Snow Day

So we got more snow today. Actually it came last night, which, after a day of full on rain, made for an interesting trip home. I couldn't get the car up to the house -- couldn't make it up the driveway and couldn't make it up the "backway" either. Too steep, too muddy, and I was afraid I'd destroy the engine trying to power it up (wheels spinning and skidding) the hill. So I had to ditch the car at the bottom of the hill and hike up with Parker in my arms and my computer on my back in the snow and through the slushy mud. Fun. The last time I had to tromp up the hill, though, it was raining which causes the freaky frogs (yes, frogs!) to come out. So I guess it was a tad better.

That said, I figured I'd stay home the next day. That gave us a chance to play in the snow while it lasted...for a little while, at least...I mean, it's cold! We played fetch with Frankie, of course. Parker ate snow. And we made a tiny snow bear. (Anything bigger would have taken too long with Parker's hunger for snowmen. Plus, did I mention it was cold!)

I WON'T Grow Up!

So I got these costumes from a sample sale at work around Halloween. But since we already had a costume purchased for Parker...you remember the fireman...well, it just seemed to make sense to save it for another day. And today was just that day.

Parker's been watching the DVD so he's very familiar with Peter. And the costume just went over like gangbusters. Especially the fact that it came with a knife. He wore the costume all day long and forced Chris and I to engage in sword/knife fights all day long. A little tiring but fun nonetheless.

Mr. Fix It

Mr. Fix It,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

''And remember, there is no more important safety tip than to wear this (points at glasses), your safety glasses.''
--Norm Abrams

Parker proudly shows of his new tool bench. Of course the safety goggles highlight a recent run in Parker has with the playground asphalt. But, as expected, he's A-OK.

First Snow of 2008

The first snow of 2008! Of course it started late Sunday night and by Monday morning, much of it had melted away. So much for a snow day preventing me from going to work. Of course, if I didn't go to work I'd miss the freaky skies over Parker's daycare. It's a bit hard to see in this picture (god forbid I actually stop the car to get the shot) but the clouds that hung low in the sky were this unreal blue.

2007, A Look Back

Rather than reflect on where I failed on my 2007 resolutions (my scale makes things quite clear for me, thank you) I figured I'd look back on a year of blogging and point out a few highlights:

• No More High Chair: Marks a transition to big boy eating. Plus, I love these shots of Parker eating cereal.
• The Birthday Fun Continues: One of the funniest things about Parker's 2nd birthday was watching him react to the Tickle Me Elmo that Ravi got him. The emotions ranged from distrust and intrigue and that was just from Frankie. I have to admit, there were a few tears shed by Parker...but (and here's cruel Mommy talking) it was pretty funny.
• The Puzzler: I'm always amazed when Parker demonstrates a new skill. I always think he's too young to do this or that and he always loves to prove me wrong.
• Susie's Shower: Not only does this mark Parker's first airplane ride but I love the shot I caught of Parker in the park as he looks at me through the urban xylophone.
• Nap Time: Another classic Parker shot.
• Bye Cookie!: Once again, you think they're too young to give each other nicknames and yet here are Parker's classmates calling him ''Cookie''. Why? Who knows but it's still funny to this day.
• Spaceship: This could quite possibly mark the start of his spaceship obsession.
• Tahoe 2007: With all said and done, I guess I have to end with the Abominable Cannibal.

BTW, looking back on the year I have noticed that my entries have become fewier as the years go on so I guess one resolution I should make is to blog more often...at least beat last year's number of 86 entries. (1 down, 86 more to go.)

it's not what you think...

it's not what you think...,
originally uploaded by juanita.

For all you fans of True Romance (and Brad Pitts inventive use of a Honey Bear bottle), I couldn't resist posting this gem that my sister took while we were at Tahoe. This just goes to show you. You've got to keep an eye on the kid when he's hanging out with his San Franciscan cousins.

Tahoe 2007

So he we are, back in Tahoe for the holidays. When we arrived, there wasn't much new snow -- which made for a great drive there (no white out conditions on a crowded, slick roadway) and lame snowman making conditions. The snow was just too drive and had the consistency of sugar. So instead of making snowpeople, we ended up making snocanos. The condo did have a sled in the garage so the girls took that out for a test drive. Nice! Parker, however, was too busy eating snow to bother sledding. Excuse me. What we call "eating snow" is what Parker called "eating snowman". Hmmmm. That just doesn't sound too civilized.

The grandparents were with us (my mom and Chris' parents) and the graciously offered to watch the kids, which gave the parents a chance to hit the slopes. Now I've had more miserable days on the slopes but this trying it's best to get there. It was cold, windy, and icy. As I mention earlier, no new snow so each fall potentially could end your day...and that was just on the bunny slope. However, after the men folk took off for larger, steeper slides, my sis and I proved that we're tuff enuf and went up (and down) a few more times. Joanie even took the hill solo! Like any good snowbunny, though, we ended the day in the bar soothing our bumps and warming our toes with hot toddies.

What a difference a day makes! Sunny. Bright. We all headed up the mountain, this time so the kids could get some sledding in. The snow...much better than the stuff outside the condo...taste wise (because, of course Parker had to again "eat snowman") and building wise, allowing the kids to work on a better snowman.

Of course, we did spend all day making snowmen. The kids had real business to tend to...SLEDDING! Parker, however, was having none of it. Oh well. The girls, however, did awesome. Forward and backward, they kicked butt! And what did Parker do while the girls were tripping the ice fantastic? Nap on Daddy's stomach. Cozy huh?

Christmas 2007

Let the Christmas festivities begin!


On the Saturday before, we headed over to Thommy & Geoffrey's place for a delicious holiday brunch, brought to us by the other Chef-Boy-Ardee in my life...Geof. Parker also got to check out Thommy's Christmas Express that circled their tree. And we opened gifts, of course. Chris got the ''The Dangerous Book for Boys'' and Geof and Thommy got the equally ''dangerous'' ''Space Academy, The Complete Series'' and ''Beverly Hills 90210, Season 2'', respectively.


The next day, the party moved to Tehachapi. Unfortunately, not all of the Trillos has arrived yet but, since we were heading up north the next day, the kids got to open some of their presents...TWO DAYS EARLY! WEEE! Parker opened a Hot Wheels race track set and didn't open the box as he discovered that running your car over the picture of the track was just as fun. (No worries, he would find out the truth when we finally assembled the track a couple of days later in Tahoe.)


On Christmas Eve, we made our way to the Bay Area, first stopping as my sister Susie's place so even more cousins could collide. The newest one, Susie's little baby, Brian, brought the number to a round six. Of course, getting all six in one picture proved to be tricky. In the end, the best I could get was one which featured half of Parker's face, right up front on the left. You can't even see Jason's face...but, they're all in the picture so that's got to count for something.

By the way, regarding the huge Hot Wheels bandage on Parker's head, have no fear, he didn't injure himself. He was just feeling a bit grumpy on the way up (it's a lot of traveling even for big kids like me and Chris) so I slapped an obnoxious bandage on his forehead. He loved it. But that meant I couldn't remove it for the rest of the night.



Christmas morning...FINALLY! Luxi was up first to check out all that Santa has left for them. Begrudgingly, Niko and Parker woke up (with encouragement from Joanie). But once all the kids woke up, it became a madhouse. Thank goodness we were at Joanie's. There was chocolate to be had, tea parties, doll play, gun play, and of course a bunch of absolutely loud drumming. Holy crap! Parker loved it. And again, thank goodness we were at Joanie's. What a way to rock out the old year.

That said, WE HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PLEASE NOTE: Chris will kill anyone who buys Parker drums for his birthday.