3 Going on 13: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

1st Born vs. 2nd Born

Sometimes I feel bad for Max, born into a house of 1st born, type-A people.

Often this is when Ainsley recites all of the rules pertaining to the new couch ("Max, you can't drink milk on the couch. Max, you can't jump on the couch," etc.)

Nothing illustrates the difference between these two better than pictures of their first sledding experience of the season. (And yes, they were thrilled to sled on 1/2 inch of snow and we've had about 12 more since then!)

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Mullet Removal

Thanks for everyone's comments on MulletGate.

It was a tough battle, but Mommy won & we are a Mullet-Free family once again.

Hooray!

Max was a true haircut champion as long as he was plied with mini candy bars.

He impressed everyone at the salon, including his stylist, Erin.

Ainsley was there for moral support in case Max cried.

"Did I cry when I got my first haircut, Mom?" she asked.

Ummm, you mean did you shriek like you were being waterboarded when Erin attempted to shampoo your hair?

No, you didn't cry at

all.

"Oh, you were just a little nervous, sweetie," I lied.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Max is Sold Out to Santa

We finally received an emailed copy of our picture with Santa this week.

After a month of brainwashing, we convinced Ainsley to visit Santa on December 23rd.

As you can see, she wasn't entirely sold on the idea of physical contact with this bearded elf, so instead, she volunteered,

"I will not sit on Santa's lap, I will only stand by him, but Max will sit on his lap, Mom. That's a great idea!"

Yeah, he was thrilled.

Friday, January 7, 2011

MulletGate 2011

Like many great Midwesterns before him, my son has a mullet.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

We weren't trying to achieve this amazing hairstyle, it just sort of happened.

Really, you can't even tell there is a party in the back going on when you look at him head-on.

Exhibit C:

This has caused great debate within our family. Brad & Ainsley don't want Max to get a haircut, but I do.

Guess who is going to win?

Brad wants Max to grow his ponytail (see below) longer & donate it to Locks for Love. Seriously?

Feel free to leave your comments for MulletGate/MulletWatch 2011 - we'll let you know our decision.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Anne Geddes I'm Not (or, Happy New Year!)

We hosted a black tie affair on New Year's Eve, & I attempted to photograph 4 kids under age 2 & a 3 year-old pirate.

My mom knitted Max, Ronan, & twins Anna Kate & Connor matching tuxedo sweaters for the holiday season.

That was reason enough to get this destructive foursome together for a playdate.

I quickly learned why most of Anne Geddes' photos are of babies sleeping soundly in pea pods.

This crew did not care to take direction - except, of course, for the pirate, who decided that this would be the one day she would smile perfectly for the camera.

Anna Kate quickly realized that the photographer was an amateur & she had better places to be than squeezed on my couch between her brother, Connor (on the right) & second cousin, Ronan (on the left).

The photographer quickly realized that Anne Geddes probably sedates those pea pod babies with barbiturates.

The pirate was just happy she could be in costume & could wear a "t-shirt with words," as that is her preferred formalwear.