Saturday, December 08, 2007
Christmas Is Coming: Santa's Lap
I won't take Chase to the Santa at the mall. I just won't. There is something uber creepy about a random man, dressed-up, who likes having little kids sit in his lap.
Christmas Is Coming: Christmas Presents
In an effort to cut down on gifts (that she'll use for two minutes, but sadly they'll remain on the planet for hundreds of years), I have re-worked our wish list. Please refer to this list for her birthday as well!
1) Charitable donation:
I heard back from the Denver Zoo. They are willing to take contributions in Chase's honor, donated to zoological funds of your choice (over the next two years) - and when we hit $2,500, they will give her a bench with her name inscribed on it. They are making an exception for us, as the benches usually fund Zoo operations and are usually purchased with a one time gift. http://www.denverzoo.org/donations/donations.asp
2) Donation to her personal savings account:
Chase has her own savings account. She will get to spend the money however she chooses. I can only imagine what she will buy - her Nana Cris, who was given money when she was young to buy a pretty dress for a party and came home with a monkey instead.
3) Donation to her college fund/long term savings:
We figure we have to save about $200,000 for her to attend the college of her choice. If she gets a scholarship, that's a bonus and she can use any remaining savings for a house (or a monkey). Enough said.
4) Donation to lessons:
Give the gift that keeps giving. Chase is so active. I try to keep her busy, and lessons would be a huge help. Swim lessons. Yoga lessons. Snowboard lessons. Music lessons. Dance lessons. You decide. And just think, she will owe her expertise in that area to you!
5) Books:
This girl reads a lot. I read to her at least 3x per day. She loves books. She loves Blueberries for Sal. Language books. Books about travel (I'm not kidding, she likes "My First Atlas," a book that has a brief description on each country) are favorites.
1) Charitable donation:
I heard back from the Denver Zoo. They are willing to take contributions in Chase's honor, donated to zoological funds of your choice (over the next two years) - and when we hit $2,500, they will give her a bench with her name inscribed on it. They are making an exception for us, as the benches usually fund Zoo operations and are usually purchased with a one time gift. http://www.denverzoo.org/donations/donations.asp
2) Donation to her personal savings account:
Chase has her own savings account. She will get to spend the money however she chooses. I can only imagine what she will buy - her Nana Cris, who was given money when she was young to buy a pretty dress for a party and came home with a monkey instead.
3) Donation to her college fund/long term savings:
We figure we have to save about $200,000 for her to attend the college of her choice. If she gets a scholarship, that's a bonus and she can use any remaining savings for a house (or a monkey). Enough said.
4) Donation to lessons:
Give the gift that keeps giving. Chase is so active. I try to keep her busy, and lessons would be a huge help. Swim lessons. Yoga lessons. Snowboard lessons. Music lessons. Dance lessons. You decide. And just think, she will owe her expertise in that area to you!
5) Books:
This girl reads a lot. I read to her at least 3x per day. She loves books. She loves Blueberries for Sal. Language books. Books about travel (I'm not kidding, she likes "My First Atlas," a book that has a brief description on each country) are favorites.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Christmas Is Coming: Making Chocolates
Not the most flattering picture of my lovely daughter.
But it really captures her in action.
It actually reminds me of me.
Crazy, unkempt.
And though I never liked chocolate until I lived in Europe, chocolate has been in my blood since I was young. I used to make chocolates with my mom.
I actually won an adult chocolate sculpture contest when I was 12. So now it's my turn to share chocolate art with my daughter.
So we started off filling chocolate bear forms with a paintbrush. It didn't go very well. Trying to paint small forms was clearly inhibiting Chase. So we switched to sheets of tin foil. This worked really well. So well, in fact, that we did three large sheets.
Chase covered them in chocolate. Then we set them aside so that the chocolate could harden and later be pulled from the foil to stand alone.
The most beautiful part about the process was that Chase had no idea she was using chocolate. She didn't even try to taste it. I could tell, however, that she was curious about why the chocolate was changing from liquid to solid form.
And she was utterly put-out when the paint brush "froze" solid with cooled chocolate.
But it really captures her in action.
It actually reminds me of me.
Crazy, unkempt.
And though I never liked chocolate until I lived in Europe, chocolate has been in my blood since I was young. I used to make chocolates with my mom.
I actually won an adult chocolate sculpture contest when I was 12. So now it's my turn to share chocolate art with my daughter.
So we started off filling chocolate bear forms with a paintbrush. It didn't go very well. Trying to paint small forms was clearly inhibiting Chase. So we switched to sheets of tin foil. This worked really well. So well, in fact, that we did three large sheets.
Chase covered them in chocolate. Then we set them aside so that the chocolate could harden and later be pulled from the foil to stand alone.
The most beautiful part about the process was that Chase had no idea she was using chocolate. She didn't even try to taste it. I could tell, however, that she was curious about why the chocolate was changing from liquid to solid form.
And she was utterly put-out when the paint brush "froze" solid with cooled chocolate.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Christmas Is Coming: St. Nicholas's Birthday
Today is St. Nicholas's birthday (Thanks mom, for the heads-up). "Legend has it that Sinterklaas (Dutch name for St. Nicholas) arrives in the Netherlands by way of steamboat from Spain 2 weeks before his traditional birthday, December 6th, along with his helper, Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), who will help disperse the gifts and candy to all the good children... The bad children may be taken back to Spain with him."*
We celebrated by putting a pair of Chase's shoes outside last night. When she checked on them today, she found them full of little gifts. (Mom, sorry I didn't use the pretty pink shoes you sent, I did it so late last night it slipped my mind. I just used the shoes closest to the door. Chase LOVES the shoes you picked out for her.)
After the excitement of the gifts wore off, we decided to spend the morning at the zoo. We took in the usual sights and sounds (lions, zebras, giraffes) and the we found something new. A rock. Not just any rock. A rock that Chase could climb on for 30 minutes - and never wanted to leave - I eventually pulled her from it - at which point she cried as if I was taking away the most important thing in her life. It was a special rock. I'm sure we'll spend many mornings to come on The Rock.
From there, we drove to the Mental Health Center of Denver, where we dropped off a gift for a child. Then it was back home, for an afternoon of play (Chase didn't nap at all today) - complete with Cooper, her little beau, dropping by with some hand-me-downs for her.
Thus far, I have managed to steer clear of big, plastic toys, that make lots of noise. No longer. I now have four big plastic toys. One that spins (to a variety of songs), one that calls out shapes and numbers, one that can be ridden and one that helps kids learn to walk. In addition, I have a kid-sized plastic vacuum and a large circus elephant that Chase can rock back and forth. It's good to be a toddler these days. It's also good to live down the street from a family that has a child Chase's age.
* Information courtesy of http://holidays.kaboose.com/christmas/traditions/st-nicholas/xmas-around-stnicholas.html
We celebrated by putting a pair of Chase's shoes outside last night. When she checked on them today, she found them full of little gifts. (Mom, sorry I didn't use the pretty pink shoes you sent, I did it so late last night it slipped my mind. I just used the shoes closest to the door. Chase LOVES the shoes you picked out for her.)
After the excitement of the gifts wore off, we decided to spend the morning at the zoo. We took in the usual sights and sounds (lions, zebras, giraffes) and the we found something new. A rock. Not just any rock. A rock that Chase could climb on for 30 minutes - and never wanted to leave - I eventually pulled her from it - at which point she cried as if I was taking away the most important thing in her life. It was a special rock. I'm sure we'll spend many mornings to come on The Rock.
From there, we drove to the Mental Health Center of Denver, where we dropped off a gift for a child. Then it was back home, for an afternoon of play (Chase didn't nap at all today) - complete with Cooper, her little beau, dropping by with some hand-me-downs for her.
Thus far, I have managed to steer clear of big, plastic toys, that make lots of noise. No longer. I now have four big plastic toys. One that spins (to a variety of songs), one that calls out shapes and numbers, one that can be ridden and one that helps kids learn to walk. In addition, I have a kid-sized plastic vacuum and a large circus elephant that Chase can rock back and forth. It's good to be a toddler these days. It's also good to live down the street from a family that has a child Chase's age.
* Information courtesy of http://holidays.kaboose.com/christmas/traditions/st-nicholas/xmas-around-stnicholas.html
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Can I Help You?
Today I was at TAR-JEY (Target).
And while I was sitting in the parking lot, reading a book about religion (I'm currently on Hinduism) - as Chase only naps in the car now so I've started reading again - I was contemplating how noble it is to seek to attain perfect unselfishness, perfect mental peace, and detachment from worldly desires (yes, right before going shopping) - a big (huge) truck pulls up, parks diagonally across two spaces. A man and woman get out like they own the world (bad karma, dude).
After Chase woke up (an hour later), we headed into the store.
So at one point, I was looking through the shoes, and along came a sales lady, who said, "can I help you?" I said, "yes, I'm looking for these shoes in a size 7." She said, "oh, everything we have it out." But she didn't offer to help me look. So I said, "I think it's just going to take time to look through these shoes." Still no offer to help.
I wanted to say, "how, exactly can you help someone if you're not willing to help?"
But instead I kept my mouth shut and tried to focus on attaining perfect mental peace.
And while I was sitting in the parking lot, reading a book about religion (I'm currently on Hinduism) - as Chase only naps in the car now so I've started reading again - I was contemplating how noble it is to seek to attain perfect unselfishness, perfect mental peace, and detachment from worldly desires (yes, right before going shopping) - a big (huge) truck pulls up, parks diagonally across two spaces. A man and woman get out like they own the world (bad karma, dude).
After Chase woke up (an hour later), we headed into the store.
So at one point, I was looking through the shoes, and along came a sales lady, who said, "can I help you?" I said, "yes, I'm looking for these shoes in a size 7." She said, "oh, everything we have it out." But she didn't offer to help me look. So I said, "I think it's just going to take time to look through these shoes." Still no offer to help.
I wanted to say, "how, exactly can you help someone if you're not willing to help?"
But instead I kept my mouth shut and tried to focus on attaining perfect mental peace.
Christmas Is Coming: Charitable Giving
Today's Christmas activity was charitable giving.So we bundled-up and delivered our donation to the zoo.
As Chase spends so much time there, and loves it SO much, I have decided it will be her charity of choice, until she is old enough to make the decision on her own. I have talked to the Director of Development there, about starting a running tally for Chase, so that friends and family can donate in her honor - over the holiday season - and for her birthday - in lieu of gifts. The end goal, to ultimately donate a bench in her honor - near the giraffes - she loves them and always insists on climbing on the nearest bench and having a snack. The bench costs $2,500 - a noble goal for a 20-month-old.
I'm still waiting to discuss how I can make small donations over a period of time go towards the bench - so I'll post the details when I know them.
In the meantime, I thought posting the details on the different funds would be interesting to some readers. And I would ask - again - that over this holiday season -and for Chase's birthday, to please consider making a donation in her honor (if all goes well, you will be supporting the zoo and helping to secure a bench in her honor).
Conservation Fund
Denver Zoo is actively involved in over 60 field projects in 26 countries, including the U.S., and another 12 projects within the Zoo itself. Much of our research focuses on conserving large ecosystems as a means to preserve endangered species.
Red Apple Fund For Lifelong Learning
This scholarship fund has since provided nearly 70,000 children and families with access to the Zoo.
Asian Tropics Fund
The next major phase in building the "new" Denver Zoo, Asian Tropics will be a ten acre series of exhibits dedicated to rare and endangered Asian elephants, rhinos, tapirs, leopards and numerous birds and reptiles. Gifts to Asian Tropics are matched dollar for dollar by a Zoo Improvement Bond, thereby doubling your gift!
The link to the Denver Zoo: http://www.denverzoo.org/donations/donations.asp
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Christmas Is Coming: Marzipan
So today's Christmas activity was supposed to be marzipan. I love the stuff. But the marzipan I bought was strangely hard, maybe because it has been in the fridge for a couple days? Anyway, it will have to wait until tomorrow.
But I do have a Marzipan story instead. I was at the grocery store, ran into a gal that I met at the park (we exchanged numbers and then lost them - I found her number yesterday and gave her a call about a month after I met her - and scheduled a play date for next week). Anyhoo.... I ran into her at the store and we were chatting. She asked me what I was picking up, and I said "food color, so we can do Marzipan tonight." And she responded, "oh, do you celebrate both holidays?"
And I wasn't really sure what to say. Don't get me wrong, I knew what the answer was. Time seemed to slow down as I tried to recall if anyone had ever told me marzipan was part of a Jewish traditions. I don't know, I'm not Jewish. Or was she just making conversation?
I concluded it was best to say, "oh, we celebrate Christmas." I hope my silent pondering about the history of marzipan didn't offend her in any way.
But I do have a Marzipan story instead. I was at the grocery store, ran into a gal that I met at the park (we exchanged numbers and then lost them - I found her number yesterday and gave her a call about a month after I met her - and scheduled a play date for next week). Anyhoo.... I ran into her at the store and we were chatting. She asked me what I was picking up, and I said "food color, so we can do Marzipan tonight." And she responded, "oh, do you celebrate both holidays?"
And I wasn't really sure what to say. Don't get me wrong, I knew what the answer was. Time seemed to slow down as I tried to recall if anyone had ever told me marzipan was part of a Jewish traditions. I don't know, I'm not Jewish. Or was she just making conversation?
I concluded it was best to say, "oh, we celebrate Christmas." I hope my silent pondering about the history of marzipan didn't offend her in any way.
New Wallet
I think it's time for a new wallet.
And no, it's not because I spilled soup all over it last night (I was multitasking). And no, it's not that I left it on the roof of my car and drove away, only to see it (in my rear-view mirror ) fly off and get run over four times - by a minivan and three cars (good thing I was able to make a U-turn and pick it up before the school bus ground it right into the pavement).
I need a new wallet that is Chase-proof. Apparently, my wallet can withstand heat, pressure, but it just doesn't stand up to the curiosity of a toddler.
Chase loves to take everything out. As a result, I never know where anything is (I can hear my husband's voice at this point saying, "sure, blame that on Chase.")
But now what to look for? A zipper maybe? No, she's good at zippers. What about a snap. Nope, snaps are too easy to undo. Maybe I need a wallet that uses super-glue as the adhesive.
Yes, that sounds like a great idea.
And no, it's not because I spilled soup all over it last night (I was multitasking). And no, it's not that I left it on the roof of my car and drove away, only to see it (in my rear-view mirror ) fly off and get run over four times - by a minivan and three cars (good thing I was able to make a U-turn and pick it up before the school bus ground it right into the pavement).
I need a new wallet that is Chase-proof. Apparently, my wallet can withstand heat, pressure, but it just doesn't stand up to the curiosity of a toddler.
Chase loves to take everything out. As a result, I never know where anything is (I can hear my husband's voice at this point saying, "sure, blame that on Chase.")
But now what to look for? A zipper maybe? No, she's good at zippers. What about a snap. Nope, snaps are too easy to undo. Maybe I need a wallet that uses super-glue as the adhesive.
Yes, that sounds like a great idea.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Christmas Is Coming: The Gingerbread House
I love Christmas. I love decorating for Christmas. I love Christmas cooking. I love buying gifts for people. I love nutcrackers (and The Nutcracker). I love Christmas songs (when sung by large choral groups in cathedrals - especially in Europe).
But most of all, I love how Christmas smells.
And so our house has been decorated (and no, I'm not keen on those inflatable decorations or loads of lights) since 1 December. Christmas cards ordered. Tree purchased. Stockings hung by the chimney with care.
And now I can get to work on some of my favorite Christmas activities...
So I built the house, provided Chase with a brief tutorial and then sat back and watched.
After looking at me like, "yah mom, I get it, how hard can it be?" she put candy on and then pulled it off. Many times. Then she decided to push REALLY hard - which actually made the gingerbread house cave in on itself.
So after a quick re-build/remodel, I explained to her that the candy was like stickers, which seemed to make all the difference in her candy application (see below).
But most of all, I love how Christmas smells.
And so our house has been decorated (and no, I'm not keen on those inflatable decorations or loads of lights) since 1 December. Christmas cards ordered. Tree purchased. Stockings hung by the chimney with care.
And now I can get to work on some of my favorite Christmas activities...
So I built the house, provided Chase with a brief tutorial and then sat back and watched.
After looking at me like, "yah mom, I get it, how hard can it be?" she put candy on and then pulled it off. Many times. Then she decided to push REALLY hard - which actually made the gingerbread house cave in on itself.
So after a quick re-build/remodel, I explained to her that the candy was like stickers, which seemed to make all the difference in her candy application (see below).
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Christmas Is Coming...
Today we found the perfect Christmas tree.
But we didn't cut it down.
And we didn't hang it from the ceiling (as we do in our family).
Instead, we bought a small, potted tree (which is supposed to grow up to 70 feet tall). The plan is to plant it in January (location TBD - anyone want a tree?).
When we got home, we placed it on a table, where Chase and Taggart can't reach it.
Chase opened her advent calendar (courtesy of the Donahues!) - and inside were three, small ornaments - she selected a tiny, red Santa ornament as her own, and let us hang the other two.
But we didn't cut it down.
And we didn't hang it from the ceiling (as we do in our family).
Instead, we bought a small, potted tree (which is supposed to grow up to 70 feet tall). The plan is to plant it in January (location TBD - anyone want a tree?).
When we got home, we placed it on a table, where Chase and Taggart can't reach it.
Chase opened her advent calendar (courtesy of the Donahues!) - and inside were three, small ornaments - she selected a tiny, red Santa ornament as her own, and let us hang the other two.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Good Grooming
Chase just isn't into any part of the grooming process. She hates brushing her teeth, won't stand for having her hair brushed, won't sit still long enough for me to clip her nails. Won't keep barrettes in her hair (to keep hair out of her eyes).
And as a result, she arrives at the park and ready for play dates with unkempt hair (that goes every which way), scraggly nails and bad breath. Pretty, oh so pretty.
Oh dear, I must figure out how to make it - *fun*
At this point I'd settled for tolerable.
And as a result, she arrives at the park and ready for play dates with unkempt hair (that goes every which way), scraggly nails and bad breath. Pretty, oh so pretty.
Oh dear, I must figure out how to make it - *fun*
At this point I'd settled for tolerable.
News?
None here. Except I went to the dentist today and she couldn't numb my nerve. It took about 14 different injections of Novocaine - four of which were injected into tiny holes she drilled into my tooth. I SO dislike (dread) going to the dentist. And I've got three more visits in the pipeline.
As one dentist said to me, "God gave you a lot of gifts, but good teeth was not one of them."
As one dentist said to me, "God gave you a lot of gifts, but good teeth was not one of them."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Thanksgiving Hols: The Pig Pull
My favorite part of the week - The Pig Pull!
The shed (where everyone gathers for dinner)...
The shed's kitchen...
The smoker...
The pig...
The head...
The dinner...
Chase, riding off into the sunset on the white "ma" (horse)...
The shed (where everyone gathers for dinner)...
The shed's kitchen...
The smoker...
The pig...
The head...
The dinner...
Chase, riding off into the sunset on the white "ma" (horse)...
Thanksgiving Hols: Family & Friends
Chase with Poppa Joe and Nee Nee Kar Kar...
Chase with Goo Goo Lockett...
How kids have fun in the country... (note the little tike on the bike)
Lockett and Courtney trying to stay warm (it was SO cold)...
And of course, the guns (note the little guy responsible for making sure the clay pigeons soar)...
Chase with Goo Goo Lockett...
How kids have fun in the country... (note the little tike on the bike)
Lockett and Courtney trying to stay warm (it was SO cold)...
And of course, the guns (note the little guy responsible for making sure the clay pigeons soar)...
Thanksgiving Hols: Photos From The Road
A couple pictures from the road...
Entertaining Chase is getting more difficult...
The place you can buy fruit...
The place you can buy shoes...
The place where you buy crawfish...
One of many sweet potato trucks...
The place you can buy BBQ...
Entertaining Chase is getting more difficult...
The place you can buy fruit...
The place you can buy shoes...
The place where you buy crawfish...
One of many sweet potato trucks...
The place you can buy BBQ...
Thanksgiving Hols: Mobile, AL: Part 2
A trip down South just isn't complete without a game of Dominoes!
Thanksgiving Hols: Mobile, AL
Left to right: Great Grand Daddy Herbert, Lockett (Hubs's sister), Courtney (Lockett's finance), me (long hair!), Chase, Joe (Hubs's dad), Karla (Hubs's mom) and Great Granny Annie.
Dinner: Turkey, sweet potatoes, creamed corn, dressing, green beans and cranberry sauce.
Dinner: Turkey, sweet potatoes, creamed corn, dressing, green beans and cranberry sauce.
Thanksgiving Hols
So Hubs and I just returned from a trip "down South."
After a brief visit to Birmingham, AL (to see Hubs's parents), we jumped in the car and drove down to Mobile, Alabama (where we were married almost NINE years ago) - where we had Thanksgiving - and then drove on to Jackson, MS (to visit Hubs's grand dad on his father's side) - and then on to Smith Country for a family reunion (on my husband's side) and then on to a pig pull, in the backwoods of Mississippi. Lots of guns, pick-up trucks, great food (some crazy fabulous casseroles), and kids riding dirt bikes (the youngest was age 4 - he had training wheels on his dirt bike!).
And as I have been remiss at posting photos, the next couple posts will be VERY photo heavy and text light.
After a brief visit to Birmingham, AL (to see Hubs's parents), we jumped in the car and drove down to Mobile, Alabama (where we were married almost NINE years ago) - where we had Thanksgiving - and then drove on to Jackson, MS (to visit Hubs's grand dad on his father's side) - and then on to Smith Country for a family reunion (on my husband's side) and then on to a pig pull, in the backwoods of Mississippi. Lots of guns, pick-up trucks, great food (some crazy fabulous casseroles), and kids riding dirt bikes (the youngest was age 4 - he had training wheels on his dirt bike!).
And as I have been remiss at posting photos, the next couple posts will be VERY photo heavy and text light.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Chase-ie
We went out to dinner tonight, with our neighbors. They brought Cooper, Chase's new ("newww") beau. Cooper's dad asked him, "Who do you love more? me or Chasie?" To which Cooper responded, "Chasie."
Coopers parents swear that the only person he talks about is Chase. All-the-time.
Meanwhile, Chase basically ignored Cooper throughout dinner, sprinkling everything she could find with the grated Parmesan cheese, pepper and salt shakers (we went to our local pizza place.) She was a woman obsessed.
I may just have to get those shakers and fill them with sand and let her loose in the backyard.
Coopers parents swear that the only person he talks about is Chase. All-the-time.
Meanwhile, Chase basically ignored Cooper throughout dinner, sprinkling everything she could find with the grated Parmesan cheese, pepper and salt shakers (we went to our local pizza place.) She was a woman obsessed.
I may just have to get those shakers and fill them with sand and let her loose in the backyard.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Running With The Bulls
So everything is fine and dandy in the wild world of mole biopsies. Thank goodness.
The down side: I will have a scar on my lower back (where most people have tattoos of roses or crosses) that looks like someone put a cigar out on me.
If someone asks, I was gored while running with the bulls in Paploma.
The down side: I will have a scar on my lower back (where most people have tattoos of roses or crosses) that looks like someone put a cigar out on me.
If someone asks, I was gored while running with the bulls in Paploma.
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