A new winter fashion accessory... 
PostScript :: Again...with the window.
Arlo's Winter Fashion Indoor Leisure Wear ::
1. Pajamas - all day, nearly all the time.
2. Barefoot in too big boots - all day, not all the time because somebody mysteriously removes said footwear during nap time which is a blessing as those stinky dogs need a good two hours of air out time.
3. Giant Yellow Mittens - all day, all the time except when Arlo is eating or trying to pick up a pair of car keys.
xo
PostScript :: Seriously, what is going on outside that window?
Okay. Probably no one actually said dollhouses were just for girls...but anyway, let's pretend somebody really important did...because tonight we proved them wrong! With some help from our scissors, painter's tape and empty toy boxes - we designed a little palace that we like to call - Transformer Headquarters. {But when you say Transformer Headquarters it's important to say it in a deep, robotic voice - and then maybe add a dun dun dunnnnn at the end.}
xoWhile Hugh & Arlo were taking care of dinner...
Here's the bit where I make a wee confession - you see, I got a bit braggy about my Transformer skills. I whizzed through Level 1 {where there is absolutely no transforming involved...you simply flip the car over to produce a robot/autobot which has been cleverly painted on the underside}. I skipped to the lou my darling on Level 2 {which I think I had to twist a head around to transform it into a robot}. I coughed a little during Level 3 {Okay, Level 3 was tricky. Lots of transforming and clever thinking involved...tricky indeed, but I started to get kind of good...a little braggy, perhaps...and then just plain foolish when I challenged everyone to a 1,2,3 Level 4 Transformer War!!!}.
Level 4. It's not going well. And my hands hurt. The worst part is I don't even remember what I'm supposed to turn it in to. Is it a plane? Helicopter? Motorcycle? Part after part keep falling in my cramped hands. Every twist I make seems to produce a more distorted version of the last twist. It's unbelievable. Like only the kind of unbelievable-ness created by toys for Ages 5 and up.
You know, it's times like these when I reflect upon the days of playing Builder. Come to think of it, playing the role of the two dimensional bulldozer was really rewarding. As in ages 4 and up rewarding.
xo
Arlo, are you excited?
xo
Confession :: I'm still going through my I-wish-we-were-a-family-of-surfers phase.
Tonight we hosted our 2nd annual New Year's Day dinner celebration. I took a chance and omitted the traditional dish of good luck - Ham and Black Eyed Peas. Partly because nobody believes in my ritual and partly because I so desperately wanted to eat Butter Chicken. As I was buzzing around the kitchen melting butter, sauteing garlic and pinching spices...I had a brilliant idea - Share Butter Chicken Recipe With All - Even the pickiest palates will devour bite after bite of this delicious meal. It is bound to go down in your history cookbooks as Fave. Meal. Ever. And in my excitement of recipe sharing...I even thought of an adaptation for vegetarians - leave out the chicken!!! ah-HA. Simply perfect for all. Even for the children.
Just as I was twisting my arm around to pat myself on the back and imagining the millions of comments praising the simplicity yet gourmet sensibility of our beloved recipe, our dinner guests arrived....with competition - Flourless Chocolate Cake.
6 Tbsp unsalted butter + butter for greasing pan
1 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
6 large egg yolks
6 large egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
Set oven to 275F. Place rack in centre. Butter bottom and sides of a springform pan. Place butter and chocolate chips in bowl - microwave in 30 second increments until melted (about 3 times). Whisk in yolks.
Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add sugar. Beat until thick and glossy.
Whisk 1/4 of egg whites into chocolate chips gently. Then pat chocolate mixture into the whites.
Pour into pan.
Bake until cake pulls away from sides about 45-50 minutes. Let cool then remove from pan.
The last day of 2010 went like this ::
1. Good morning. Let's eat pancake and sausages.
2. Wait. Mummy needs another cup of coffee.
3. Hold on guys. One more cup of coffee here...
4. Just the two of us? Why yes, Hugh. I would love to go on a date with you to your best restaurant. 
6. Play. Play. Play.
7. Let's get gussied up - time for celebration.
8. If you get dressed I will be the happiest Mummy in the whole world.
9. For the love of everything good in us...GET DRESSED!
10. Fine, I'm leaving without you.
11. I'm selling you to the gypsies.
12. Fake knock at the door.
13. The gypsies are here.
14. Dressed.
15. In the car.
16. Eat fancy pizza and drink Shirley temples.
17. Take last family photo of 2010 - Ah, blurry...perfect, that's our signature family photo look. 
20. So long 2010.
xo
Me? I remember only love and kindness from my older brother. Sure he liked to tease me...but for all who know me...let's face it, I am a teaser's dream come true. So perhaps I withstood a few verbal punches from time to time...but the physical stuff...like shoving or say sending my bottom tooth through my lip - from my brother, it just didn't happen.
But seriously, can't we all just get along?Merry Apres-Christmas!
We just said goodbye to Nana and Grandaddy and I only cried a ton on the inside. To cheer myself up, I ate some cookie dough, four mini-cheesecakes {which brings my grand total to 36 this holiday} and lastly, I decided to dismantle all signs of Christmas. We have had such a good time dancing and jingling to holiday music, touching only the most breakable ornaments on the tree and counting down the days to every one's arrival...but now it's time to embrace the aftermath. Ahh...peace, quiet and time for another mini-cheesecake.
Merry Apres-Christmas - Love, Hugh & Arlo and their Mummy & Daddy. And love from Arlo's shopping cart and phone. And Hugh's bat-cycle and transformers. And the 8 7 remaining mini-cheesecakes.
xo
