Dippin' Some Dots

I took the kids to ToysRUs today so they could spend some of their Christmas cash.

I was fairly impressed with the thought and consideration each displayed when choosing how they would spend their money.

I told them they could buy what they wanted however I did make a few strategic comments designed to sway them away from a few toys I knew would drive me crazy :)

That kind of thing works pretty well with Will (he left the store with two items and money still in his pocket) but Eliza Grace is a little more determined in this area (she also left with two items but had to finagle a two-week advance on her allowance to get what she really wanted).

All this is to say that earlier this evening we were doing this:
Eliza Grace chose to buy a Dippin' Dots kit. In her mind, it was the best of two worlds: a craft project that you can eat!

We used the cotton candy flavored packet for the first batch and then moved on to using our own root beer for the second.
After 90 minutes in the freezer, the frozen treats were ready.
Apparently mixing cotton candy and root beer dots is pretty tasty!

"Mommy, Mommy, Come Up Here!"

This morning I was quite heavily and happily asleep when Will started calling me.

"Mommy! Mommy! Come up here!"

{Sidebar}
Our bedroom is on the first floor and the kids' rooms are on the second floor. We chose this layout on purpose because we figured if we live here until we are old and feeble, we will have everything we need on one level. However I have to admit that, although long range planning is smart, I have really not enjoyed trudging up the stairs these past nearly 9 years for middle of the night/early morning feedings, diaper changes, nightmares, various and assorted sicknesses and all the other reasons a mother checks in on her kids in bed.
{End sidebar}

So I am not really keen on climbing the stairs quite yet when I hear Will bellow again.

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" That last one came out sounding like "Maw-aw-aw-aw-meeee!

Normally a morning person, today I had to drag myself out of bed while using my loud whisper voice. "Shhhh! What do you need, Will? Everyone is still asleep!"

Given past experience I assumed he wanted me to play Legos or check out some new contraption he had built. He is one of those 'up and at 'em kids,' ready to play pretty much as soon as he opens his eyes.

"Mommy, you need to come up here!" he said.

"Will, just tell me what you need!" I whisper-shouted back. I had made it up the first five steps but was hoping to be spared the rest.

"Just come up here and I will show you!" he nearly shouted back.

"Ok, ok, I'm coming. Sheesh."

My eyes were now half open as I made it to the top of the steps.

"Ok, sweetie, what is so important?" I asked.

And he is standing there under his windows, left arm sweeping to the side like a showroom model. He had pulled back his curtains, opened his blinds and had the biggest, sweetest smile on his face.

"Mommy, look! Isn't that the most beautiful sunrise you've ever seen?"

The sky was all soft and pink and glowy, as the sun was just beginning to rise up over the neighborhood roof tops.

Yes, the sunrise was really beautiful.

But knowing my sweet little man saw beauty in a sunrise and wanted to share it with me? Well, that was worth way more than losing a little sleep walking up a few steps.

The Post-Christmas...Er...Post

A few sights and sounds to wrap up our Christmas holiday.

What a blessing it is for my children to have their Grandmother read them "Twas the night before Christmas" on the night before Christmas!

Sleepy heads eying what is under the tree!

Midday was spent playing Raving Rabbids Wii and
Littlest Pet Shop DS in their new ergonomic game chairs

Here's a little live action of Christmas morning.
Admittedly, this video is fairly Lego AT-AT Walker heavy

Although we did not see any real snow during the daylight hours, overnight provided a big, fluffy blanket to play in on Sunday.

I would say we got somewhere between 6 to 8 inches by midday on Sunday.
And now I begin my annual post-Christmas clean and organize phase. The clutter is already getting to me and no amount of snow will keep me from getting out there to buy more storage tubs!

Sing With Me Now...

Chex mix roasting in an electric ovenPretzel-kiss smells wafting 'round your nose
Yuletide fondue pots with their flames all a-glow
And children who eat chocolate-covered marshmallows!
Merry Christmas Eve - hope you all are snuggled somewhere warm and toasty!

The Final Countdown!

Rumor Has It.

Another track out from school, another week of horse back riding camp for Eliza Grace.

Back in June she rode in 100 degree temperatures.

When I dropped her off last Tuesday, the thermometer read 23 degrees.

Given the minor amount of body fat on the kid, I was not surprised when she said might consider skipping camp next winter :)

I got to see her ride on Friday afternoon and, once again, Rumor was at the ready and together they cantered over a jump for the first time!

She has learned so much and now throws around phrases like "tacking up" and getting in my two-point."

Here is a little bit of Eliza Grace and Rumor in action.

Tears & Laughter & Holding Hands

Last Friday, Will's preschool class had their Christmas sing and holiday party. Unlike his sister, Will does not exactly enjoy being in the spotlight.

As soon as the teachers asked the kids to stand up to sing, he immediately burst into tears. Miss Chrissie, bless her sweet heart (and I mean that!) spent a good 5 minutes trying to comfort him. She told him that she, Mommy & Daddy and Jesus all love him and Jesus did not give him a heart of fear.

Wiping away that last tear and trying to be brave

And when that did not work, she conceded and let him stand next to his best buddy Gabe - typically not allowed in these situations as they tend to get a little a rowdy together :)

And all is well now that he got to hold Gabe's hand
for support - thank goodness for good friends!

I love these kinds of things because the kids are all so unpredictable and adorable, even the ones like mine that go from nervous tears to holding his buddy's hand for comfort to vigorously scratching his bottom right there in front of everyone to giving shout outs to friends in the audience to dancing and generally being silly.

Obviously he survived and finished with a smile.

Oh, Who Are The People In Your Family?

Mothers.
Daughters.
Fathers.
Sons.
Sisters.
Brothers.
Grandmothers.
Aunts.
Uncles.
Nephews.
Nieces.
Cousins.
Family cooking.
Family eating.
Family giving.Family receiving.
Family loving.