Birthday

I celebrated my birthday last weekend. Having it fall on President's Weekend was nice, since Chris had Monday off we could all have an extra day together. On Saturday, we had an enjoyable breakfast out with our neighbors, I got a much needed hair cut, and Mike and Heather hosted a Los Panchos take-out party at their house. A fun day overall. Now we're gearing up for the little boy's 4th b-day next month. He has declared that he wants every dessert imaginable (surprise, surprise).

Marshall and the birthday girl

Snow on Mt. Diablo

Good Times

At the moment, things are a little grim around here. We all have colds. A very grumpy household. Cold, stormy weather doesn't help. However, there has been some fun lately. Valentine's Day had highs and lows. I had planned a nice dinner at home for the three of us but Marshall boycott his nap, lost his marbles, and went to bed very early. Chris and I then had a romantic dinner by default. I might break my arm patting myself on the back, but my steak, risotto and asparagus turned out really well. I spent last weekend in Monterey with my friend Darcy. It was very relaxing, nice to catch up, and have a break from our normal routines.

Marshall and Ainsley making cupcakes

Me and Darcy at the beach in Carmel
Valentine's feast

Irony

Yesterday, Marshall was giving me his standard response to a request (i.e. NO) and I told him that he was always contrary. He replied, "no mama, YOU are always so contrary."

Other funnies:

• After he found out I'd packed him a special snack in his lunchbox, I said to him, "who loves ya, Marshall?" He responded, "I love daddy."
• The other day he said, "Mama, I like you and like giving you hugs." I said, "That is great! Can I have a hug now?" He ran away yelling, "NOOOOOOO!"

Tahoe

We spent this past weekend in Tahoe, celebrating my friend Aundria's birthday. It was a great trip! We went sledding on Saturday, went out for a fancy dinner Saturday night, Chris got to ski on Sunday. A big storm came in Saturday night so we had lots of fresh snow to play in. On our way home on Monday, we stopped to see my friend Anne and her baby, Claire. Such a fun weekend overall!

Marshall enjoyed making (and throwing) snow balls

He preferred pulling the empty sled to riding in it
Pulling daddy

Me, Julie, Aundria, and Kim

Marshall and Claire

Recent Funnies

• Marshall declared, "daddy is my favorite toy. I like him."
• While playing restaurant and taking my order, Marshall asked me what I wanted to drink. I told him I'd have a glass of wine. He asked, "Chardonnay or Zin?" Yikes.
• At an actual restaurant, Marshall pulled out his newly acquired coin purse, took out a couple pennies and said, "I need to leave this for the waiter so he knows I'm a good boy and they'll let me come back and eat."

Marshall and his favorite "toy," hard at work

Our neighbor made us awesome cookies

Ta Da!

Week before last, we had a fortuitous event: Marshall finally used the potty for #2 and the preschool called to ask if he was potty trained b/c they had an immediate opening. So, last week Marshall started school! He goes MWF mornings. He had a great first day on Friday. The teachers and parents were very welcoming. There were no potty accidents! Fingers crossed.

Who is this big boy??

Christmas 2010

I love Christmas! The fragrant tree, cinnamon apple candles, the music, the lit up houses in the neighborhood. Every year, I snicker when I hear Neil Diamond sing Christmas carols. Every year I cry while watching It's a Wonderful Life. Every year I chuckle while watching A Christmas Story. It is fun that friends/family have extra time off work and/or more flexible schedules.

Marshall is at such a fun age for Christmas. All he kept asking for was a Gordon train and "down by the docks." We weren't exactly sure what "down by the docks" was, knowing only that it was somehow connected to Thomas the Train. My mom and Bob got Marshall some new train tracks with a bridge, tunnel and windmill and apparently this fit the bill, as he yelled, "this is just what I wanted." Friends and family were so generous with their gift giving and Marshall was thrilled and overwhelmed. My sister got him a toy parrot that records and repeats a brief phrase. When Marshall opened it he said, "this isn't a good gift, I don't like it." Eeek. Embarrassing for me, but my sister thankfully just laughed. Of course, moments later, Marshall decided he loved the parrot. He kept referring to it as "pigeon" and hearing it repeat Marshall's chirpy little voice was pretty cute.

We stayed in town for the first time and, while it was odd to not be down south, it was nice to not travel and spend Christmas morning at our own house. We hosted a dinner on Christmas eve and then went to Mary Ann and John's for Christmas day dinner. A wonderful, joyous, peaceful holiday overall. I thought I'd be a little more disappointed that it is all over, but we have barreled happily into the new year.