Almost Too Adorable

One of my favorite finds for Christmas is this set of plates for Erika. These are regular sized usable plates with photos of the most adorable porcelain figures on them. Now if I could only find these porcelain figures somewhere. See http://www.popink.com/ for more kitsch.

Another stellar Christmas. The kids are at the perfect age for Christmas. We gave them a pop quiz on Christmas Eve about the Nativity and they scored nearly 100% and you can bet your bottom dollar that next year they won't forget what type of shrub yields myrhh. Erika fell asleep early, Christian stayed up a little later to leave cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer, and Juliet cried, ate, slept, ate, slept, cried, cried, ate and slept. We were lucky that the kids slept in until 7:00 a.m. before going out to see what Santa had brought them. They were delighted with their booty. Juliet got milk and she could not have been happier. Erika loves her Barbie head. I found the in-laid jewerly table on which it rests on eBay. You open the lid and a Reuge music box plays Arrivederci. We're afraid to leave the head in Erika's room. I wouldn't want to wake up and see that thing staring back at me in the middle of the night. Would you?

A month ago, Christian said Commander Rex from the Clone Wars was his favorite clone. So I bought, masked and painted this helmet in blue with Rex's unique horn markings on the forehead. Then three days before Christmas Christian announced that Commander Cody was his favorite - you know, Cody, with the yellow markings and yellow visor? Well, we can't have everything we want, can we? Christian opened the helmet and was so excited that any thoughts of a Commander Cody helmet vanished. For the purists, a comparison of renderings and computer images of Rex's markings lack continuity. I did my best with this helmet I bought at Target. And for those unfamiliar with AYBABTU, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf9Y--_aY70&feature=related for the original and some of its permutations. See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_your_base_are_belong_to_us

I Spy

Meet our new friend, Elf on the Shelf. http://www.elfontheshelf.com/#/home He sees all, hears all, and takes notes. Each night he flies to the North Pole and reports to Santa whether the kids have been naughty or nice. Then he returns in the morning and finds a new perch to observe the kids. When we first introduced the kids to him they would walk straight into the room with their heads cocked to the left and their saucered-eyes fixated on him. The question "is he really watching me?" clearly dominated their minds. We asked the kids what we should name him. They chose Crumpet. Now Crumpet has become one of their best friends. They walk up to him at least once a day and tell him what they want from Santa. I think he's become a little too chummy with the family, and I suspect he's tapped our phones.

Give The Man A Medal

I don't know who the school's photographer is but he deserves a medal. Mind you, Erika is always beautiful to us but she is constantly pulling faces, pulling her eyes and cheeks down, and sticking out her tongue. She's always dancing, prancing, or slinking around the house too. So its nearly impossible to capture her pretty mug on film. Well, her school photographer has the magic touch. Its not a fluke either. When Christian attended Red Brick the same photographer took a picture of Christian with the most natural pose he's ever struck.

Erika's a comedian too. Her favorite joke? "Knock knock. Who's there? Orange. Orange who? Orange don't like you but banana does, chicken crossed the road hahahahahahah!" Well, she thinks she's funny . . . and we think she's hilarious.

The Remodel

People have been asking how the remodeling is going. Here's The Before. And below is my Photochopped version of The After. Can't afford the real version of Photoshop? Then do as I do - buy a pair of scissors and a stick of glue. With a little care you can't tell the difference between my frugal method and the real Photoshop. I've added to the plans a horse stable on the lower right hand side, and a wedding chapel on the lower left because nothing adds a touch of class like horses, tuxes and wedding gowns.


Actually, the remodel is going very well. We're very pleased with the contractors and the pace is right on schedule. I'll take some photos soon and add them to the blog.

UPDATE: Yesterday Heather ran across the valley and shot a new pic of the construction. Our lair is shaping up nicely. Today they put up the walls and roof for the entry way so even this pic is out of date.

UPDATE: Here's a shot looking southwest. The scaffolding is up now. We hope to have stucco and cedar siding soon.

La Jolla Christmas Parade

It was a little cold and blustery outside this weekend. It threatened to rain but on the coast of San Diego such threats are usually empty. I dragged the kids to the La Jolla Christmas Parade. "Dragged" because Christian and Erika were too cozy in their warm pajamas to be bothered with cold weather. Heather and I pulled clothes over their nearly limp bodies and put shoes on of their floppy feet. I received no assistance from either one as I buckled them into their seats. Their mood improved once we arrived at the parade. The floats, ponies and marchers were all very nice but the most interesting spectacle was in the crowd; a uniquely La Jollan crowd. Nearly everyone had a toy dog under their arm, bling on their fingers and wrists, and large, obnoxious sunglasses on their noses (I should talk). I could have taken some Polaroids of the crowd or the parade but Christian and Erika's mugs are infinitely more pleasing to look at.

TMAG

Heather and I last saw The Morning After Girls in 2006 when they toured with Elefant and BRMC. Their first album was psychedelic gold. Apparently, they're putting the final touches on their next album. You can have a listen for free to one of their new songs at http://www.myspace.com/themorningaftergirls. There first album is posted there too.