Christmas pics

Last night we went out to dinner. Here is Lily on her way out the door.

Here is Lily at dinner with Daddy. Note the addition of the "Christmas Elmo."

And here is Lily with Christmas morning present #1. A wood and magnet shapes book that was very very popular.

Here is Lily modeling a selection of the presents from Lulu and Mackie. Note that this big girl can put her own socks on.

This was the present from Dana, Lily's daycare provider. Daddy drew the elmo, just so you know. But Lily drew the circles. Lily has gone for a nap now, taking with her one of her many new picture books. I'll let you know how the rest of the day goes.

Secrets (No Knitting Content)

Just to be clear, I feel I should state my policy on secrets. There was a scene on sports night once, where the boss was mad because something he had told lady A (played by the then unknown felicity huffman) had gotten around the office. Lady A defended herself by saying that she had only told her assistant, Lady B. Lady B defended herself by saying that she had only told her boyfriend (played by the dreamy... wait, let me imdb him... wait, is it weird that I find him dreamy? But he plays smart so well. And funny! Joshua Malina, that's his name. Been in tons of stuff. Know him anywhere, just obviously not by name). The boyfriend said "I told many, many people." Let's just say I fall into that last category. Any information that you impart to me that is in any way significant, I will immediately impart to the pants, and definitely Lily, and probably the daycare lady. Discretion, not really one of my better parts. Now that I think on it, not actually one of my parts. Just wanted to clear that up.

Have I told you all of Lily's new habit when going to bed? Instead of sleeping with a stuffed animal, we leave the hall light on for her and she looks through picture books until she falls asleep. And then we creep in and put the books on the chair. Very sweet, very cute.

The Christmas Crush

Usually I am the most on top of Christmas person ever. At least I feel that way. Months before hand I have ideas on what to get and make for people and am ready for the Christmas season in style. This year has really seemed like a lot of work. It is my first Christmas with a two year old, and my first Christmas dealing with the shipping window, and my first christmas with allergies. How did I grow up in the South without allergies, only to move to the desert and have allergy problems in freaking December? Clearly, I need some botany lessons. And some cookies. Having missed today at work due to the aforementioned allergies, I have also thus far abstained from the making of the traditional Christmas cookies for the obligatory office cookie exchange, as I did not think anyone needed my special brand of contagion flaked surprise. The pants has run out even now to buy a sufficient quantity of the latest in cookie technology, where you place the little blocks on the cookie sheet and voila, cookies. But, he has been instructed, not to buy the pre-shaped cookies that allow you to ice chocolate chip cookies. We are not totally licentious sybarites. We have some traditional values. This IS a weird Christmas, though. Friday we're driving up to Las Vegas again to see Jeremy's brother and have a pretty quiet and small Christmas. Then I have the week after Christmas off, so I foresee lots of trips to the park, and maybe a few judicious trips to the movies, while certain daycare services are partaken of... No doubt about it, Best Christmas Ever!

Picture Heavy - Christmas Knitting - Don't Tell Amy!

First of all, here is the christmas tree photo I promised last time. The "star" is a bow, the ornaments are cardstock gift tags and the two garlands were in the dollar bin. And, the best part is, it won't break if Lily gets a hold of it.

Let's see, been doing lots of christmas knitting, and a little christmas shopping. I finished my first knitted stuffed animal! And it looks... okay! If nothing like the photo with the pattern. I do not blame the pattern designer. I used totally different needles and yarn, and my bunny still turned out recognizably (insert proper bunny adjective here). No more delay, here's the bunny, who is destined for lily, who will not in the near future scoff at my nascent bunny face embroidering skills. Here are the results of my christmas shopping. The sign at JoAnn said they were 50% off, but they were not, but they were plastic and glittery and I had to make them mine... Note the progression with the tiny fingers at the bottom of the picture.

and then...

Don't worry, anybody. She didn't get far. Also, note my favorite christmas ornament ever there at the top of the frame. It's pink, it's felt, it has rhinestones and it cost a dollar!

My only other Christmas knitting finished object is also a stuffed animal, though a rather unusual one. It's for my sister in law Amy who is a nurse practitioner. Hopefully she will recognize it, and also, not think it is too weird. Everybody at work thought the knitted digestive system was weird. (Just in case you follow that link, be sure to also check out the crafty section as her pirate gansey is not to be missed.) This little softie below also needs a name.

Jeremy has just about finished up school and we are, relatively speaking, winding down for the year. We don't have any big plans to go anywhere for a change (though we always welcome visitors). Just be warned. If you don't give me a Christmas list, I'm knitting you whatever I feel like. So if you don't want the knitted digestive tract (wouldn't it make the COOLEST science fair project?) you better let me know something in a jiffy. And here is one last photo to memorialize a good day we had when Lily's auntie Genny came to visit and we went shoe shopping. Here is Lily afterwards.

I'll sign off with a hearty Happy Holidays! it's fun, and it ticks off Bill O'Reilly! Tell everyone.

Pictures Coming Soon

Finally got my goodies from knitpicks. They were awesome as promised, but just so you know the extra speedy shipping would be SO worth it. What with the move and everything that's been going on lately, I started my christmas knitting, last week. But I only have to have one pair of socks finished by christmas. the other two projects can be mailed any old time. Tonight at target I discovered the most awesome product. They're batman shoe charms and they're 6 for 2.99 and they make really awesome stitchmarkers! who doesn't want a little more batman in their knitting? I don't know where in the store they keep them. I found mine discarded by the checkout aisle. I also finally sent out the christmas lists for the family and am slowly getting back in the christmas lists for the family. We're really anal about it in my family. We got our first family christmas tree today! Decorations and all for under $20. I'll tell you my secrets when we post pictures. And just as a hint for anybody wrapping presents for my daughter. You know those falls of curly ribbon? She is fascinated by them. What else? My plan for yarn from work seems to be going well. More on that later.