HAPPY NEW YEAR

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

Merry Christmas

Roast beast?

SAANTAAAA!
Blissful mayhem
Big one first...
Hurry up and take the picture - I have things to play with!
I could get used to this!

Dance!

Ella did a wonderful job at her dance recital!!

Warning!! bragging ahead...

So I have a pile of scrap paper that includes these huge odd shaped envelopes that I let the kids use as their 'craft' paper. And if you know Ella she is always fiddling (drawing, coloring, cutting, etc.); especially since I set up the craft supplies within their reach. Well yesterday she brings me this - I was amazed. You may not believe it but she made it without any instructions. She traced her hand near the natural fold of the envelope then cut out half of the shape and unfolded to complete her reindeer - She added a red nose to make sure we knew it was Rudolph and put the circles on the head so Rudolph would have curly hair like her. I thought maybe it was a fluke, like she was just tracing and she happened to cut it out looking like a reindeer. So I asked if she could do it again and she did - didn't miss a step!! So now Mommy and Daddy both have a Rudolph. Now three weeks ago I tried to teach the activity day girls(ages 8-11) at church how to make snowflakes and they just couldn't get the concept of folding and then cutting - they made just about every other shape of snowflake besides round. So I am still amazed that she figured this out by herself!!

May cause drowsiness

Benadryl...enough said.

Crazy people we are

So last night we decided to go see Santa - I heard the fancy shmancy mall in downtown Norfolk had huge life size snowglobes of Narnia to walk through; swirling fake snow and all. We left pretty much as soon as Kyle got home. Once we got there, paid for parking, and actually made it to the Santa zone there were lines wrapped around him four times - we decided no way- so we headed to the food court had dinner, played at the playground, looked around a bit and then thought we would head back and brave the lines. We get there only to discover that they had closed the line an hour before close. One lady at the front of the line said they had waited close to two hours! - I could see why; they wouldn't let more than one person through the snow globe at a time and they let each have time to 'experience' it - but two hours? Come on...
I think I audibly heard Ella's heart break when we said no Santa tonight - so off to the toy store to pick up a 'little' something.
Its when I hear the ping of the cash register I think what the heck is wrong with us?? Who buys their kids toys days before Christmas?

Look Ma no hands!

"I love baths in the sink!!! "

Yes my hand was mere inches away.

Five Year old Jesus

Saturday night was the ward Christmas party and everyone was supposed to dress in 'biblical' attire - well the kids couldn't get the concept of just dressing 'biblical' they had to be somebody so Ella was Mary complete with baby doll and Benjamin said he was "five year old Jesus". We sent him to brush his teeth before leaving the house and he said I am going to brush my teeth really really good - like Jesus brushes his teeth. - Not very often that I have a mental picture of the Savior brushing his teeth.
At the party they acted out the Nativity and the kids were miffed that they were not a part of it - I couldn't make Ella understand the necessity of Mary being older than 4 and Benjamin kept whispering - when do they need the five year old Jesus?

Aren't I cute...

In my Christmas dress from Aunt Beth?

I told you to leave that car seat alone!!

I believe in natural consequences as a form of discipline - fall over and knock your head a few times, you'll learn!

Cookie Decorating

Nana sent sugar cookie mix and decorating supplies - Benjamin and Ella invited a friend over and had a blast!!

Tooth

Well someone has a new tooth!! - Big brother actually 'found' it. In the car he said "Maiya has teeth now" - I just thought he was joking around then during Ella's dance class I was letting her nibble on my hand to keep occupied and I felt something - sure enough there it was!!

Finally caught on...

Maiya has not been too keen on solid food - anything other than Mommy's milk and egg nog which daddy let her try - she acted like she just had acid put in her mouth (very theatrical she is...)-- but tonight I guess I hit her at the right moment and I warmed up the baby food a little and she thought it was just great!

Fighting sleep...

This picture was taken at about 10pm - she fought long and hard...

Santa

Miss Holland and Mr. Australia

2005 "International Christmas Cantata"

Merry?

Today we had a busy day - Breakfast with Santa, Cantata practice for church,(Benjamin and Ella are representing Australia and Holland and singing in the appropriate attire), and then we saw Narnia.
While visiting Santa Benjamin asked Kyle " so what does merry mean" - "it means happy" to which Benjamin replies "sigh - how do grownups know everything?"
After we had waited in line for our pictures we got in line for breakfast, they had candy lined up on the tables - which Benjamin immediately shoves in his pockets - I gave him a look and he promptly informed me that one was for Santa. He rushes back out to give it to him and Kyle had to stop him before he jumped in the frame of someone else's picture with Santa. But dutifully he waited in line for quite a while and made sure Santa got a Hershey kiss! - He may have been sucking up but it sure was cute!!

Now my homemade review of Narnia(LWW):
IT WAS EXCELLENT - It is a very rare occasion when I like a book to movie rendition, especially a story as powerful as Aslan's but this was tops - there was, as always, emotions missing that the mind can only capture when reading, but nothing was missing from the plot - and what was added fit well giving a little more suspense when needed. My only fear is that people may be so satisfied by the movie they won't find the gem that lies in the book - or the flip side; maybe it was only such a good movie to me because I had read the book. Overall I still have the same impression - CS Lewis captured the essence of the Atonement in this analogy better than almost anything I have read barring the scriptures, but sometimes I get lost in them. I can't imagine anyone that is Christian not being impressed by the parallels to Christ - but even if that isn't a factor its a great tale!
You know I love quotes so I thought I would post some of my favorite LWW ones...

"I hope that no one who reads this book has been quite as miserable as Susan and Lucy were that night; but if you have been-if you've been up all night and cried till you have no more tears left in you-you will know that there comes in the end a sort of quietness..."

"Here is your brother" said Aslan "and there is no need to talk to him about what is past"

"Yes of course you'll get back into Narnia one day. But don't go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed don't try to get there at all. It'll happen when you're not looking for it"

"And now" said Aslan " to business. I feel I am going to Roar"

Congratulations to Me!

100 Blog Posts !!!!!!!!

What's mine is mine!

Kyle came across two dollars yesterday and exclaims "yeah I found 2 bucks" and Ella immediately corrects him " NO Daddy that's my money" - With a tone of sarcasm, Kyle says "I don't see your name on it" - without missing a beat Ella says "Turn it over Daddy its right there" (twice actually) Ella obviously knows not to trust anyone around here!!!!!!

Camping

Well yes we are crazy but we had a blast!! Meg came down for the weekend and Kyle and I went camping overnight - Yes it was cold but actually we stayed comfortable the fire was warm and once we got in the tent we were warm. Even when it did rain we were fine and it stopped by morning. We liked our new air mattress we got in the crazy "after-thanksgiving" sale - it was nice to be comfortable for once in a tent.
Meg brought the kids to the campsite for dinner and they loved it! Even Maiya in her layers of clothes enjoyed herself - there was so much to look at she forgot to be fussy - which the evening is her favorite time of day to fuss!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA!!

Generous

The kids are so cute at this time of year ... well besides their constant begging for the toys that they want for Christmas....
First when the 'dream' book came which is much anticipated around our house Benjamin made sure to circle toys for Maiya in addition to the toys he circled for himself. Then today I asked Ella what she was getting Benjamin and she said 100% sure of herself "Oh I think a Power Rangers Bicycle" - don't you think that is a little expensive Ella - "Its Ok he would really like it" Then I asked Benjamin what he was getting Ella - "A Dora Bicycle AND a Kitchen" - Wow I wish I had the budget you guys have!

Clarification

Just so you know ... no one got hurt in the Kmart incident - it was a 'knife' fight between two guys and apparently everything was stopped by security probably at the same time I was making a scene in electronics.

I know, I know

Its been a long time since my last blog... We have been celebrating the holidays - last weekend with my family and this weekend with Kyle's family.
Maiya has reached a new milestone! She can roll over now from back to stomach - and even get her arm unpinned - Nana discovered her little trick yesterday when she was supposed to be napping in the playpen:)
Well Kyle and I had temporary insanity and decided to brave the crowds for the after thanksgiving sales - we got to Kmart at 5:30 am and there was already a line to the end of the sidewalk. We couldn't really get in line until closer to the store opening at 6 because we had Maiya with us and it was really cold.
When we actually got into the store I felt like some kind of wildebeest running from a lion in the open plains - I wasn't sure where to go and I immediately began to forget the things we were trying to find. We did want a graco booster seat for Ella that was only 10 bucks but we couldn't find it anywhere - I am convinced they never even had any - just teased parents in the circular so crazy people like us would get up a 5 am. After we found a couple of other things - we split up; Kyle to electronics (of course) and me to housewares - then I decided to brave the front of the store crowd to check out Christmas decorations - as I am pushing my way through I hear this commotion by the entrance - some guy screaming at the top of his lungs nothing I can understand but I can tell he is crazed - then all these ladies start my way and one says "this can't be good" then the next says "he has a gun - I'm getting to the bathroom" -- now I knew at that moment I had watched way too much TV - because I freaked out too - I ran my fat butt to electronics as fast as I could which you have to get the full picture - these people have no idea about what is happening at the front of the store - so I know they thought I was crazy because I am running screaming at the top of my lungs for Kyle - they probably thought " whatever is on sale can't be that good"
Well it turned out to be some 'domestic dispute' between and ex-husband and current husband of some woman - it made the Danville paper. Now I will be cheesy for just a moment - it turned out to be nothing but for the little bit of time it took me to get to Kyle I was really panicking - I knew I wouldn't be calm until I was with him - I love my man!!
Now just a side note, the last time Kyle and I went shopping together was last weekend at a wal-mart in Richmond and some man appeared to have died of a heart attack while waiting in line - the paramedics were still working on him when we left the store but he didn't not appear to be responding at all.
So now we are on our way to return something - so wish us luck, I am hoping for an uneventful shopping experience.

Kiss

Maiya's new thing is trying to make raspberries - for the most part of yesterday she had her tongue sticking out busily trying and mostly just making spit bubbles. This morning while carrying her upstairs she was working on it again and her head wobbled at the same time - she made contact with my neck and made a perfect kissing sound - it was so cute it gave me chills!

Grab Bag

Ok here are few mini stories I haven't had time to individually blog...

Benjamin's conference...
It went pretty well - She said he is making a lot of improvement, he is neater, pays more attention, and is not obsessing about the computer as we had feared. Her main concerns are his whining and he doesn't do well with other teachers e.g. music, guest speakers, etc.
She also went over his report card and what will be required on the first one - I was surprised at how much is asked - He has to verbalize a sentence then attempt to write it - to pass he has to get the beginning sounds correct - her example was that he said "My pumpkin is a vampire" when he wrote vampire it was something like shashmi - if there was a V he would get credit. - So when I made pancakes today he wrote down the ingredients to practice and he picked out the correct beginning sounds on all but "squirt".

Ella aka Miss Know it all
I was watching the news and there was a woman being led away in handcuffs and she said "ooohhhh that woman is going to jail" - I said well no, first she will go to court - do you know what court is Ella? "YEESSS - court is Ruddy Oak - you know that mommy!! Its where we live"
Then she kept asking about 'Ms. Shell' from church and I couldn't for the life of me figure out who she was talking about - Until I ran into the mystery lady today and as I called out to her in the parking lot "Michelle" - it hit me who Ella was talking about!
Grandma got Ella Ballet/Jazz dance lessons for her birthday and they started this afternoon - She LOVED it - I was really impressed with the teacher - and hope to keep it up for a while - I think its good to have her own thing going - it gets hard listening to Benjamin talk about school so much!

Speaking of which, Benjamin and I went together to the PTA meeting last night and Ella was devastated to not go - but I wanted a chance to see B in his environment alone - the meeting was good - usual announcements then we were taught folk dancing by the music teacher and everyone got a chance to do these dances. It was fun. I thought Benjamin had a good time too - that is until today when Ella asked him about it and he said oh yeah we sat, then danced, and his eyes lit up -- then I drank out of the water fountain! - apparently that was the highlight!

Good Morning

As you can see from the picture Maiya is always Ms. Popularity in the morning - they may completely ignore her by mid-afternoon but she is almost always the focus in the morning!!

Best Dog in the World!!

Zeke is such a good dog I figured he deserved a blog post too - and meg got some cute pics of him!!

Isn't she lovely....

Aunt Meg gets the giggles - hope you enjoyed them Meggie because the ride home after dropping you off was H*LL - Can't imagine a face so cute could be so frustrating! Most babies are lulled to sleep by the car but not Maiya - she cried from New Kent to Williamsburg then I spent one hour at a 7-11 trying to get her to sleep - so back on the road we went and she was crying by the next exit! - I was too tired to stop again so she cried till Norfolk - All I can say is tomorrow is another day! Maybe separation anxiety has started? I thought that was an older baby thing - I guess I'll have to get out my development books.

Happy (early) Birthday Ella

All considered it was a great birthday party!!!!

Ella loved all of her gifts and had fun with her friends playing pin the crown on the princess, decorating cookies, making crowns, and flower cupcakes and ice cream.

Thou shalt not blog...

In a fit of rage!!!
I am so angry and sad at the same time! I have had six parties in the past four years and each time it never ceases to amaze me how rude people are! Each time less than half of the people that said they would come actually show up - I have been under the assumption that it is nice to give people at least a couple of weeks notice for parties - and they will do their best to let you know whether they will be there or not. Now Ella made out her list of who she wanted to be here and it totaled almost 20 kids I pared it down to 15 and she has her little heart set on seeing those kids today - I on the other hand have made gift bags and cupcakes for each kid and I have my wallet set on them being here. Of the 15 invited only about 4 families actually rsvp'd and now 2 HOURS before the party even more have cancelled - How do you tell your little birthday girl half of the people she invited aren't coming? Hopefully as the few left trickle in she will forget and enjoy herself anyway - and I will try to ignore the gobs of gift bags and leftover cupcakes. I don't know what it is with people - is it the money? do they not want to buy her a gift? are they rude? Are they too caught up by their own lives? Do they not use calendars. Do people not realize that when they get an invitation that someone is either putting a lot of effort or money or both into hosting them? What really gets my goat is maybe its the culture of our church - we have so many things going on and many of them last minute - Have church members forgotten true party etiquette? But just this past week someone had a party that people only got invited to TWO DAYS before and over 30 people were there. -- And speaking of church I work my butt off for church out of love for my savior but I also consider the people I serve with friends and this is how I get treated - and if I seem overly angry its because the same thing happened at the last party I threw for Benjamin. I also can't help but get sad about the five kids I didn't invite - they probably would have enjoyed these gift bags - but I 'll never know-- their moms might not have known how to RSVP - and follow through either

Been Busy

Well we have been a little busy - we baby-sat for one of Kyle's co-worker's kids the past two days - the kids really liked the company. Today is our first "parent-teacher conference" and then the kids and I are off to visit Aunt Beth and Aunt Meg until Friday - then we are bringing Aunt Meg back to help me get ready for Ella's Birthday Party on Saturday!
Will let you know how the conference went....

Sweet in the morning...

No matter how much they fight, scream, and tease each other the day before they are always so sweet in the morning! Since Benjamin was a baby he has always woke up happy. Now his morning routine starts with 'checking on Maiya' - almost every morning he looks for her and since we are not yet in a dependable schedule she may be in any number of places - the bassinet, her crib, our bed... But once he sees her if she is still sleeping he will cover her up with a blankie and if she is awake already he says in the sweetest voice "good morning sweetheart"
Ella is more like me and begrudgingly is usually the last to wake up but no matter, she always musters a smile when she comes in our room - It has to be in my top ten of favorites - weekend mornings, waking up slow and the family all cuddly and happy in the bed - good thing we have a california king size bed with our crew!!

More Halloween pics...

After two parties, mommy and daddy were too tired to do it again so Ella and Benjamin were the official candy distributors on Halloween and honestly I think they had more fun doing that than if we had dressed up again!