Behind the scenes: The making of the 2011 Holiday Card

Background info:  The photo shoot was done in our living room, on the floor (sans dropcloth---it seem like a good idea, but we would have been tripping on it, and I don't think it would have contained the mess, anyway).  The backdrop was holiday stuff that we tape to the back of our couch (with black duct tape).  We took 233 pictures.  The clean up is an ongoing effort---when I dust, I'm still finding flour.  It keeps going airborne and redistributing. 

All pictures will be enlarged if you double click (I think).

In the beginning things were festive, but flourless . . .

(sprinkling flour)

 Then, the stage was set . . .

And the talent was brought in . . .

Maya: What is this stuff?

Parker: Guys, this seems like a very bad idea.

Maya: This is fantastic!

Parker:  (gulp)

Maya: I think I could be very naughty with this stuff.  Hee hee!

Parker: I think I'm hyperventilating.

Parker: Save meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

This flour is so slippery!

She had some fun shaking the bag . . .

and then moved on to dumping.

This is the most fun I've ever had!

(that's Maya talking, not Parker.  In case you can't tell)

Maya: Daddy!  I need more flour!

Parker: Please no. 

Maya: Whoa!

Parker: Seriously, are you guys seeing this?

Maya:  Hey Mommy, are you watchin' me?

Parker: Yeah, is anyone watching?  Anyone? 

Maya:  Woot woot!  Can a girl get some more flour up in here?!

(note Parker seeming to stretch as far as he can away from her)

FLOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parker: I can't believe they really gave you more.  Everyone has lost their mind.

When Dave wasn't quick enough to refill the bag, Maya took matters into her own hands:

Maya: Fine, I'll do it myself.

Parker: Someone needs to cut her off.

Maya: FUNNEST DAY EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parker: We're done, right?  Please say we're done.

The aftermath:

 (fancy lighting, right?)

    Ended with a great-job-Maya kiss from Daddy :)

The best holiday card ever (2011 style)

Front:

(you can click to enlarge)

Inside:

Happy Holidays from our family to yours :)

The picture was taken by us, in our living room---tomorrow, I'll put up a few behind-the-scene photos.

It's a December tradition here on the blog . . .

December (aka the best month ever) kind of slid right past me this year.  We had  the trip to Yale, the start of my new job, the assistive tech re-evaluation, training on my new job, and the most amazing fundraiser ever . . . and suddenly it's already Dec. 8th.  I've got to get on the ball. 
 
Here's why December is the best:
1.  It can possibly snow in December.  I am over-the-moon-crazy-excited when it snows.
2.  December smells good.  The air is crisp--outside it smells like snow and fireplaces and inside it smells like pine and cinnamon. 
3.  There is no prettier way to light a room than with a lit up Christmas tree.
4.  It's basically the only month of the year when I bake.  And then I have an excuse to eat baked things.
5.  Giving people presents is super fun.
6.  People are happier.  I mean, they're a little crazy too (especially in retail arenas) but generally, people are just more merry.
7.  City streets look like enchanted places when trees and balconies are strung up with lights.
8.  Christmas carols sound like home.
9.  My birthday is the week before Christmas, and I love the fact that everyone is really excited that week.
10.  Christmas morning will always feel like the most magical morning of the year.

This year brings the added bonus that Maya is kind of old enough to "get it."  Last year she was in love with Santa, but she still had no idea what his deal is.  This year I think that if we talk about it enough she might actually understand.    She's loving the tree, and the holiday crafts we've been doing (more to come on those tomorrow).  It's really fun!

If you're new to the blog, you might not know that holiday cards are kind of our thing.  We try to come up with something cute and different every year, and I love sending them out.  Last year I shared the cards from holidays past---and I'm going to make that a December tradition.  We'll do 2008- 2009- 2010 -and then this year's card  (I can't wait to share it).

Without further ado, Maya's first ever holiday card (2008):

Yes, I really put her in a pot. Yes, it was really on the stove. She couldn't move, the burners weren't on, and she was (clearly) having fun. So don't hate mail me.

Happy December, everyone :)

The making of the Best Holiday Card Ever

Here's your behind the scenes look at the holiday card shoot (these were taken the last week in November).

Dave and I traded off with the camera and staging duties---it's surprisingly complicated to get a toddler and a puppy to simultaneously cooperate.  Add in some wet paint, and it's (literally) a messy situation.  (The paint was black fingerpaint--totally nontoxic, washed right out, and I'm not sure if he even knew it was there, so no animal rights hate mail.)

Did you know that you can click on any picture to make it bigger?  So don't squint and hurt your eyes :)

Setting the scene-in the living room (the backdrop is our comforter draped over our couch):

Parker is clearly enthused and ready to begin.

Me: Parker!  Get in there!

Maya: Parker!  Let's go!

Parker: I don't think I like this.

Ok, guys, come on-perk up!   Pay attention!

Um, not like that.  That's too children-of-the-corn.

Maya's starting to get into it.  Add the paintbrush!

Hold it like this, Daddy?

Parker: I don't like the look of that paintbrush.

 

Maya: I think I could do some serious damage here.  (Is it me or does the way she's holding the brush totally scream "Psycho"?)

 

Ok, Maya, paint your Parker.

THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!  I CAN'T EVEN STAND IT!

I love this day!

And then things took an  . . . um, unexpected turn.

Hope your holidays don't stink!  :)

The best holiday card EVER!

Without further ado, our 2010 card . . .

(You can click on this to make it appear full-screen)