A Little of This and That

Next week my little baby will turn one. I say that with a big sniff, and a crocodile tear. One is such a fun age, and there is no doubt we are ushering in a very exciting time in our lives. But I can hardly believe that infancy is almost behind us, and gone are those tiny baby days. Sniff. Tear. Having a baby in our mix is too fun for words.

In honor of The Big One, we are having the family here on Sunday to celebrate. The theme for the day is monkeys, and I have thrown myself into monkey madness. More to come on that later.

Guess who went to see Santa yesterday?? Guess who was scared to death? Guess who wasn't allowed to use her camera to snap a picture of adorable baby's first visit to Santa?? I suppose that really cuts into their multi-million dollar polaroid profits. Although our 7.8 second visit to the scary, red suited man left a gaping hole in my wallet, I did come away with a gorgeous portrait of her terrified little face which I will frame with great sentiment and pride. Polar Express is the theme at the mall this year, and they had actual snow falling while we were waiting in line for Santa. Well, not actual snow, of course, but a flaky, plastic, static cling version of snow which we carried with us in our hair, on our clothes, and in the stroller as a little memento from the day. There is plenty left in my van to enjoy throughout the season. They didn't charge extra for the snow. :)

The boys are too big to visit Santa now, but they put their best foot forward to make our trip to the mall very festive.

All at once the trees in my yard have turned a magnificent color. Fall came later this year, but the colors have been fantastic. I kept meaning to get outside with my camera, but I was a few days past the prime by the time I shot this yesterday. The colors go quickly!

And look what sprouted up in the back yard, underneath my kitchen window? This is what I've been looking at while washing dishes. It is such a sweet surprise in the midst of all the dead leaves on the ground.

I'm off to decorate monkeys, and glue them to vines. This turning one is very big monkey business. :) I hope everyone's weekend is off to a great start!