Trying out for the 3d (or 4th?) generation of Mouseketeers*

*Because it worked out so well for Britney.

Guess who is no longer scared of the Carousel?

Time Warp: Back to November

What else did I miss putting on the blog in my work haze? Just Lorin's first (out-of-utero) trip ever to the Happiest Place on Earth.


First ride ever: the Matterhorn

First reaction to a ride ever: "It was scary. But just a little bit. The lion [the Abominable Snowman, actually] came out and said "Roar!" [Picture her little arms up in the classic bear pose]

Favorite ride: Dumbo

Favorite activity: Toddler frogger [she and Rowen would run sideways through crowds of people in Downtown Disney trying not to get hit. Parents of the year right here]

Favorite treat: Suckers shaped like Mickey's head

Most exciting thing about staying in a hotel: Her own room with bunkbeds

Most disappointing thing about staying in a hotel: Not being allowed to sleep on the top bunk

Top parenting hints from the trip: Disney's toilets all automatically flush, so bring stickers to cover the eye until completely finished; pull the top bunk's comforter down and sell the bottom bunk as a "cave"; those Mickey suckers occupy kids for a long, long time

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Decorator

Because I still firmly believe that we will be moving in the next couple of months, I decided not to pull out all our Christmas decorations (and instead use the time to unclutter all our other stuff). But since I have a 3-year-old who now understands holidays (and, thanks to TV, the traditions surrounding those holidays), I had to give in a little. So Lorin got to help put together the neighbor gifts:


And decorate the "tree":


See that stool? That stays there because apparently decorating the "tree" is an everyday action, rather than a one-time thing. So every morning, we have this:

The 2d-to-last Sunday before Sunbeams

And in her Christmas Dress from Nana.

Did I forget to mention...

that Lorin turned 3? Over 2 months ago? And we celebrated it multiple times? Here's proof:

Our realtor is still being nice to us...

but doesn't protest very quickly or loudly when I make jokes about being tough clients.

So is there any house news? Well, we've:

1) Been out-bid on Dream House #1 (which was the first house we saw so we spent a week looking at crappy houses before deciding to put in an offer the same day someone more "financially secure" did);

2) Decided against putting in an offer on Dream House #2 when we heard that there were already two above-price offers on it (and it was near the top of our budget);

3) Spent several day haggling with an awful seller and listing agent for Eh House #1, finally got under contract, then walked away after the inspection. Our agent said that she'd never seen such a bad inspection report. Of course, the seller was not willing to work with us;

4) Missed out on Dream House #3 when someone put in an offer - and it was accepted - between the time we called the listing agent who said it was available (5 p.m.) and the time we called the listing agent to say we were going to put in an offer (noon the next day);

5) Seen lots and lots and lots of just-not-right houses.

I hear it's a buyer's market (what with the glut of foreclosures, the historic low interest rates, the $8000 first-time home buyer's credit, etc.), but there are very few houses on the market and even fewer nice houses. Anyone who doesn't absolutely have to sell is staying put. But we still have hope...

Saying "Cheese"

We had our family pictures taken last month by the lovely and talented Wendy of Blue Lily Photography. Here are a few of our favorites:

Lorin Milestone #(whatever we're up to)

Lorin told her first deliberate poop joke today. Cracked herself up.