[not the] BEST BLOG EVER

The Christmas Night

Wrapped was the world in slumber deep, 
 By seaward valley and cedarn steep, 
 And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep; 
 All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through 
 The stars outblossomed in fields of blue, 
 A heavenly chaplet, to diadem 
 The King in the manger of Bethlehem. 

Out on the hills the shepherds lay, 
 Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray, 
 Humble and clean of heart were they; 
 Thus it was given them to hear 
 Marvellous harpings strange and clear, 
 Thus it was given them to see 
 The heralds of the nativity. 

In the dim-lit stable the mother mild 
 Looked with holy eyes on her child, 
 Cradled him close to her heart and smiled; 
 Kingly purple nor crown had he, 
 Never a trapping of royalty; 
 But Mary saw that the baby's head 
 With a slender nimbus was garlanded. 

Speechless her joy as she watched him there, 
 Forgetful of pain and grief and care, 
 And every thought in her soul was a prayer; 
 While under the dome of the desert sky 
 The Kings of the East from afar drew nigh, 
 And the great white star that was guide to them 
 Kept ward o'er the manger of Bethlehem

a poem by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Our First Gingerbread House

Park was given an exceptional early Christmas present by his "Aunty" Diane Skoog - a gingerbread house kit. Apparently gingerbread house assembly is an annual tradition in their home, and they have so much fun with it every year that they even recommend it for others. Eager to start some of our own holiday traditions, I loved the idea.

Park and I had a blast putting it together last weekend. I really liked the idea of a kit. Not sure I'll ever be as ambitious or creative as my sweet friend Becca in her awesome recent gingerbread house attempt, but this was just my speed. Don't be fooled: Park did all the heavy lifting, per se. If you see any smears or wayward icing or candies, they were all my fault.

About to begin:

 

A work in progress:

The glorious finished product:

 
  
Lovely, if I do say so myself! I definitely think we have the makings of a new annual holiday tradition.

Merry Christmas, dear friends! May your days be merry and bright (and tasty!) this Christmas season.

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Sweetness Personified

I give you Park's Six-Month Photos (yes, deserving of capital letters!), taken 11/22/09 by Dietrich Gesk. Don't get a toothache... This Mr. Park is pretty sweet!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Let's Say Thanks - Today's 'Friday Feature'

Here's an easy, painless way to bless a soldier today.

Go to www.LetsSayThanks.com, and pick out a thank you card to be sent to a soldier who is currently serving overseas. You can’t pick who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. All cards are designed by young children across the United States.

How AMAZING would it be if we could get everyone we know to send one! It is FREE and takes less than a minute. Please take the time to send a card and pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank yous for their amazing sacrifice.

Mr. Park's 6-mo. Photo Shoot

Here is a sneak peek at one of Park's six-month pictures. More to be posted later. I am keeping the bulk of the photos shrouded in mystery at least until our Christmas cards are out the door - always need to keep my readers guessing... Until then, you may take a gander at these handsome gentlemen.

Birthday Weekend (and more) - A Recap

This past week or so has been busy, unique, crazy, fun and interesting. And it was capped off over the weekend by my very own 33rd birthday. I love my birthday. I even celebrate my half-birthday.

It was all a blast.

Here is a brief recap of the highlights - and some lowlights (Park being sick... :( :

• Monday - Half-day at work as Park got a fever at daycare and had to go home
• Tuesday - Got to stay home with Park and work remotely as I cared for my sick little man (fever went away and he had a bad cold), AND snownami! Weather terrorists were right as we got walloped with several inches of snow and then the requisite blowing and drifting of winter in MN, AND!!! Park cut his first tooth!!! Very exciting.
• Wednesday - SNOW DAY at home with Park and Anthony
• Thursday/Friday - Back in the office and Park was well enough to go back to day care
• Saturday - My birthday! Festivities included:

1. Park's first outing to the ever-fabulous Perkins for brunch and his first time sitting in the big kid high chair next to the table! He did great and made friends with everyone in the restaurant.
2. Thoughtful, perfect gifts from Park, Anthony and my parents. And some fun birthday cards!
3. A visit from my lovely, wonderful, generous parents.
4. Baking Christmas cookies with my mom.
5. Hot date with my husband to our favorite - Capital Grille - and then off to the Mall of America while mom and dad watched Park.

• Sunday - Oops, we didn't make it to church because we all had caught Park's cold by then... but we did make it to our life group Christmas party that evening - fun times with wonderful people! AND Park turned seven months old on Sunday! Simply amazing.

And now it is Monday again. But that won't stop me from remembering all the fun, laughs, cards, gifts, Facebook- and telephone-sent well wishes, and wonderful times with loved ones. BEST EVER BIRTHDAY WEEK/WEEKEND! Wahoo!

Some pictures...

A frozen Anthony after whipping the snowblower and driveway into shape:

Park enjoying Perkins and his new friends there - in particular, a young girl a booth over who kept flirting with him:

Park making a new and entertaining face - sucking in his lower lip (must have to do with cutting the new teeth - #2 is on its way!), scrunching his eyes, and while doing it saying "mamamamamama"... (Clearly he's saying "mama"! :) Isn't he funny and adorable?:

 


  
 
 

"Setting Up the Pins"

Check out the fun video below depicting a song on Sara's new album, Fireflies and Songs. As a wife, working mother and homemaker (to name just a few "hats"), I feel like I can soooooo relate to "Setting Up the Pins." LOVE IT. Fun song, fun video, fun peeps.

I'm too tired to write any more at this point because I've been setting up the pins...and knocking them down...all day.

Enjoy!

Five Things I Can't Not Do

5. I can't not apply chap stick after brushing my teeth.

4. I can't not unpack from a trip immediately after getting home.

3. I can't not say "bless you" after someone sneezes.

2. I can't not drink a cup of coffee in the morning.

1. I can't not take off all of my jewelry as soon as I get home.

What can't YOU not do?

What a face!

I love love love this picture of my son. It documents his first tastes of peaches (thank you, Gerber organic 1st foods!). And - to me, anyway - his expression is absolutely priceless. I think he likes them okay... He has liked every food we've tried thus far (LOVE his easy-going nature!)... It was just the face-contorting WHAM - SURPRISE! of the tart taste he'd never before experienced.

May you, blog friends, be able to celebrate and enjoy all the little - and not so little - things in your life today, as well.

 

Two Years Ago Today

Do any other Twin Citians out there remember the crazy late-fall blizzard of December 4, 2007? I do, I do! The date for some reason sticks in my head, probably because it's a evening I wouldn't want to repeat - ever!

Shocker, I know - I blogged about it here. And here. LOL. Okay, so I'm rather predictable. But it's kind of funny to read my wee-overly-dramatic posts and think about... how COLD I was waiting for the darn bus! Brr!

Here's hoping to no adventures in commuting on this fine Friday, December 4, 2009!

And may your respective Fridays, fun friends, be fabulous. (And absolutely alliterative.)