Sunday, December 25, 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Santa Trains

How do you please kids and parents this time of year?  Leave it to wine country to come up with wine and Santa on the Santa Trains.  I gotta say…great idea! 
The boys are a little small now, but in the future, we will definitely keep this in mind.  It really gets a lot of things crossed off your list in my opinion.
Tell Santa what is on your list…check. 
Santa photo…check. 
Train ride (ala Polar Express)…check. 
Hot chocolate for the kids, bubbly for mom…check.
Brilliant!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

More Books

My kids love to read books.  They will just sit down and flip through the pictures or EJ will plop his little behind right in my lap to let me know he is ready for a story. 

As much as they love to read and I would like to encourage that, I feel like I can never have enough books.  Design Mom has a list of amazing books on her blog and I feel the urge to buy every last one.  I suppose that is what library cards are for.  :-)  Over the break, I think we will hit the library up big time.  Here is her list.  Enjoy browsing! 





These photos are from last Christmas, but still apply. 

Monday, December 19, 2011

The "To Do" List

Ok, Christmas is practically here.  I feel like I have so much to do, but as I look around the house (as messy as it may be) I realize although I have a “to do” list that feels overwhelming, there is not that much. 
Wrap gifts, no problem. 
Plan the meal for Christmas day, ok, Conn does most of that.
Clean…a never ending chore.
I totally have this covered.  I think I will sit back, enjoy the boys and watch another Christmas movie.  I am way behind on my favorites.  Anyone up for making snowflakes?  This is one of KJ’s new favorite activities thanks to Elf.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Don't Forget to Say It


I have spent a lot of time this past week telling people I love them.  I come from a family who says it a lot.  My mom says it about 10 times every time we talk on the phone.  We are a very outward loving family.  I like it.  I like the idea that people don't have to question where they stand with me.  If I love you, I tell you.

I saw a lot of faces this past week that I haven't seen in years.  High school friends who have meant a lot to me in the past and that continues on with me now.  I love them because of the experiences we have shared together.  I love them because they were a huge part of my growing up process. 

But seeing everyone reminded me that they may not know how much I love them.  So, I was telling people.  Leave it to me to make people feel weird. 

My point here, if you love someone, tell them.  You may not have another chance.  Love comes in so many different forms that it is ok to tell someone and not have them thinking you want to get all romantic.

Say it if you mean it.  I love you!  Such a nice thing to hear!  And if you can say it with coffee, even better in my book.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Christmas Music

I am feeling connected to the more solemn Christmas carols this season.  Silent Night and O' Holy Night are two favorites.  The Marin Symphony does a Holiday Concert by Candlelight and it sounds amazing!  This may have to be a date night in the future.  I just love the idea of Conn and I enjoying this together.

My mom and I and one of my bestest friends and her mom and sister all go the Nutcracker in the city every year too.  I have done this with my mom since I was 5 years old and it wouldn't be the holidays without Tchaikovsky.  I adore the music and the company.  So, in the spirit of tradition, we will do it once again this year.  I look forward to it!

Check out the San Francisco Ballet.   They don't disappoint.





Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Oh Christmas Tree

I have to say, kids definitely keep you honest.  No matter what happened over the weekend, I promised a certain 3 year old that we would get our Christmas tree.  So, we did.


It was a short trip, but the boys enjoyed it just the same.  I forgot that I wanted to bake cookies to make the day special, so I rushed to get some out of the oven before the day was over.  And the fun of decorating the tree and putting lights on the house made my spirits brighten. 


The boys wanted to help and so they have been...every day the tree has been up. EJ loves to take the ornaments off the tree.  And KJ likes to put them back on.  I especially enjoy his style, the more on a branch the better.


I love seeing this magical season through their eyes.

Monday, December 5, 2011

A Heavy Heart

This weekend was a tough one.  In amongst the fun we had with the holiday season, getting our tree, decorating, eating cookies, I received some terrible news.  A long time friend of mine was killed in a car wreck.  I can't stop thinking about him, crying for his family and trying to convince myself that everything will be okay.

It won't be okay.  He is gone. 

The memories are what I cling to and even though I haven't seen him in a while, he is one of those friends.  You know the kind...you see every once in a while and pick up right where you left off.  The true friends who know you and like you anyway.  And vice versa.

Shaun was a great person who I have shared so many memories with.  I feel like a grown up today.  Grown ups have to deal with things that are hard.  This has to be one of the hardest things I have had to deal with ever.

Shaun, I hope you sleep in heavenly peace.  Your smile is with me now.  We will pick up where we left off...eventually.  All my love!  

Friday, December 2, 2011

Christmas in Sonoma

I can’t wait to get our Christmas tree.  I am counting down the days and feeling uber jealous every time I hear of someone else getting their tree.  This weekend!  Whooho!  In the spirit of the season, the hubs sent me this article about celebrating Christmas at the mission we live very close to, Mission San Francisco Solano. 
I could probably go on and on about Christmas activities in the area, and ok, maybe I will.  But how fun is this.  Singing under candlelight, so great! 
But with two little monkeys who don’t sit still, and there is fire involved… hmm sounds like we may have to wait a few years for this one.
Welcome to the Season!

 Oh and BTW, more on Disneyland later...