven

I praise the genius who first dipped a cinnamon bear in milk chocolate . . . these little creations have got to be my favorite holiday treat.  A few years ago you could only find them in specialty chocolate shops, now they are EVERYWHERE . . . heavenly.  So today when Caroline and I discovered the "Sweet Shoppe" chocolate display was set up at Dan's, we were giddy with excitement (I'm not joking - GIDDY) as we scooped over 2 lbs. of these delights into a white paper bag and rushed through the checkout so we could finally open our sack of treats and indulge - aaahhhh, love Christmas!

Option 2

My conversation with Liza while fixing dinner tonight:

Liza - "Hey I have another idea for Christmas"
Me - "Great, because I'm not sure Santa can bring a talking dog."
Liza - "That's ok, I either want a talking dog or an elf."
Me - "Exactly what type of an elf are you talking about?"
Liza - "You know, one of Santa's little elves."
Me - "So, do you think you would like a boy or a girl elf?"
Liza - "A girl elf . . . oh, WAIT, I think a boy elf because we have too many girls in our family, we need another boy."
Me - "OK, you'll have to ask Santa if he can part with one of his elves."
Liza - "All right - I'll tell him that I'll take good care of him and make sure he wears his seatbelt."

Anyone want to help me with THIS Christmas wish??

Update:  I've been trying to talk Liza out of this request, but to no avail.  When I told her that Santa really can't just give away one of his elves, she responded that she only wants an elf without a home - an "orphan elf" - because she'll take really good care of an elf who needs a family.  Sigh.

I can't wait to hear what the local "Santa" has say when my daughter sits on his lap and asks for a  real elf!  I think I'll have the video camera rolling for this one :-).

LOVED this movie

After spending the entire day yesterday CLEANING the house (it feels great - hopefully today I'll get up Christmas) I decided to treat myself to this fabulous film - Meryl Streep was amazing, just amazing.  Yes, just me, at the Sugarhouse dollar theater.  I actually don't mind going to movies by myself, especially on a weeknight when the theater is practically empty and I can take my shoes off, put my feet up, and stretch out across three seats while I laugh out-loud at the funny parts and even shed a tear or two during the tender scenes.

Now that the year is coming to a close, I think I've seen maybe FIVE movies total in the theater - pathetic - especially when I know I've missed some great independents at the Broadway, and also knowing that of those five, two or three were with the kids.   So, I'm just going to start doing this more often because great films are released monthly and by the time I get Chris to go see them with me, they're already out on DVD and I've missed the theater experience!  If anyone out there wants to be my movie buddy, call me and we'll start seeing movies once a month - I think it's something I need :-).

In his element

Someone caught a great candid moment this past Monday morning before school started and posted this picture on Ryan's facebook page.

I just love it . . . love how it captures a piece of the day I never get to see, love how Ryan's expression tells a story, and I especially love the cute smile on the girl he is talking with - sweet!

Liza's Christmas wish

Anyone know where we can find one of these?

Yep, a talking dog, this is the ONE and only gift Liza would like for Christmas.  No matter how much we try and explain that Doug is pretend, and that collars that make dogs talk don't exist, she is still certain that Santa will make it happen, and a little puppy with a very special collar that translates its thoughts into words will be waiting for her under the tree on Christmas morning.

Sigh.