The O'Christensens Wish You...

...a very happy St. Patrick's Day.... Kiss us, we're Irish! (well, I am part Irish, so that means Max is, too...)

ho hum... WAY Behind on my Joy of Love Project

I can't seem to catch up! I had such a busy week with PTO and a newborn session that I can't seem to keep up with the willette Joy of Love Workshop. I almost threw in the towel but that's not my style so I figure I'll get them all posted eventually... better late than never?

Joy of Love Day 20: When They Are Home. How do I know when my loves are home? My mud room is FULL of shoes.

Joy of Love Day 21: Hands. On any given morning, you can find Max's hands glued to his DS. Such cute hands!

Joy of Love Days 17 and 19: Staying In and Gone... yes, I forgot 18... will make it up, promise!

Oops, I'm a day late posting. As you know I typically post two "love" days together but this time, I owe you three... only I don't have three. I only have two- Days 17 and 19.

the willette Joy of Love Day 17 theme was "Staying In". We have done a LOT of that this winter. Thankfully I can feel the super cold days coming to an end. Max's favorite thing to do on a "stay in" day is rent a movie from the Redbox. This day it was "How to Train a Dragon". He watched the movie in 3D at the theater yet even seeing it for the second time, he doesn't blink. (nor does he wear appropriate clothing but we discussed that on a previous day, didn't we?)

The Day 18 theme was "Going Out". I did go out on Day 18. To the hospital to meet my new nephew, Gavin. But my love Max came down with strep throat and the yuckies that day so we didn't go out together and that is what I wanted to capture... so I'll make up for it when he's well.

Day 19: "Gone". Interesting, huh? I had so many ideas swirling in my head when I got the email with today's assignment. Then I walked into the kitchen and was faced with this... Max always eats (scarfs!) his breakfast and is just gone! Gone to the toy room downstairs to not be seen or heard from again until it is time to go to school or a weekend adventure. Gone.

Joy of Love Days 15 and 16: Kiss and Self Portrait

Day 15 for the willette Joy of Love workshop is "kiss". Here are Max and Daddy smooching! Max is quite a lover and is always one to hug, kiss, hold hands and snuggle with anyone. I'm so glad for that! He promises to be like that when he is a teenager. You read it here first!

Day 16... Self-portrait. Here we go with the self timer... we lucked out today with the weather! It felt like April. Max and I were outside this evening playing tennis while Chris did some "manly wood trim work" inside. As the sun was setting I had an idea! Time to get out the tripod... Here is my self-portrait... aren't we pretty? ;)

Happy Valentine's Day! Joy of Love Days 13 and 14: Routines and Wedding Bands

I'm still busily snapping away for the willette Joy of Love workshop. Days 13 and 14 are here...

Day 13: Routines. I love routines. They make me comfortable. As I get older though I find it's much easier to break out of a routine and "go with the flow", which seems backward to me but I'm fine with it. Max likes routine as well! He has a great morning routine all of which happens while I'm still snuggled in bed: wake up early, get cereal, watch tv or play the Wii, wait for Mommy to wake. In the evening his routine is equally great: watch Jeopardy (his idea!), brush and floss teeth, read a book (my favorite) and of course, take a bath. With bubbles.

Day 14: Wedding Band. My Valentine's Day gift from Chris: handing me a dozen beautiful coral-ish roses in an opaque egg blue vase. Beautiful! He has worn that band for 12 years now. Like, whoa!

Joy of Love Days 11 and 12: Dreams and Eyes

The willette Joy of Love photography workshop continues...

Day 11- it's all about dreams. Chris's idea was for me to take a picture of him asleep, dreaming. ;) I decided to ask Max, "what's your dream... what do you want to do when you're older?" He replied, "I'm going to try out for American Idol when I'm 15 and you're coming with me!". Done! Watch out Randy Jackson... in 9 years you'll have Max to contend with! (please be kind!)

Max even made a sign to hold up during his "audition" for Idol. It reads, and I'm quoting exactly: "I am the next Amarcin Idl". Love it! And I believe him!

Day 12- eyes. Max's are hard to beat!

Joy of Love Day 10: Spaces They Love

Chris could seriously be comfortable sleeping on a hardwood floor. I debated making him do so in order for me to take today's picture! :) Instead I got him after work in his favorite place... the dimly lit study with his feet propped up, computer on his lap, work suit off...

If you're ever looking for Chris after 5:30, check the chair...