various and sundry

I like these kinds of posts - no theme, nothing rehearsed, kind of like a lazy weeknight at home when you empty the refrigerator contents on the counter and let everyone have a free-for-all for dinner....which is how this creation (AK's new fave) came into existence:

A smiley face:  peel one banana and slice up cucumber.  Smear a little yogurt-butter on a mini-bagel and arrange on a plate in the shape of a face.  It's her new go-to meal which, since we've been on a bit of a food restriction with her (more on that later), has been a God-send.

She's been enjoying doing a little cooking in her new state-of-the-art kitchen from the Big Guy.

She's also very good about helping with the laundry. 

In other news, it's been right much of an infirmary around here lately.  There's nothing to be alarmed about and certainly no need to worry, but the wee babe spinning sommersaults in utero has taken her toll on her Momma.  I've been on bedrest the last several weekends - a result of not being able to make it through the week without my legs and feet ballooning to the size of a wiffle bat.  So, Fridays through Sundays have been rather boring with me propped up on the sofa, my feet strategically placed above my heart and water bottles being constantly refilled.  It has made for some fun photo opps, though....this is what happens when you wear socks with a fun design and your legs swell during the day:

Personally, I think it's awesome.  However, it's not as awesome as THIS:

This is what happens when you work in a middle school -- you begin to devise ways to make a COMPLETE fool of yourself in order to entertain your students.  Friday was "Twin Day", and my entire team decided to blow up balloons in order to make ourselves that much more identical.  I literally teared up when I saw them -- both out of hysteria and a touched heart -- these ladies are AWESOME. 

Anna has also had some very minor setbacks health-wise, but it's proven beyond a reasonable doubt that she IS my child.  She's had some tummy issues that have restricted her diet and forced us to hide the dairy, juice, chocolate, and starchy veggies (Lord help us...).  She's also due to go back in for more surgery in the next few weeks - replacement of tubes (one is dislodged), and they're going to take her adenoids while they're in there.  In the long-run, this will ultimately be a good thing as it will cut down on her risk for these pesky infections (of which she's had 2 since Thanksgiving).  In the meantime, she's enjoying some much-needed rest of her own.

The countdown is down to less than 60 days until the arrival of the next princess.  We should know a firm(er) date very soon....

fa ra ra ra ra....ra raaaaaa raaaaaa raaaaaa

*This post has been drafted for over a week.  Apparently, I don't know the difference between the "Save Now" button and the "Publish Post" button....even though they are TWO different colors.  Oops.....*

Another Christmas has come and gone in a whirlwind of festivity.  It literally snuck up on me like a coy child this year; I actually woke up the first day of Winter Break in a panic because I totally thought I'd missed the alarm and was "truant" from school.  Ah, fortune.....

The first few days of break were devoted to baking and getting presents ready for Anna's teachers.  Not to be boastful, but I do take a lot of pride in my little creations for them.

We received SEVERAL deliveries the week before Christmas, but the most significant one is seen below.  With ALL the boys and girls Santa had to get to this year (Christmas snuck up on him, too), he asked Eric to be an honorary elf and help assemble Anna's big present.  Of course, Eric was happy to oblige.  Anything for the big guy.

We spent Christmas Eve with Grand D, Grumpy, Mary Ruth, Diane, and Aunt Vicky. 

Then, it was home to get the cookies and carrots out for Santa and the reindeer.

 she insisted that Santa would want his milk in a Ravens mug....

Christmas morning, and proof that she's my kid.....we had to wake her up.

She insisted on wearing the bow from Aunt Mellanie and Aunt Alexandra's gift.  She didn't take it off ALL DAY.......

Then, it was back to G & G's to open presents.

The hit of *this* party -- a combo chalk/dry-erase board from Amy, Bryan, Cam, and Chris.  Eric and I were giddy over it.  Anna tried to sit in it.

New Crocs from Mary Ruth!!!!

More bows on her head....

To 'wrap up' Christmas Day (sorry, no pun intended), Gam and Pop came up and we had even more present-opening to do.

Anna was very good about helping everyone else open their gifts.  However, she had a hard time allowing Eric to keep his check.....that's my girl!!

Cupcake hat....SO. STINKIN. CUTE.

On Monday, we headed North to see the rest of the Longo/Moller family. 

Natalie plays an EXCELLENT Santa.

We had a few feeble attempts at a pic with Grandpop.....this is the best we could do!

I won't post them all, but between Carrie and I, we took about 54 shots of the 3 kids together trying to find the "perfect one".  I'm not sure we ever did, but we got some good ones!

Mr. Huggles, Danny!  Anna was having no part of affection, but I was lucky enough to get a kiss ;-)

Anna's recently become infatuated with cameras...........following in Aunt Carrie's footsteps????

Other Winter Break activities:

2 trips to the Kennedy Center to see "Billy Elliott" (A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. show!!!!)......one, courtesy of Aunt Mel and Alex, the other, a birthday gift to my parents.

The Hall of Nations:

The ceiling of the Opera House:

A view from the roof-top observation deck:

And, finally, we came to the end of 2011.  We've experienced a great deal of heartache and happy times this year, and we are excited to welcome 2012.  Our friends Mike and Marcie have a New Year's Eve baby, and Miss Riley turned one this year.  We got this shot - probably out first family photo in over 2 years - while we were there celebrating.

CHEERS to all things GOOD in 2012!!