Hutch Inspiration

This awesome hutch transformation has got me thinking I could do such a thing. Maybe. Someday.

I'm scoping Craigslist often...

The Sweater I Want (To Go With The Body I Want...)

Who thinks this strategy will work? I buy this (not cheap) shirt as my pre-reward for all that baby weight I'm going to lose this year? It's pretty, right?

In all seriousness, please send diet tips. Diet tips for lazy people with no self control. It's almost a new year. Baby is 7 months old. Time to do this.

The "Bust Your Splitch Story"

Once upon a time I very lovingly said to Maya (who was stomping out of the room in a tizzy of some sort...) "Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.". Of course, because I'm a Texas girl now (and formerly a Tennessee girl) my "hit ya" was a "hitcha" and my "split ya" was a "splitcha". Mason, who was sitting nearby looked up and sweetly said "Mom, what does splitch mean?". Since he was very earnestly seeking an answer and I'm clearly an awesome mother, I told him that "where the good Lord split ya is your bottom...you know, like your bottom crack.". He was satisfied (but not necessarily amused) by my explanation. My Daddy, though, who was in the room, was highly amused by this, and adopted the word "splitch" as his new word for your backside.

Fast forward to Christmas. Our family loves family t-shirts (have I mentioned?). Our family loves Christmas Eve pajamas. The past few years my parents have ordered fun tees as part of our Christmas PJs. But this year, Daddy started doing his own screen printing. And he decided that "Bust Your Splitch" was going to be the Mason family theme for 2010. (You know, like bust your tail. Work hard. Whatever.) We kicked around a few "designs" (I'm no designer!) and the brainstorming got a little silly. "Live Long and Bust Your Splitch", a'la Star Trek. "Who You Gonna Call? Splitch Busters" in the Ghostbusters vein. And my best suggestion "Keep Calm and Bust Your Splitch", because Keep Calm and Carry On is not only everywhere, it's also my personal mantra (along with Serenity Now).

And that's what he went with. Jessica from Craftily Ever After (who I found out later is a good friend of my sister-in-law...so random...) whipped up the design for us (get your custom Keep Calm here) and my parents screen printed them for a sweet li'l rainbow of splitch busters.

So what do you think? Are we weird or what?

PS - the Mason family Christmas Eve pajama race is legendary (okay, just with us...). This year was the first in a few that I didn't personally witness any nudity, which means I won't need any extra therapy this year. As usual, my Chris took the prize. That's my boy!

Obligitory Christmas Tree Pics - & Lots of 'Em!

All right, who wants to see a BUNCH of pictures of my children next to the Christmas tree? Oh you do? How nice. It took me all of Christmas Eve-morning to get these and I had to both threaten and reward my children with chocolate, but it was worth it...I got the shot! Plus some.

This is what I was going for. The whole family 'round the tree, looking at the camera. Hooray!

I actually like this one better, of almost all of us. But Lucy's not looking. I feel I look a bit skinnier in this one. (Come back next year, just you wait and see! I'm just sure 2011 will be the year I stop drinking Coke, stop eating chocolate daily, start exercising and finally lose 2 babies-worth of baby weight! Sure of it!) Also, I like Mason's snuggly position better, Maya's & Chris's smiles better, the way Simon is sitting better...anyone a Photoshop expert that can get the other Lucy into this photo? And also tame my flyaways? Oh well.

The other one I really wanted was a nice fireplace/mantle shot. And we got that too! But you should see the blooper reel on this one. Bless his heart, that Simon is a stinker. But he pulled out one great smile, bless his heart again. (His heart needs lots of blessing if he's to survive toddlerhood.)

This girl can always be counted on to stand where she's told to stand and smile.

Well, most of the time. But I love this photo anyway.

There's that winning smile! Oh, and one down below, too. As the mother of this one, I know I'm biased. But I sure think she's quite a pretty little lady.

I like the little little lady in this shot, too. This Daddy sure loves his girls. And as a friend pointed out, there's no wondering who the Daddy of these girls is! The Cottam genes are strong with us. I did carry them and birth them. That seems to be about it...

This Daddy is crazy about his "Luce-Goose". He makes sure to tell her often how glad he is that his LAST baby is such a sweet one. He says it loud so that I'll hear and get the message. He's not in the market for another baby. I'm still not sure...;)

He is right, though. She would be a sweet note to end on.

And look at all that learning she's been doing. Moving around like a pro. She'll be on the go before we know it.

I mentioned winning smiles already, didn't I? It's an epidemic of winning smiles around here! I really like these 2 little cutie boys.

Mason's pure excitement about Christmas has been really fun. That boy had so much fun wrapping up random stuff for all of us. The giving was (almost) as fun for him as the receiving.

Is it just me or does my little tiny baby 4 year old boy look like he's at least 12 in this picture??? Oh, somebody stop him!

Oh Mom! You're so crazy! Don't I know it!

Look at that little stinker under the tree!

He's a gift, too, even if he is a gigantic turkey stinker crazy two year old.

Yes, I said stinker. He knows.

And finally. A couple more of the little Goose girl. Winning smile, winning smile.

Love this little girl.

Hope you all had the merriest Christmas! And that you got the money shot at your house. :)

Merry Christmas

Hmm, I am just not motivated to blog these days, am I? How have you been, then? We've been busy busy, don't you know! I'm sure that's pretty universal...

Here's the best of our attempts to get a Christmas card picture.At least I'm laughing. Beats crying, right? But tell me this, is that the smile of a sane woman? (I kid, I kid.)

My friend Karin does fun things with flash and does a great job on pics. But this was not a good day. Overall, I'm unhappy with the outfit selection (and I stressed over this, I don't have to tell you, I'm sure...), my drag-queen make-up (piled it on top of what was already there in a major rush...bad results) and the fact that Chris got stuck at work, so the kids were over it before we started and we literally had 2 minutes of sunlight left. Karin is kind and patient and has agreed to try again when I can come up with some acceptable outfits. And I will make Chris take the afternoon off so I can take my time with my make-up and we can go for the family shot first thing. I do want a new family pic with Miss Lucy in the photo! Anyway, it makes a nice Christmas card shot. Aside from my multiple chins. Ugh, that's a totally different list. (I say this as I chomp away on Christmas goodies. There are New Year's resolutions in order this year!)

Speaking of the Luce Goose, that girl is a grower! She's sitting, she's scooting, she's wish wish wishing she could crawl. Allllllmost, soooo close. She'll be on the go soon. She's eating lots of stuff these days...good little eater, she is! But that means she's having to work some things out, tummy-wise, poor little dear. I was just commenting on Facebook that I'm excited for the day that my life becomes less about poop. This was after I changed 2 nasty diapers in a row (the joys of 2 in diapers!) and then plunged the toilet after another child o' mine (who shall remain nameless) finished up his or her bathroom "duties", if you will. Fun times! In addition to that, she's working on some teethers, so that's causing her some drama, too. Got to love her low-key version of drama, though. I could (and practically do) kiss her all day long. She's just such a sweet little love.

And the yang to her yin, if you will, is Mr. Two Year Old himself, Simon. Oy. I told Chris that I've decided I don't like 2 year olds! :) Just kidding, I adore that kid. But 2 is HARD! For him, anyway, I swear Mason skipped that. Anyway, he screams a lot and runs around like a crazy person a lot. He's got his own agenda and doesn't appreciate detractors! I was about to complain about what a crappy eater he is, but then I remembered that he ate quite a lot of lasagna tonight. He's super hit and miss. I think bananas keep him alive. Some days he eats 3, and would eat more if I'd let him. I probably shouldn't let him eat that many, but like I said...hit or miss. He's like a camel or something...stores it up for a while. He certainly keeps me on my toes, but he's also a sweet heart and a stand-up comedian in the making. (His biggest fan? HIMSELF! I like him, too.) He's just a funny, crazy, random little kid. And I'm certain he won't be this crazy forever. (I know, he'll be crazier, right?)

Then there's Mase. Got to love the Mase. Wish you could have seen that boy belt out "Away in a Manger" to the back row at his preschool Christmas program! Decked out in a fabulous cow costume, already twice as tall as anyone else, with giant longhorns on top of his head. It was loud and unabashed and hilarious. He always surprises me. I always underestimate him and he always comes through with flying colors. Makes me very proud to be his Mama. This kid is beside himself excited for Christmas. I LOVE how excited he is. Makes it so fun for the rest of us. Of course, being Mason, he has to bring the waterworks on a daily basis. Lately he's just been crying in sadness that it's not Christmas yet. "But I really want it to be Christmas!", wah wah wah. He's very emotional, that one. Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when Jerry turns into a softie and Elaine tells him "Oh, please no. I can't take any more gentle sobbing." He's a bit of a gentle sobber. And from a father who (to my knowledge) has never cried once in his life, ice cold water flowing through his veins. What can I say, my kid is sensitive. Girls love sensitive guys, right? He's been busy wrapping up this & that (his books, toys & old clothes, drawings, coupons), so we all have LOTS of gifts under the tree. Seriously, he's a sweet kid.

Maya has been remarkably good spirited in her time off school so far. That girl DOES NOT like school breaks. She'd go to school on the weekends if she could. But she's been enjoying playing outside with her friends, play dates and even a few dates with her Mama, which I've loved. That girl is very pleasant to be around for the most part. She's quite the negotiator, though, which can wear you out if you're not careful! Everything I ask her to do is just the starting point for her...she always comes back with her best offer. Luckily, once I lay down the law, she's the most explicitly obedient and painfully honest kid ever. She does love a good debate, though. I told her I'm putting her in "speech & debate" when she's older and after I explained what that was, she was all over it. I see law school in her future... In the mean time, she's the best helper a Mom could have, and I do love her funny sense of humor.

I went to a friend's house today and again marveled at how clean and clutter-free people manage to keep their homes. Seriously, how do they (YOU, probably!) do it? I don't know. The messes and clutter are my big annoyances. Like I said, lots of New Year's resolutions are forthcoming. For now, I'll drink my egg nog at scarf down Christmas treats and let the piles go and enjoy playing with my littles this Christmas.

I love Christmas. I love celebrating Jesus. A car I drove past recently had stickered across their back window, "Life is better with Jesus" and I have to say, I could not agree more. I probably don't express it enough. I hope that people know this about me...that I love my Savior. I'm grateful for His life, His atonement and (especially!) His resurrection. Because of Him, I have so much hope. So...Merry Christmas! Hope to be here more often in 2011. Which will no doubt be my lucky year, since 11 is my lucky number. Life just keeps getting Better & Better. (Which is the 2011 theme. More on that later, maybe...)

Measure of a Matrushka

Also known as...measuring with matrushkas. Also on my wish list.

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Via Macy.

Christmas Lights

New Coldplay is my fave...

Wishlist...Continued

I, with the rest of the world, have gone nesting doll crazy. And World Market is delivering the goods. I want these!

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Oh, and these, too:

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