Story Teller

Eva was graciously reading to Elmo this morning.

He looks mesmerized by the story.  It must be an exciting book.

A Very Merry Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas we had!  Eva is not quite ready for the excitement of Christmas Eve, so we haven’t cemented any traditions yet.  Instead, we had the missionaries over for dinner and Myke shared his Quadra-copter with them.  They took turns flying it around the living room and cheering each other on.  We had lasagna for dinner and chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips.   By the time the Elders left, it was bedtime for Eva.  We told her all about Santa coming and that there would be presents under the tree in the morning.  She was really excited during the conversation but I’m sure she didn’t understand what we were saying.

I was looking forward to sleeping in on Christmas morning since Eva wouldn’t be anxiously waiting to open presents.  Unfortunately, she started crying at 6:30 because she couldn’t find her binky.  Myke went to her room and tried to tuck her back in but she wasn’t having it.  So we got up early.  I needed a few minutes to fill Myke’s stocking so he was keeping Eva preoccupied.  He said he would read her “A Very Busy Spider” but I was done and ready to open presents before he started to read. We took a video of Eva coming down the stairs and told her that Santa had come.  Myke and I were acting more excited than she was and nudged her toward the pile of presents under the tree.  Eva didn’t care about them, she wanted to read the book Daddy promised.  Myke handed her a gift to open in an attempt to redirect her attention and Eva swatted it from his hands and said, “No!”  We have it on video for a future time.  I finally said, “Fine, Mama will open your presents,” and started to tear a little bit of wrapping paper.  This made Eva angry and she ran over and took the present from me.  Manipulation at its best. 

Santa was very good to Eva.  She received an Elmo doll, some books, a guitar, a stuffed pig that rolls around on the floor and laughs, slippers, Cinderella on DVD, and some Tic Tacs and a couple toys in her stocking.  She ate the entire box of Tic Tacs within a few minutes.  She also received money from my parents for swimming lessons and an ornament, tea set, and movie from Grandma Lisa.  It was a good haul for a little girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the afternoon the missionaries came over to use our computers to Skype with their families.  It was nice having them over when they were so excited about talking to their loved ones.  It made me miss my own family.  We had Christmas dinner at our friend’s house in the evening.  I contributed pot roast and chocolate cream pie.  It was a delicious dinner and excellent company.

And just like that, Christmas was over.  We had an excellent holiday and it was a very pleasant day.  It really was a very Merry Christmas.

Now I’ve got to take down all the decorations.  Sigh.

Business Dinner

Important phone calls can’t wait.

Flashback

  

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

The time sprints by!

Christmas Card

I had plans to send out beautiful Christmas cards with a charming picture of our family.

When we started to take these charming pictures for this beautiful card, I soon realized my plan was flawed for a few reasons:

1. Michael needs a haircut and looks like he is wearing a gorilla pelt on his head.

2. I look chubby from every angle.

3. Eva refused to cooperate.  It was as though she wasn’t at all interested in my plans for a beautiful Christmas card with a charming picture of our family. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas anyway!

Perhaps next year we’ll be more beautiful and charming.

Midnight Snack

Apparently baby Jesus needed a snack.

 

Frankincense and Myrrh. 

Clearly those Wise Men should have brought a tasty treat instead.

Jammin’

A bicycle is freedom.  I remember having a love affair with my bicycle as a child.  In the summertime my bike could take me uptown for candy, to the lake for swimming, and even careening down the side of an overpass.  (This resulted in a terrible wreck but I showed true bravery by even attempting it.  Or maybe it was stupidity.  I wish the owner’s manual would have mentioned that you shouldn’t slam on your front brakes while barreling down the side of a steep slope.  It seems like a pretty important detail to leave out.) 

Anyway,  my favorite memory is riding my bike while jamming to “2 Legit 2 Quit” on my Walkman.  That’s true joy.

I mention this because Eva has discovered the freedom of her trike.  Just like her mama used to do, Eva put on her fancy shoes and headed out for a spin yesterday.

Time to introduce her to Mr. MC Hammer.