Where's the Pause Button?

While there have been times throughout the twins' lives when I've thought, "This is so great! They're so much fun right now," that enthusiasm has usually been tempered with thoughts like "Omigod. I cannot wait until the girls are old enough to [insert self-sufficiency milestone here]." Every stage has been fun, and there are things about their early baby days I miss -- for example, they almost never fall asleep in our arms anymore. But I have always been looking forward to the next developmental stage. Won't it be great when they sleep through the night? Won't life be easier when they can feed themselves? How fantastic will it be when they can walk on their own? (Still working on that one.)

The tides are starting to turn. I realized yesterday that I love this age, right now, this minute. I don't want them to change. They are so sweet and cute and fun. They bestow kisses freely and happily. They have very earnest conversations in complete gibberish. (Or maybe I'm just not smart enough to understand them.) They take delight in the simplest things. They learn so quickly. And they are snuggly and cuddly and happy to let you hold them in your arms and just enjoy how wonderful they are.

Sure, they still have their less-than-shiny-happy moments, but we can deal with that. I love life with these kids exactly as it is at this moment. I don't want a thing about it to change. How can it get any better than this?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Here's what I've been doing since I last posted:

1. Hanging out with family.
2. Opening an embarrassment of presents.
3. Eating way too much food.
4. Visiting the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum.
5. Playing too much World of Warcraft.
6. Surfing the blogosphere almost none.
7. Eating even more food.
8. Doing absolutely no freelance work, despite the piles that need my attention.
9. Eating just a bit more.

Phew. That's hard work. The holidays wear me out.

Quizzes, quizzes, and more quizzes

Some quiz fun.

You paid attention during 80% of high school!

68-84% Pretty good, you know that there are libraries and newspapers, and you remember what you've read. You were a child that wasn't left behind!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

You Are 80% Democrat

You have a good deal of donkey running through your blood, and you're proud to be liberal. You don't fit every Democrat stereotype, but you definitely belong in the Democrat party.

How Democrat Are You?

You Are 4% Republican

If you have anything in common with the Republican party, it's by sheer chance. You're a staunch liberal, and nothing is going to change that!

How Republican Are You?

You CAN See!

So much fun! Singing The Star-Spangled Banner at the Bulls game Saturday night was a blast. It was not at all scary, and it was over so fast! That was the largest audience I've ever performed for, although I can't say how many of them were actually paying attention. The best news of all: 1) If I did look pasty, the cameras never got close enough to me to show it. 2) I did fall, but not entering or exiting the court -- not until after the game started and I was out hunting for a slice of pizza. 3) I remembered all the words!

(Me = front row, first on the left)

Why I Love Baking

This, my friends, is what I call a loaf of bread.

Can You See?

Tune in to WGN tomorrow night (December 23) around 7:30 Central time to see members of the Chicago Chamber Choir sing the national anthem for the Bulls/Bobcats game. They tell us the national anthem will be televised.

Reasons I'm terrified:

1. We've been warned to wear plenty of make-up so as not to look "pasty." I always look pasty! I live my life looking like I'm about three melanin cells away from being an albino! I'm going to look like the walking dead.

2. I'm going to trip and fall either entering or leaving the court. I just know it.

3. I'm going to forget the words! To The Star-Spangled Banner! On national television! I will die.

Like a Child-of-the-80s-Turned-Overprotective-Mom

As I was driving home from my choir concert last night, "Like a Virgin" came on the radio. Of course, I immediately started belting along with the Material Girl -- I know the song well. I grew up on this stuff. "Like a virgin -- hey! Touched for the very first time!"

And as I sang and recalled those *shocking!* lyrics, I chuckled a bit to myself. Remember how upsetting that song was to so many grown-ups back in the day? What is Madonna teaching our youth? Oh my god, pre-teen girls are singing about being "like" a virgin! They shouldn't even know what that means! Gasp! I was amused and diverted by this memory for a bit. Please -- like we were harmed by listening to this or any other Madonna song. Give me a break!

And then a little voice in my head said, "But I wouldn't want the twins listening to this, of course! I mean, not until they're at least 25."

O Christmas Tree

We finally managed to get our Christmas tree up last weekend. I like to wait a bit longer than most people because I have a fear of the tree getting old and dry and becoming a large piece of highly flammable kindling sitting in my home. (Does that fear help me remember to water it regularly? No.) Realistically, I know that just because I wait to get the tree doesn't mean it hasn't been sitting on that tree lot for weeks and weeks, shriveling into a dry husk. I try not to think about that.

So as has been our tradition for the last several years, we went to Gesthemane, a lovely (overpriced) garden center near our home. This year, our friendly salesman alerted us to the fact that there's a special bargain-price lot full of less-than-perfect trees. So you're wondering why our tree looks a bit lop-sided? I love it just the way it is.

My tree-decorating theme? "Ornaments Kelly Likes." I'm consistent, so they all look good together, but otherwise there isn't much tying things together. Mental note -- I am no longer allowed to buy tons of new ornaments every year, no matter how super cute and awesome Gesthemane's new ornaments are. We barely found room for all the ornaments we already have on this not-small tree. One new ornament per year, max.

The Eagle Has Landed

Thanks, Nanette!!


Now it's time I reciprocate.

Technical Difficulties

A few of you have reported trouble trying to post comments on the blog lately. Sorry, guys. I assume the problem is that I finally gave in to those nagging messages from Blogger.com to "upgrade" to Blogger Beta. I think Blogger Beta needed to undergo a bit more beta testing before they rolled it out and shoved it on us.

I have no idea how long this problem will persist, but know that I feel your pain. Feel free to email your witty comments directly to me so at least someone gets to appreciate them.