A Merry Christmas Eve!

Twas the day before Christmas
And in the Stone home
Every creature was happy
Even their little garden gnome





Getting ready for Christmas
They busied themselves
With all the hustle and bustle
Of good little elves






While the halls had been decked
And the stockings were hung
Not a single holiday carol
Had been sung





So in front of the fire
They gathered 'round
Laughing and singing
Making happy family sounds

The littlest Stone
Had his first cold in the head
So coughy, so sneezy
A nose like Rudolph, so red















In spite of his hacking
And his nose so runny
Baby Stone's mood was great (mostly)
He was chipper and funny

The afternoon was relaxing
Laying about and just chillin'
A promise of a good Christmas
Even though Baby was illin'













With their shopping all done (mostly)
The Stones avoided the stores
They just played, baked and wrapped gifts
Maybe did a few chores

As day turned to night
The Stone clan grew weary
While still hanging in there
Junior was not quite as cheery

So they set about
All their nighttime routines
Happy to settle down
For some nice Christmas dreams

As their lids grew heavy
And the sleepies set in
Each Stone thought about
How the last year had been

And what came to mind?
What could they not forget?
That they had each other
The very best Christmas gift yet

















Merry Christmas one and all. Sweet holiday dreams.

All dressed up...

and, actually, someplace to go! After putting the babe down for the night, we went to Rob's holiday party last Saturday at the Georgia Aquarium. Hands down, the BEST holiday party EVER. Free run of the aquarium until midnight. Yep, the hottest ticket in town (on Late Night with Conan and on Peruvian TV??!!) and we were there the weekend before Christmas. The place was staffed with docents, all exhibits were open and only to our group. Food was awesome (can you say Wolfgang Puck catering?), drinks were abundant, and the conversations were actually pleasant and genuine.

At one point in the evening, I was standing face-to-face with a beluga whale, enjoying a glass of wine (okay, maybe it was a Jack & Coke...but wine sounds a bit more sophisticated, don't you think?), with my husband's arm wrapped around my waist and all I could do was giggle...like a child. One of the views from the ballroom is the back of the beluga whale tank...beautiful! The whales were so very close to us and were total hams. One kept smushing his head up against the glass right in front of us...literally inches from my face!

The other thing making the night so extra special? This is the FIRST time we've been out together in over 15 months! HUGE milestone. Awesome, awesome night. Thanks to Mama Dot, Papa Walt and Bob-O for holding down the fort and for so graciously serving your summons for baby duty. I know it was a drag.

Public Service Announcement

Go ahead and buy that 2006 calendar. Better yet, put one on your Christmas wish list and hope that Santa believes you've been good. But don't keep holding out for the '06 Owen edition. We regret to inform you that that the line has been discontinued. (Nanette, Rosanne...stop asking!)

We have now received multiple requests for the "Owen Stone: A Baby for All Seasons" 2006 Wall Calendar. Sadly folks, it won't be happening. We thought we'd go ahead and burst your bubble now rather than have you sobbing in your stocking on Christmas Day. We just thought there was no way to top last years creation, so why bother?

If you were among the lucky few to receive the limited edition calendars, take heart! You have a rare find that is sure to increase in value over the years. If you happened to miss the hot item of last year's yuletide season, here's a recap:

Hair today, gone tomorrow!

This will make some of you very happy. Owen got his first haircut this past weekend. While I could have let him go another good 6 months or more, his daddy (and others) felt a nice, clean cut was overdue. I still can't for the life of me figure out why.















In any case, we entrusted our boy's locks to the fine people at Snip-its and were not disappointed. This place is awesome! What a concept...a kids-only salon that makes getting a haircut a bigtime adventure, from beginning to end.














When we arrived, Owen was given a special card to be redeemed for a prize at the end of the visit...certainly a nice greeting for a kid. He then played for a few minutes, exploring the salon and checking out the equipment.














When it came time to climb into the chair, we had a brief flirtation with toddler squirminess and thought the visit was doomed. His stylist prepared me ahead of time and said I might very likely have to hold him for the cut. But, as soon as the smock went on, he was all business.














He sat quiet and still for the entire time...sometimes watching the video that plays at each station, sometimes admiring the 'do of the neighboring kid. But, he was calm and cooperative and I think he might have even enjoyed the process.



















And, though it seems impossible, he turned out even a little more handsome than when he went in! A very big-boy look, don't you think?



















Before leaving, he was able to trade his card for that special prize...
...a bottle of grape tear-free shampoo and bodywash (he tried to return the gift several times...as if to say, "oh, this clearly isn't for me").




He also got a certificate citing his "courage and bravery" along with a few locks of hair for mommy to include in his baby book.

So, it was a pleasant and productive trip. And one more reminder that he's just growing up way, way too fast.