Reflections : Things I Loved About 2008

The much anticipated arrival of our little miracle. There had been speculation whether or not my husband and I would be able to have more children, so to bring this precious life into the world brought a deeper appreciation for motherhood than I ever expected.

Watching our eldest grow into a "tween". Though I loathe the term, it happens to be the age groupe that she's now in. Personally, I prefer to call her a young lady. Almost nine, and growing ever more smart, kind, and beautiful, my daughter is leaving her own footprint in this world. I think it's a brighter place because of her.

Watching our new little one get into the spirit of his first Christmas. Or at least, get into the presents. Our sneaky bug was found crawling through the gifts under the tree and it may interest you to know that the only gifts he showed interest in were his own.

Adoring the smile of my baby. His mouth doesn't simply lift in the corners. His eyes light up, his cheeks dimple and raise, and his entire body wiggles with delight. Nothing is sweeter than that.

Watching my daughter try-out and make Charlotte United Football Club's Challenge Soccer League. This was big, friends. I mean huge. For five seasons our eldest played with Charlotte Junior Soccer-which was a league anyone could play in. But as some children do as they get older, the want more of a challenge and a taste of competition. Enter the try-outs. No one was guaranteed a spot. Most of her soccer friends were trying out. Her love for the game propelled her forward, though, and out of the 200 that tried out, I am proud to say our eldest was one of the 45 that was accepted in to the 2008-2009 Challenge League. Way to go my darling girl!

Having a maid service. Considering the state of things this seems a frivolous expense. But until you've been pregnant, incredibly ill, and severely behind in all of your home upkeep, don't turn up your nose. My parents hired several maids to clean our home until I was feeling better. Surprisingly, even when I was feeling better and no longer with child, I found that I enjoyed the extra time I could spend with my children and husband. No longer did I have to worry about keeping up with chores as often as I used to. Decision? We kept the maids and haven't regreted it for a minute.

Our children celebrating their first Halloween together. Our little pumpkin was protected in the unlikely arms of the elder Clone Trooper. And despite the chill that evening, a fun time was had by all.

Behold! Our eldest is eight! As well liked as she is sweet, this birthday party in April had invites sent out into the 40's. As in friends. Thank goodness we had the entire play complex rented for the afternoon! It was a delightful time and as our lovely girl hand picked exactly what she wanted for cake and party treats, there was nothing left for her to think about except having the best time with her many friends. I am slightly concerned with how to handle her parties as she gets older.

Attending our eldest's final soccer tournament. This one was very special as the girls all donned special tie-dyed jerseys instead of their Club's green or white. Why the special shirt, you ask? It was to support and honor the brother of a team player who is stricken with cancer. It was a touching way to end the Fall season.

Watching our eldest make her First Communion. As the Catholic parent in our family, I thought this would have meant more to me than my husband. But he was just as excited for our daughter's big day. My parents sat with us in a pew designated by a banner made by our daughter. And no one was more excited than she when Father Gary gave her her first consecrated host.

What wonderful things will 2009 bring? Only time will tell. But I do know this, several projects are on the horizon, one of which being my husband's new office. Stay tuned for the first project of Chez Quon for 2009!

New Year's Eve Family Game Night

With our family in town for the holidays, my husband and I were toying with the notion of going out to eat and enjoying a lovely New Year's Eve alone. But with the sudden strike of Severe Cold 2008, that plan was quickly nipped in the bud.

Instead we're going to spend a nice night in with our family. We'll be enjoying a fabulous steak dinner courtesy of my mother-chef extraordinaire-and later in the evening, after our little one is put to bed, we'll be playing games late into the night.

There will be scrabble.

There will be a vicious game of Domino's-at which our eldest has become quite the shark. Salty language will fly, deceptions plotted, and the demise of each opponent planned. And you thought Domino's was a boring game.

And what game night would be complete without delicious, bite-sized crudites and drinks? Sweet and tangy for all, though I think we'll add a little extra something for the adults engaged in play.

And as midnight rolls around, we'll celebrate the birth of the new year with the ones we love most. True, it would be nice to go out with my husband for the evening, but to be with our family while having the best time? I wouldn't trade it for the world.

A safe and blessed New Year to you all! May you and yours welcome in 2009 with good health, high hopes, and the promise of good times ahead.

Oh Neiman's, How Do I Love Thee...

One of my favorite stores in the world is Neiman Marcus. I go in several times a year to not shop, but to look at their fantastic displays. They have a talent for making the ordinary quirky and fabulous; typical to chic. It's fun to look at and our eldest is always inspired by the ingenuity.

This is not to say that I don't do a little wish-list'ing while strolling the levels. There are several Kay Unger dresses I'd love to wear for date night, a few DVF's for the upcoming spring days in between school and soccer. Even Prada's newest skirts had me thinking ahead to the summer and the possibilities ahead.

My family loves to go there right after Christmas so my mother can purchase new ornaments for the trees she decorates in the year ahead. This year was no exception, but I remembered my camera this time and took pictures of my favorite things.

Are you ready for a tour?

Right above the escalators are a flurry of winged, white doves. What makes them amazing is not only the number, but the fact that they're made completely out of paper and hung by string. I can only assume that besides being very talented, their artiste extraordinaire is very brave.

This is a take on the top of a Christmas tree. I love how simple red and gold plastics are draped down the sides of the tree, only to be made more interesting by the completely abstract addition of...well, whatever they are. Ideas? Suggestions?

In Neiman's home goods area, I love, love, loved this display. It's a touch more modern than our home, but something about the gleam of the silver and the clean lines struck a chord in my inner designer diva.

I nearly bought this lovely, but then it occurred to me that I'd have to carry it all around our shopping area. Never once did I reconsider because I thought my husband would object.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a....well what is this frothy, feathery concoction?

It's a beautiful, feathered overhead light! I swooned just a bit when I first saw it. If it weren't for the slightly too large scale, wouldn't it look lovely in a playroom, or perhaps a little girls nursery? It has a light, feminine touch to it doesn't it? By the way, that wasn't my way of dropping a subtle hint. Come back in a year or two, friends.

This bronzed plant was so different. I loved it! I thought that atop a dining table it would add a dash of sophistication.

I thought this "purse" display along one of the walls was very sweet. It wasn't purses at all, but rather bits of this and that welded and glued together, then shaped and painted to resemble designer bags. Creativity certainly does come in all forms.

This final wall display was rustic meets modern and while the bench wasn't to my tastes (would you really sit on a bench of logs?), the style combination was unexpected. I liked that.

That, my friends, was a little glimpse into the wonders of Neiman's. I hope you enjoyed-and more-that you'll come back tomorrow to see more pictures of our adventures.

Christmas 2008 : Starring Snow White, Santa's Littlest Elf, and a cast of Adoring Family Members

Our eldest in her Christmas pajamas and our youngest in his, try to unwrap his first Christmas present together. After much tearing and happy squealing, it was a success.

Sitting up like a big boy amidst all of his presents and wrapping paper. Now it was time to get down to serious business...Play time!

The little one looks at his pelican toy with curiosity.

Mmmm! Ole Miss footballs taste good!

Our eldest tries to explain to her little brother the purpose of a football.

Looking at one of his newest toys.

Proof that some things really do last forever: our little one plays in the exact Saucer that his sister used eight years prior. And despite the passage of time it's still in perfect condition!

Oh how he does try. Our wee one is reaching for the label on his Aprica pram, and once or twice ha actually got it!

One can only wonder what our little one was laughing at. He's a very happy baby, and it's a blessing to know he can find amusement in even the little things.

Mimi, Deedee, and our eldest were thrilled to enjoy a nice luncheon at Maggiano's. Who wouldn't love a nice Italian meal on a cold winter's day.

Perhaps a gust of bitter wind was the reason for our eldests' closed eyes? We waited for the valet with our car while Deedee, my love, my eldset, and yongest braved the cold for this picture. Somehow our eldest doesn't seem to be affected by the temperature. Lucky girl.

Bundled up like the wee one he is, our youngest did marvelously on his first post-Christmas expidition. Judging by his exceptional energy, however, this may be the only year that goes so smoothly. Time will tell, won't it? Either way, a day spent with my family-youngest to oldest-is a very special day indeed.

Deck the Halls with Lots of Shopping!

A Doiron/Quon family tradition is to get up early the morning after Christmas to hit all of the wonderous sales. This year they're bound to be even better due to the economy. It seems wrong to benefit from it, but if it means I can get my children more clothing for less, can you really complain?

Pictures will be taken, fine dining will be enjoyed, and many a thrifty purchase will be made for each family member.

What will you all be doing on your December 26th?

Visions of Sugar Plums : Things I Love About Christmastime Part VII

Photograph courtesy of Martha Stewart Living

Christmas day with my family. There is nothing sweeter than watching the excitement on the face of my eldest, the wonderment of our youngest. To see my parents get tickled over their grandchildren as they play within the clouds of colorful tissue paper, my husband helping to put together every toy. There is nothing more wonderful than family.

May you and yours enjoy a blessed Christmas day.

Visions of Sugar Plums : Things I Love About Christmastime VI

Photograph courtesy of John Paul Urizar

Sugar plums, indeed! I love a sweet treat as much as the next, but my favorite? Cupcakes. I'm not too picky about the brand nor the flavor. Bite-sized cake with none of the residual guilt? Count me in!

Visions of Sugar Plums : Things I Love About Christmastime Part V

The new ornaments for the children. This year we went with two New Orleans themed ones: a peacock for our eldest, and an alligator for our youngest. C'est magnifique!

Putting up our eldests Christmas tree. Every year we place it in her antique yellow tin, and put her favorite ornaments up. She has a thing for cat ornaments for some odd reason (we don't have pets and will never own a cat due to my asthma). She also favors all of her ornaments from her trips to Disney World. How festive and fun!

The tree is taking shape!

Our eldest began decorating her tree before she'd even changed out of her darling pajamas. Talk about Chrismtas spirits.

Our eldest smiles proudly at the finished product. Her room is one of my favorite in Chez Quon. Between her beautiful furniture, the Wedgewood blue walls, and the French yellow lamps, what little girl wouldn't adore this space?
Our eldest has an affinity for white tigers, so is it really surprising that instead of a star or an angel, her tree topper is a white tiger ornament from my home of New Orleans? Mais non! Do you have any favorite traditions?

Visions of Sugar Plums : Things I Love About Christmastime Part IV

YouTube - Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming & The Blessed Son of God
This is undoubtedly one of my favorite Christmas songs. When sung as a solo, it's beautiful. But sung with the harmony of a choir, such as the one from Baylor feautred in the video, it is absolutely breathtaking. Enjoy.

Visions of Sugar Plums : Things I Love About Christmastime III

My family's favorite holiday movies. We will sit and see the traditional "Miracle on 34th Street", "It's a Wonderful Life", even "A Christmas Story". But by the time Christmas is over, we will have watched each of our favorite holiday films-starting with the one below.

My father (and admittedly the rest of us) start off every Christmas season by watching this film. It satirizes the holidays in true Griswold style, making every holiday mishap possible. Doesn't it help put your own family Christmas into perspective?

I was very young when this came out so I loved the notion of being left behind to fend for myself in a fabulous house, gorging on all sorts of sweets. My daughter loves this film as well, though for completely different reasons: she thinks she'd create more inventive ways to fight off the bad guys. Becuase of our mutual love for the film, we watch it every year.

Allright, it's not exactly a "Christmas" movie, but it begins in the wonderful, wintry Christmas season and has that message of hope that Christmastime brings. It doesn't hurt that New York is used as a backdrop (which my mother loves).

Oh, how I love, love, love, love this movie. Every actor, every character, every scene is just brilliant. I laugh and cry every single time I watch it. This is my favorite holiday film. Period.

I know Denzel was involved with the remake, but there are some things that shouldn't be touched. This movie is one of them and it makes me happy to be surrounded by family everytime we bundle up to watch it. Add warm blankets and hot buttered rum to the mix and you have a picture perfect Christmas Eve.

What do you and your family enjoy watching during the Christmas season?