What in the world Kelly? I feel this pressure every time I go to blog to come up with something clever in the title. Self-imposed, I know. You ever just randomly pop on someone’s blog and the title is “About my day”….you are bored before you even start reading. Give me a title that is either bizarre or dramatic and I will take the time to read. That is just me and there is always a reason for each title I put. Let me explain this one.
The Acid Trip:
I was trying to buy some time the other night to get the house picked up and I thought I would put Chloe’s play yard IN her crib so it was softer to lay on. She also has this electronic mobile which I have adorned with several other toys and thing to look at. I had her under the play gym, with the mobile on, a mirror on the side, and classical music playing. Ryan asked me if I was trying to make her have a seizure. I just thought it was a buffet to the senses…a holistic play experience… and you know what….Chloe was hooked on my acid trip for 40 minutes….take that Ryan!
The Pickle:
I was at a Dirty Santa party a few nights ago with my girlfriends. One of the gifts was a pickle ornament. Now before you let your minds get all dirty….this is actually a German tradition. You hide the pickle ornament in the tree on Christmas morning and whoever finds it first gets a special present. Ryan and I have been talking about starting some traditions both fun and serious each year that Chloe (and future children) can get excited about and anticipate. I never really had anything, per se, that we did EVERY year. I am of German decent, so I actual “stole” this gift during Dirty Santa so we could start this tradition. I ask you, my readers, do you have any great ideas for kids that are either fun, food, or serious, that you would recommend? We would love some suggestions.
Here is the pickle, in all it’s glory, on our tree this year.
Lastly, the Bear:
This is just one of those mom things. I was changing Chloe a couple nights ago and while she is on her “happy table” I like to torture her by trying things on her when she is the most tolerant. This is also where I get shocked at how big she is getting so fast. Candace had bought this super cute winter hat for her that was huge when I first got it. I decided to pull it out and try it on her and it pretty much fits her now. Of course, I yell for Ryan to go get the camera because I am smitten with how cute she looks…and we DO need more pictures of her! So here she is modeling what will be her 2006/2007 winter hat. Thanks Candace!
There, title explained.
Hey, maybe we are long lost cousins fellow german descendent!! I love the pickle idea…never heard of it before. Alex and I are also trying to think of some memorable traditions…so no help there!
Hey, I love your “acid trip” idea and I’m wondering if it will work for Kaitlin(5 weeks.) I also love the bear hat. Kaitlin has a bunny hat. What is it about dressing babies up as animals that is always so cute!
Here’s a couple of Christmas traditions from my family.
When we were little my mom used to hide actual small wrapped presents in the tree for us to find on Christmas. Since there were 3 of us and we are all girls, it would usually be something like a necklace.
Also every Christmas Eve we would drive around and look at all the Christmas lights. When we got home we would drink hot chocolate and get to open one present which was usually pajamas. I actually got to where I wanted to open my pajamas. I now buy my kids Christmas pajamas and this year my son, Christopher(3), will be old enough to open them for the first time. I’m very excited!
your titles are always amazing!!! the acid trip pictures almost made me spit the water i was drinking. she looks so confused and content…..all at once. ah yes. acid.
and the bear? i mean. i can’t.
When we put out cookies and milk for santa I would tape record the kids asking santa what they hoped he would leave them. I still have some of the tapes with Dan, Ryan, Meri, and Joe (Sam hated to talk into the mic). Ask Ryan about the night the kids went to his friends house to talk to Santa on the short wave radio.
By the way, I liked the part about future children.
Okay is no one going to address the hiding the pickle joke?? Joe? Dan? C’mon!
(Chloe looks adorable in the bear hat - too bad Conner’s noggin’ is so friggin’ big they could’ve matched)
you’re killing me. i love it that you play dress-up with your child when she’s the most tolerant. it’s the little things in life, really.
LOL, thats the first pickle ornament I’ve ever seen!
I think that Chloe has been photographed more than most models. You guys are doing awesome! I love seeing her in all her different outfits and that hat is just too cute. Oh, and we have a pickle too. One tradition that my family did was to wait till the oldest child was up to open presents. Needless to say, my brother would come in my bedroom with pots and pans trying to wake me up! I think my Dad said that it was a Swedish tradition.
So cute. I need to get out the playmat. I havent gotten out any toys for him yet. I guess thats how it goes with the second one. Anyways, my sisters husband is from Germany so we also do the pickle tradition. It is quite fun especially for the kids. We love our pickles. We actually have two!
Best I start thinking of better titles for my blog! lol
We have a few traditions but two that I’d mention is letting the kids buy their own ornaments every year - boy my tree is getting full - and the other singing happy birthday to Jesus and blowing out a candle for him on Christmas day
kelly and ryan are hiding the pickle…
THE PICKLE!!!
get it?
ROFLMAO
FINALLY! Thank you Joe. You are my new hero.
Through a series of links I came across your blog and thought that I would check things out. Chloe is beautiful, by the way.
One of our family traditions is to fill the living room with balloons on Christmas Eve once the little ones are asleep so that Christmas morning it seems like the room is filled with magic! This tradition stems from my grandparents not having a lot of money for gifts for my dad and his siblings. And even though we don’t have kids (and don’t plan on any, thank you very much) I still blow up balloons every year.