Halloween 2010

We had such a great time trick or treating with the kids this year!

Last year, Caleb never got past the first house...

But oh, what a difference a year makes!

As we were walking up the stairs to our first house,

Caleb said, "This time, I am going to be brave!"

And brave he was.

His voice rang loud and clear as he said, at least 50 times that night: "Trick or treat!"

He was not shy or timid,

he took his role as the Dinosaur very seriously,

showing off his roar.

(And Lion Ariana roared only for her Daddy this time. But she did say "tickoteet" once.)

Caleb also took his role of being his sister's helper seriously -

carrying both his and Ariana's basket throughout the night

and making sure that both got filled with candy, explaining to those at the door,

"this is for the Caleb and this is for the baby."

I guess some people didn't notice the baby being carried behind him

and didn't realize why he had two baskets.

On those occasions, when only one basket was filled,

Caleb would gently remind them,

"and one for the baby" in his sweet singy-song voice.

I could just eat that kid up. He was adorable.

When he'd get his treats, he'd make comments like

"that was so nice of her" and "I like those people."

He tripped a few times in his costume, and fell over a water hose once.

He did not say a word about being hurt,

but burst into tears at the sight of his chocolates rolling all about

on the ground, out of his baskets,

crying "My chocolates, my chocolates!"

Thankfully, this problem was very easy to solve

as we quickly gathered them all up and headed on our way...

We were out for 2 hours! I'd say that's pretty good for a 3 and a 1 year old!

Butternut squash "Halloween" soup and a glowing pumpkin finished the night,

the only thing we missed was kids coming to trick or treat to our house,

we had a few late ones, but not many

- we were out so long -

but that's okay, I'm sure we'll find some good use for the leftover chocolate.

It was a very good year...

Is it possible that a decade has passed since we celebrated the Year 2000?

It doesn't seem possible...

With today's, this week's, this year's, and this decade's work behind me

(I'm sorry, couldn't resist)

we geared up this evening for a little celebration of the old and the new year.

2009 was a very good year for our family, on many fronts,

foremost of which is this new little munchkin, right here...

as well as new joys from this older munchkin,

the one with the Elmo straw.

This year, we saw my business triple in work and profit -

which means that the single most important accessory for 2010

will be the same Barnes & Noble Desk Diary

I used throughout 2009 to record my work, my life,

everything.

The calendar saw quite a lot of action in the past year.

For example, I might have missed Ariana's birth had I not penciled it in -

in between translation projects.

(Of course, I am kidding, we all know she decided to come a day earlier than scheduled,

throwing a wrench into all my carefully laid plans,

and sending me scrambling to meet deadlines during early labor. Fun!)

But let me get back to The Calendar -

Perhaps because I would never be able to keep track of all these projects without it,

perhaps because it allowed me to fulfill my obsessive need for organization and

because it helped me keep my one and only New Year's Resolution last year

(Invoice every week!)

I have fallen for this calendar. I don't think I can live without it anymore.

Its crisp, clean pages beckon me

its shiny gold edges

and soft leather binding (noticeably softer than the worn 2009)

call my fingers to caress its pages

Can't wait to write in it...

Happy 2010!

Let's hope it's a good one!

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009

13-hour drive there, 11-hour drive back.

Baby's first Christmas.

New house, but just as many trees as ever.

Home for the holidays, a truly magical white Christmas.

Yes, I know that there are a lot of pictures here.

No, this is not the time to tell me that "less is more."

Let the Christmas magic linger just a little bit longer.

My 3-year-old birthday boy.

Man, how does time fly!

Adjusting the decorations on the tree just to his liking?

Better.

With his buddy.

And with "his baby."

Grandmom and Pop Pop's magical new house.

Our magical new baby.

Opening his and her Christmas outfits.

Wearing them on Christmas Eve. Thanks, Grandmom!

With cousin Natalia. She and Ariana have the same taste when it comes to color.

There should be some pictures here of me.

Uh-hum, there should be pictures of me.

Santa (pretend Santa, Angel, whatever suits your fancy) arrives.

Just Caleb and the presents Christmas morning.

Puppet theatre. For hours of imaginative play.

First watch - from Pop Pop.

A multitude of other presents from grandparents, aunts, cousins, and friends.

A lucky bunch are we. Thank You, everyone!!

Sharing a cookie with his "If you give a mouse a cookie" mouse. Priceless.

Christmas Dinner.

Ariana watches us. We gave her bananas for the second time in her short lifetime.

The birthday celebration continues.

Chocolatey chocolate cake with chocolate.

As requested by Caleb, delivered by Grandmom.

The magic of an extra pair of candle-blowing lips.

Ariana looks on. Apparently, we have decided to feed her chocolate icing too today.

My exclusively breastfed baby has now had bananas twice, and chocolate once.

It must be Christmas!

It was Christmas.

I know, because there were a couple of days there

when that computer was only turned on by the light of the Christmas tree in order to

reconnect with friends and loved ones

and to wish them a

Merry Christmas!