Where to start?

When I have a post with lots of randomness, I never know what to call it or where to begin.

I thought I would share some random favorites. First of all...the sandwich Jake asks for almost daily. This is the sandwich he wants in his lunch on school days. I offer other things, but he always wants a "circle sandwich".
I bought this great Pampered Chef sandwich sealer years ago for Kate. We use Arnold's wheat bread (no high fructose corn syrup), Jif peanut butter, and Smucker's all natural grape jelly.

Jake insists on helping with each sandwich. I just love the look on his face in the above shots and in the one below, too. He's so cute...I can't stand it!

I paid close attention when I spent time helping in his classroom last week. I thought it was a great idea that the teachers let the kids pour their own drinks. I thought I would start at home, too. We are also moving away from sippy cups. Ours are getting so old and starting to leak, so I thought this was a great time to start moving to a cup.

If you come by our house at around 4:30pm, Jake will offer you an "appletizer".  He eats his veggies while Mommy is working on dinner. He loves to dip the veggies in "white ketchup". Don't tell him it's really ranch dressing!

Sometimes Mommy has to break out her favorite appletizer, too.

We picked Izzy up from school today. We had a great day because I reminded Jake and Izzy that Santa was watching. They played well together..they shared toys without too many battles. Because they played so well, I was able to knock out some baking and get some cookies in the freezer.  Izzy asked if they could crack the eggs. I almost said no, but then I remembered that I'm laid back now that I'm an older boy mom. ;)  Izzy took her time and just got one little piece of shell in the bowl.

I reached for a paper towel for her fingers and before I could lift my camera again, Jake did this.

He makes me laugh.
I use pasteurized eggs, so they both get a spoonful of the good stuff.

As I am sitting here typing this, we just heard on the news that there is a fire in a cafeteria at Kate's school. It's in the building right next to hers. I do know she's in her building and not there because I just got off the phone with her. Say a prayer that it is small and everyone is ok.

Baby Charlie

I went to Charlie's house to take some pictures. This was the first time I've taken a light along on a home shoot. It was awesome!!!  I loved being able to shoot anywhere and not worry about getting enough light through a nearby window. I am flipping over the results. Just look at this hunk of love!!

"Enough already, Gigi!!!"

I took some family shots and shots with his big brother, Thomas. I don't want to post those until Mom sends out her Christmas cards. I got into trouble for posting Izzy's Christmas card possibilities here. I won't make that mistake again!! 

As a mom of a boy, I can totally relate to this shot! I'm fairly certain this isn't going on the Christmas card!

Remember the Advent wreath...

Well...it is no more. Jake has managed to destroy it in less than one week. The candles were the problem. He couldn't resist taking them out to play with them.  I found them this evening.

I can't tell you how much this boy makes us laugh. Kate says that our house must have been very boring before Jake...and very quiet. He has brought so much joy.

Kate joined us for dinner tonight. As we were saying goodbye, I reminded her to drive carefully like I always do. Jake said, "Don't hit any trash cans."  The one time she did will probably be ingrained in his memory forever. He witnessed it, and he will not let her forget it.

I must apologize to any neighbors who might have been driving by at around 4pm today. That was my naked son standing on his window sills to pull down his shades. I am sorry for the flash. ;)  When I walked into his room, I asked him how his shades got closed. He said, "Don't worry about it." 

I'll be back with pictures of adorable baby Charlie tomorrow!

Making Christmas Memories...

I spent some time in both Izzy and Jake's classrooms this week working on Advent Wreaths. Jake was very excited that they included candles.

He was having a not looking at the camera day.

We started one of our big Christmas traditions on December 1. Both kids always get a chocolate Advent calendar. I sent one to Kate in a care package, and Jake enjoyed his first bite. I wanted him to savor it for the shot, but by the time I got the camera he was finished.

Izzy spent 3 days with us this week. I brought out the Fisher Price manger and Santa for the kids and was pleasantly surprised by how much time they spent playing together without conflict.

Guess what I found at Trader Joe's?

I picked up two for Jake and Izzy. I cracked up when I first put the gingerbread men down in front of them.

Gingerbread definitely has a strong and unique aroma.

I lost track of how much candy they consumed during this little project. Let's just say it was a lot.

I started out as the icing squeezer, but we found out soon enough that they both could manage the handy bag of icing that came with each gingerbread man.

Jake wouldn't wear this button at Disney in June when it was given to him. He chose to wear it today instead. Go figure.

Fun stuff...

Today's post is for my husband's benefit. I thought he might like some ideas. These are things that I am loving right now.

iPad

Hope in a Jar - Oprah edition

Inner Grace

I think I want these boots.

Ok...enough about me. I just thought it would be fun to have a record of what I was loving in 2010. 

I'm putting together a book of all of my blog posts so far. I really wish I had done something like this when Kate was little. I have scrapbooks for her but having the blog is so much more thorough. My Project 365 book is also coming together. After 2 years of Project 365, I'm taking a year off. Next year I'm using the blog exclusively and printing it again. I think it will be so much easier than what I'm doing now. I have a book going at Shutterfly with pictures and layouts, a Project 365 book, and the blog. Consolidating the 3 should make life simpler. 

I took pictures of Izzy for Em's Christmas card last night. It wasn't the best timing. The kids were tired and so was I after taking care of them all day. I did get a few cute shots, and the card is done.

Remember when I told you about the pretty girl at school named Chelsea? I saw her mom today at a preschool event and got permission to post her picture here. This was another one of my preschool shots. Now you can see exactly why my son is smitten.  She's adorable!

When she came in the room this morning, Jake pointed to her and said, "Mom...look!"

Ok...time to wrap presents. Night!