Playful

Django loves to chase around a wind-up ladybug.

Question

What if when I met you so long ago, I could see the future us and know that you would someday leave me? Leave me hurting, leave me lonely, leave me frightened, leave me with a clutter of memories whose clarity fades so quickly that I doubt the truth of it, leave me with regrets, leave me feeling that time and resources were wasted, leave me unable to apologize for my offenses, leave me without answers, leave me with cavernous doubts about the balance of nature, the existence of higher powers, the import of meaningful moments, and the possibility of an afterlife—at a time in my life when I thought I had finally sorted out all of these things. Would the young me wisely have walked away in search of a surer bet at complacency and peaceful ignorance?
No.

Stop!

Note to self: Stop baking and eating cookies. (Especially white-chocolate, cranberry, pistachio cookies--they are impossible to ignore!)

Admiring

Fairy wings and a purple helium balloon--I wish my happiness formula were as simple as it used to be.

Leafy

Weee! (Part 3)

Weee! (Part 2)

Weee! (Part 1)

The Tiniest Zookeeper

Tillie loved this little roadside petting zoo we visited the other day. She got particularly attached to a little bantam chicken named Polly and carried it around for probably half an hour. She cried when we said we had to leave Polly in order to go see Santa. Poor Santa--no wonder he seemed so suspicious.

hedghog

bunny

chinchilla

guinea pig

the lovely Polly

PS. That chinchilla was very soft!

Big Boy

Django has had a couple of firsts these past couple of weeks:
--first sign in baby sign language ("dog")
--first couple of steps (into Dada's arms at daycare pickup)
--first word ("hola")
He's still got a ways before he can keep up with Tillie, but the gap is closing fast.

Pink Christmas II

It seems to be a christmas tradition with my kiddos to get pink eye for the holiday break. Last year it was Tillie--this year Django. Yuck!

Even with the contagion, Django still looks killer in his christmas suit:

Present Day

Tillie directed holiday operations this morning, having placed herself in charge of distribution, handling, unwrapping, and testing of all products from last night's delivery. DJD contributed to product testing and public relations with the 60-and-older demographic.

This is one of two very special hand-me-down dolls that used to belong to my friend Camile. Django thinks the nose is a fun button to press. Thank you Brigitte--our family will cherish them always.

New Construction

Suspicious Santa

I thought this guy seemed kind of charming, but Tillie and Django found him to be a little suspicious.

Trim

Tillie and her grandma decorated the tree a while back. Every once in a while, I'll catch her staring at the tree and she'll say, "It is so pretty."

My favorite part is the over-decorated section that was right in front of Tillie's chair--the only branch she could reach:

Nerdiness Is Contagious

Children will do what you do. If that means wearing glasses, donning clothes from Target, and hauling around an extra special toolbox that organizes all of your science experiment equipment--then your children will do just that. It has nothing to do with how cool said activity/outfit actually is.

Hairdo

Django's new do

The Look

Sometimes he gives me a look that lets me see the future him.

Fambly Fun

All the cousins have gone home. Boo hoo. It was so much fun!

Dia de Los Muertos

a little altar for you, dear Camile