Sophie's 2011 Christmas List

Sizing:
Sophie - Size 4T - shoe size 9?

Note - please don't get DVDs. We have plenty of media and don't really use DVDs per se.
Other Note - Craigs List is sometimes a great resource for totally usable kids stuff that costs a lot less

Under $50

• Clothing - Sophie especially, DESPERATELY needs sweaters and other warm clothes! and socks! Gap, Old Navy & H&M tend to have the market for this age group. Pants, shirts, sweatshirts/sweaters, accessories - always appreciated and very much used!
• Umbrella - cute umbrella
• Footy Pajamas (4T size) - a reliable crowd-pleaser
• Favorite Yoga Pants - $15ish

Books

• Search for Sophie, Playmobil Books $20

Educational & Crafts

• Giant Magnetic Letters, upper & lower case $8.95 each
• My First Draw & Write Journal $4.95 each
• iPlay Wok and Roll Chopstick Game $17
• Kids' Chopsticks - Chimpsticks $7
• Rainbow Dot Paints $14
• Counting Bears & Cups $12
• Custom Adress rubber stamp like this (her name & address only please) type in 'rubber stamps return address into www.etsy.com and have fun :)

$50 and up

• Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair* - (approx $120) monogrammed would be fun

* - these gifts would probably be particularly appreciated/useful

Ella's 2011 Christmas List

Sizing:
Ella - Size 5 T or 5 or 6 - shoe size 12?

Note - please don't get DVDs. We have plenty of media and don't really use DVDs per se.
Other Note - Craigs List is sometimes a great resource for totally usable kids stuff that costs a lot less

Clothes

• Ella especially, DESPERATELY needs sweaters and other warm clothes! and socks! Gap or Old Navy tend to have the market for this age group. Ella loves dresses, tights, leggings, shirts & accessories - always appreciated and very much used! She is a little weird about frilly or lacy things - prefers very simple clothes that are soft.
• Cute Hair Accessories

Educational/Play

• Doll house furniture and dolls
• Umbrella - cute umbrella
• Printing letters practice books, upper & lower case - $6.99 each, pens - $3.99
• My First Draw & Write Journal - $3.49 each
• Jigsaw puzzles (less than 100 pieces)
• Coloring / Activity Books
• Kids' Chopsticks - Chimpsticks $7

Crafts:

• Custom address rubber stamp like this $22 (With her name only please, Ella Kessler etc.)
• Stationary set
• Travelling Art Tote $20 pink sage & bangles fabric
• Happy Handle Stamp set, Melissa & Doug $8.30
• Make Your Own Cards $18.50

Books -

• Books on dinosaurs
• Early reading books
• Ella also enjoys poetry & rhyme

• Clothing - Gap or Old Navy tend to have the market for this age group. Ella loves dresses, tights, shirts & accessories - always appreciated and very much used!
• Cute Hair Accessories

$50 and up

• 
  

* - these gifts would probably be particularly appreciated/useful

Ben's 2011 Christmas List

$20 and under

Casual socks such as these or these

iTunes Giftcards

Do-It-Yourself Shed Building Guide - $14

Cool bow ties from thrift store?

Under $50

J Crew long-sleeve broken-in no-pocket crewneck tee (medium) - white, ocean, navy, light maritime, or old metal - $24

Brooks Brothers Pocket Squares/Handkerchiefs - $25

Protec Adult Helmet - Size L - Matte Charcoal - $30ish

Deerskin Leather Driving Gloves - Black - Large - $49.50

A Better Antenna for TV - $89

Good used Nikkor/Nikon lens for using our Canon in movie mode - these would be old, non-autofocus lenses - preferably 28mm or 35mm - see this, this, and this for some recommendations - will also need a converter mount to work with our Canon Rebel T2i - this gift would be ama-zing!

Under $100

Button-down casual shirts - My entire collection is literally falling apart - I like shirts with a little body to them, a non-baggy cut, and a classic pattern - sizing is Medium for J Crew and most others

Over $100

Intel 320 SSD (sigh) - $139

Longboard!  - $140

Yakima BowDown Kayak Rack - $160ish

Kinect sensor for Xbox 360 - $150ish


Makita LS0714 7.5" Sliding Compound Mitre Saw - $449


Yamaha RX-V671BL AV Receiver - $499

Unmentionably* Ridiculous

(don't know why I'm even putting these down):

Canon 24mm f/1.4 lens - $1,500ish - you know you want to get me one of these...!

* so why would I mention them then? More out of academic curiosity, really.

Julie's 2011 Christmas List

Still working on this.....
Under $20

• Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Caramels $4
• Selection of treats from Pistacia Vera especially their macarons, yum :)
• Apple Slicer & Corer like this
• Subscription to Cooks Illustrated - either online or print

Under $50

• Subscription to 'Life' magazine
• Crest Whitening Strips $33 3D Professional

$50 - $100

• Gift Certificate for dinner at G Michael's in German Village

Over $100

• 
  

Sophie's 2010 Christmas List

Sizing:
Sophie - Size 3T - shoe size 7

Note - please don't get DVDs. We have plenty of media and don't really use DVDs per se.
Other Note - Craigs List is sometimes a great resource for totally usable kids stuff that costs a lot less

Under $50

• Clothing - Gap, Old Navy & H&M tend to have the market for this age group. Pants, shirts, sweatshirts/sweaters, accessories - always appreciated and very much used!
• Footy Pajamas (3T size) - a reliable crowd-pleaser
• Favorite Yoga Pants - $15ish
• Warmest Overalls*- pink - $39ish

• Books
• Sophie's Bucket, Catherine Stock
• Search for Sophie, Playmobil Books $20

• Educational & Crafts
• 3 scene sequencing cards $12.99
• Giant Magnetic Letters, upper & lower case $8.95 each
• My First Draw & Write Journal $4.95 each
• iPlay Wok and Roll Chopstick Game $17
• Kids' Chopsticks - Chimpsticks $7
• Rainbow Dot Paints $14
• Counting Bears & Cups $12
• Hear myself sound phone - $4.99
• Wooden puzzle - Melissa & Doug Dressing Bear Family Puzzle $12.23
• Custom Adress rubber stamp like this (her name & address only please) type in 'rubber stamps return address into www.etsy.com and have fun :)

$50 and up

• Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair* - (approx $120) monogrammed would be fun

* - these gifts would probably be particularly appreciated/useful

Ella's 2010 Christmas List

Sizing:
Ella - Size 4-5 T - shoe size 10

Note - please don't get DVDs. We have plenty of media and don't really use DVDs per se.
Other Note - Craigs List is sometimes a great resource for totally usable kids stuff that costs a lot less

Under $50

• Educational
• 6 scene sequencing cards - $12.99
• Hear myself sound phone - $4.99
• Lakeshore letter builders, upper & lowercase* - $29.95 each
• 3 letter word builders, set of 10 - $19.95
• Printing letters practice books, upper & lower case - $6.99 each, pens - $3.99
• My First Draw & Write Journal - $3.49 each
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Magnetic Dress Up Dolls $15
• Coloring / Activity Books
• Sorting Clock $12
• Kids' Chopsticks - Chimpsticks $7

• Crafts
• Custom address rubber stamp like this $22 (With her name only please, Ella Kessler etc.)
• Stationary set
• Travelling Art Tote $20 pink sage & bangles fabric
• Happy Handle Stamp set, Melissa & Doug $8.30
• Make Your Own Cards $18.50
• Perler Bead Crafts like this $12

• Books - Ella is enjoying books by Catherine Stock at the moment....around $13
• Spree in Paree
• Porc in New York
• Ella also enjoys poetry & rhyme

• Clothing - Gap or Old Navy tend to have the market for this age group. Ella loves dresses, tights, shirts & accessories - always appreciated and very much used!
• A 'Hello Kitty' shirt, preferably long sleeved
• Cute Hair Accessories
• Fleecy Pajamas little girls' small, rose - a reliable crowd-pleaser $29.95
• Jersey Knit Pjs little girls' small, seedling / polka dot $29.95
• Girls' faux fur earmuffs - $19.50, dark chocolate
• Long Johns set Rainbow Dot $29.95
• Warmest Overalls*- pink - $39ish

$50 and up

• Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair* - (approx $120) monogrammed would be fun

* - these gifts would probably be particularly appreciated/useful

2009 Christmas Lists

Our 2009 Christmas Lists are up. Check out:

- Julie's Christmas List
- Ella and Sophie's Christmas List
- Ben's Christmas List

Ben's 2009 Christmas List

$20 and under
Casual socks such as these (Nordstrom), or these (Old Navy)


Under $50
Patagonia cadet cap - Condor Grey - LARGE ($28ish)

LL Bean Long Sleeve Sunwashed T-Shirt - Blue, Cayenne, or Mountain Red - $24.50

LL Bean Henley Sunwashed T-Shirt - Blue, Cayenne, or Mountain Red - $24.50

J Crew long-sleeve broken-in no-pocket crewneck tee (medium) - ocean, navy, light maritime, or old metal - $24


Under $100

J Crew Fine lambswool half-zip sweater (medium) - heather sage, heather tile, or heather flannel, $59.50 - $69.50

Ruehl button-down shirts (large) - before Ruehl goes out of business! maybe this, this, or this - $78 unless on sale, or Julie knows how you can get these for 40% off

Leather Gloves - Black - Large or X-Large ($59ish)


Over $100



Unmentionably* Ridiculous (don't know why I'm even putting these down):
Canon EF-20mm f/2.8 Super wide lens - $430ish

Panasonic TC-P46G10 - $1,100ish

* so why would I mention them then? More out of academic curiosity, really.

Ella's and Sophie's Christmas Lists

Sizing:
Ella - 3T - shoe size 8
Sophie - 2T or 18 to 24 months - shoe size 6

In general, Ella and Sophie like the following things:

• Kipper the dog (both)
  
• Wall-E (both)
  
• Thomas the Train Engine (Ella)
• Dress-up (both)
• Airplanes
• Plastic Piggy Bank for Sophie - this one is cute...
  

Note - please don't get DVDs. We have plenty of media and don't really use DVDs per se.
Other Note - Craigs List is sometimes a great resource for totally usable kids stuff that costs a lot less

Under $50

• Clothing - Gap tends to have the market for this age group. Pants, shirts, sweatshirts/sweaters, accessories - always appreciated and very much used! (Here are some ideas, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here)
• Fingerpaints
• Crafty things
• Books
• Marble Run - $18.49 - the girls both LOVE marbles (no need for more marbles - have lots of those)
  
• Footy Pajamas like this or this - 2T for Sophie and 3T for Ella - $20ish
• Play kitchen sets (probably best source for this would be Craig's List)

• GAP Side-tab Warmest Jacket (I think I like this one the best) - $45ish - 2T for Sophie and 3T for Ella
• Warmest Overalls to match the Gap jacket above for Sophie - 2T or Ella - 3T - $39ish

$50 and up

• Bulk wooden train track - $49ish
• Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel or KidKraft Deluxe Wood Easel $45ish to $90ish
• Sophie - Sleep Sack 18-36mths
• Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair - (approx $120)

** - these gifts would probably be particularly appreciated/useful

Mandy umbrellaing it in the thunderstormy iPhone line...

Happy Birthday to Sam and Sophie!

Sam and Sophie, whose endearment for each other can clearly be seen in the above photograph, are both a year old/older today. I am sorry to say, Sophie's progress over the past year has been markedly more accelerated than Sam's. While Sophie has increased her verbal and physical dexterity exponentially, Sam appears to be largely unchanged on both fronts over the past year - perhaps even declining. Sophie's hair is growing into a respectable punk-rockesque 'do. Alas, Sam's receding forehead tells another story altogether...

So, congratulations to you both! And Sam - hope you do better in the year to come. You've got some strong competition...

Thanksgiving Menu

Anne and Jennie et al are rolling into town sometime soon(?) (woo hoo!), and we're battening down the thanksgiving menu. We are going to start off simple, and am open to suggestions. Here's where we're at right now -



- Roasted Brined Turkey
- Cranberry & Orange Relish
- Rustic Cornbread
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes and/or Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
- Classic Mashed Potatoes
- Low Country Green Beans
- Momma's Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
- Braised Brussel Sprouts
- Broccoli & Cheddar Gratin
- Sweet Potatoes (suggestions as to how to prepare?)
- Gran Anne's Skillet Stuffing
- Meme's Rolls

- Pumpkin Pie
- Apple Crumble Pie

Congratulations Sam and Susie!

Yesterday my little/big brother, the one who followed me/preceded me across the Atlantic to Britain and then ended up staying there and selling his soul to the queen's empire, got engaged! It's been a long time coming, Sammy. Three cheers for the happy couple, and best of luck during your engagement!

The intrepid couple, dashing through the Mourne mountains on their engagement day

Engagement/wedding planning is a funny thing; it can produce really stressful times, but only because there seems to be this perspectival warp in the fabric of the universe that causes people to lose sight of what really matters. All that really matters is that you love each other, and that you're making this really big, amazing commitment to love each other for ever. So here's to you two - wishing you all the happiness that is humanly possible, and more. Slàinte Mhath!

Announcing Sophia Eleanor

Born 4/24/08 @ 10:37 am
8 lbs 12 oz
21.25"

Happy Birthday Mandy!

22 is a wonderfully symmetric age.  It's funny, I was trying to call you on Skype today to figure out if it was, indeed, your birthday, and when I clicked on your name to call you, it told me it was your birthday!  But I still called.  

Love you! xo

Sledding!

This weekend really rocks.  It started out as a stressful bohemoth looming on the horizon, where we had all of these things we needed to do and not a whole lot of prospects for fun.  And then it snowed, and everything was cancelled!  This is all to explain how my blog productivity has just increased 1,000 fold.

I thought I'd post this video of Ella's first sled ride... too fun...

Happy Birthday Ella!

Happy Birthday Mandy!

In honor of your birthday, I have prepared a special "south park" Mandy just for you.

As I'm sure you can tell, this represents well your angelic, skype-luvin, psychiatric, star wars fanatical self. Excellent resemblance, no?

I'm sorry I haven't been in touch recently. I've tried to call your 614 skypein number, but it appears to be disconnected. Life has been very hectic recently - we'll talk soon! You're the best sister ever! (as are all my sisters!) Love you! I love exclamation marks!

- B.

Ella's First Christmas

Ella's first Christmas was primarily dominated with several attempts to eat wrapping paper, and/or the presents within the wrapping paper.

Ella opens her "Christmas Sack" - apparently this is like a stocking, or maybe it is a stocking. It looks sort of like a sack.

Ella commences eating wrapping paper

... and pauses briefly to assist in unwrapping a present

before eating more wrapping paper

and more...

and even eating some gift bags

and then attempting to eat this poor elephant

she really likes to eat wrapping paper

yup...

mmmm. cardboard...

Happy Birthday Brad!

Happy Birthday Brad, you old man. As of today (now yesterday – I’m a bit late posting this) Brad has ascended to the ripe old age of 35. Not traditionally a landmark age, but somehow it feels like a landmark. I think that once you’re 35 you can get away with stuff you can’t get away with when you’re younger, like hitting on flight stewardesses and married women.

Brad taught us all how to play video games in one sitting in the back of a van on family roadtrips to Florida (or was it Hatteras?), and how to play poker and even how to create blogs. He continues to school us in all things cool, and is currently living it up in So Cal pursuing his glamorous career as a research assistant for CSI:Miami (the one with clown-boy). Props to Brad, and best of luck in this your 35th year.