New 'do

Long hair isn't really my thing. I never had it and I don't know

how to do anything with it. Georgia's bun closely resembles

a rat's nest every Thursday for ballet.

Still, she seemed happy yesterday morning when I was

able to give her these 2 slightly off-center

and wopperjawed* ponytails for school.

*wopperjawed is her new favorite word...

Movie Night!

Georgia borrowed the Ratatouille movie cookbook from the library and we tonight we made Remy's Mac & Cheese for dinner. Georgia was really excited to help and did a great job.

Bon appetite!

Daisy Petals

Georgia has joined the local Daisy Petals* group. She is very, very, very excited. We went to the first meeting tonight at the leader's home down the street. The leader is the mother of one of her classmates. The group is small, just 5 girls, and it sounds like there will be a lot of crafts and snacks - 2 of Georgia's favorite things!

*Daisy Petals, I believe, has replaced Brownies as the first step toward becoming a Girl Scout.

Sunday Project

I finished this project tonight. I bought the pattern at Sew to Speak when we met the Burgoon family at COSI for Christmas.

I was a little nervous about trying something like this because the structured nature of it made it seem a little too difficult for me but I decided to give it a try. I made a few mistakes - the flap is flipped the wrong way, the strap is my own design because the green chenile fabric on the original strap ripped , and I did not use the proper form of interfacing, making the bag less structured than it should be - but overall I am pleased with it.

I've definitely learned from my mistakes and will make some changes when I make it again.

http://www.mariemadelinestudio.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=17&zenid=56ed514c4cd1fd8756381c8acc99bdde

Work in Progress

Patti: Thea's Puzzle Quilt

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/Theas_Puzzle_Quilt.pdf

Brian and Georgia: Naps

Cute Alert!! Cute Alert!!

Cram it, haters.

Happy New Year!!

2009 is finally done!

It was a long and difficult year for us but we know we are

fortunate to have loving and supportive family and friends

who helped us get through it.

We are focusing on great things happening in 2010.

Go Bucks!!!!

Losin' it!!

Tooth #3, that is. Last night after her bath, Georgia worked over the loose tooth until it popped out into her mouth. She said when telling the story, "but I didn't swallow it." She tried to sell us on the idea of the "Tooth Mouse" coming to take it from a cup in the bathroom, but we weren't buying it.

Yesterday was our final Christmas get-together. We met the Burgoon family at COSI, where we exchanged gifts in the lobby (near one of their festive metal swirly trees that were slightly reminiscent of a Festivus pole) then enjoyed some time at the museum before going to lunch together. Georgia loved being at the museum with the kids and especially loved sitting at the "kids table" at lunch. Stacy made many of our gifts, including this beautiful pillow for us (it will go up on our bed) and this adorable stuffed cat for Georgia.

Merry Christmas Day!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9773107@N06/sets/72157622942663699/show/

Merry Christmas!!!

Holiday Break

We are almost a third of the way through holiday break and I haven't torn out my hair yet so I guess that means it is going well! Georgia and I have managed to stay busy but not too busy. I have to admit that but for a few moments here and there, we've had a good week.

Yesterday Tante and Tony left for a holiday in Florida so we celebrated Christmas with my family last Saturday. As usual, everyone was so generous, especially with G. She got every possible art supply under the sun, including an easel. On Sunday, we did some rearranging and reorganizing and came up with this new arts & crafts station in the living room. It doesn't always look like this, of course! We borrowed an idea from Mrs. Fields and have a "good work" basket on top of the shelf, a place for G to put all of her finished projects.

Here are photos of our living room as it is decked for the holidays.

Mr. Frugal bought us a 7.5 ft. tree for 70% off last week so we finally have a tree. Thanks to Joann corp. for saving our Christmas with their fab sale. We are just using the top 2 pieces as Tucker would certainly attack it if it were on the floor.

(Wow. Seeing the blank wall behind the sofa in photos makes me realize how much we need to get some artwork up there! Funny how you get used to something when you live with it day to day.)

Class Party + Holiday concert

Happy Holidays! This was the last day of kindergarten for 2009. I helped run a cookie decorating center at Georgia's class party. It was a lot of fun, a lot of mess but the kids all seemed to love it and they were extremely well behaved and courteous with each other. Mrs. Fields sent each child home with a stuffed animal. Georgia loves her collie, which she proclaimed to be her "dream dog" - please do not tell Tucker.

If you are interested in watching a video of this years Christmas concert, please click this link, then click on "Fairfax" under the "Web Movies" section.
http://www.mariemontschools.org/holidayconcerts/index.html
I have to admit that I have not watched it yet. When I clicked on it, my Windows Media Player opened so it will likely open whatever you use to watch movies or videos. Enjoy! Georgia is on the right side of the stage in the middle row.

Happy Holidays!

Elf Yourself

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/yKdGDh7jvhPpFyCU

Crossing the Headboard Project of My List

Over the weekend, I told Brian that all I wanted for Christmas

was for us to finish making a headboard for our bed. He didn't take

my not-so-subtle hint so I did it myself this afternoon.

Although the rest of the room is definitely a work-in-progress,

I love how the headboard looks!!

I guess Brian is going to have to go to Plan B for

my Christmas gift this year!

First Snow of Winter 2009-2010

And Tucker's first snow EVER!! I think he would say "it's delicious!"

Our neighbors to the left (in the photo) warned us that they go bananas at Christmastime with decorations. He has been working on making 4-feet tall wooden letters to spell out (and illuminate) their 2 grandsons' names. You can see "Drew" in the front yard.

That's not embarrassing at all for a 12 year old, is it?

Family First Saturday at the Art Museum

Today we went to the art museum for Family First Saturday Holiday Extravaganza. They had lots of crafts and we did every one of them! Before we left, Georgia asked if she could "add details" to her jeans. We found a pair with some worn knees, gave her the fabric markers and let her go to town. She was very excited and proud of her creation.

Art of Musical Maintenance Art Show in Portland

Brian is once again participating in the 6th annual Art of Musical Maintenance art show at the GoodFoot in Portland Oregon.

In the photo above, you can see Brian's Swine Flew poster for Wilco. His other 4 posters are surrounding that poster.

You can check out this link for more info

and view his work up close.
http://thegoodfoot.com/gallery/

More images here - scroll down the page to view.
http://www.gigposters.com/forums/gallery-shows/99621-art-musical-maintenance-vi-goodfoot-4.html

Brian is nominated for the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards!!!!

Brian is a finalist in the Design: Band Venue Poster category for the 2009 Annual Independent Music Awards!

We are so excited for him!!

This is his nominated poster. Those who are familiar with Cincinnati will understand the flying pig reference as well as the city skyline at the bottom of the poster.

You can click this link to see the other nominees. Please VOTE!!!
http://www.musiciansatlas.com/imafinalist/Default.aspx?maincat=8&yr=2010&scat=26#tp

This link will take you to the judges page. There are some pretty fantastic people involved.
http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/judges/9th-annual-ima-judges/