Elf Yourself

The best part about creating this was watching M watching himself dance as an elf on the computer. He was in total awe of himself and his cool dance moves! He kept insisting that we "do it again."

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/JQsDPsuG6WwrD3DE5nJK

Virus Smirus

We've been hit...first j and now m. The big brothers have been sent to N&G's for the night in hopes of stopping the string of illness. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us!

Back to Business

Things are back in full swing! Our few moments to be bored with one another are over. K began basketball on Friday evening, which was followed by Cub Scouts bright and early the next morning. We had an excursion to Schlitterbahn for their idea of a "Winter Wonderland" (more on that later) and our neighborhood luminary event.

Schlitterbahn was fun for the boys...I think. I'm not sure how it possibly could have been, but they kept talking about it. From the website and televison commercials, we expected snow, true sledding, ice skating, a reindeer barn, Santa, and many other exciting activities. What we really got was a reindeer barn that we tried not to notice once we noticed it. It was roughly 5ft tall and 6ft wide with a person dressed as a reindeer. Santa was definitely worth the wait...probably the adult highlight of the trip next to the beautiful lights everywhere. Sledding was actually sans snow. The boys were able to "sled" down a waterslide after a 45 minute wait in line. Ice skating was out because we weren't aware of the need to sign up for sessions early in the evening. We did have fun playing in the playscape area with snow bubbles blowing from machines overhead.

After all of that complaining, I feel like I should say "Ba Humbug." But...I am truly in the Christmas spirit and looking forward to the holidays with family and friends. I'll just try to avoid Schlitterbahn in December.

Baby is quite the character these days. We are getting a great deal of enjoyment from the words that seem to flow out of his mouth... in a very deliberate way. He is truly communicating with us and understanding way more than we might want him to.

On Thanksgiving night, we were leaving Nan and Gran's house. He was telling everyone good-bye and had a short conversation with Gran. She asked if he was going home to take a bath and get ready for bed...he sat there for a minute (the wheels turning) and then said, "probly...not." The next morning he asked for some juice. I suggested milk instead. He said, "cold drink...yeah, sure."

Fall Leaves

I think we might have succeeded in our mission for the weekend. Our boys bonded with each other and with us over books, leaves, and cookies. As Thanksgiving approaches, I think we have all begun to think about the many things we have to be thankful for. This weekend I am thankful for my family...the bond we all share through reading, their love of the outdoors (which is beginning to rub off on me), and the sweet tooth we all know so well.

My Army Guy

K has a real fascination with all things military. While at school on Thursday, he and his "posse" (as stated by his teacher) of first grade friends decided to make paper army costumes as part of the reading response they were assigned. She wouldn't indulge the desire for tape, so they got creative... They glued the paper badges and medals to their clothing with Elmer's liquid glue. A+ for resourcefulness. D-for common sense.

When I asked him about the glue later that evening, he said, "Mom, I just put a little bit. I did it just like I glue my math problems into my journal...a little dot on each corner." This is why I love first graders, especially my own!

A Day of Rest

Today is an odd day. We do not have any scheduled events - no soccer, no parties, no appointments, no place to be. It seems our family has forgotten how to just enjoy a day of rest. Baby has busted his lip 3 times today. K and J have argued nonstop - from the second they woke up until a nap was mandated by those of us who cannot take it any more.

I think our mission is to learn to relax and enjoy being at home on a somewhat cold and dreary weekend . I'll let you know if we survive.