A Sneak Peek...

at an intricate part of Rob's EXTREMELY manly parade float costume.

That's right.

Those are man tights.

Hopefully Rob doesn't become too attached to these striped beauties because they are on loan. The best part about his costume reveal at last night's "Float Rider Dinner" was when he saw the tights he leaned in close to me and asked in a very serious tone...

"Do I put these on OVER or UNDER my boxers?"

I died.

Here he is in full garb as "Prince Valiant". He will be seated solo at the very front of the float in a plane that is approximately 30 feet in the air.


Here is the group riding the float.


The Trader Joe's float is in the 47th position out of 92 entries in the parade. They should be on television anywhere between 8:45am to 9:00 am. We are so excited!

He's Ready For His Close-Up

My Rob.

Thanks to a lovely letter written by one of Rob's coworkers, the powers that be at the Trader Joe's headquartes selected him to be one of seven riders on this year's Rose Parade float. Because of this, all of us are the recipients of a four day, all expenses paid, trip to Pasadena!


Here is the official Trader Joe's float. Look for it this New Year's morning.
And, when you've found it, look for my husband. He will most likely be the one cheese-ing it up for any camera pointed in his direction, with perfect hair and excessive stage make-up (as per his request).

Happy New Year!

My Favorite Visitors

Last week my sister, Ryan and all three boys came into town for Christmas. It was nonstop fun! I absolutely love my sister and love that our children are so close, despite the obvious distance.



These three kill me.
They play together so well and it's a constant party when all together. Their relationship is very special.



What's equally as special is the strong cousinly love happening between the babies.

I mean, look at the sweet and loving way he looks at her.
So precious.

Can't Wait!

Found this online and screamed.


"Twenty-three years ago, at the height of his phenomenal entertainment career, Michael Jackson joined forces with Disney to create “Captain EO,” a groundbreaking 17-minute 3D film experience.
We are excited to confirm that the classic musical spectacular that thrilled Disneyland park guests from 1986 – 1997, will return for an exclusive, limited engagement at Disneyland park beginning in February 2010!

The attraction’s return to Tomorrowland will provide new audiences the opportunity to experience the original 3D production for the very first time, as well as a nostalgic look back for longtime fans wanting to see “The King of Pop” in a rare performance created for the big-screen, just one more time."

Dear Santa,
Thank you so much for yet another amazing Christmas!
I must admit, after visiting you at the mall on the 23rd, I was a bit worried that you were not going to come to our house this year. I mean let's face it, it was horrible. Olive refused to talk to you and Maggers' behavior practically guaranteed a permanent spot at the top of your annual Naughty List. You were obviously not pleased with us, to say the least. Your body language alone made it very clear. So, you could imagine the surprise Rob and I felt to see all the wonderful goodies you left for us under the tree Christmas morning. Olive LOVES her dollhouse and fishing pole and I think Maggie was most excited to finish off the cookie crumbs and milk you left behind.
Thank you again for the visit and for restoring my faith in you and your forgiving ways.
See you next year (hopefully)!
Love,
Shawna

Merry Christmas!

May your holiday be golden.

Love,
Olive-us

Awesome

Super Awesome


Totally Awesome

"Today I Devoured....."

As I single-handedly polished off the remains of a tray of fudge I made (for a party but never made it to the table because I didn't want to share), I had a thought.

Two thoughts, actually:

1. Close all curtains and blinds to ensure NO witnesses to my one man fudge eating contest.

2. What better way to embarrass myself by boasting about what my 123 pound body is capable of consuming in a weekly, daily, or perhaps hourly blog post?

So, what do you say?

Are you with me?

What are you "secretly" ingesting this magical, holiday season?

Let me know.

It feels good to get it off your chest and share.

Speaking of sharing, when describing what it is exactly you devoured that day, don't forget to include the recipe if possible.

So, without further ado, here it goes:

TODAY I DEVOURED.......

Naughty Or Nice?

Today was the day we wrote our letters to Santa. As Olive and I sat down at the table full of colorful paper, stickers, markers and glitter glue, she turned to me and very seriously asked, "Mom, is Maggie on the naughty list?"

Good question.

I mean let's face it, she's naughty. So naughty in fact, "Naughty" is one of her most used nicknames. She will respond to "Naughty" when called. She even laughs when we call her that, knowing full well she is indeed, naughty.

But, it's the time of year when the label of naughty or nice is extremely important. Especially to a four year old little girl who is sternly reminded every hour or so to make "good choices" to be in the good graces of dear old Santa Claus.

In order to honestly answer this pressing issue, I decided that we needed to discuss our feelings on the subject matter and review any evidence we had. The following is what we found:


"Eating" at a SuperMex. Screaming, squealing, tongue everywhere...

NAUGHTY!



Typical mealtime.
Food untouched and squeezing out of her chair minutes after being wrestled in...

NAUGHTY!


Locked herself outside proudly flaunting a necklace she swiped from Olive's jewelry box (which was obtained by knocking it off it's table), then proceeded to taunt me by licking the window.

NAUGHTY!

Will remove her diaper ANY chance she gets. And once that cool air hits her bare hiney... let's just say I have bottles of Resolve carpet cleaner in pretty much every room in the house.

NAUGHTY!


Climbed up onto the kitchen counter (via Olive's princess throne that she pushes from the living room to the kitchen for the sole purpose of climbing) and attacked an avocado (with the skin on)...

NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY and NAUGHTY!


Quite possibly her worst offense to date:
Using a cell phone in church DURING her baptism...

HOLY NAUGHTINESS!

Although it was quite clear on what the answer was, Olive was quick to spare her sister from a stocking full of coal come Christmas morning.

"I know! If you wear a diaper and are a little sister then Santa puts you on his nice list because you're cute."

Well, that settled it.

Naughty's nice.

San Francisco

How I love you so.
This year's trip was another memorable one. Not too many pictures since our camera broke. Thank goodness for the camera on my phone.


A quick stop at Harris Ranch/ "half way there" point. I think I'm spreading the H1N1 virus by merely posting this picture. But, you gotta do what you gotta do to keep the kids happy before stuffing them back into the car for another three hours. Even if it means willingly subjecting them to every germ imaginable. And no, that is not a Vietnam Vet spotting Maggers on "Blackie". That's a very beautiful me.


Maggers running away from us for the ten millionth time in one hour, with the lovely Golden Gate Bridge in the background.


Sue on a cable car. Not sure why she looks 29 in this picture.


Sue finishing the last bite of her bagel on the Roof Garden at the Fairmont Hotel (where we stayed). Not sure why it's called the Roof Garden when the rest of the hotel stands tall above it.


She's crabby.


Maggers attacking ( again, for the ten millionth time in one hour) the 19 foot, walk-through gingerbread house in the lobby of the hotel.


Rob and I were able to get away for a few hours (thank you, mom) and had a quick and much needed cocktail on the 52nd floor of the Bank of America building while watching the sunset.


View #1.


View #2.

Another wonderful trip in our favorite city.

Best Day Ever/ Miracles Do Happen

Sometimes you wake up in the morning knowing what lies before you that day, but not knowing where the day will take you.

Late last night we returned home from our annual day-after-Thanksgiving-trip to San Francisco. Three fun filled days of Christmas tree lightings, shopping, cable car rides, ice skating, eating all things sourdough, and chasing Maggers down Lombard Street. When we finally arrived home after seven hours of driving, the only thing both Rob and I had the energy for was to transfer the girls from their goldfish cracker encrusted car seats to their comfy, yet freezing beds and brush our teeth.

So, today was the dreaded "back to reality" day: Unpacking the car, laundry, cleaning, sorting through the mail, trips to the grocery store, Trader Joe's, Target, taking Olive to piano lessons, etc. (I'm tired just typing about it). But, to my surprise everything went fairly well.

Suspiciously well.

First thing this morning, Rob pitched in with all the cleaning, the laundry, and basic house stuff so in no time, the house was clean and orderly.

Both Trader Joe's and Vons were uncrowded and fully stocked, with cashiers patiently waiting for me to check out as if I was the only one in the store.

And did I mention my girls?

BOTH perfectly behaved girls?

It was too good to be true! So, after piano lessons, dangerously close to dinner time, I took a chance. With empty stomachs, we went to Target. My final and most important stop. I figured with the way things were going today, I couldn't go wrong. For goodness sakes, I had Lady Luck, The Secret, Jesus, AND Santa Claus on my side! I could do this! We could do this!

And guess what?

It too, was perfect! I didn't even have to make a break to the Market Pantry snack isle to lovingly drown out the sounds of various screams of need with generic graham crackers.

So, while at the checkout counter discussing with my checker, Karen on how amazingly easy and productive the day was, JOKING with her how miracles happen, I saw it.

My heart raced as I instinctively shouted, "STOP IT!', out loud, yet to myself.

There it was.

My pat on the back. My ultimate Lady Luck/ The Secret/ Jesus/ Santa Claus gift. My Best Day Ever surprise. My miracle...



A "value pack" pack of my beloved Carmex.

That was enough to drop me to my knees in "Thank You, Lord" prayer! I had never seen the value pack before or knew it even existed!

Again, as I ripped the 3 pack from it's price tagless peg, again explaining to my new best friend Karen on how life changing this was, another miracle took place. Sweet Karen Looked me in the eyes and said, " Honey, that lip balm is on me."

I died.

Angles were singing, Santa's bells were chiming, snake eyes were on the table, and the Secret was out.

Sometimes you wake up in the morning knowing what lies before you that day, but not knowing where the day will take you.

I was glad this day was one beyond my control. In a good way.

A very good way.