It's Up!

The tree is up.




Decorated. (The tree is Dee's domain.)




And lit.
(the star broke and we have yet to run to the store to get another one)



The kids are so happy!




I even put lights up outside this year. When I was a kid my parents always had all white lights, real wreaths and tree, all ornaments were white porcelain with red ribbons, etc. That is what Christmas should look like, so I put up garland and white lights. I was very excited for the kids to see. They said, 'That is nice Mom, but we like the Patterson's better.' The next door neighbors have all red and green lights, they even changed out their porch lights, one red, one green. Oh well! I like it!

And Vanessa, I think it is all about me!

Christmas Parade

Leighton is in the Walk It Out Club at school. Their principal promised the students that if they walked a certain number of miles before December 1st, she would walk in the local parade in a clown suit. The kids made their goal in the first month. All the members of the club were invited to walk with Ms. Perry-Manley in the parade. Leighton, shockingly, wanted to walk in the parade. We explained to her that she would have to walk down the street and people who she didn't know would be looking at her. She said that was okay. (This is the child who hates gym because: everyone will look at me, what if I don't know how to do it, everyone knows how to do it except me, etc.) We were not convinced it was going to happen. We bought her the shirt and cleared our schedule. Then we found out she would have to ride the bus to the parade and we would just pick her up at the end of the route. She was still game. Today was the day, she was still game. She got ready. It was freezing, so we dressed her in layers and lots of them. She had gloves and a hat and was ready to go.She cried once at the school. She thought I just left her in the office. I was really just outside, in the lobby, keeping an eye on #1 and #3 in the car. She calmed down and I left her in good hands with one of her favorite teachers and her fourth grade friend, Jordan.

We were near the end of the parade route and I took a great video of her walking down the street. I even got Jordan. I went to download it and realized I need a different cable, so sorry no video, yet. Here is a picture of (l to r) Taylor, Jensyn, Michelle, and Carly.

Yes, they are in the street, there was candy being thrown.

I picked up Leighton and brought her back to our spot to wait for Santa. She immediately started crying. I asked her what was wrong and she told me between sobs that she didn't know they were going to be throwing candy and everyone had more candy than her. Michelle and David to the rescue. There was so much candy that the kids had stopped picking it up and Michelle had started. Her pockets were loaded and Leighton was happy. David even offered to go chase down the firetrucks (they had boxes of candy).

I asked Leighton if she liked walking in the parade. Her answer was "Yes, it was fun, but I would rather watch and get candy." Surprise, surprise!

Note: Carly had NO candy. She spent the entire time taking pictures with the school's camera. She is pretty artsy with her shots. Maybe she should ask Santa for a camera of her own.

Bah Humbug!

Okay, I am still having a very hard time getting into the Christmas Spirit. I thought if I did a few Christmas crafts, that might do the trick. Well....................

I didn't want to do Christmas crafts, I wanted to make these adorable flower clips. I have seen them around the crafting blogs for quite some time.

The girls have a birthday party tonight. Makenna adored these flowers when I made them, so I thought I could add some to her present. Unfortunately, the stores only have Christmas floral right now, so that wasn't going to work. BUT, I could make the cute felt ones. I like these even better and they can clip to a headband. From the smile on Leighton's face, I guess they are a winner! I just hope Makenna likes them.

l to r: indigo with pearlized beads, baby pink with a yellow button, dark blue with a white square button with raised hasp, and baby blue with a crystal button. (Makenna's favorite color is blue!)

School Pictures

I am really happy with how both of these turned out.
Now, if I only would have been smart enough to order the picture layout either both landscape or both portrait. UGH!

A Visitor

Leighton has been having a hard time behaving at home and nothing we do seems to work. Carly has had a horrible attitude and needed reminding too much. I had read in the paper about writing to Santa for an elf. This elf comes to your house and watches the kids. He just looks like a doll or a toy, but then comes to life, magically, at night and goes back to Santa to let him know if the children have been naughty or nice that day. He can see through walls, ceilings, floors, etc. Well, I was at my wits end, so I sent Santa an Email. This morning the girls came downstairs to this note taped to the fireplace:In case you can't read it, it says:



Dear Carly and Leighton,



Your mom sent me an Email last night. She said that you are having a very hard time being good. She asked for my help. I have sent my best elf. He will be watching for good behavior and bad. He will come back to me at night. He will tell me what happened at your house. His name is Elfin. He is very small. Elfin wears a blue suit and hat. Mrs. Claus made them for him. He will probably hide by the t.v. He really likes cartoons. Bugs Bunny is his favorite.



Try your best to be good. I heard that Carly wants the Barbie Camp Out Trailer and Leighton wants the Polly Pocket Roller Coaster and Limo. The elves are working very hard on those toys. They would be so upset if I had to give you coal instead.

Love,

Santa



I couldn't find Elfin at first, but Leighton was quick to point him out on top of the t.v.

(yes, we have rabbit ears) This is closer picture of Elfin. Pretty cute!




Leighton is convinced that if you ask him a question and then listen very carefully he will answer. Carly is not sure if she believes he is real. I just hope that it helps the girls to be on their best behavior. I wonder where he will hide tomorrow?!?

Our Advent Calendar

My sister, Coree, bought us this adorable advent calendar last year. My intent was to collect some really neat (and really small) toys and trinkets to put inside the small doors. Well you know what they say about good intentions.......I haven't had the time or remembered to look, when I did have the time, so here we are on December 1st with nothing to put in the calendar.

Blogland to the rescue!!!

Jordan Ferney at Oh Happy Day! had this wonderful idea to have an activity advent. Your family does a different activity to get ready for Christmas each day. Along with a small gift or candy, there is a note detailing the activity. I found another blog (but of course can't remember what it was called) this woman didn't decide on the activity until that morning. That way she could either choose the activity that best fit the weather or what activity she felt most up to doing. GENIUS!

This is the list of activity possibilities for us:

1. Write letters to Santa
2. Make Christmas cookies and surprise a neighbor or two with a plate
3. Sing Christmas Carols together
4. Write Christmas letters to relatives we won't be seeing during the holidays
5. Watch a Christmas movie
6. Visit Santa
7. Take a drive to see Christmas lights
8. Make a gift for your teacher
9. Make some Christmas Candy
10. Play a game, the winner gets to pick their favorite Christmas song for the family to sing
11. Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas
12. Sleep under the Christmas tree
13. Do a secret service for someone in the family or neighborhood
14. Make a gingerbread house
15. Read an extra Christmas story
16. Make some reindeer food for Christmas Eve
17. Read the Christmas story of Jesus' birth
18. Listen to Christmas music
19. Set out cookies, milk and reindeer food for Santa and the reindeer
20. Watch a Christmas special on television
21. Make spiced cider
22. Host a Christmas Cookie decorating party with your friends
23. Stamp and mail Christmas cards
24. Make Hot Chocolate and listen to Christmas music
25. Go Caroling to neighbors and give them their Christmas gift.
26. Make a popcorn garland
27. Drink Hot Cocoa and read Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
28. Open a gift
29. Sing (or listen) to your favorite Christmas music in the car all day
30. Eat out at a festive restaurant
31. Tell stories of childhood Christmas around the Christmas Tree
32. Have a movie party (classic Christmas movies)
33. Have a traditional breakfast while listening to Christmas music
34. Watch a Christmas parade
35. Get and decorate the tree
36. Have breakfast for dinner

As you can see there a lot more than 25, but I am a little fickle and might need some substitutions. Most of these are activities we do every December. I just thought it might make those things that much more special.

But, don't worry the girls still get chocolate........

What Happens....

when you don't get up after your five year old tells you she wants breakfast.

Cereal boxes, a milk jug, spilt milk and wet dishcloths on your floor. A happy baby. Yummy, chocolate cereal!And one proud kindergartner!

Oops, She did it again!

Yes, Darcy, one would think that after falling down the stairs, Jensyn would be more careful. But.......While I was at work today, Carly and Leighton were playing upstairs and didn't want Jensyn to leave. They stacked the bean bags at the top of the stairs to keep her up there. That didn't stop her. She crawled up, and almost over, the bean bags. This upset the bean bags and sent her sliding down the stairs on top of one of them. According to Leighton she slid down on the bean bag, on her stomach, going bump, bump, bump all the way down. Poor baby, it probably scared her to death.



Speaking of death.... I would have liked to beat her to death when I saw the beautiful picture she drew for me on the wall. Thank goodness for Magic Eraser! (Thanks again Amanda.)

Mission Organization

As a kid (note: I just googled the copyright information on this book. It was copyrighted in 1983, I was nine), I used to spend so much time looking at this book..... The final page being my favorite.

I can remember lying on the floor, looking at this page and being so happy.

Just look at that organized closet! This picture just fills me with happiness.
This is my version.
My door. A close up of the top shelf. In the past it would have really bothered me that the containers didn't match, but I have come a long way in that regard. And all without therapy!
Remember the attic? Click here, if not. That project is much too daunting, so I have decided to tackle it a little at a time. Starting with this:
Moving on to this:
and this:
and lastly this:
ALL crafting supplies. Hopefully after that, most of this:

will be cleaned up.

She finally DID IT!

Yes, Jensyn fell down the stairs. ALL THE WAY DOWN! From top to bottom, end over end. With me one step behind her the whole way. I just couldn't reach her.

She was at the top yelling for Dee and went up onto her toes, lost her balance and unlike EVERY other time, she fell forward. I missed the back of her overalls by ---- this-----much. I started screaming and Dee met us at the bottom. She didn't hit the wall or banister. It didn't seem to hurt her, but it did scare her. When I picked her up at the bottom she was sweating.

That is my bad mommy act for the day, stay tuned for tomorrow's episode.

Fun in the Dark

We had the neighbor, Gunner, over while his parents went out. We played with glow sticks in the dark. We were able to get some really cool pictures.My favorite.Then, I turned on the night scene mode and caught these photos in the dark.Ok...Maybe the title of this post should be Fun in the Dark...for Some.

Jensyn loved the glow sticks, but hated the dark. Poor Baby!

The Best Birthday Party Ever!

The girls and I got invited to Madison and Taylor's Birthday Party, last Friday night. It was a Manicure/Pedicure/Pizza/Pool/Sleepover. These are some pictures of the fun. I would have loved to have a party like this at their age.

Carly having her nails painted by Diane.Leighton having her nails done. She is in her element.Carly all done and full of chocolate.

Diane, the owner, had purchased all the girls chocolate to indulge their sweet tooth.Carly waiting by the birthday girls for her turn in the chair.

(Taylor-right, Madison second from right)Carly in heaven. TV and a massage. Leighton cannot fit both her feet in the bath and her back at the massagers. Too cute. The women working there could not get over how cute she was, she was loving all the attention.
Leighton is such a girly girl and so truly happy in the salon.We headed off to the Pizza Hut -the girls in their pedi flip flops. Back to the Hotel and into swimming suits. One quick picture of all the girls and their nails.

Off to the pool....ccccold, so they all hopped into the hot tub.After an hour of screaming and fun, back to the room to bed down for the night.

The girls had a wonderful time and love their friends.

I love my friends, too. Even we had a good time. Thanks, Amanda and Michelle.

High Hopes and Aspirations

Leighton, Jensyn and I were playing Polly Pockets upstairs. Jensyn and I were sharing a house, leaving at least two houses for Leighton to live in. Instead she picked the ice cream truck and called it her 'trailer.' I showed her the houses, but she refused. Carly joined us shortly and picked the larger house. Leighton stuck with her 'trailer.' She then asked Carly if she could give her some food, because 'My girl is poor. She doesn't have any food. Her trailer doesn't even have any forks, spoons, or knives. So could you just bring her food, everyday, so she can eat.'

I told her to have her girl go buy some food. She told me that she couldn't 'because she was too poor and poor people don't know how to get a job'. Then she put her Polly Pocket into her convertible, filled to the brim with clothes, and said she was going to the mall.

I guess the White Trash Barbie will be #1 on her Christmas list.

Once Upon A Time...

Leighton sat on the couch and wrote a story. It took her about fifteen or twenty minutes. I tried to scan the actual story she wrote, but it was written too light and didn't turn out well. So here is the story transcribed EXACTLY as she wrote it:

51 Yersogo. wonman.rooldthe wold.
and thrwosnot e nof food fort he famle.
sothw ent onandon withnot enoffoodfor the fam le.
ovcos. t hatwos 45or 48 yer sogo.

Now with correct spacing:
51 Yers ogo, won man. roold the wold.
and thr wos not enof food for the famle.
so th went on and on with not enof food for the famle.
ov cos. that was 45 or 48 yers ogo.

And lastly, translated.
15 years ago, one man ruled the world.
And there was not enough food for the family.
So they went on and on with not enough food for the family.
Of course, that was 45 or 48 years ago.


Note: Yes, she meant 15 but wrote 51, it's not a typo.
This is not autobiographical. I know that she has been looking skinnier lately, but we do feed her. I think it has to do with the fact that she used to graze all morning at home and now she has to actually eat meals.

A Thank You, Well Earned

I would just like to say THANK YOU to all those men and women who have or are serving our country. This IS the best country in the world.
I made sure that my girls understand that today was not just a day off school, but a day of thanks. They know that my dad served as a soldier in Vietnam and as a reservist most of my life. Veteran's Day has always meant a lot to me. I always tear up when I hear the national anthem or even the Pledge of Allegiance (especially if it is said by children.) So many families have had to pay the ultimate price.... their soldier's life.

I heard this on the radio this morning on the way to work and wanted to share it:
The Final Inspection
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.


"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"


The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.


I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear
,And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.


If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."


There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.


"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Drawing Blood

Carly has hypothyroidism and has to have her T4 and Free TSH levels tested periodically. I took her to have her blood drawn after school. Carly was asking if it was going to hurt. I told her it wasn't a shot, but it was going to hurt a little, but not for long. I explained that they would draw her blood to make sure that her thyroid medicine was working.

Carly is still fretting about the needle. Leighton is listening to all of this. Leighton tries to reassure her by saying, 'It's okay Carly they are just going to write your blood and then Mom will buy you ice cream.'

I love that five year old brain.

By the way, Carly did fine. Over the years, I have learned a few steadfast rules;
#1 Put her on my lap
#2 Tell the phlebotomist they get one chance and then we are leaving.
#3 Carly has a great vein in her hand, BUT
#4 If they want to use her arm, her veins roll terribly.
#5 Don't warn her when it's coming.
#6 Don't let her watch the sticking in of the needle.
#7 Do let her watch the blood filling up the vial.
#8 Don't let them put that hateful white tape on her arm - it hurts worse coming off than the needle prick.
#9 Ice cream erases the memory of any residual pain.
#10 Remove band aid ASAP-it just serves as a reminder.

Happy Birthday, Dee

Happy Birthday Dee! I love you and hope you have a wonderful day.

Halloween

My little 'bat' girls. Carly was a scary vampire.

Note the scary finger clench and mean face.

Leighton was a bat sweetie.

I think she was more enamored with the name than the actual costume.
The Crew
Carly and Skyler have been trick-or-treating together since they were about two.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
I know you can't tell, but Jensyn is a dragon.