Christmas Comes Just ... a Few Times a Year: A Photo Essay

Lest you think our poor family celebrates Christmas just once a year... wanted to document just one of the times we got our deck the halls on.
Mason pictured at party. Gazing wildly at other children on a mega sugar high. Also, a bit of static in his hair. Just a bit.

Cooper spotted the candy dish filled with chocolate teddy grahams in .2 seconds. Proceeded to stand guard and snarf ALL of them. I took a picture rather than the other good mother move -- take the cookies away.

Only thing more exciting than Santa? When the magician pulled a chicken out of her shirt.

Look right into my eyes and tell me, Did you or did you not eat all the teddy grahams in the empty bowl on the table behind you?
Santa, you have very bad breath. Also, you are very big.
I've been good.
Favorite picture as it aptly illustrates my children's obsession with ornaments. Look at Mason. He is literally thinking, I can get to that by tomorrow morning.

Chez Cooper

Introducing Executive Chef Cooper F. He is so excited for his 3rd birthday -- the theme is the Lotsa Pasta Party. He'll be wearing his full chef uniform (finished it just today). We also told him today that 2 of his grandmas and 1 of his grandpas will be coming to his party. He can't wait and hasn't talked of anything else all day. Oh wait, except for that big 'ol news that dad got home from China today!!!
ps -- more photos of the uniform at my handmade by hooli site.

No Monsters, Please

Surprise! All your friends show up at your door wearing outlandish costumes -- some in tights. What do you do?

a) Run and hide. After all, you're wearing tights, too. Sssshhh... it's a secret.
b) Gasp. Then say, "Oh my gosh. It's Jack!"
c) Faint.


This morning turned out to be almost more fun than Christmas. I kept the planned visit a secret from Cooper. But I did tell him he should wear his Batman costume this morning. He gladly got ready, then went about his day. Around 10:30 a.m. the doorbell rang. Cooper squealed (he likes answering the door), ran to the door, flung it open, and froze.


His little jumble of friends and preschool teacher all cheered and greeted him with a rowdy, "Trick or Treat." Then Coop pressed his face up against the storm door (glass) and pointed his finger until it made that gross double-jointed bend and excitedly whispered, "Oh my gosh. It's Jack!" Then he went around to each friend trying to guess who they were. It was a scream!


Of course we passed out treats -- a pre-made craft package with instructions and a candybar -- and went out on the porch for some pictures with our pumpkins. It was spectacular. Cooper was SO excited to see his buddies.


I learned a great lesson today. We all need our friends to tell us when we look good. These little friends milled around in a tight little cluster and told each other things like, “I like your wings.” I even watched as Jack (who handed down the Batman costume Cooper wore) patted Cooper on the stomach and said, “Your muscles look big.” Cooper puffed out his chest with pride! It was awesome.


So, call up your friends and let them know you like their wings. It will do wonders.


PS -- We also spent some time blowing bubbles in the basement. Magical!

In All Seriousness

Mason is a good sport. He gets bumped and bonked and generally harassed by Cooper all day, every day. Usually he smiles or just throws an elbow. He’s a fairly lovey-dovey baby and still loves to be cuddled and kissed to his mother’s content.

But sometimes, I can’t help but chuckle at pictures of him. He tends to look a little put out or as if we’re all just trying his patience – even when he is being permitted to eat cookies for breakfast.

He takes himself very seriously. I guess we should follow suit until he lets us know we can ease up.

PS – In “firsts” news he has added HOT to his vocabulary. It’s a combo self-composed sign and “ha!” When he sees hot food he starts waving his hand over it, sniffing his nose and huffing out a little, “Ha!”

Lost and Never Found

Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed a shoe? There it is, all by itself in the HOV lane of the freeway. Often it’s a fancy, patent-leather mary jane. Obvious mate to another perfectly cute number on the right foot of a five-year-old girl. I can’t help but run through the thoughts of that parent.

Bright sunny Sunday. They decide to take the family to church, or to a wedding, or to family pictures. Get everyone all gussied up. Load the car. Buckle in the kids. Off they go. And then, as parents have a conversation about whether a man named Kucinich could possibly get elected with a name like that, cutie with the ringlets pops off her shoe – that undoubtedly cost more than mum’s – and tosses it out the window on University just after Lincoln.

You’ve felt the panic before. The driving-me-crazy, I-had-it-just-this-morning, where-the-hell-is-it panic of not being able to find something. I feel this panic just about every day. I loose everything from my debit card to my children’s left socks. So when I see those lonely shoes in the road I suck in hard with the dread of that parent, then I laugh off my bloomin’ arse!

Today, we saw a plush Lightning McQueen upside down and a bit scruffy. It would shudder a little as the cars zoomed past it. And my thoughts wandered to how it found itself lying on its hood, dust in its plush.

Beautiful fall day. Perfect day for the zoo. Come on kids, let’s go. Yes, you can take one toy. Then as the mother bee-bops along to Madonna’s, “Like a Prayer” McQueen’s biggest fan catapults beloved stuffed car out the window. Then, tonight as the kids are settling down for bed can’t you just hear the screams, the cries, the sobs for, “My favorite Lightning McQueen.” The parent will be turning the house inside out! It’s sad really.

But I will be roaring with laughter. I’m sick. Seriously. Sick.

Lost and Never Found

Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed a shoe? There it is, all by itself in the HOV lane of the freeway. Often it’s a fancy, patent-leather mary jane. Obvious mate to another perfectly cute number on the right foot of a five-year-old girl. I can’t help but run through the thoughts of that parent.

Bright sunny Sunday. They decide to take the family to church, or to a wedding, or to family pictures. Get everyone all gussied up. Load the car. Buckle in the kids. Off they go. And then, as parents have a conversation about whether a man named Kucinich could possible get elected with a name like that, cutie with the ringlets pops off her shoe – that undoubtedly cost more than mum’s – and tosses it out the window on University just after Lincoln.

You’ve felt the panic before. The driving-me-crazy, I-had-it-just-this-morning, where-the-hell-is-it panic of not being able to find something. I feel this panic just about every day. I loose everything from my debit card to my children’s left socks. So when I see those lonely shoes in the road I suck in hard with the dread of that parent, then I laugh off my bloomin’ arse!

Today, driving down Colorado we saw a plush Lightning McQueen upside down and a bit scruffy. It would shudder a little as the cars zoomed past it. And my thoughts wandered to how it found itself lying on its hood, dust in its plush.

Beautiful fall day. Perfect day for the zoo. Come on kids, let’s go. Yes, you can take one toy. Then as the mother bee-bops along to Madonna’s, “Like a Prayer” McQueen’s biggest fan catapults beloved stuffed car out the window. Then, tonight as the kids are settling down for bed can’t you just hear the screams, the cries, the sobs for, “My favorite Lightning McQueen.” The parent will be turning the house inside out! It’s sad really.

But I will be roaring with laughter. I’m sick. Seriously. Sick.

The Dark Knight

When is it too early to wear a Halloween costume? Is Oct. 1 too soon? And when is it too late? When are you too old? Where should you and where shouldn’t you wear a costume? Obviously church is out. But let’s consider the public library, the grocery store, and the ever-popular front stoop of a perfect stranger. And by which algorithm has the general populous constructed to determine the answer to these costuming questions?

Well, I have an answer for toddler boys. If you want to be Batman for Halloween, be Batman. If you want to wear your Batman costume 24/7 for the entire month of October, wear it. If I have to take you to the grocery store when you are wearing said costume, I’ll take you. Gladly. The question then becomes, when will my attitude about this change?

When you are 4? 24? 74?

Until then, I hope we have many more outings like the one taken Monday night. In which I actually had a man say, “Nice abs.” Then in a fluster he thinks I thought he meant me, when he meant you. No worries, of course I knew he meant you. And so I ask the stoic Batman Cooper, “Do you feel as fantastic as you look?”

“Yes,” he solemnly replies.

Do you, dear reader, do you?

My Cup Runneth Over

Some people I know – and like very much – will sometimes say, “My cup runneth over.” They use this in place of a few endearing phrases when they don’t know what else to say. It’s kinda like saying, “I have so many emotions racing through my mind and heart it’s just spilling out of me.”

I know this feeling. But I say, “Oh, I gotta take a picture.”

Featured you will find some photos of Mason and Cooper – but pay particular attention to Mason – playing with the hose and spigot. Mason was letting it drip into his hands and them patting his mouth, head, hair with his wet hand. He thought this was hilarious. To watch it was.

Cooper was getting excited just for the sake of teaching Mason how to have fun.

A House for Hopper

First we caught the bug. Then we identified it. Then Cooper, in his utmost generosity, built a house for his newest catch. I’d like to say this is where the story ends.





But sadly Cooper decided to smash up Hopper in to a million bits with a plastic recorder. Then Steve flushed it down the toilet. At hearing this news Cooper burst into tears.

Very Bad Idea

Mason has his own way of getting things done. For instance, his first step down a flight of stairs is crazy wrong. But it's his way.

He approaches the ledge with enormous caution. Then he gets really low and reaches out. Then he backs up a couple times (he knows it's a bad idea, just won't admit it). Finally someone rushes in and flips him around so that he can back down the steps.

In·fec·tious

1. communicable by infection, as from one person to another or from one part of the body to another: infectious diseases.
2. causing or communicating infection.
3. tending to spread from one to another: infectious laughter.

Blech. Not a lot of laughter around here. Must be something else. Oh that's right. One sinus infection and one ear infection. Making for two super happy children.

Mason is still not 20 pounds. So, will be having to decide if we want to switch the car seat around, again. Or break the law for a while. Don't rat us out.

Sweet Mason James

Last night as I walked up to bed the thought popped into my mind that it was to be my little Mason’s birthday the following day. I had a moment of panic, “Ack, I’m not ready. I haven’t planned anything.” I felt as if I’d almost not realized it was that close.


But it’s appropriate, isn’t it. Because a year ago at that same hour I had no idea I was to have him the following day. As most of you know, he was a month and change early. I was expecting to have a little Halloweenie. Instead, I had a September baby.


Today wasn’t as emotional as I feared it would be. Perhaps because I was a bit of a woman on the edge. Both kids screamed for approximately 75 percent of the day. And my house is a mess. And the laundry’s no where near finished. But that’s not really what this is about, is it?


I did wish Mason my best before anything else was said to him today. Then once Steve had fed him the most enormous bowl of oatmeal and raisins I pulled out his mega gift. Rather than a bunch of punk kid toys we threw a bit of money at a tunnel/tent system from Costco. Frankly it was the one toy we didn’t already have some version of from Cooper. I genuinely wanted Mason to feel this day was his own and apart from anything we’d done for Cooper in the past.


The tunnels were a mild success. Mason acted a bit overwhelmed by it all. He must have sensed the pressure we were putting on him. We had the camcorder out and we were hollering like it was the fourth of July. No wonder he balked. But eventually he figured out it was fun and he and Coop spent the rest of the morning playing and arguing in turns.


Then Mason took a 3 hour nap. What? That is actually quite unusual for him. I took the time to print out 24 pictures that spanned the past year and put them together in a little book for the NICU nurses and doctors that cared for him during the first two weeks of his life. That was a refreshing experience.


So then, didn’t wake up until 1-ish. Then we fed him a big lunch of rice and beans. Mason absolutely loves rice and beans. Not sure which he likes the best, the rice or the beans. But the beans leave an impression on all of us, if you know what I mean.


He was such a mess following this late lunch that we decided to get on with the next planned birthday activity – cutting his fine, blonde hair for the first time. It was Cooper’s turn in the barber chair first (oh that would be a bar stool in the kitchen at the hands of mom). I’d hoped that Cooper would make it look fun and relaxing. But he promptly had a freak out and cried. Something about hair in his nose… and ears… and neck… and back. Such a complainer. Wink wink.


Then it was Mason’s turn. Oh boy, this was the only moment of the day I wanted to cry but didn’t. But just barely, just. In an instant his old man feathers… as I liked to call his wisps… were gone. Now he looks like a chemo-treated cancer patient. This was all followed by a bath.


Following the bath I got him all cuted up and we drove to Wendy’s. OK OK OK… I realize this isn’t super high-class. But, he’s 1! We brought our food back for a little picnic on the patio and Mason had yogurt with granola, a handful of fries, and some chili. Again with the beans. It’s a cry for help, really. There was a few hours of nonsense following dinner and then bedtime.


All in all I think Cooper screamed the song, Happy Birthday, to Mason about 471 times. And to recap all that he can do right now:


1. He has 3 ½ teeth. Since the breakthrough of tooth no. 4 there’s been much grinding and gnashing. It’s gross.
2. He won’t be getting immunizations tomorrow, as planned, on account of a runny nose.
3. I think he’s saying “see” and “ick”. I do know he points at stuff then looks at us and utters something that sounds like “see.”
4. Current favorite book is, “Funny Face.” A sweet tale that has illustrations of various faces a baby could make from naughty to mad to happy. At the end there is a mirror. Mason always kisses his reflection about seven times before we read the book over, again.
5. Still loves to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider and wave good bye.
6. He’s fascinated by bowls and cups. Likes to put things in and take things out. Will even pick up individual crackers or cheerios that he’s spilled out of a cup and put them back in the cup for a second before popping them in his mouth.
7. Laughs when he toots. (Hey, it’s gross but he’s a boy and I expect that it will get worse before it gets better.)
8. Loves playing peek-a-boo and his version of hide-and-seek.
9. We can’t keep him off the stairs. Really loves climbing up, not so sure how to turn around to come down once he’s at the top. But if you stop him in the middle he will back down the steps like a pro.
10. Drives trucks, trains, cars, motorcycles and anything with wheels everywhere. He drives them up the pillars, the walls, along the baseboards, etc. etc. etc.

10 Random Facts About Me

Saved from coming up with something for today's post! I've been tagged. Here are 10 entirely random facts about me. I'm not going to tag anyone specifically... but if you're reading and you live in Utah or London... you're tagged. Will give you something to practice posting to your blog.

10. I try too hard to sound smarter than I am.
9. I can categorically say that I have no close friends from elementary school and junior high. I moved a lot and didn’t really invest in anyone until high school and college. I will forever regret it and it shapes nearly every decision I make as an adult, including but certainly not limited to the home I live in and the children I introduce my children to.
8. I feel immense worry when I can see someone in a crowd who is clearly embarrassed, uncomfortable, or feeling out of place. In any group setting .– be it classrooms, mass transit trains, the mall bathroom -- I always try to strike up conversation with those around me and to make sure everyone feels like they have at least one person to talk to. This excludes family functions. For some reason I figure my fam can fend for themselves.
7. I love pink. I didn’t until about 3 years ago. Until then you could pretty much categorize it as my nemesis.
6. Travel is my unrequited love. Sadly, I probably will always feel that I have never been enough places, nor seen enough things. When I travel – even when it’s somewhere as banal as Idaho Falls – I fall desperately in love with the surroundings and try to look and see as much as possible. Then I come home and talk about the trip WAY too much, much to the chagrin of my adoring husband and friends.
5. Hate homework, love to teach. Don’t know how I’ll get there, but I truly feel that I’ll someday find my way to formal teaching. Until then, my poor kids have to tolerate me and my arts and crafts moments.
4. On a daily basis I tell my husband, children, and anyone else who will listen (sometimes I just tell myself) that I love the flowers and vines hanging on my porch. They are my Summer 2007 greatest achievement.
3. It’s my life’s dream to single-handedly resurrect the French braid from the universal fashion faux-pas list. It was just so damn useful. Also rooted in my afternoons pretending that I was “Half-Pint” from Little House on the Prairie.
2. Every word in every journal I wrote in – until the age of 19 – was absolutely fabricated. Budding novelist or pathological liar? You decide.
1. I am eternally grateful for my sisters-in-law.

Well, that's it. Do you feel informed? I'll be checking your blogs to see if you divulge as much about yourselves.

Plastic Pumpkins

Are my neighbors trying to tell me something? Perhaps that it's high time to take down the 4th of July decorations?

Our sweet neighbor gave us two plastic pumpkins today. I'm sure her only motivation is kindness. But I can't ignore the fact that our door decorations are screaming, "You're living in denial! Summer is over."

PS--- potty training was mildly successful today. I let Coop pick out new underpants at Target today.
Ironically enough, he was wearing a pair of underpants. When we ran into one of his schoolmates it was the first bit of news he blurted out. Accompanied by pointing to his butt.

Cereal Killer

Funny story.
Mason loves cold cereal. Cheerios to All-Bran, the boy will eat it up. We’ve tried to keep the sugar-coated stuff away from him. And chocolate is a big no-no. Well, today he pulled himself within reach of a small bowl of Cocoa Puffs. These are a special treat that I was letting Cooper have for some toilet-training success.


I moved the bowl to the back of the side table that Mason had pulled himself up to. I thought this would distract him and he would forget about the cereal. Then we all started watching Charlotte’s Web and playing with toys. Then I heard a munch-munch at my elbow. I looked back to find that Mason had decided he wanted those Cocoa Puffs and had actually crawled a great distance to get to them.


He had gone to the other side of the sectional sofa, crawled behind it, then shimmied his way along the back of the L-shaped sofa all the way to the side that I had placed the Cocoa puffs on. Then pulled himself up and, “Voila!” Smarty pants.


I let him have a few, just for his clever resolve.


photo note:
Don't mind the mess... Steve's out of town and it gets a little crazy right before bed (two against one and all), but I really wanted you to see how far Mason had to crawl to get these things. See him hiding on the right? He crawled to the pillar on the left to get behind the sofa.