Natalie learns to play patty-cake

This bear is one that Natalie's Auntie Bev gave to her. It plays patty-cake with you and claps its hands while it chants the familiar rhyme. Apparently, Natalie really wanted to get in on the action. She tipped over the bear and began beating it happily. Funny stuff.

Utterly Exhausted

Keith and I are vowing not to go anywhere next year. I'm sure we'll recant that statement, but after driving all over SoCal and back again with a baby, we're not relishing the prospect of doing it again during our short two-week break. This is compounded by the fact that my birthday is tomorrow and we're going back to San Diego to see John Mayer (FANTASTIC birthday gift from Dad & Yvette).

Don't get me wrong. I don't mean to complain. I'm just sayin' that we're tired. Really, really tired.

In other news, Natalie danced for the first time today and she's been giving hugs for the past few days. Totally and completely awesome. Love that little Bean.

My Review of San Diego Chargers Womens Custom Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Originally submitted at NFL

You'll look great supporting your favorite team in this curve-hugging women's custom short-sleeve cotton t-shirt. It's fitted to accentuate your feminine shape and designed with your choice of personalized heat-sealed graphics on the chest, back, and sleeves.

San Diego Chargers Womens Custom Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Pretty design, but fits small

By Chargers Fan from Yorba Linda, CA on 12/22/2009

 

4out of 5

Pros: Shows Off Team Pride, Stylish Design, Authentic Look

Best Uses: Anytime, Around Town, At The Game

Describe Yourself: Sports Enthusiast

The shirt looks amazing, but the fit is very tight (I bought a medium thinking it would fit like my other medium shirts). The material is pretty heavy, which is nice, but it is also not terribly stretchy. Since they don't allow you to return personalized merchandise, I want to warn other buyers to buy this product bigger than you might ordinarily order.

(legalese)

Grammar Rant

It's the holiday season and that's the usual time for apostrophe nonsense. As such, I'm here to set those offenders straight. Yes, it's snarky, but I'm an English teacher at heart and feel the need to make our fellow Americans look smarter, if at all possible.

Apostrophes are used for various purposes, but most often to indicate a contraction (as in don't for do not) or ownership (Is that Sharleen's sweater?). Recently, I've been noting that people are using contractions broadly to indicate several of something. Please note that apostrophes are NEVER used to make a noun plural, including last names. See my examples of correct apostrophe usage below and feel free to use this rule all year long.

Apostrophes used in ownership

We're going to Melanie Carmona's house for dinner.

OR

We're going to the Carmonas' house for dinner. (note that since there are several Carmonas, I've attached an apostrophe to the end)

We're not going to Tiger Woods' house because he was a philandering idiot and now is facing an ugly divorce. (note that since Tiger's last name naturally ends in an s, I've added an apostrophe at the end to indicate he owns his house. This is more common than the Chicago style of adding an apostrophe s, but that is technically correct, as well)

OR

We're not going to the Woodses' house...

Correct use of plurals

Merry Christmas from The Carmonas!

The Carmonas wish you a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Love, The Carmonas

OR

Merry Christmas from The Woodses! (I know that looks weird, but it's technically correct. If you don't like that option, you can do this: Merry Christmas from The Woods Family)

Natalie Meets the Mouse!

Yesterday was our first family trip to Disneyland. We aren't sure yet who was more excited: Natalie, Mom and Dad, or Auntie Ali (though I think Ali edged the rest of us out by traveling all the way up here solo after spending the last two months all over the country and away from her husband and home!).

We had a blast watching our little wunderkind bright-eyed and amazed at all of the Christmas-y decor at the park and waited for a whopping 45 minutes to ride "It's a Small World". That was a successful first ride, what with all of the visual and auditory stimulation. Natalie was a tad overwhelmed looking from side to side--and even at the ceiling--while the songs rotated between the traditional song to Jingle Bells to Deck the Halls. Still, I think she liked it.

We're looking forward to going back soon!

Mr. Crab's Stand-up Show

Natalie's first day of Disney fun culminated in her usual bath time routine...except for Auntie Ali's new bath character "Mr. Crab". Imagine our surprise when Natalie found him the most hysterical event of the day!

Reading is FUN!

Natalie and I spend lots of time on the floor playing with toys, but we also read quite often for a baby. Of course, she usually likes to put the books in her mouth, but no matter. She'll learn from a very young age that reading is tasty, er, educational and enjoyable. Here she is, only 7 months old and enthused beyond belief about her books. We're so lucky.