Here Goes

363/365
12:25p.m.

Oh boy. I wonder if I have been subconsciously avoiding finishing up these last three days of the project because it was a way to hold on to it. Although, if you know me, I don't like to leave things in limbo. All or nothing. And so completing these three days has been on my List for weeks, causing distress for not dutifully putting it to bed.

Dear Charlie came down with a mild, yet not, case of pneumonia after Christmas. His temp soared into numbers for days on end that I only want to see again in seared tuna. He was lethargic. He lost his entire appetite. He slept endlessly. And we were taut with worry over the duration and severity. In the last several months this house has lodged H1N1, Scarlet Fever, and pneumonia. Where, oh where, is the common cold?

Merry Christmas!

357/365
5:18 p.m.

I was so tempted to use this shot, and I still wonder if I used the right one this year... Either way, we send wishes for a holiday that is merry and bright and all things wonderful.

Like Mother, Like Son

356/365
12:48 p.m.

A boy after my own heart. He takes a paddle of chocolate cookie batter and devours it with ardor. Both boys seem to relish time baking, but Charlie has an unadulterated zeal for it.

Captivated

345/365
6:39p.m.

I do the exact same thing.

Mesmerized

341/365
12:30 p.m.

Christmas Photo Shoot 2009: Shoot 5, Take 23

339/365
1:09p.m.

Me: "C'mon guys, show the good people of the world how much you love each other."

Merry Christmas.

Impediment, albeit Cute

338/365
4:45p.m

As if it's not difficult enough getting the damn lights on the tree.

Christmas Photo Shoot 2009: Take 18

330/365
4:42p.m.

First session, shot 18. Must. Keep. Trying.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Take Out

329/365
1:02p.m.

Charlie is a collector. He's thrilled to gather a good 10-15 mismatched items around the house, stow them in a bag/box/container, and be on his way. So, it's no surprise at all to find Batman driving a convertible, enthusiastically fist-pumping the air with a slice of veggie pizza sticking out the trunk.

Food Art

327/365
5:20p.m.

Charlie paints a soy sauce and honey mixture onto fresh tofu cubes.

Exclamation Point

20/365
10:43am
The two local "worker guys" (to be muttered with a gruff, serious voice) took a break from constructing a fully functioning government building made entirely out of Bristle Blocks. [Insert government joke here.]

I wonder if either of them will have a memory of any part what brought us to the this day. I read that some empirical investigations show that even one- and two-year-olds have some long-term memory for certain autobiographical events. You know what that means? Jack will forever remember the time we had to make dinner (gasp!) and didn't have time to play trains for the 987th time (double gasp!). In all seriousness, it would be incredible if one or both of them could carry just a bit of this moment with them for all their days. In the meantime, I'll have pictures and video and newspapers and posters, and of course, my own yammering stories of waiting in line and shaking hands with the future Mr. President.

What a satisfying day.