"What?? It's 3:45? Mommy!!! We're late, Mommy!!! For Sam's big birthday party! Mommy!"

Out! Out the door, everyone. We have a date for cake with an adorable guy turning two-years old!

Large social gatherings are not Finn's thing, generally, but for Sam, he had a great time. Finn seemed especially proud of the gift he brought. What would Finn get a good buddy on his birthday?
Why, Elmo balloons, of course.


Rosemary's first photo bomb.
When I explained to Rosemary we were going to Sam's birthday party, she seemed to think there would be tea involved. "Yeah, yeah, Ham's party. Rosie go Ham's tea party." There was no tea, but the juice, pizza, and cake more than made up for that.
Dads eating pizza.

"Happy new-new. Happy new-new. Happy new-new, Haaaaaam," sang Rosie. She did tear up too.* She was overcome with happiness, I think, for Sam and his totally awesome soccer-ball cake. Nice work, Rebecca!

*Rosie has a tendency to get swept up emotionally. For example, in Toy Story 2, she always cries when Jesse sings about losing her owner. Ah well, I remember being SO SAD and crying when Frosty the Snowman melted.
"Me? That cake is for me??"
"It is for me. All right!"
"I like cake."
I think Sam ate his name.
"THAT'S MY CAKE!!!!!"
"Good afternoon, I had a most excellent time. The pizza and cake were divine. Thank you, Rebecca, for the invite. It was a pleasure."

Topic For Discussion

Finn: "Was that your butt?"

Rose: "Yeah. Stinky."

Rosemary, Almost Two.

Almost two-years-old, Rosemary, and as always, you're equal parts silly and sweet.
Sometimes you're more silly than anything.
I am still your best friend. It's me you call for first thing in the morning. From your crib, you cry, "Mommy coming? Mommy coming? Mooooommmmmmy, open doooooor."
It's my arms you want when you're tired, sad, or just plain snugly. I won't lie. I'm enjoying it. Daddy's Day will come too. Probably soon.
That's not to say, though, that he's just "Daddy." He is "DAAAADDDDDDYYYYY!!!!!!" If only exclamation points could accurately convey the decibels your squeals reach.
Your pigtails are adorable.
You've taught yourself to do pretty much everything. You name it, and you can do it--including talk. You talk very well. I must say on family outings, our side, Rosemary, of the car is much more chatty than the silent Finn-and-Daddy side.

I wish I had a freeze ray. Then I could keep you like this forever, but this is the bitter sweetness of parenthood. Finn, I believe, says it best:

"I luv you, Rosie."

Scenes from a Sunday

Yup, he still makes that face. I wonder how long it will endure. Till kindergarten, which incidentally I have to register Finn for this week? Till adolescence? Maybe I should have poll.

And in other news, today, we bid adieu to January. Smell ya' later, January!

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The above is what happens when you leave your unfinished posts open. Finn decides to post them for you.

Thanks, Rebecca (check out her new blog), for providing our Toy Story buddies a new home. Emperor Zurg thanks you especially.

Even Evil Emperors need time out from terrorizing the galaxies to take a potty break.

Little known secret about me: I like playing with doll houses.

I've been a negligent blogger lately. Here are some representative pictures of the last few weeks.

Rosemary loves this snowman. "Kiss snowman!"

A Santa's Sleigh full of Christmas Pictures.
You've been warned.

Our Xmas eve feast.

The minions hard at work on the gingerbread houses.


We made reindeer food. We also put out cookies and milk, but in all the Xmas-eve excitement, I didn't take a snapshot. Picture, if you will, a plate with cookies on it.

We threw the reindeer food all over the lawn. It was sparkly so that Santa knew where to park his sleigh. And now all the birds in town know where to have a tasty and colourful meal.



In our hood, someone puts up an inflatable Elmo every year. The first year, it was cute. I'm getting a little tired now of going to visit Christmas Elmo.

Santa, as promised, visited Finn and Rosemary, and they had a blast working their way through all the gifts.
Thank you, Aunt Christy and Uncle Evan, for the doll sling, CD, and book! We'll get some pictures soon of the doll sling in action.
Rosemary loves Buzz Lightyear. Move over Elmo, there's a new space ranger in town.

"BUUUUUUUUUUUUUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!"


"Look! CANDY CANES!"
Thanks, Dawn, for the giant kitty!

"More presents!" He's an addict after only three minutes.
Thank you, Dawn and Grandma Pat, for the Elmo Playdough toy. You both probably don't realise it, but it was so thoughtful to send the same gift. No fighting over that present! Whew.


Happy New Year!