Goodbye 2011

Right now, it's easy for me to focus on all the crappy things that happened in 2011, but I'm making a conscious effort to spend the next day remembering all of the awesomeness. 


At this time last year, I made a resolution to take my blogging a bit more seriously.  Since then, I've posted 187 times (which is especially remarkable since I only posted 30 times in the two years before that), made some inspiring new friends, and also started writing for NY Mom's World and LI Parent Source.  I posted my first week in Droid pics (and then many more), chronicled our incredible CA trip during an entire month of travel-related posts, spent many days exploring NYC, and had a lot of fun with my boys.


This year, I'm going to look at things differently.  I am going to make 2012 the year of Happy, and in this space I'm going to focus on the things that are bringing me happiness (don't worry- there will be no shortage of cute toddler pics).  There will be a lot of changes- one being that I will be preparing to go back to work after being home with the boys for three years.


So to start, here are the things that made me happy the past couple weeks:


We had the most gorgeous Christmas tree filled with sooo many great memories (our ornaments have been collected from all our travels over the years).

I made an absolutely insane amount of candy-covered pretzels.

Just one of dozens of designs involving sprinkles, cookie crumbs, chopped nuts, & candy pieces.

I woke up each morning (before Christmas & a couple confused mornings after) to a sweet voice saying, "Timmmmmmmmmy...where ARE you?"

We're missing him!

JD has been hanging out under the mistletoe waiting for kisses.

wishin' & hopin'...

We took one last trip to Sesame Place until next spring.

I copied Suzanne, and made a kick-ass hot cocoa bar.

I think I will keep this out all year.

I made stirring spoons with melted Ghirardelli chocolates and candy. 

We got prettied up for Christmas Mass and made it through the entire service all sitting together (first time in at least a year we haven't had to take at least one of them out).

I had a nice holiday filled with family, friends, and way too many gifts, and I'm really looking forward to a peaceful and positive New Year.  I hope you are all enjoying extra time with your friends and family and have a safe & joyful celebration this weekend!

Friday Favorite: The Best Christmas Card

Christmas cards are one of my favorite things about the holidays, and I get extra excited whenever I see photo cards from friends and family.  You can't help smiling when you see such adorable faces smiling back.  This year, however, we got a card that was so awesome, I have to share it!

Our friends, Jen, Jay, and Brody (& Paisley & Waddles), sent a card that succeeded at being creative, adorable, and funny.  And believe me, I need all the laughs I can get with all the added holiday stress.  Thanks, Jen, for letting me share it here & for being so awesome :)

"Just wait till Santa finds out! Something tells me only one of us is getting gifts!"

My 48th Week in Droid Pics

I must start by saying that if you are not stalking the entries of Baby Rabies' Inappropriate Elf contest, you must go there now.  And while you're there, vote for Timmy! He's #36.  


It was another busy week around here, and every free minute was spent decorating and getting the cards done.  Now I'm realizing that I have less than 2 weeks to shop, wrap, and plan a huge meal. I should really get on that... 

Tuesday

I caught JD checking out his bed head in the mirror.

 Wednesday

A ridiculous number of Christmas cards to send.

 Thursday

I promise that O really enjoys wrestling. Especially in the ball pit.

peek-a-boo brothers

 Friday

We got our biggest tree ever. 10ft!

My new drink of choice tastes like rice pudding.

Saturday 

The boys and I attended the most adorable music-themed party.  Toddlers with violins are cute.

And Santa came by on a fire truck.  All the kids were waving to Santa, but JD ran to the front to check out the truck.

O can wiggle with the best of them.

 Sunday

I put the boys to work at Hubby's gym.

We finally decorated the tree.  

And so did Timmy.

How was your week? Did you take phone pics?  You really should link up with Amy if you aren't already!

Super Easy Craft for Displaying Holiday Cards

Our Christmas tree-shaped card holder seems to shrink every year, and each year I say that next year I will come up with another way.  Our friends and family send such adorable photo cards, and I need to see those smiling faces as much as possible!  

While wandering the aisles of Michael's for inspiration, I saw these adorable teensy tiny clothespins.  Just the perfect size for holding a card.  I brought them home and used Mod Podge to stick a piece of skinny ribbon to one side (and keep the edges of the ribbon from fraying. You could also use tiny pieces of card stock, but I liked the texture of the ribbon)

They are about the length of a quarter & too cute!

Then I used a long piece of ribbon as a clothesline, and voila!  I spent more time arranging the cards than I did putting it all together.

I hung it across our patio doors and will probably need to hang more across our front windows as we get more cards.

 How do you display your holiday cards?

Wordless Wednesday: Brotherly Love

Tuesday Tip: If You Want the Perfect Santa Picture...

...take it after your Christmas cards have been ordered and shipped!

My 47th Week in Droid Pics

This was a super busy week!  I am so happy that it is raining today, so I have an excuse to stay home and recuperate.  

Monday

First day in underpants!

Tuesday 

Our elf, Timmy, arrived.

Wednesday 

"Please don't make me get out."

Hubby brought me a McDonalds sundae.  Putting my feet up never felt so good.

 Thursday

Chasing all of the squirrels out of the playground.

They kept trying to climb under the stroller. Maybe I should clean out the crumbs.

There was no line at the Shake Shack, so we felt obligated to get some fries (and a strawberry shake for Mommy)

Friday 

The boys were really good, so Timmy brought them slinkies.  

Checking out the Statue of Liberty from a distance.  JD was much more interested in all the BOATS around her.

Swinging in the shadow of the Freedom Tower.

He may be using the potty as a way to get out of his seat during long car rides, but telling him to just go in his diaper feels wrong.

JD went to a classmates' birthday party at a place with bouncers.  He was SO EXCITED.

Saturday 

A ton of Christmas sprinkles but no time to make cookies = candy covered pretzels. 

 Sunday

O demands Gatorade. 

The boys were in awe of the Sesame Place Christmas decorations.

O had a little trouble with the mittens.

And he looked a little queasy on the teacups.

JD was in heaven.

 Monday

Back in Madison Square Park & enjoying a squeezy pouch.

JD insisted on being carried, but he kissed me the entire time, so it was okay.

I'm linking up (a little late) with Amy.  Go check out her week :)

I Have 2 Toddlers

Ever since O left the wonderful put-him-down-and-he-stays-there phase, I dreaded the walking.  I didn't worry about when he would take steps on his own the way I did with JD.  I knew he was strong and healthy and happy. And I didn't want to think of MY BABY as a toddler.  We cheered his hesitant first steps, but didn't initiate the "practice".  I was scared of two toddlers.  I had visions of them taking off in different directions, and it didn't look fun.


But... the walking has been freaking awesome.  I can put him down!  Basically anywhere!  And he walks way slower than he crawls! (I do know that will probably change by the time I hit publish.)  It makes it easier for the boys to play together, and JD can't just take a toy and run.  O is hot on his heels!

Give that back!

And wobbly new toddler steps are adorable :)

My 45th & 46th Weeks in Droid Pics

Sorry for the massive photo dump below, but I really didn't want to miss a week of phone pics.  We are SO CLOSE to a year!  

Monday

My boys love to read. They also love to pull every book off the shelf.

I see a table like this in our future.

More nice weather & more picnics. 

 Tuesday

Preschool crafts are the best.

Wednesday

O sat on the bench like a big boy at story time.

And then he shook his booty at a music class.

Thursday 

I attended New York Mom's World's Baby & Toddler Expo and saw this adorable presentation by BabyGanics.

 Friday

Lining up the Little People kept him busy most of the morning.

It took O 2.5 seconds to realize he could walk around the table & knock them all down.  He loves terrorizing his brother.

Saturday 

Best toy ever.

 Sunday

Hangin' at the playground.

Monday 

Enjoying a little "time off" at Starbucks

O insisted on eating with the wooden spoon.

 Tuesday

JD had a feast (at 9am) at preschool.

O stuffed his little face.

 Wednesday

Our pre-Thanksgiving tradition: Get to my parents' house a day early & hit up the outlet mall.  We get most of the black Friday sales without having to get up at 2am.

The Cozy Coupe just keeps getting smaller.

 Thursday

A Pinterest-inspired appetizer. 

so thankful!

Friday 

Worst part about not hosting Thanksgiving? No leftovers!  At least the grocery store was empty.

Taking in the view from the front steps.

 Saturday

We started decorating the front yard.  Whenever I wear a headband, so does JD.

Sunday 

I'm not a fan of ladders, but I got it done.

Did you take phone pics this week?  I hope you post them & link up at Amy's!