A Very Merry Ott Lip Sync 2020
We've dubsmashed our way through Christmas yet again, for the 6th or 7th time—depending on if you count the initial full song lip sync, where we had baby backup vocals and let toddler WallyV play with a razor. It's getting to the point where the kids have become the creative directors. They suggest clips, they pick which ones they want to be in, and they come up with art direction that we all can…
How to Host Your Own at-Home Day of Family Olympics
My favorite day of the year for the past 5 years or so has been New Years Day, hands down. Although I am an ultimate loser by the end of the day, my heart is full. This is the day we host our annual family olympics, a day of board games, challenges, and competitive shenanigans of a DIY, on-the-spot, at home nature. And the best part of it is, this isn’t a huge complicated affair—it isn’t that…
A Very Ott Merry Christmas 2019
Around November we start getting anxiety—how will we do it again this year? We avoid talking about it, set up Christmas in our house very early because it feels like we're doing something, and viciously start scrapping each other's ideas. "That won't work!" we say. "Will that be funny?" we ask. We work and laugh and then stop laughing and start wondering if we are crazy, or if it will bring some…
A Very Ott Merry Christmas: Christmas Dubsmash 2018
What better way to share Christmas joy than to lipsync it for all to hear? The diva is back, and a new divo (is this the masculine for diva??) is in the house. Wally is up to his elf antics again, and, let's face it, I am just a little too intense about it all. Add some Ralphie and a few sugar plums, and, well...Merry merry to you and yours! Tell us your favorites, because that's the joy…
Permission to Play: On my personal best lip sync performance of all time.
I was working at my desk and humming along to the music that was playing from my computer speakers. The music was background, calming, and atmosphere-setting, carrying me along through my work like I was riding a raft along a river on a sunny day. I realized, though, that the song I was listening to and now singing along to full blast was more like rapids—each long note like it’s own waterfall of…
Video: A Very Merry Ott Christmas Dubsmash 2017
Your tree lights are twinkling, chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, and you hear bells jingling in the distance. Could it be the big jolly man himself? Oh, no, not yet. Just those Otts and their Christmas antics... We Dubsmash you a merry Christmas 2017! Wishing you joy! We Dubsmash You A Merry Christmas 2017 from Meet The Otts on Vimeo. *This video was brought to you with blood, sweat,…
Merry Christmas! Our 2016 Christmas Video
It's Christmastime, so that means it's time for our annual video of general silliness. We are so happy to share our 1:23 labor of love, tears (mostly mine), Mariah, joy, toil, Buble, poor Ralphie, and Christmas cheer! Enough ado...Since this one speaks for itself, I'll just tell you one thing: Enjoy! We hope you laughed! If you want to see a compilation of videos of Christmas past, check them…
When Caterpillars Become Butterflies: That Time We Mail-Ordered Bugs
Every time a kid's birthday party approaches, my sister-in-law LizE asks what they would like, and usually I instruct, "You just do you." Because she just happens to be the best gift giver on the planet. When my kids were babies, I suspected this was because of her career as an occupational therapist, where she helps kids develop their motor and fine motor skills. Because of this, she is required…
Merry Christmas! Kids' thoughts on Christmas 2014
This year, we put our Christmas lights up on a timer. The first night, I knew what time they would be popping on, so I told Wally Ben to think really hard about it, and he could make the lights come on with his thoughts. He crunched his face to concentrate. I couldn't wait for his amazement when they came on.
Brothers and Sisters: Our Partners in Crime
Last night we spent the night at my parent's house. The kids slept in one room (Vivvi in a crib and WV in a bed), and we slept next door. This changed up our usual routine in a way that may end up changing up our routine forever.