This Valentine's Day, in Lieu of Chocolates...

Dear Cupid,
For Valentine's Day this year, I would like to forgo the traditional fare of chocolate bon-bons (my thighs can do without, thanks). No need for a fancy dinner out or roses by the dozen. These are wonderful, it's true, but my darling husband continually shows his love for me in ways that will not wilt after a week. Having learned long ago that romance does not have to come wrapped in Hallmark paper, I am A-okay with skipping the schmaltzy to-do this time.

This year, dear Cupid, there is *one* thing my heart desires and I can't deny it any longer... I long for it...lust after it...I..must...have...it!

I.want.a.nap.

Yup, a nap.

And it must be at least three hours of uninterrupted, noise free, blissfully cozy S-L-E-E-P, hmmkay?

Thank you for your cooperation.

xoxo
Linds

PS I also wouldn't mind a [magically] calorie-free, carb-free, fat-free, butter-smothered lobster, but I'll take just the nap if this is too tall of an order.

Under the Weather in This Beautiful Weather...

So here's an update on my Winter '10 Bucket List. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero! No progress! :( And not for lack of desire to do some of these activities either! I spent all of this week on call for work (meaning I can't really go anywhere) and have been sick for about 3 days. I am still raaawther under the weather which is unfortunate because the weather is gorgeous! I would love to put the baby in her Bjorn carrier, grab my camera and go out and enjoy the SUNSHINE we finally have!

Perhaps tomorrow before the Superbowl if I am no longer "docking lyge this" (talking like this).

In the mean time, I am spending time with my beautiful bébé girl (who is napping sweetly as I type) and hunting for low-fat, low-carb, high-protein recipes for the hubbster and I. Any suggestions?

An Open Letter to Nick Jr.

From:
Mom in Vermont
Arctic Tundra Road
Middle of Nowhereville, VT

To:
Nickelodeon Jr. (alias ‘Nick Jr.’, alias ‘Noggin TV’)
c/o Moose A. Moose
Viacom International Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

To Whom It May Concern:

Let me begin by stating that whether or not we like your programming has never been called into question. We love it! Our daughter wiggles, giggles and dances along with your cute and catchy songs. Her eyes light up at the very mention of the words “Fresh Beat Band” and I give you props for your learning-based programming.

However, I take issue with you stating "42 degrees, that's pretty cold!" Um... ya okay...maybe in SoCal sweetie. To us New Englanders (and I'm sure mommies in the Midwest will wholeheartedly agree) anything above 30 degrees is quite the unseasonable heatwave this time of year. Flip-flop weather even! I have to insist that you pull the plug on such questionable propaganda, or I shall be forced to take matters into my own hands! [And by "matters" I mean forcing you to spend a weekend in Northern Vermont, where in February, the weather is considered enjoyably balmy if it *miraculously* rises above zero.]

While I have your attention, I have some questions. First of all, HTH does Tuck get from a free standing tank in the middle of the classroom to the sink in every episode? And, um...what the dealie with 'Yo Gabba Gabba'? No seriously...W..T..F.

XOXO

Photos on a Sunday Afternoon

I dressed Vivi up in her Valentine's Day get-up with the intention of taking some pictures to send as cards... such a cutie! I really love the tights, but I ordered them in 12mo. size (obvs!) only to discover that "12 months" really means "only if your 12 month old is the size of a third grader."

Yes, that is my pink Snuggie re-purposed as a backdrop. You know you *luff* it!

Alas, the photo shoot was cut short, as our star took off. Models... so temperamental! ;-)

Le Brrrrrrr

Every winter, amidst the three-foot snow drifts, -35 degree weather and chattering teeth, I question why we continue to torture ourselves by voluntarily living in an area that so closely resembles the Arctic tundra.

I loath the cold, despise the snow and spit in the general direction of the icy drive that I have slipped on more times that I care to remember. From November to May my tootsies are in a perpetual state of 'cold as ice' and I have, on occasion, been known to wear both a bathrobe and Snuggie at.the.same.time.

Nonetheless, when it comes down to it, I could not imagine living anywhere but here. It's home. And that, my friends is better than any is better than any condo in Boca. Because of this, I would like to become friends with wintertime Vermont. So, I have composed a list of things I would like to do in the hopes of learning to embrace my bitter (cold) enemy.

Here we go...

1. Cross country ski . I've done this before, but not for what seems like an eternity. We're surrounded by places to do this (including the area that surrounds our house) and can rent them for about $5. Apparently the local family wilderness center holds skiing "moonlight excursions." What fun! I better dig out that dorky headlamp flashlight of mine...

2. Snowshoeing. Ditto the info above, plus I hear it's an amazing workout (which, admittedly I need these days).

3. Have Bestie teach me to make these amazing frosted sugar cookies she makes from scratch. She made some snowflake ones for Vivi's birthday and they were incredible! I want to learn to make some for Valentine's Day. So technically this has nothing to do with winter, but it's something fun to do! And it does involve iceing... bah-dum-bum-ching! Ahhh... I amuse myself.

4. Take my daughter sledding. We have the perfect hill for it right in our back yard. We wanted to go for her birthday, but it was far too chilly! It's still pretty cold, but hopefully we can go soon. I want her to grow up loving winter!

5. Winter photography. I really love to take picture. Whether I'm any good or not doesn't really matter to me. I'm always out and about with my camera during the summer and fall, but have yet to go out on a beutiful winter morning and photograph some of the marvels of nature that mother nature provides for us the rest of the year.

6. Go to more of my husband's hockey games. I've taken the baby to a few, but would like to get more into it. Eventually we would like to get our daughter on skates (we're working on the walking thing first) so I would like her to be exposed to her daddy's fave winter activity. Now if only I could stop getting the bleachers at the rink to stop eating my belongings... but that is a goal for another day.

Okay bloggies... it is Saturday, which means a day with my daughter and some [never ending] laundry, so I'm off. I will keep you posted on how I'm doing with my Winter Bucket List! I am open to suggestions for more winter activities to try!

Thanks for reading:)