A List of 10.

Hi Friends!

 A couple random thoughts about the last couple days in my holiday jumbled brain:

1. This text from my Dad about my cat's recovery (He had to have some teeth pulled at the vet- poor old man Bons!) I'm still cracking up over it.

2. Sunday, the day I found EVERYTHING I wanted at the Rack. Literally. I have been looking for one of those green (or blue) parkas everyone and their Mom is wearing right now--I found a BCBG version at the Rack for cheap and it fit like a glove. I couldn't help myself. Then, I remembered this thing I just watched on the news about how on many occasions 'faux fur' is actually real fur (because sometimes it's cheaper to get low grade fur than fake fur)... which I just can't do in any circumstance. Even when it's a Raccoon Dog (That's real- that's a real animal they get that weird raccoon looking parka fur from). I can just imagine my hood coming from road kill or something- which is just awful. So I had to check and as I was scouring the tag I was praying "please for the LOVE OF GOD let this NOT come from a RACCOON DOG!" and thankfully it didn't (100% faux fur-no animal pelts here!) and I got my super-cheap-BCBG parka and left with a huge smile. Epic day of Rack finds!

3. Breakfast at The Fat Hen in Greenwood with B. The wait sucked terribly. I whined all about how I never have to wait on the Eastside (which isn't remotely true) and then we ate and it was all worth it- especially this mocha! (speaking of mochas- anyone cutting caffeine at a NY's resolution? I am (just my 2nd cup) and I'm already desperately grieving about it. Such drama going on over here)

4. Xmas Eve TOMORROW- CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! (Ok, I can- I mean just get here already Christmas-- it took it's good sweet time this year...but really, we're SO THRILLED over here!)

5. This pic I snapchatted yesterday. My kid is channelling Harry P (and she looks so much like me here it gives me goosebumps :)

6. Running to drop off B's package at UPS with Isla in a f'ing downpour today. FULL ON MONSOON....and then coming home to have him tell me it could have gone out tomorrow. Really great.

7. She will not stop eating her toes. Her feet are always soaked in slobber. Is this a stage?

8. The $4 snowman balloon that saved my patience with Isla at QFC. Thank you expensive little trinket- you were a lifesaver.

9. Isla yelling "YIPPEEEEE" every time she hears Rudolph because she hasn't quite timed the lyrics right yet ( you know the part?..." and they shouted out with glee--YIPPEE!") I would love to post a video here of her and I singing but she was in the tub and the kid's a bit of an exhibitionist. (She doesn't get that from me! :)

10. My kid won't stop touching the damned snow globes. Kills me. She will ask for my help if I'm close but as soon as I take a step out of reach she snags one. Making me nuts! 3 days and those are getting packed up!

Have a very happy holiday! Love and warm wishes to you and your families :) 

xo. 

S

Text for Help.

Hi Friends! 

So yesterday I caught Isla trying to send this text to one of my relatives. I saved it because it pretty much relays my exact feelings about this holiday: 

Excited. 

Festive. 

Terrified/Exhausted.

I am not quite sure if I feel this way every year during the holidays or if this year I'm just particularly tired but honestly, HONESTLY I am SO freaking tired! I know that I over-extend myself during the holidays, it's just part of my playbook. I could have my shopping done in September, cards out in October and Isla's Santa pic done 12/1 and I would still find a way to be stressed out and running a million places the week before Christmas....which has been my life this week. 

I literally have spent the last 5 days searching for last minute gifts, stressing about packages getting in the mail and black Friday online presents arriving, checking that I didn't miss anyone on our list, planning meals and 'day-of' schedules, harassing my child with Santa (see photo below) and going to bed a shell of the woman I woke up as. I need to sleep for 3.days.straight and only get up to pee. That's seriously what I need. Or Hawaii, Napili Beach with my buns in the sand and Isla in a little bikini. Just please. 

I hope you all are having a stress-free holiday. Happy last-minute Christmas Shopping! 

xoxo. 

S

A little something to kick-off your weekend. I'm obviously a terrible Mother for keeping this photo--but one day she'll appreciate it. 

On my brain

1. I have been sucked into the mind-draining-soul-sucking world that is creating yearly albums for Christmas gifts. My entire week was spent sorting through 3 years of photos to put together 5 family albums and a yearbook (in lieu of scrapbooks). Omg, I feel my mind melting. #damnyouBlurb

2. My kid stringing words together like the latest confirmation that she actually does listen to me, "Mama, butt, sick"-- "well yes Isla, I did say if you put your hands in your poopy diaper you would get sick" (Because that sh*t's just true- pun intended!)

3. Wine. RED. Wine. (and to the conversation we had last weekend about if you consider yourself a seasonal wine drinker (i.e.: white in the Summer and red in the Winter--not only drinking in the Winter, that's just pure crazy talk. )

4. It's almost Christmas and I was almost hit no less than 4 times in the Costco parking lot on Tuesday because everyone's in such a damn hurry. Seriously people?! Get a spiked eggnog and chill the eff out.

5. The Elmo Christmas CD that plays endlessly in my car- thank god I love Christmas music or I'd literally poke my eyes out. That said, if I have to listen to Elmo Saves Christmas one more time, I'm going to unleash my Grinch.

6. That feeling you get when you find the PERFECT unexpected gift for someone. I LOVE that feeling! (and I can't wait for her to open it!)

7. Our impromptu girls weekend last weekend- next time all we need is to be snowed in with Cafe Rio delivery! :)

8. Parenthood--god I love that show, but if I talk to B about the characters like they are real one more time he's literally going to commit me. It's a bit crazy, even in my own book. (But Julia and Joel--SERIOUSLY GET IT TOGETHER!)

9. Our family day tomorrow--full of festivities! In the words of Isla "LIGHTS!" (although she has the same excitement for the street sweeper to which she screams "STREESEEEEEP" from her crib until we pull her out to see it)

10. My Friend's 2.5 year old who went up to her Dad and informed him she "sh*t her pants today"-- in those exact words. I watch the video over and over--- it cracks me up and makes me feel like an exemplary Parent all at once. Thanks for that! :) (although I should mention I thought Isla dropped the big-dirty-F-bomb today but she really just said FORK 400 times until I got it and the nervous sweats subsided (i.e.: just give it time- eek!)

Happy Weekend everyone :)
S

Weekend

Hi Friends--

I hope you all had an amazing Winter weekend! I recharged my 'mom batteries' with these lovely ladies this weekend and I'm reflecting tonight on how incredibly grateful I am to have them. There's so much to say about all the ways I appreciate them and everything behind and in front of us but I think I'll just say...when I know I need to recharge they provide so much humor, advice, support and pure love it makes my heart happy. So blessed by you lovelies--xoxo.

PS- Extra thanks to my Hubby for taking on Isla all weekend after a crazy week at work. Thanks babe :) xo. 

An unfortunate holiday eye-opener.

Hi Friends!

I had a startling realization tonight.

I have turned into my Mother (insert scared emoji here!)

... well on the holiday front at least :) And the worst part is that it's all due to one of those trinkety holiday 'villages.' Last year during the holidays Isla loved the village at my Grandparents house so they offered it to me and I took them up on it in the name of Isla's happiness (of course).

This year I put the houses out to see if she was into it and of course....she was. So....what's a Mom to do but go buy the sheet of "snow" (that I'm sure was repackaged from a quilting store because it looks exactly like the crap they pack into pillows or back on quilts) and a host of fake accessories (hence the tiny Douglas Firs and gleeful children sledding). Full confession coming..... I had a FREAKIN BALL setting this thing up tonight.

(pause for awkward silence)

All of this just hit a bit too close to the childhood memory of my Mom having one of these holiday villages with the big houses and an actual skating pond where the skaters moved around. During the holidays it took up two shelves in our family room and everything was thoroughly laid out....the train station had to have the figurines hugging 'good-bye' in front because it just wouldn't make sense if they were hugging in front of say, the post office. No brainer when it comes to village assembling common sense.

Needless to say, Isla's thrilled by our tiny village and I may have caught the 'bug.' Please someone- get me some spiked eggnog or something.

A holiday highlight

Hi Friends- 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Here is our highlight in photos! 

4 champagne mimosas for Bazemore-Bene-Brunch and one little sip cup :) 

 This little holiday turkey--and that holiday outfit. (Insert heart eyes emoji here!)

 B let Isla pick her own outfit on Saturday and she pretty much looked like a rodeo clown. yikes! 

 Our 'snow day' at the Pass with this little snow-bunny! So FUN!

A perfect 30th Birthday celebrating my Sis, Erin. Love you ladies! 

 One local tree lighting with a perfect sunset. 

 Isla and her Santa in their own little rockers- She loves nothing more than doing the waltz with that poor Santa stuffie. It's an eye-opener I'll say that much. 

 Isla getting acquainted with Santa's sleigh and jingle bells at the mall on Cyber Monday- she's a natural. 

Isla hogging the obscenely bright Little Tikes car at the mall. (I swear they make them that color so you don't lose your kid or it's subliminal messaging to head to McDonald's- quarter pounder at 9am anyone?! (blugh!!)

 and last but not least....a frigid afternoon walk that was all the better because of this little lady and her perfect-toothy grin (and a whole lot of sunshine!) 

xo-

S

A holiday session

Hi Friends!

I can't post this session on my Facebook page yet since it's a present for the Client's Parent but she ok'd me putting it up on my blog. Even though I closed down my season two weeks ago when my Friend, Janae requested a favor for a mini 'tree farm holiday session' I couldn't resist. I've known that little lady, Brooklyn since I did her newborn pictures in the NICU and she has stolen a little place in my heart :) She's a doll! This one inspired me for next year! Anyone up for tree farm mini sessions with the kiddos for 2015? :)

 I just want to put a quote bubble over her head that says 'these are my people'-- I love that she's holding her Mama's hand- that was all her doing! 

 This kid KILLS me. The Grandparents are going to love this one in a holiday frame-- :) 

and as I always say....outtakes are always my favorite session surprises! These were all post session-- she's such a little beauty :)