Tradition

Let me see, we tell our kids to:

 not talk to strangers, especially if they are creepy, old, and wearing a costume,

not to take candy from strangers,

not to tell strangers any personal information, like where you live, 

not to sit on strange men's laps... 

Yet, when it comes to Santa, all that goes out the window.

In fact, we expect them to smile pretty and love this crazy lookin'

 fat man.

Last year- Eme started looking worried

And ended up blowing a gasket.  Please note, our niece Nora insisted that she sit on a stool rather than on the big man's lap. Marlo was cool as a cucumber, but if my memory serves me correctly, I think she had a fever that night.

One year later...

No better. 

But as every mom says, better luck next year.

This is my all-time favorite picture of me and the big guy.

Tell me he does not look like an axe murderer. You can tell I'm scared as I am leaning away from him, hands folded on lap, with a very worried grin. 

 Anyone who knows me in the least, knows that this is not typical me. 
I'm so scared my hair is standing on end trying to get away. 

YIPES!

Sitcom moments, starring Val

 My not-so-domestic sister Val comes to visit a lot, and while she is here she will take home a recipe or a tip/trick from us to keep Bill in the dark about her, well, lack of domesticity.  This is what happened while she was trying to "help" around the house.  It harkens back to this little Brady Bunch episode from our youth. Val, you are never a bore to have around, and we love you to pieces.

"How was I supposed to know it should have said dishwasher soap?  It said dishwashing soap". 

At this point all she said to me was...

"Um, I think there's a little leak from your dishwasher."

Little leak my A**!!

This was a job for Super Grover  

But Andi would have to do!

 We, and by we, that really means Andi, had a major clean up. Thank goodness we could find the answers here.

 It all reminded me of the last paragraph of Shel Silverstein's poem "helping"

And some kind of help is the kind of help

That helping's all about
And some kind of help is the kind of help
We all can do without

But, what we could NEVER EVER do without is Val, so we overlook these little 

hilarities and soak up all the good times.

When it all went south

 Val, or as Eme calls her, Bal was in town for the holidays.  I know, you are shocked.

It may just be cheaper for her if she moved here.

Val introduced us to this little demon- just add wine/vodka.  

Sooo good, soooo smooth, and so potent!

 This is what the next day looked like.

Shredded cheddar for breakfast.

Dressing like a "homita"

 Playing with the ShakeWeight Val 

 got for christmas from a co-worker.

 It was actually fun to play with.

 "I'm workin' on my guns!"

 Yeah, that's a hot dog for lunch. 

 But I cut it up fancy-like.

 Clearly, they LOVED it.

 Val and I needed coffee, so off we went to the Village for a latte and a mocha.

 But back home, we left our coffee unattended, and that's when the girls got their first taste of "freedom".

 This is fab!

Lemme taste!

 Mmmmm, is this a mocha?

 Deeelicious!

 Good to the last drop.

 Needless to say, they were up a lot that night ;)

Robin's havin' a little bird

One of our favorite gal pals is having a "little".

 So we girls got it together and threw her a shindig to celebrate.

 I love baby feet and baby socks are also sweet,

 especially when they carry a wish.

 The loot

 Nice loot, but not enough for Melissa to step up to the 'mama' plate.

 We even had a baby at the baby shower!

 Robin's mom got to come, which was very special.  We were happy to have Diana share this moment with us all.

 Congrats Robinawitz! We love you and can't wait to meet that little bird.

(She finally warmed up to the idea, and then he pooped!)



Sometimes we don't get out of the house

The mornings are always full of promise.  

Maybe we will go to the zoo, the store, visit a friend or explore the city.

 Hmmm what will we do?

 I know!

We shall start with a little singing

 And a little dancing.

We will flirt with danger

and bold fashion choices

Drink a little H2O 

I love this stuff!

We practice our powers of persuasion.

Trust me Eme, this will be great!

 We play nice together for a bit and then...

 one of us moves on.

 But no matter what we do, or don't do

 One thing's for certain, 

 WE LAUGH! Boy, do we laugh!

Okay mommy, put the lens cap on and lets get outta this house!!!