To: Our Friends and Family

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Baking with Toddlers 101

My vision for baking this weekend (please don't mock my naive wishes):

Notice the completely clean kitchen counter, and how mother and daughter are working together to create some culinary masterpieces.

This is more the reality of it. (Thanks to www.belly-timber.com for the use of photo):

My tiny kitchen was a disaster for about 36 hours and our little Emily was some sort of pseudo-monster. She hardly got any sleep on Saturday (at night or nap) and clearly was not getting my vision for our glorious baking weekend. I am not yet done because I had to call it quits early for both of our sanity. Will finish later. Maybe.

Clean Chompers

Emily visited the dentist with me on my last visit, and got her own mini-checkup. Dr. Rich said her teeth look great! Emily got a brand new tooth brush and a cool sticker.

Christmas for a Cause

Last weekend Ryan and I hired a babysitter, got into our "going-out-clothes" and went out! We were given tickets to Rotary's annual Trees for Charity event. (Thanks Mom and Dad!!!) This unique fundraiser benefits a local Rotary chapter, but is also an avenue for other non-profits to raise money for their cause. Each non-profit decorates a tree and brings it to the event. Those trees, as well as some gorgeous wreaths, are auctioned off. There were two this year that were very dear to us: the Madera Chamber of Commerce's tree was themed as "Harvest of the Valley" with jeweled fruits, bumble bees, and butterflies, and Community Action Partnership of Madera County (my work) did a beautiful "Father Time" tree with old clocks, and lots of ribbon and gold to benefit our Relay for Life Campaign.

Generous hearts...delicious food...beautiful people. What a great way to kick off the holiday season!

DIY

Do-It-Yourself. Because we roll like that...we took our own family portraits this year. I mean, really, how hard could it be to have 9 people sit still and smile at the same time? Well, take a look and judge for yourself.

Some comments...starting at the top left and going clockwise:

• Mom, objecting to having her photo taken (unsuccessfully, apparently)
• Emily, trying to understand why she is in a family photo with Auntie and Uncle. The resemblance to Mom and Dad is close, but not quite. We can't pull a fast one over on her.
• We try to take pictures...really. Emily was obviously determined to be uncooperative.
• Anthony needs to run faster.
• Controlling the child...it takes a village.
• Dad can't figure out why this is so difficult.
• Getting closer!

We did finally get a good one...but you'll have to wait to see it!