Christmas Day Loungin'

Audrey loves going for a walk, so the moment we leave the house she's off and running.  

Here she is on her new bike!  She can't push the peddles consistently so we have the back attachment in place to push her once she gets tired.

She's loves her new basketball and hoop!  

Slam dunk!

Whoa!

What a nice broom!  Now help mommy sweep.

Nice kicks! Thanks Saara.

footloose!

after a few minutes on the road, i hear a small thud coming from the back seat followed by a tiny giggle. moments later, another thud and a much bigger giggle. 

i don't need to turn around and investigate these sounds - they're all too familiar at this point - but the sight of ten tiny toes waving in the air is too cute to pass up.

no matter what the thermometer says, audrey is quite keen of kicking off her shoes in the car. funny how this behavior comes from the same girl who wants to throw a minor fit when we won't let her wear her shoes to bed.

Snow Dayz

No, this isn't Detroit or Chicago --- it's Seattle!

On this day Audrey kept pointing outside and saying, "Snowman, snowman!!!" so bundled her up...






No eating snow!

Fun times!

A Night With Santa...and No Meltdowns!

It was awesome!  Let the record show, this year the visit with Santa was a success!

We arrived at Nordstrom in downtown Seattle around 5:30pm and there was a line out the door, but fortunately, Audrey was all smiles, laughing, making friends and basically entertaining the crowd.  (No photos of this, I was just happy that my child wasn't having a meltdown.)
Once we got to Santa, get this...Audrey reached for him!  Santa and I looked in each other's eyes and gave each other "the look"...which says "Let's get these cameras rolling while the getting is good!"
Audrey sat patiently as the photographer snapped away.  She wouldn't give a smile though, just a blank look.  
At this point Santa asked, "What do you want for Christmas?" and as you can see, she just gave him a look...better than tears I say!

The Importance of Friends

These aren't the best photos, but they capture some of sweetest moments.   This week we had dinner with our friends Aida, Eric, Anna and Saara.   Saara is Anna and Audrey's former nanny.  As you can see they were all so excited to see each other!    

Throughout the entire dinner Audrey and Anna were dancing, running and hugging each other.

I'm so happy both Audrey and Anna care about each other so much.  It reminds me how friends can bring out the best in you.  

Hot Yoga -- Hot Mess

Don't worry, there aren't crazy looking men standing on your back during Bikram Yoga -- I just couldn't resist posting this picture.

Here's the deal, lately I've been on this bikram (hot) yoga kick.   I hate going but I love how I feel afterward.  The room is heated to 105-110 degrees, and we "yogi's" do 26 poses, totalling 90 minutes.   By pose 16, I feel nauseated, light headed and ready to run out of the room screaming.   During the floor poses I dream of a rush of cold water falling from the ceiling like "Flash Dance."  I literally have this fantasy every time.  BUT, I can literally feel the difference in my body and I'm hooked on how great I feel when it's all over.

So here's the hot mess part.  MY HAIR!  What the heck am  I supposed to do with my hair?  There is no way to get around it, I have to wash my hair after every class, but lately I've been doing it 5 days a week, and black hair can't take that much washin'!  I'll have a head of straw by New Years!

Anyone got any tips?

Happy Holidays!

I love this time of year -- the hustle and bustle, the decorations, Christmas carols...everything!

Soon I'll post photos of our Christmas tree, I'm thinking this year we'll begin a tradition. Audrey will make a decoration to put on the tree...I think we'll try our hands at making an angel to put on top of the tree.    

Above are some photos of our latest play date with Amy and Isaac.  They are so wonderful, and it's lots of fun watching 3 year old Isaac -- it shows me what I have to look forward to!   

These days Audrey is becoming very vocal, she loves counting to 10 and singing her ABC's.  

So Long Aiko...

Today was Audrey's first teacher Aiko's last day.  We wish her well!  Here are a few photos from today's farewell party.

Aiko and Audrey 
Aiko reading the cards from the kids
Audrey and Caroline.  It was so sweet, Caroline actually came up to me and asked me if I'd take a picture of the two of them together.
One last hug.  Awe!

Audrey before the party.  She was excited to get dressed up for it.

Proud of Detroit

When I tell people I'm from Detroit I often get, "Ohhh, I'm sorry," or "Yikes!"

Over the years I've grown to expect these types of responses -- but they still bother me.

I am proud to have been born and raised in Detroit.  Yes, (I get this question often) I WAS BORN AND RAISED in the city, not the suburbs.  I went to Detroit Public Schools most of my life.  But guess what?  I also went on to college...and now I have a great career and a family.

What's even cooler (I know that's not a word) is that most of the people I grew up with have done the same thing!

That's right, none of us are unemployed welfare mothers, or no good felony fathers.  In fact, let me get our my list. :)   Those from my high school graduating class are now doctors, lawyers, MBA professionals, artists, writers, journalists, nurses, police officers, fashion designers, firefighters, politicians, business owners, speech pathologists, teachers --- the list goes on and on.  

I must also say, (for those of you familiar with Detroit school politics) I only have a handful of friends who went to Reniassance or Cass Tech.  I have to point that out because after I rattle off the fact that I was raised in the city and went on to college, many folks who are familiar with Detroit often say, "You must have gone to Cass Tech."   I give props to all those who attended those schools which were given preference for monetary funds -- but like a beautiful flower growing from a crack in the concrete, I am exceptionally proud of all of us who made it despite the city's decision to turn it's back on quality education for ALL kids.

Ok, off my soapbox.  I say all of this to say, I'm proud of my city and the people in it.  

My Plan is WORKING....(evil laugh)

Check out Enrico's hair today --- and this time last year.  See a difference?  I didn't tell him to do it, but I like it!