Cold snap

Tomorrow, the very talented Rachael Garrett Schirano -- perhaps you remember her from when we met at Lilith Fair, sitting side by side, she giddy to snap pictures of Sarah McLachlan from the front row and me giddy to spend twenty minutes backstage talking to Kate Nash -- is coming to take photos of Lil E and me for our holiday cards.

So long as I stick to my promise that he absolutely does not have to dress up (jeans? borderline), Lil E will continue to be happy to do the shoot outside in the bitter cold of our bright yellow leaf-lined street. Since most of our family photos are shot an arm's length away with a milisecond prayer that both of our faces make it in, I'm thrilled to be on the flashy end of the camera. Rachael told us no props or prep are necessary, just to bring big smiles and lots of love. We're good with that.

Last year's cards didn't make it into mailboxes until February. I'm good with that, too. And while I loved our contented grins on those greetings, I'm open to the picture that encapsulates this year being silly, serious, sassy or something Tae Kwon Do-y. Life has marched on, things have changed. We shall see what unfolds out front tomorrow afternoon with the photographer, small and wirey and wired child and a mama who most certainly will be wearing silver snakeskin boots.

Pictured: Last year's card. The photo of both of us was taken by my dad. The photo of Lil E was beautifully captured by the very talented Sea Grandon, who I will most certainly have egg on my boy's dimples again.