Well, it’s late on Monday evening, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow and my beloved friend who flew in tonight is sitting behind me watching me type. She followed me into my computer room and didn’t even bat an eyelash as she climbed over a half-empty laundry basket, two dogs, a lost dryer sheet, a hanger, a tea pot lid, a naked Barbie, a cowboy hat, a shoe, a spoon (she’s now chanting what else she sees on the floor)…I digress.

The weekend was lovely, highlighted by our neighborhood Easter party where we marveled at how much bigger the girls are this year–how we remember what they wore at this same event last year, how awesome it is that Nella can walk right beside the other kids and scout eggs all by herself.

The Easter Bunny went as I expected. Nella freaked out and Sister saved her.

My girl, the caretaker:

Nella’s a little more apprehensive but still curious.

I am stoked for more of these memories this week–egg dying and basket preparations and caching up with an old friend.

A good Enjoying the Small Things post brewing for Wednesday.

Tomorrow, we’ll visit the bookstore to see Bloom on a shelf–a dream fulfilled. I’m so very excited to share this with you.

You can pick it up tomorrow in person (Barnes and Noble, Target, Books a Million), or you can order a copy from any of the distributer buttons on the right sidebar. Target.com is offering 10% off online orders of the book with Code TGT4TWW7 (through April 10).

I hope you enjoy it. If you participated in the pre-order incentives, hold tight…your book plates will be shipped soon, and a calendar for reserving your Skype session will be sent out once the details have been smoothed out. In the mean time, you can find suggested book group questions HERE, and I will post updates on Facebook as well as Twitter as they come.

I’m also thrilled to share that my publisher, William Morrow, will be donating ad proceeds from the Bloom book trailer to the NDSS, so please share away!

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We’re thrilled to welcome back one of last year’s sponsors, Petite Lemon (on Facebook), featuring their new personalized shirts for kids including big brother t-shirts and big sister t-shirts. Lainey and Nella wore their new Over the Rainbow t-shirts this weekend, and I love both the quality (thick, soft cotton!) and the fact that both girls’ names are on each t-shirt.

Get 15% off with code NELLALOVE15–good for personalized decor and sibling t-shirts.

One lucky commenter (generated by random.org) on this post will win a $50 gift card, courtesy of Petite Lemon.

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Have a great week!

Lainey wanted to make cookies that spelled out Santa’s name. I went through all the trouble of tediously whittling a butter knife through dough that kept falling apart, and then I burned them later and threw them out. Thankfully, Lainey forgot.

Christmas Eve night? Dreamy, dreamy. Lainey’s excitement emanated from her smile, her breathless fast talk, her eyes that got big when she listened to our play-by-play of just what would happen that night.

We left this little doll next to the reindeer food so the reindeer could have “something to play with while Santa’s inside,” as Lainey brilliantly schemed.

Sleigh Runway, courtesy of Daddy

I wish I could say this candle thing has some deep ceremonious meaning. You can make one up as you see fit. Really, my kid just likes candles and every special event in our home (birthdays, anniversaries, tossing a shirt and having it land in the laundry basket on the first try) includes some kind of lights-turned-off/candles lit/made-up song ceremony.

This year, we swayed our candles back and forth while Lainey commanded us to repeat after her. Like “Happy Christmas, I love you, Reindeer are coming in the sky, Nella don’t touch my candle.”

It was beautiful funny.

I stayed up far too late Christmas Eve–wrapping, rolling dough, making sure everything was just right. And it was so entirely worth it when I finally slipped into bed and kept my eyes open just long enough to take it all in–the twinkly lights above our head board, the babies next to us, the silence in the darkness and the gratitude that engraved a little deeper within. Amidst my exhaustion, I felt content.

The boys arrived late Christmas Eve and come morning, when Nella was the first to welcome Christmas with her fingers curled over the edge of the crib and her whipered “Hi” to wake me, everything fell into place like snow on fir branches.

I quietly snuck Nella out to keep her from waking everyone else up, but she spotted the baby stroller next to the tree, and Sister could not be contained.

So we went and woke up the entire house so we could get on with it.

Surveying proof of reindeer

Sister was more interested in helping Austyn with his stocking than digging through her own

Santa brought her “real pretend” glasses.

Austyn wanted a unicycle, a decision that pretty much made my Christmas. After almost putting a hole in our drywall, he moved his practice from the hallway to the driveway. It’s a work in progress, but once he has it down I’m sure he’ll be picking up chicks with it. Well, not literally–only one seat.

Our childhood Chrismases were highlighted by the string tradition–following a string that trailed throughout the house, in and out of bedrooms, up and down staircases until it ended at “the big gift”–the most memorable being Buffy, our childhood Cocker Spaniel. This year’s string led to a seat for two because our seat for one was causing too many sister arguments.

And I always love the way those little gifts become favorites. Like the big girl journal with a feather pen and a real lock. She opened to the first page, prepared her pen to write and asked, “Mom, how do you spell ‘NO. This is Lainey’s Lock Book.’?”

My heart is happy. The most important priorites in our life have bubbled to the surface the past few days and are holding steady with no competing interruptions.

More candles, I know.

Annual Christmas swim tonight

I could go on, but I have an entire week of reflection coming. I do a whole lot of “where have we been, where are we going?” this time of year, and I am loving the sentiments that follow.

But tonight, it’s still Christmas. Light a candle…or a pretend campfire. It ain’t over yet.

Merry, merry.

Last night, Nella’s midnight cries interrupted a dream where it was snowing. I don’t know where I was, but I do remember, about five seconds before the dream broke, I was taking my mittens off so I could use my phone to take a picture of evergreen branches, frosted in crystalized snow.

Yesterday, I cried twice from missing my family. Once didn’t count though because Sinead O’Connor was mid-chorus in Silent Night, and that song–well, all bets are off. I felt off yesterday. I blamed it on being tired, missing my family, realizing I didn’t get to do so many of the things I swore I’d do this year–like slow down. Read Christmas books every night. Chill out. All this to say, December is such an immense crescendo of anticpation and I flip out a little at the peak.

But I’m regaining my footing–surveying the scene, and it’s grand. Which is why I don’t have a lot to say today. I’m caving–burrowing into my family, reflecting on this year, feeling grateful and content and excited.

Our last home-making attempts:

Thursday night, we gathered with friends to enjoy the talents of Mikey Wax, who finished off his home concert tours this year in our neighborhood clubhouse.

He is kind and warm and fit in just perfectly with our crazy bunch–not to mention he is so talented, and his smooth soulful tunes were the perfect accompaniment for a memorable night.

He begins a radio tour next year as well as continuing his house concert tour. Check him out!

Last night we continued our hot cocoa walk tradition, trailing our festive wagon through the darkness, knocking on doors, pouring drinks and delivering off-tune reditions of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” It felt celebratory and bonding in an I-miss-my-family-but-I’m-glad-I-have-my-friends kind of way.

When it was all done, Nana Kate came home with us and the two of us settled into the couch. She admitted she cried because she missed her grandkids and I admitted I cried because I missed my family. Hello, Match Made in Heaven. We don’t just love each other–we need each other.

So, here I am–Christmas Eve–surveying the scene. Feeling thankful. Excited for this next week. And ready to step away from this keyboard…family calls.

Friday Phone Dump:

Friday Phone Dump photos are taken on the Instagram iPhone app (free) and dropped into a 12×12 collage using a photo editing software (Photoshop Elements works). I am “etst” on Instagram if you want to follow the feed.

To all of you, Merry Christmas. Have a wonderful weekend with your families.

Our 2011 Christmas Card (I still have a stack on my counter to send out!)

front

inside

back

We’ve got work to do!