Blog Contest

I'm running a contest for some of my photography clients over on my other blog.  If you have a second to cast your vote, that would be wonderful!  Just follow this link: http://alyssaannephotography.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-favorites-contest.html and play the judge for a minute.

Thanks!

Mommy Driving School

I've been hearing the National Safety Council is trying to push a law that bans using cell phones while driving.  A local radio station was asking listeners to weigh in on the subject, and a man called in with this brief response that cracked me up:

"If they're going to ban cell phones, then they need to ban children under the age of 5 as well.  My son has caused more distraction to my driving than my cell phone ever could."  

This reminded me of an idea I had awhile back: Mommy Driving School.  Why do we send 16-year-olds to driving school before we put them behind the wheel, and do nothing for women who are about to have to drive while bottle feeding?  I'm a six year veteran of mommy driving and there are still times I'd like to throw up my hands and call a cab!

So here's how Mommy Driving School might look.  For starters, students would be taken out driving in a minivan, to get them used to the idea of no longer being cool, with a big "Mommy Driver Vehicle" sign on the top for fair warning to the other drivers.  You would need more than just an instructor in the car. To take the place of the children, actors or simulators in the back would be a necessity, preferably ones who could whine loudly.  Suggested material to cover would be:

-Answering Complex Questions in a Traffic Jam

-Singing Loudly & Obnoxiously Enough To Keep Your Toddler From Napping Until You Arrive Home

-Breaking Up Fights in the Back Bench Without Ever Taking Your Hands Off the Wheel

-Rapidly Locating the Nearest Potty Stop in a New Part of Town

-Successfully Tossing a Kleenex Two Rows Back to the Kid With Snot Hanging Past His Chin (harder than it sounds)

-Navigating Your Way to a New Destination with Continuous Rounds of "When Will We Be There?!?" in the Background

-Serving Lunch or Snacks Without Taking Your Eyes Off the Road

-Contorting Your Arm Backward to Retrieve the Fallen Pacifier 

-Merging Onto a Major Highway While Listening to: "He's Looking Out MY Window!!"

Students who pass the class would be given the "Mommy Driver Vehicle" sign instead of a certificate so that the other drivers would have more patience with these slow-to-notice-the-green-light drivers. Or maybe, other drivers could just be on the lookout for the uncool minivans; because inside them are ladies ready to pull out their hair and having the most wonderful adventure of their life, all at the same time.

Holiday Vacation

We've been enjoying an extended stay at my parent's home. We have had a wonderfully relaxing time. We have munched on homemade cinnamon raisin bread each morning, and eaten homemade Peppermint Patties, Almond Joys, or fudge whenever the urge hits. We've made new memories with a "girls day out" in Old Town Alexandria, and have been enjoying a Helms-size dosage of games.
My brothers and sisters got a Wii for Christmas and my boys are now little Wii pros. Isaiah will proudly tell you how he knocked out both Grammy and Papa in Wii boxing. And Elijah would chime in with the story of how he beat his uncle in Wii bowling with "4 spares and 4 stripes". Personally I feel like a wimp since the Wii has destroyed me; my body hasn't been this sore since I exited the sport of gymnastics. Adriana in the meantime has been playing with her new pink refrigerator and kitchen accessories while sporting some sparkly, Dorthy-like red shoes.

I'm munching homemade carmel corn as I write and being told to hurry downstairs to watch one of the dvd's that Steven received....ah, vacation...

Merry Christmas 2008

This afternoon, we decorated Christmas cookies at my parents.  The kids were very into the project, and it was especially fun to watch Adriana get into it for the first time.  Being the brilliant mommy that I am, I forgot my camera!

I'm taking a blog break until after Christmas so a very Merry Christmas from our family yours. May you find fresh joy as we celebrate the miracle of God becoming man to pay the punishment for our sins so that we could be adopted as sons and heirs.

Little Chef

After receiving mini pots and pans and a whole chef's get-up from her grandparents, Adriana has been enjoying her kitchen more then ever. She scurries around acting like she's in a rush to get dinner on the table (monkey see, monkey do!), then brings me "coffee" in a polka dotted tea cup. I also had no idea that you could make cookies in a metal pot, but she's teaching me how.

Christmas- Michigan Style

My mother-in-law knitted scarfs for each of the girls in the family, even the little girls:

Grandpa, Grandma, and the grandkids:

The boys sporting one of their favorite gifts:

And of course Steven couldn't resist:

The Tree

Christmas is all over our home now. I chuckled yesterday as I heard Adriana singing "Feliz Davi-dad".

Maternity Shoot

I'm so excited about my first nephew that's due to arrive in about a month. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to take some maternity shots for my sister.
If you're interested you can check them out here: http://alyssaannephotography.blogspot.com/2008/12/c-maternity.html
Now I'm looking forward to a special newborn photo shoot!

Sunday School

Even after my kids are potty trained, I'm always nervous about an accident when we're out and about. Diapers remain mandatory while on the go for a little while after they're potty trained. But a few months back we decided that Adriana ready ready to be diaper-less at all waking moments.
I still worry a bit that I'll see my number flashed at church with a message waiting for me to go clean up the puddle in room 2B. So the other Sunday before church, I gave the pep talk,
"Okay, Adriana, now Momma will take you to the potty when we get to church and when I pick you up from Sunday School. But if you need to go while you're in Sunday School, who do you tell?"
She quickly answered, "Jesus!"

Thanksgiving Day

Watching the Macy's Parade...she was kicking her legs along with the Rockettes:

Waiting for turkey:

The whole crowd: