Adding Insult to Injury

My Dad's latest blog post.

Really Neat Blizzard Timelapse

I'm definitely going to try this next time it snows!

December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse from Michael Black on Vimeo.

The Christmas Card Photo Shoot

As usual, Lil was a trouper, but I did have to compensate her with an hour of soccer playing and playground fun. She doesn't actually pose - I just take a million photos and hope for the best.

The hat was worn to hide the much-disliked boy haircut.

Okay, so this one's not a keeper.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning at Don and Joann's. Lily was so patient while everyone got coffee!

She got a real camera!

Andrew, Stuart, Lisa, and John.

Frank and Claire.

Many, many thanks to Don and Joann for a lovely visit, to Uncle Emil for the wonderful Italian seafood Christmas Eve, and to Christine and Kurt for opening their home on Christmas day.

And to Michael for finally taking me to SuperDawg!

Santa Land Diaries

Deb and Lee with Santa, 1970-1975. I look happy, but really, my stomach was in knots each time. I wasn't scared of Santa, but crazily self-conscious. I vividly remember standing in line at Macy's in Smithhaven Mall, on that black-and-white chevron pathway they had, with my heart pounding. What would Santa think of me? Would I remember what to say to him? Was I dressed appropriately? Would he like me?

I used to think I was the only kid who felt this way, but then I read this in David Sedaris' hysterical "Santa Land Diaries" (Holidays on Ice) about his experiences as a Santa's Elf at Macy's:

Some of these children, they get nervous just before going in to visit Santa. They pace and wring their hands and stare at the floor. They act like they’re going in for a job interview. I say “Don’t worry, Santa’s not going to judge you. He’s very relaxed about that sort of thing. He used to be judgmental but people gave him a hard time about it so he stopped. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”

Hair Cut

Took Lily for a ridiculously expensive haircut today to try to recover from the horrible summer pixie haircut incident. Blackberry photos:

Much better!

Christmas #1

We had mini-Christmas tonight to open gifts from my parents and Lee since we won't be with them on Christmas.

Fake hair.

Fake teeth.

More fake teeth. I think my parents did a lot of their shopping at the gag gift store.

Makeup head! I had one of these as a kid and loved it. At one point Lily said to me "Mommy, I need your help. You have a lot more experience than I do putting on makeup."

Fake hair, real microphone.

Lily was thrilled with all her presents - magic tricks, Squirmles (remember those?), paints, chore chart, MOMA doll house, magazine subscription, blobby color-changing nightlight, even the IKEA toffee laces. And, we've already started one of the science experiments in the Magic School Bus World of Germs kit.

Thanks Mom, Dad and Lee!

Starting to Look Like Christmas

Putting the star on the tree.

Lily and Gina G. and their gingerbread train.

All dressed up waiting for Jack, or "Jackie," as Lily calls him, to arrive. She picked out this outfit especially for him, but don't tell him, okay?

Lily and Aunt Claire making cheesy enchiladas.

Holiday Spirit

I've been remiss lately in updating the blog - busy. So, in the meantime, here's a repeat from two years ago. Enjoy!

Like mother like daughter.

Passive resistance.

"He can't see me..."

"Take her, let me live!"

Lily Painted Her Toes

And the rug.

Thanksgiving - Part II

The Baldwins. Not only did they cook most of the food, Mary even did the dishes. I'm the world's worst cousin.

Lily and Chloe taking a break.

After.

Debbie and Mary doing something silly.

Chloe and Baci helping with the dishes.

"My name is MusSelena Gomez," the totalitarian pop star.

What's Thanksgiving without a little hula hooping?

Mike done in by the turkey.

More photos on flickr.