DEAR SANTA

This is the first year Finn comprehends Santa Claus. He knows there is a Good List and a Naughty List and that you want to see your name on the "Good List". I find myself using this to my benefit when I need him to behave.  Did parents invent the Good List/Bad List to keep their children in line? Genius!! It works.

 

Polar Express Note Card

Today was the selected day to write Finn's letter and mail it off to Santa.  I have Polar Express Notecards and thought this would be ideal stationary for a safe and expedited journey to the North Pole.  Finn new exactly what train was on the notecard when I laid it on the table this morning, added to his excitement!

Santa's Address - North Pole

*You will actually get a letter back from the North Pole*

The Letter

I had so much fun working on this with Finn, with every new childhood experience I share with him I find myself younger in spirit and closer to my own memories of childhood.  He surprised me with only wanting to list two items....I asked twice if that was all and he held up two fingers and said "just two".

Mailing the Letter

*This morning before school/work*

Double Checking

So, will Finn see presents or coal Christmas morning?  Depends on the next 23 days....will keep you posted on his list status!

MERCI, ขอบคุณ, 感謝；謝意；酬謝；謝辭

Thank you all for your calls of love & birthday wishes,

for your messages on Facebook

and last but not least..

for the presents!

Finn waiting patiently for me to open the box!

Thank you Devon, Tiago and Pato

I am now the proud owner of three Christmas Penguins,

yes THREE!!

Thank you Kara, Chloe and Mark

How many Gustafson male's does it take

to light birthday candles?

Answer: THREE

Christmas Quilt from Violet & Gus

Every time I pull this quilt out, Finn comes running to cuddle underneath. 

I love you all for making my birthday special.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Roosevelt Middle School

6th Grade Choir

Kayla Front & Center

Captive Audience

I love December for many reasons, one being Christmas songs performed live. Tonight we attended Kayla's choir performance at Roosevelt Middle School.  I had no idea there were so many talented 11 and 12 year olds in one school.  My song of choice was their rendition of "Deck the Halls".    Finn was riveted to his chair throughout the entire performance, another reason to love "live" musical performance's in December.

Well done Kayla. We are very proud of you!!!

MY NEW SCHWINN

The morning after Thanksgiving I awoke to a small voice whispering in my ear....."Mommy, we have a surprise....wake up, we have a surprise".  I arose from my Turkey Hangover and let Finn pull me along, his little hand in mind, as we turned the corner into the living room there is was...........A SCHWINN 7 Speed Beach Cruiser!!!!  

I was surprised, shocked, amazed and thrilled all at once.  My birthday is not till Monday so I was not expecting anything so early.  How Todd was able to keep Finn from ruining the surprise will be a mystery.  I have dreamed about owning a beach cruiser for years and have gone to great lengths to get on a bike...I've borrowed Violet, Erik, and Devon's..........but no longer, I am now the proud owner of a White/Tiffany Blue 7 Speed SCHWINN Beach Cruiser.

For those of you wondering why my birthday present was given early, Todd knew we had the long holiday weekend ahead and wanted to make sure it was filled with family bicycle rides together.  So far we've had two.   Todd and I even raced each other along the Coastal Rail Trail with Finn pulled behind in his Burley cheering us on.  Yes, Todd won....but give me time, I wasn't too far behind.  Victory will soon be mine.

Hope your holiday weekend has been as much fun as mine so far!!! 

Montessori Thanksgiving Program

Pilgrim Finn

                          

Pilgrim Finn's Classmates singing "Where's my Turkey"

Finn in front row 3rd from left

 

Violet & Me

Pilgrim Hoop Shot

Happy Thanksgiving from the Gustafsons 

My cornucopia is filled with love, laughter and life! You are all responsible for the abundance in my cornucopia.......don't you just love the word "cornucopia"?

NOT JUST IN VERMONT

SNOWFLAKES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

     Isn't it magical?

   

   Should I break out in song.....lalalala

    "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas"  

     

For those of us who adore snowflakes

but don't live in Vermont,

this is the ideal decorating project. 

You will need:

(3 Boxes) Silver & White Snowflakes (6 per box) Dollar Tree

*10 Yards of Fishing Line

Invisible Tape

Scissors

The most difficult part of this project is removing the line from your husbands fishing pole without him catching you.......I suggest you wait until they are engrossed in Fantasy Football scores, worked for me.

SETTLING DEBATE

MAI TAI       vs.     MARGARITA

   

A little bird told me the "big debate" in the Dowd Clan is whether or not to have Mai Tai's or Margaritas during their upcoming winter vacation in Jamaica.  Let me settle this for you...........MARGARITAS!!!!  Can there be any doubt?

My Personal Motto

the bigger the better!

My only question for the Dowd Clan is.......

can I be adopted?

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Have you noticed this year that people are 

finding their Christmas Spirit early? 

As you can see by the photo, I am in this group.  We decorated our front gates on Sunday much to Finn's excitement.  When have I ever decorated for Christmas before Thanskgiving? Never!!  For some reason this year I want to decorate, cook, shop and read anything Christmas related. 

Finn has been asking more questions pertaining to Baby Jesus which brought up a good idea....Todd and I are going to focus on the Spirit of Christ this holiday season.  We are going to bring Baby Jesus into our home.  The Nativity Scene will be brought out and stories told.....I am excited to share the same stories of Christmas that my own parents shared with me.  I can still remember my mother reading out loud "The Gift of the Magi".  Have you read this story?  YOU MUST if you have not!! 

If you do but one thing this holiday season, take the time to make a pot of tea/coffee, light a candle and read "The  Gift of the Magi".  You will be a better person for it.  I promise the Spirit of Christmas will fill every inch of your being.  If you don't have the resources to pick up the book, I will loan you mine. 

COUNTDOWN

Can you guess where  I will be tomorrow at midnight?  For those of you who really know me.......I am sure you guessed correctly.  Yes, I will be with the other 10 million screaming women/girls at the Twiligt Saga, New Moon movie premiere. 

Did you see the purchase date on the ticket?

Purchased in September

I am a loyal and dedicated fan!

My sister-in-law was kind enough to pick it up for me.

If you have nothing better to do tomorrow night, come hang out with us,  we plan on eating Mexican food and sipping cocktails while we wait.  If I can't convince you, I bet the poster below will...............

Team Edward

or

Team Jacob?

BIRTHDAY GIRL IN THE HOUSE

Chloe Lynn turns one....

Chloe at 3 weeks

Congratulations Kara and Mark.....Chloe is such a special little Angel. It has been a pleasure watching her grow and seeing her personality develop. She is such a happy little girl!!!

SAFARI WITH PAPA

Are you ready to read a story about.......

THESE BOOTS

THIS BOY

Finn's paternal grandparents (Vi & Gus) watch Finn on Mondays so I can work. This time of year for Violet is pure craziness, the next three weeks she has a full time interior decorating job. This means that Papa and Finn are left to their own devices. Their days are filled with trips to Harbor Freight, coastal drives to look for whales and driveway fun.

This past Monday, Papa and Finn headed out in the truck to search for whales , migrating in the Pacific Ocean. They made it to a lookout point just south of Palomar Airport Rd before disaster struck. Papa's truck would not re-start. No Cell Phone. No Stroller.

What did they do you ask?

They decided to walk home. To some of you this may seem like no big deal, but home was 3.7 miles away and Papa didn't have a stroller. Papa told Finn they were embarking on a safari and off they headed along Pacific Coast Highway. At this point in the story I must mention "the boots". Finn had to wear them that morning before leaving the house, they are two sizes too big and are lined with fleece. Not ideal walking shoes.

When Papa and Finn arrived at the Sea Wall along Carlsbad Blvd he let Finn take the boots off, but back on they went when they reached Tamarack Surf Beach. They walked and walked and walked.......hours later they eventually made it home.

This is where my heart swells beyond its cavity with pride for my son. I am still in amazement that he managed to walk all the way back to his grandparents home without being carried or having a meltdown brought on by exhaustion. In a negative situation he came through for his grandfather, exceeding all expectations!!!!

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

It was a night filled with Edwardian vampires, coffins, bonfires and a lone fireman........

Let the Festivities Begin

On the Menu

Turkey Chili

Cornbread Muffins

Fingers with carrot nails!!

made by Grandma Cher

Trick 'O' Treaters

Spiderman, Power Ranger, Fireman

Conner, Chase and Finn

Families begin to arrive

Kara, Angel Chloe and Mark

Grandma Cher demonstrating her Witch Hat

It moved, back and forth all on its own....

Jaylynn & Lori

Bunny and Devil

Edwardian Vampire (Tiago) & Fireman Finn
All dressed up and ready to go trick 'o' treat!

First House we hit - Lori & Scott's
Finn had the lingo down,
you could hear him call out "Trick O Treat" from miles away.


Cousins, 3 to 18....holding hands and having fun.
Halloween is a night for all generations!


How fast they have grown up.......



Mother and Daughter
on the Halloween Trail

Who in the world dressed up as Tiff & Todd?

I love it when adults dress up to pass out candy,

the smaller children stare in awe.

We had a hard time getting Tiago and Finn to the next house.

To me this photo represents the Halloween of my childhood, it hasn't really changed during the last 5 decades. This scene/photo could have been from 1958 or 2009. Even the parent standing behind to watch over the little ones, reminiscent of childhood throughout the ages in America.

Tiago was an honest vampire, only took one piece of candy.

Told you there were coffins, scared yet?

If you happened to be walking by our house on All Hallows Eve......this was the view of our Coven/Party. See Great Grandma Edna?!?!?! Believe it or not, this was the first Halloween I have shared with her. She was such a trooper, she was first around the bonfire waiting on baited breathe for the ghost stories to begin.

Uncle Ted told stories of his recent trip to Little Big Horn and Aunt Grace shared a personal freakish story, it was complimented in perfect Halloween style with her Gothic Witch Costume. I love my family.....in case you haven't figured that out yet.

Me and Chloe

It was also Rachelle's 18th birthday (30th of October)

We celebrated with birthday cake, candles and the old faithful rendition of

"Happy Birthday"

We love you Rachelle

Every party must come to an end.

In true Richardson form, Tiago doesn't want the party to be over......

either did I.

A new family tradition has begun....if you are in the neighborhood on the 31st of October 2010, stop on by. We will have chili, bonfire and ghostly stories waiting for you.

Until next year...

keep your fires burning hot and bright!