Santa 2009

Harper went to see Santa last night. She knows who Santa is and has been talking about him (Tan-ta) for several weeks, so I didn't think she would have any issues about sitting on his lap. As we stood in line, she was very excited to meet him. She also made friends with the two little girls behind us in line (one of them asked me if Harper had happy feet because she kept dancing around). Finally, we were next in line and Harper's eye's got big. She was smiling and excited to meet the big guy. However, as soon as we stepped onto the red carpet that surrounded his chair, she got very apprehensive about the whole thing. She didn't cry, but she looked a little nervous. By the end of their time together, Harper warmed up to him and we ended up getting a good picture.

It's All About The Box

But, I said please...

Little Actress

Harper has a flair for the dramatic.

Crossing Guard Frustration

So... I've been a little hesitant to write this post because, for the most part, I make a conscious effort to keep this blog positive and encouraging. Today's post is mostly complaining and maybe a little bit funny. So, I guess you should take it with a grain of salt.

Last week, I had a facebook update regarding the crossing guards at St. Bernard Academy. It was not a very nice update. Here's the background. I have passed by these particular crossing guards many times before. However, in the past 8 months or so, I haven't had reason to go by them because I take a different way into work when I drop Harper off at baby school. But last week, Rob took Harper to school one morning, so I went the old way to work. Now I am well acquainted with the way these crossing guards work. They try to intimidate and bully motorists into respecting their authority. Don't get me wrong. I am all for being especially careful around schools. I have a child. I am sensitive to how other people's actions could potentially affect my child. Therefore, I try my best to respect the rules of the road and slow down in school zones. But without exception, every time I pass by these crossing guards, they blow their whistles at me and pretend to write my license plate number down in their little notebooks.

So...last week, I decided to do a little experiment. Knowing that the crossing guards are hypersensitive, I planned to go 10mph in the 15mph school zone. As I approached them, I slowed down to 10mph and before I even got 2 feet into the "red zone", the crossing guard started blowing her whistle and making wild arm gestures at me. I slammed on the brakes even though I knew I was going well under the speed limit. Her whistle blowing and arm gestures startled me so much that for a split second I thought "crap, I just ran over a kid or something" (but that would have been impossible because there wasn't a kid around for 500 yards and I WAS GOING 10MPH).

After my minor heart attack, I continued driving and she continued to tell me to slow down (I was still going 10mph). I am not an angry driver. I don't talk or gesture to other drivers or pedestrians while I'm driving. However, as I drove by the crossing guard, I held up 10 fingers and said "I AM GOING 10MPH"!

So...that's my crossing guard story. I really have no idea why I get harassed by them. The only thing I can think of is that the turbo in my car makes it sound like it's driving ridiculously faster than it is - but that's a big stretch. I dare any one in the Nashville area to drive past these crossing nazis without getting whistled at. Maybe that last sentence was a bit harsh. I'm going to stop now.

Our First Book Signing

Harper and I went to our first book signing the other day. Our friends Emily and Katie came too (It probably wasn't their first book signing. They're more cultured than I am). A few weeks ago, I got Emily the Pioneer Woman's cookbook as a Christmas present. Then I found out that the Pioneer Woman was coming to Nashville on her book tour, so of course we had to go meet her. It was a fun time. As I mentioned before, I have never been to a book signing before, but I'm pretty sure that the crowd the Pioneer Woman draws is more friendly than most other crowds. People even brought baked goods and were sharing with those around them in line. All in all, we probably stood in line for about an hour and a half and we probably spent about 20 seconds with P-Dub. I was hoping to extend our time with her by revealing that we knew (and Emily is related to) Allison and Ryan (you know..."Dreamy Pastor Ryan" and his beautiful and talented wife). But alas, my name dropping didn't get us any extra perks. I will say that we had a very nice conversation with the Pioneer Woman's sister, Betsy, and friend, Hyacinth, who accompanied her. The bottom line is that it's fun to give Christmas presents, especially ones that come with an "experience." Hopefully, Emily will be trying out her new cookbook sooner rather than later (hint, hint).

Christmas Tree

This video has a little bit of everything in it. The hat is an indian hat that Harper made at baby school for Thanksgiving. The "Happy Dances" are kind of a new thing for her. She started doing them whenever she had nooies (noodles) for dinner. Now she pretty much does them anytime she's happy.

Shaving Cream Art

This is one reason why we love Harper's baby school. They do cool things like shaving cream art! I love how Harper is very modest and has covered all of her...ummm...questionable parts!

I didn't know they even did this activity until I saw the pictures. Now that I think of it, I thought Harper smelled a little manly when I picked her up the other day...