So long, farewell, goodbye.

To do:

Organize/backup all video footage.

Organize/backup all photos.

Start Project 365 

Take Apple one-on-one classes so I can finally learn how to organize/backup (and edit) videos/photos.

Make scrapbook for Poppy.

Make scrapbook for Chloe.

Make scrapbook of my childhood.

Make scrapbook of Chris' childhood.

Update baby book for Poppy.

Start baby book for Chloe (I saved everything and the folder is getting mighty full).

Print and frame some favorite photos.

Knit.

Sew. 

Learn how to use my bread machine.

Learn how to use Lightroom.

Prepare better meals.

Exercise/yoga.

Update my iPod.

Eagerly await 'Project Runway Season 9'.

Paint some rooms in my house.

Spend more one-on-one time with the girls.

Spend more one-on-one time with Chris (hubba, hubba);)

Read more.

Play chess.

Perfect my nunchuck skills.

Watch 'The real housewives...'.

Sort/organize the girls' clothing. 

Chaperone more field trips.

Learn to play the piano.

Plant a garden.

Travel.

Clean out my car.

Walk my dog.

Pet my cat.

Facebook.

Read blogs (of course).

Write my last blog post.

Print a blurb book of this blog.

Delete this blog.

Possibly, if I can think of something really creative, start another blog if I get bored.

xoxo,

Holly

p.s. Happy New Year!

Meet me in St. Louis

For the past few years, during the month of October, we've gotten together with Chris' family for a weekend getaway. Chris' dad rents a cabin/condo and we all meet there. This was the view from our room this year:

I wasn't the only one who liked it:

The lake had paddle boats and kayaks which the kids (and adults) all loved. 

Costumes were encouraged:

Poppy and Chloe don't get to see their cousins as much as we would like. When Poppy does see them, she talks about it for weeks after. She loves them all, but I think it's safe to say that her current favorite cousin is Haley:

 Poppy thinks she is the cat's pajamas and the bee's knees between two pieces of sliced bread:

This:

...blew her mind!

Chloe on the other hand? Not so much:

She was happier in Mimi's arms (waving at Daddy in the paddle boat):

Plum tuckered out on the drive home:

Thank you for these memories, Paw-paw and Mimi!

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."

- Jane Howard

Octoberfest

Homemade garland:

Store-bought window-sticky things:

Natural smile:

Unnatural smile

 (I promised her something or other if she let me take her picture- she took it very seriously- must have been a good something):

Pumpkin patch with the family:

Farm with preschool class:

That's all I got:)

Proud

Poppy drew her first (that I know of) person. She says it's me. I think I will frame it: 

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.

Pablo Picasso

Dear Poppy,

I will do my best to help you remain an artist always.

Love,

Your proud mom

Finally

Hi again! Long time no blog. 

Let's see, what have we been up to? I had to look back through my pictures to remember. 

I took this picture of Poppy wearing her dad's Tulane hat. And no shirt- love it:

We went to Ohio for a wedding and we all got to meet our niece, Madison, for the first time. My brother and his soon-to-be wife:

I love this candid shot. I've known Kelsey since she was in her mother's belly:

I took this picture of Chloe:

Two years ago, I took this picture of Poppy. Same spot, same dress, same pink puppy(?), same time of year:

I'm too lazy to figure out how to rearrange these photos so we're back in Ohio now. We also got to see  my other brother and his kids. Here he is with Poppy:

Chloe was a sick little mess, but she was a trooper:

Poppy moved into a new classroom at preschool. She is still with the same teachers and classmates (which we're very happy about) so the transition has been easy. This is the best shot I could get because she was just SO excited:

I invested in Lightroom. I'm having fun playing around with it. Chloe:

Good news: Poppy has been asking me to take her picture!

Bad news: This is what she wants me to take a picture of:

I'll take what I can get.

I went to NYC with one of my besties. Just the two of us for a girls' weekend. Chris took care of the girls for three days. Alone. Thank you, honey. You rock. Can I do it again soon?

I have to clean this three times a day:

She's worth it:

Back in NYC. Fifth Ave from Bergdorf's:

Another random shot of Chloe. She's waking up from a nap. The girls wake up happy, like their dad:

And the most exciting news (for me anyway)... the girls and I saw President Obama yesterday. He waved at us (that's him in the backseat):

I said to Poppy, "The President of the United States just waved at YOU!"

She replied, "Does that mean I know him now?"

I'm thinking...Yes?

Swimming

Recently on the Pioneer Woman's site, in this post, she wrote this:

"Those early stages of motherhood. If you're going through it right now, please cherish it and clutch it closely to your heart. Savor it. Swim around in it. 

Because tomorrow your baby will be 5' 11''."

It was a nice reminder.

And don't even get me started on this commercial:

Hurts the heart.

And so I savor. And swim.

I'll be back here when I get all prune-like and have to sit out for a little bit;)

Don't you smile!

I wish I could say this works every time!

Our Fair (little) Lady

Poppy's preschool class went on a field trip to the Dane County fair. The local news was there, filming a bit about the animals and how they keep cool in the heat. If I didn't love where I lived before, I just fell head over heels.

Here is a the clip. Her preschool class is shown petting a chicken at about the :16 mark. Poppy is in the center. 

One Cup Hot Coffee= One Post

Chris is on vacation this week so he took Poppy to preschool this morning. She even conned him into staying for circle time. Chloe just went down for her morning nap. She's happily babbling in her crib. I am watching 'Intervention'* while I savor a cup of coffee. I can't remember the last time I finished a cup of coffee without having to reheat it. It's a nice Wednesday morning treat.

I hope you had a special Independence Day. Just like last year, our neighborhood had a parade. This year it was longer, had a larger turn-out, and it ended at a nearby park. I'm not quite sure who sponsored it but I'd like to give whomever is responsible a great big hug. It was sweet, very small-townish. There were hamburgers and hot dogs, face painting, a cake walk, a dunk tank, sack races, water balloons, and patriotic music. And a nice breeze. We are so thankful that life brought us to this place. And, of course, fortunate to live in this country. 

Chloe- 17 months

July 5, 2010

Poppy- 7 months

July 1, 2007

~~~

 I watched the finale of Project Runway season 4 last night. Love Christian Siriano. I wish I could carry him around in my pocket all day long:) And season 8 starts July 29. It will now be 90 minutes long! JACKPOT!

~~~

* I will never understand being desperate or hopeless enough to ever want to stick a needle filled with something that could kill me into my own veins. I just don't get it.