let it snow

Merry Christmas!

We've had our first few snowfalls of the season. During this first one, Lucy was excited to put on her new snowgear and play outside. Thank you, GrandMa!

santa shy

Lucy hasn't made it to see a living Santa yet this year – after last year's fiasco, we are a little Santa-shy. [Can you blame us?]

To be honest, I see nothing wrong in telling Outside Plastic Santa what we want for Christmas – he's not scary . . . and has a North Pole connection, right?

cookies and milk

Lucy made her first trip to a family farm. My college roommate's family has a little "farm" with lots of cute animals. While we were there, Lucy fed cookies to Sylvester, the cow and Amma, the llama. We also saw another llama, a donkey [Marnie's donkey, if truth be told], some turkeys, chickens, roosters, ducks, and geese. Lucy had a great time seeing them all, but especially enjoyed meeting her new friend, Marnie.

Marnie introduced Lucy to all the animals and showed her some of the snowmen in her grandmother's collection. Lucy had a great time playing with Marnie and would follow her all around the house when she left the room.

Hope we get back to the farm and see Marnie again real soon!

come on, get happy

A number of years ago, I bought myself a Partridge Family Bus ornament that plays their theme song. While I always smiled whenever anyone hit the door to make it play, I now have a cute little image to associate with it and can chuckle too. Lucy loves dancing to it! Honestly, if we play it once, we play it fifteen times.

As you'll notice, she just recently discovered the joy of the sunglasses as well.

the irresistible power of jax

Well, it appears that we've had a little, unwanted guest running around the house. You'd think with 2 cats it would not be a problem, however . . . there was a mouse.

I had suspected it for a few days with the way the cats were running around like nut-cakes and Cleo constantly in pounce mode. [In my mind I chalked it up to chasing spiders, until . . . ] I saw a little mouse dart out from under the vanity and grab a Cheerio that Lucy had dropped a few minutes earlier.

That evening, Rob went out and picked up some live-catch traps. [To be honest, I wasn't really expecting it to work so quickly, especially w/all the dropped snacks around.] Anyhoo, he decided to set it up straight-away. The trap suggested using peanut butter. Since we had none, Rob said, "Let's try Jax – no one can resist Jax." [except maybe Richard, that is]. So he put one in [even though I tried to suggest waiting another day and getting the peanut butter].

Lo and behold, last night after a bit of a scuffle, the trap did what the cats could not – it caught the mouse. Actually, I think Mr. Red was a part of the scuffle. Perhaps it was part draw of the Jax and part fear of that big, red cat that got the mouse into the trap. Either way he was caught and set free this morning outdoors.

I've been watching MammaKitty hanging out near the release spot . . . Godspeed little mouse.

"people, let me tell you 'bout my best friend,

he's a one boy cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride and joy." . . .

For whatever reason, Lucy has really taken to this plastic, light-up snowman [Sans the electrical parts, of course]. She lugs him everywhere, dresses him in her old clothes, and even insists on having him in her crib with her. [unFortunately, there is not enough room in her crib, so Plastic Snowman spends nap/bedtime on the stool next to her crib where she can still see him.]

If you were old enough in the '70s to remember The Courtship of Eddie's Father, you'll recognize the lyrics from "Best Friend", by Harry Nilsson

the snowman

I came across this little video I had taken the other day of Lucy and Plastic Snowman. Since I haven't posted any video in a while, I thought I'd share this one [pictures really don't show how much she enjoys Plastic Snowman.]

how lovely are thy branches

Once we finished the outside of the house, it was time to decorate the inside.

Lucy was a great asset picking out the tree, bringing it in, setting it in the stand, lighting it, and hanging the ornaments. [You'll notice she was careful not to over-exert herself while putting on the ornaments. Slow and steady, Lucy . . . ]

Lucy takes the tree care very seriously and has become the water nazi. It seems that she is determined that the tree not get thirsty. Twice a day, she grabs the measuring cup and announces, "water" at which time she brings the cup to the kitchen and stands next to the sink. She then follows Mommy to the tree and back to the faucet ensuring the tree is adequately watered.

Still looking good, Lucy.