Portrait Studio Pilgrimage

Ah, nothing quite says "the holidays" like dressing up kids in their Christmas finery two weeks before the big day, taking out their curlers and ironing their dresses before cramming them into carseats and making the annual trip to the portrait studio in the mall.

 

We arrived at 5 p.m. on a cold, dark Friday night, with three starving kids who were (of course) simultaneously grumpy and silly. After herding them through the parking lot and past a candy store, escalator and toy kiosk, we landed in a studio that seemed ominously overcrowded. We weaved our way to the counter around flocks of coordinating families, and were greeted with the best possible news any parent can receive: "Yeah, we're running about an hour behind schedule."

 

Luckily, the person right behind us in line was a woman in charge of three young kids and a very compliant husband. She immediately took stock of the situation, cussed out the employee behind the counter, and then turned to her husband, and yelled, "Go down to the other end of the mall and see if the portrait studio at Sears can take us. And take a kid with you. Now!"

 

Minutes later, Take Charge Mom received a phone call from her husband, who informed her that the other studio was, in fact, empty. Before she had even snapped her phone shut, Tim was trotting after them, offering to pay for their dinner for sparing us from the hell of the Picture People waiting room.  

 

The result? A Christmas miracle, courtesy of Sears. We did have to run interference (which involved refusing a gaudy green background, a fake Christmas tree background, and dozens of "creative" enhancements, including soft focus, watercolor effect, and charcoal effect), but we left the studio with what we wanted... a photo of three smiling children for our Christmas card! 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Wishes 2012

Santa Claus didn't disappoint this year, even though his job this year was made extra-difficult by our three.

First, he may or may not have started receiving letters from Clara immediately after Halloween with only two words, in all capital letters: "SANTU MCKENNA." Letter after letter, the same ransom note was penned over and over in an ominous rainbow color scheme. What was Santa to do, but deliver? Never mind that the American Girl Doll of the Year -- who loves gymnastics and the color purple and even broke her leg and gets to hobble around on crutches!!!! -- was on the wish list of virtually every little girl in America.

It was only after Santa procured the doll and extra clothes and leotards on eBay that Clara admitted that not all would be lost if McKenna wasn't in her stocking. Preparing for all potential outcomes on Christmas morning, she put a gleefully positive spin on worst case scenario: "Well, even if I've been really, really bad and get a lump of coal, that will still be good, because then I could use that coal to start a fire!!" 

We're still not entirely sure if McKenna is under safe guardianship.

Sighing, Santa moved down the list to Molly May, noting her obsession with the sleeper British cartoon "Peppa Pig." Yes, she can be quite demanding and proprietary about her viewing of this show -- usually during the 7 - 7:30 time slot of our weekday mornings -- but on the whole, Santa felt that perhaps it was only right for the smallest member of our family to have her own tiny little pig family to boss around: Daddy Pig, Mommy Pig, Peppa Pig, and baby George. He threw in a Peppa backpack for good measure, since we all know that 2 year-olds love nothing more than toting around tiny pig and princess treasures. He didn't know quite how much he would have to pay in shipping costs for these items, but he couldn't have been anything but gratified when he saw her find them on Christmas morning.

Finally, Santa's toughest customer this year: a little boy who couldn't decide what in the world he could possibly want or need for Christmas. He was still dithering late into the night on Christmas Eve, dismissing Legos, art supplies, BeyBlades, StarWars figures, and even sports gear. We reminded him that Santa was already packing his sleigh, and there was no time left for Santa to receive mail. Luckily, Joey has never turned up his nose at any present, let alone his very own guitar, which he didn't even know he wanted until he discovered it on Christmas morning.

Yes, Christmas 2012 was a challenging one for Santa, but there was magic and wonder in the house, times three, and grandparents to share in it!

 

Christmas Stars

The Christmas story came alive once again at our preschool's annual show, putting on display over a hundred sweet, beautifully behaved 2, 3, 4 and 5 year-olds. How these teachers pull this off every year is a Christmas miracle! 

We had one little angel in the choir and one little "star," and both of them, after a full month of rehearsals, could tell you the Christmas story in song, from "Little Donkey, Little Donkey" to "No Room at the Inn" to "Go Tell it on the Mountain." Our little nativity set at home got a workout while they practiced their songs, and even Joey chimed in for impromptu sessions in the car, after reminding them that they he was an expert... not only is he Joseph, but he also played a shepherd two years ago!

Here's the girls early in December... they definitely needed some extra practice!

                                 

The day of the big show, we pulled Joey out of school for the morning, and Grandma and Grandpa Cecchin joined us as well. Both girls were battling colds, but we're pleased to report that there was no nose-picking (Clara), and no sprinting for Mommy and Daddy (Molly). They were both perfect participants in an awesome show that celebrates the Christmas season in exactly the right way.

 

 

 

Dashing Through December

The craziness of the holiday season dominated the month of December, but we managed to squeeze in some fun that had nothing to do with Christmas, including a very fun girls' day in Sonoma with Stacey, who was back from Australia for three weeks. Yay for adult time with with awesome friends! We got to do it again later in the month with a huge group of friends when we headed to the city for a yummy meal at Harris' Steakhouse, and a comedy show featuring John Oliver.

Of course, some kid photos snuck their way onto my phone somehow, this month capturing Molly's complete obsession with baby dolls, Joey's fun golf outing with good buddies Isaiah and Andy and their dads, Molly's sunny breakfast spot (along with her sidekick Elmo), and finally, Taco Night with the Stechers. That's just the kids around the dining room table -- and Uncle Matt. The adults ate in Round 2!

 

A Cecchin Christmas

There's nothing quite like getting six cousins six and under together for some Christmas craziness. After opening Santa presents under their own tree on Christmas morning, the Cecchin siblings and assorted kids all headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a light lunch, more presents, and quality play time.

 

 

 

 

Blessings

Merry Christmas from our clan to yours!