the ones about surprises «

ding dong ditch

Posted in the ones about ava, the ones about badgers & friends, the ones about surprises on June 25, 2008 | 4 Comments »

During the mysterious blog absence, Ava and I were enjoying a quiet afternoon at home. The doorbell rang and we looked out the window to see who it might be. There was no one on the front steps and no cars parked on the sidewalk.
“Maybe, it’s a package!” Ava shouted running down the stairs to [...]

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¡feliz cumpleaños chica!

Posted in the ones about friends, the ones about surprises on May 8, 2008 | 4 Comments »

On Cinco de Mayo, we celebrated Shanel’s birthday with a New Mexican fiesta. Ava taped up balloons and wrote out name cards, while I rolled enchiladas and smashed up avocados.
As I was smothering the corn tortillas with red enchilada sauce, I thought about the first time I brought New Mexican fare back to the [...]

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cleanliness, it’s next to…

Posted in the ones about my folly, the ones about surprises, tagged family, life, mothering on April 29, 2008 | 7 Comments »

Today when I saw the short hand nearing the fifth digit, I thought I might be nice to transition from bathroom scrubber and laundress to pretty wife before Hungryman made his appearance.
I traded my hooded sweater for a sleeveless top with ruffles and my tennis shoes for open toed heels. I stepped in front of [...]

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the cruelest trick by far

Posted in the ones about ava, the ones about merriment, the ones about surprises, tagged children, ducks, family, St. Patrick's Day, winter on March 18, 2008 | 6 Comments »

was covering our grass with a fresh fleece of snow.
I’m not sure how they managed it, but every spring-hopeful branch was wrapped in white.
Here’s a view of our neighbors back yard which Ava claims is Mr. Mcgregor’s garden.

She loves to watch our neighbor working in there and makes up stories about the bunnies who try [...]

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a fresh squeeze

Posted in the ones about surprises, tagged parenting, surprises on February 2, 2008 | 6 Comments »

While you are probably counted among the many whose sleepy eyes don’t pop open until they are greeted by the woodsy steam of their morning brew, I don’t fully emerge from dreamland until the sweet tart pulp of orange juice washes away all the sleep from my mouth.
I, like my mother, love orange juice first [...]

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givers & receivers

Posted in the ones about surprises on December 26, 2007 | 6 Comments »

I’m taking a quick break from chocolate truffles, Smarty Party, triple chocolate fudge, Cranium, dark chocolates, and Are You Smarter than I Fifth Grader to announce the winners of the Lullaby CD, the giver of the amazing Advent basket, and to brush my teeth.
Before I reveal any identities, let begin by sharing the last few [...]

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on the twelfth day of christmas and then some

Posted in the ones about surprises on December 22, 2007 | 5 Comments »

It’s time to sing again:
“On the twelfth day of Advent, my secret sister gave to me
Coffee for sipping
Cookies for dipping
Cutters for baking
Sprinkles for shaking

tissue for wrapping

Candles for burning
Paper for wrapping
Hot soothing tea
Bows, curling ribbon
Tree gift bags
Bird paper pad
and three shades of shiny lip balm!!
Oh, the song may have ended (thank goodness), but the basket is [...]

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when santa’s signals get crossed

Posted in the ones about surprises on December 18, 2007 | 11 Comments »

After two consecutive weeks of sub-freezing temperatures and after hearing more than one raving review of the australian sheep-skin boots (including Christa’s here), I decided that I wasn’t up for thawing out my toes after coming home anymore and that I would very much like a pair of Uggs.
And so I let it be known [...]

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on the third day of advent, and the fourth and fifth and sixth

Posted in the ones about surprises on December 7, 2007 | 1 Comment »

okay, and the seventh too.
Sing with me now:
“On the seventh day of Advent, my secret sister gave to meCandles for burning

Paper for wrapping

Hot soothing tea

Bows, curling ribbon

Tree gift bags

Bird paper pad
And three shades of shiny lip balm!!!
“Mama, you get to open another present!!” Ava calls out every morning as she digs through the basket to [...]

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