The Week in Pictures

The blog world is full of "Year in Review" posts this time of year, but since the jury is still out on how recap-able my year was, I have yet to craft one of those. An "End of the Year Reflections" post is probably more appropriate in my case, but given that my kids have been out of school for two weeks now and are still home for another whole week (!), contemplative, meditative, reflective time has been super hard to come by.

I  know, I know...you're thinking...

Jeeeeez, XL...you only have 4 kids and it's vacation! Whaddya mean you don't have time? Whine, whine, whine...you have time to screw around on Twitter and Facebook. Do yourself a friggin' favor...get off the computer and REFLECT! 

Whatever.

In addition to Christmas (which was probably the best Christmas I've ever had), we've had a very full week...and here's the #PROOF...

MONDAY

Grocery shopping with a three-year old sucks. I have no idea why she has decided to try to fit her whole entire body inside her shirt while in the produce section...in the middle of the aisle. And she was growling and meowing in there. Some of my fellow shoppers were mildly amused. Others were visibly irritated beyond belief. They all knew she was mine due to our matching Einstein hair. I would have loved to have used the time to relax and reflect, but it was not to be.

TUESDAY

It was Christmas and it rocked. Santa brought us a modern-day television...our first one that was built in the 21st century. Pretty rad...even if we still don't have cable or any reception. It's nice to watch DVDs and VHS tapes without having to whack the television on the side to get the image to stabilize. Other really awesome stuff happened...like, it was totally chill and lovey and cozy and happy. We all really needed that this year :)

WEDNESDAY

We had to feed the moon. Three-year olds are very compassionate creatures. The moon was not full, so we needed to feed it. She collected all sorts of plant materials in a little clam shell. It was quite cold by our standards...low 50s or maybe high 40s...and she refused to wear a jacket. Fine. I'm picking my battles. It was a beautiful winter sunset and she is awfully cute, so I let it go and prayed no one would report me to CPS. 

THURSDAY

I was hungry. We had a whole bunch of really old apples sitting on the counter. I've been way too lazy for a couple of months (no lie) to peel and slice them to make any sort of something with them. They were quite shrivelly. It was time. I made a bottomless apple pie using leftover piecrust from Thanksgiving...in a 13"x 9" baking dish. The picture on the right was taken today. Single-handed. Me. Again, no lie. That's gross, isn't it?

 FRIDAY

THE ZOO!!!!! I know you all have been wondering when we would go to the zoo next, especially since it is vacation. Yesterday was the day. It was so exciting. The top left picture could have been taken not only upon arrival but during our departure as well. I DON'T WANNA GO TO THE ZOO!!!!!! followed by I DON'T WANNA LEAVE THE ZOO!!!!! But she was pretty cute chasing her pet unicorn around in that tunnel (lower left) for about an hour. *audible eye-roll* The older kids and I got pretty bored of it. But then she let me ride the unicorn...everyone else was sooooo jealous. And in case you can't tell, that is a wild, snarling tiger climbing down that fallen tree. So get back.

SATURDAY

I haven't done jack for weeks in terms of exercise. Somehow I wound up on my bike while my husband ran a mile and a half. Look what we found... fascist Santa had fallen over. Either he was deposed or drunk. Watching my husband try to straighten Santa out was pretty hilarious. I almost fell off the bike laughing so hard.

So see? Not a whole lot of time to reflect and contemplate.

I am planning on running again someday. I think Monday. Yeah, Monday sounds good. I might be done with the pie by then.

How has your year shaped up? Did you reflect or recap? Give me a link in the comments so I can get some ideas ;-) 

What's the most pie you've ever eaten? Single sitting or over the course of a few days...doesn't matter.