More Snow Pics - at the Lake

The girls are standing on the bottom of the lake in these pictures! The lake is manmade, and they partially drain it during the winter. (Don't know how it works, but that's a big bathtub!) We'd never seen it drained this much before. During the summer, this is their swimming area, and M can't touch out there by the pier (neither can I) so it was just really cool (literally) to walk all over. Daddy took them out later, and rumor has it that they ventured out beyond the pier to where the ice was.

Snow (That We Used to be Excited About)

On December 14th, when it snowed for the first time, we were quite excited. The girls were thrilled to go sledding and make snow angels, and, thinking it never lasts long, I enjoyed it, too. (Except for my infected toe. That put a damper on my willingness to do a lot of tromping around).

As you know, it has continued to snow and snow. The girls didn't have school Wed - Fri that week b/c of the weather, and P couldn't take his car in to work b/c the roads were so bad. So, we have been at home pretty much for the past 11 days.

I don't think I'll ever like the song, "Let it Snow!" or "White Christmas" again. Our town is just not equipped to deal with inches and inches of continuous snow and freezing temps. And, neither are my nerves...

Having said that, enjoy these few pics I took, when we naively thought we were lucky to have a snow day!

Great Wolf Lodge

Mid-December, we were invited to join my brother and his family in celebrating his daughter's 6th birthday at the Great Wolf Lodge. They spent the night there, and we came for the day on Saturday. It was a wet and wild time and we loved it!

This petite little Christmas tree stood in the entrance to the lobby.

Santa wasn't coming for a few more hours, so E sat on her real Santa's lap for a minute.

Papa Bear and his baby bears

Oh, the water park! It was amazing!

(The pictures are much better on their website linked above, if you're truly interested!)

M & Daddy stuck together, and E & I were a team, along with our cousins. Daddy & M were pretty crazy and went on the major tube slides at least 10 times. That's a lot of times to climb those stairs, but it was worth it! I got to go a few times, and we convinced E to try one, but she was not impressed!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

(whose name also starts with E!)

The rest of the cousins. I think C is asking T what he would like on his pizza?

"It's a bird, it's a plane, it's GOGGLE GIRL!"

Thanks for the great time, E & C! We love ya!

Merry Christmas!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Two Places You MUST Go...online!

A friend just introduced me to an awesome blog called http://www.mypennypile.com/ This mom knows how to save money! Wow, I thought I was the queen of free, but she's got me beat by a mile!

And on that blog, I was introduced to Crazy8's clothing for kids...SO fun and really really affordable, and Free Shipping 'til Tuesday! Hurry, hurry, go look (and shop!)

Pray for Fun!

In E's prayers lately, she's been saying a lot about "fun" and not much else. Like, "We thank Thee for the fun we had today" or "for the fun we're going to have today." I have to whisper "and please bless the food" 'cause all she really wants to pray for is fun.

I was teasing her a little bit about that today, and M said, "Mom, think about it. I mean, if there wasn't fun, life would be a living hell. I'm not saying you have to go to Disneyland here. Blowing bubbles out on the deck is enjoyable. Where would we be without fun?"

I stand corrected! Pray for FUN!

Check It Out

Just discovered this blog and I am fascinated. Our afternoons/evenings are so crazy around here that I've resorted to many crockpot meals lately, but I only have a few recipes. I feel like I just hit the jackpot! Now, if I can only be organized enough to have the ingredients and everything thawed and ready to go in at noon, we'll be set!

Now I Get It

Our little town boasts some spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. In fact, the girls have a great look at it every day at recess. Yesterday, M said, "We played 'Tornado' at recess today." Thinking that was a pretty random game, I asked what brought that up, and she said, "The clouds."

Today, a friend sent this photo.

Oh. NOW I get it!

By a Thread

I spent a few hours today sewing gifts for Christmas presents. Twice, I almost ran out of thread. I kept going, nervously watching the spool wind it's way down and praying that I would finish before running out. Not that it would have been disasterous...just a major inconvenience.

So, since I am trying to be better at acknowledging the hand of the Lord in my life, and in thanking Him for His tender mercies, I just wanted to show how very close I came - twice - to having to halt my progress on my (many) projects!

It also reminded me of my friend and seamstress-extraordinare, Judy Sears, who once commented, "My sewing room is the holiest place in our house. It's where I've offered the most prayers!"

So, I guess this was a lesson that I should stop swearing when I sew?! (kidding...sorta)

Great Games!

Our family really enjoys playing board/card games, but it's hard to find one all four of us can play together (without E getting discouraged or someone else getting bored). We hit the jackpot tonight, so just in case you are also looking for some great non-reader, easy to learn, but still FUN games, here you go! (Both games are by Gamewright and we got ours at Fred Meyer (BOGO, today, as well as some 1/2 price towels and socks, of course!))

Laughs

The girls were mildly bickering about something this morning. I said,

"Do you really have to argue about that?"

M replied, "Yes, Mom. It's our job to argue. I mean, a kid's gotta make a living somehow!"

***************

E was thrilled to receive 4 mini powdered doughnuts at Fred Meyer today. She ate two, then graciously gave one to me. She informed us she would be saving the last one for Daddy and we praised her for her thoughfulness.

In the car, this little voice behind me said,

"I just tooka bite of Daddy's doughnut. But it's ok 'cause I am little. So, it is just a little bite."

I Made It

P has to work his regular shift today and tomorrow (he said it was reeeally busy until noon), so we were homebound for Thanksgiving this year. The girls enjoyed building a "float" out of 10 pillows and blankets in the living room while watching (and dancing along) with the Macy's Parade on tv. We got the pie made and the turkey in, then went out for a bike ride(them) /walk (me). It was sunny and gorgeous along our nearby lake. I wish I'd had my camera with me then. I also wish I had a bike myself, or at least roller blades to try to keep up with those two on their bikes! ;)

Daddy got home just after 2pm, and I had dinner (or lun-er, or dunch, as the girls were calling it) on the table at 2:35. We had:

turkey

(just a breast, but oh it was good)

mashed potatoes

(yes, they were real, Eric)

gravy

(which I got thick for the first time ever)

stuffing

(ok, that was Stove Top)

cranberry sauce

(homemade)

corn

(that we froze ourselves this fall)

yams

(with apples, raisins, walnuts, and marshmallows)

Heavenly Trash salad

(whipping cream, fruit cocktail, bananas, marshmallows)

Fancy green salad

(cranberries, broccoli, bacon, nuts, yummy homemade dressing)

Crescent rolls

(Thank you, Doughboy)

And for dessert...

I had just planned on making P & M's favorite pumpkin pie, but my foodie friend, Colleen, beckoned me to her home yesterday, saying, "Come keep me company while I bake. And, if you bring a pound of butter and 8 eggs, you can make a chocolate mousse cake with me." Oh. My. What a decadent treat! We didn't even eat 1/4 of it; it's soooo rich! Heaven, but I hope it freezes well 'cause we'll never finish it this week!

Here's one last picture of something I've "made..." I am so very thankful for these girls, and for their daddy, too! Happy Thanksgiving!

She Knows When to Give Up

M has recently been campaigning to be allowed to watch shows on Cartoon Network. We have let her watch a few, but I've had objections (sassy, disrespectful, potty humor) as I've listened to them. We had a bit of a family meeting about the matter on Monday night and she agreed that she probably shouldn't be watching 2 of the shows, but there were still one or two she thought were ok. I said I'd sit down and watch next time and we left it at that.

I happened to mention it to two friends of mine who have tweens and teens and both of them said, "Oh, no, we don't let our kids watch that channel!"

I relayed the conversation to M that night. She didn't say anything. I said, "Did you hear what I just said?" She said,

"Yeah. I just know I don't stand a chance against all those moms."

"Silly, Silly Tree"

M's class just wrote poems themed on fall, winter, and/or holidays, then printed them all in a booklet. Guess who wrote my favorite one?!?

Silly, Silly Tree

Tree is foolish

Tree is strange.

He'll wear a green coat

When summer comes near.

And when it gets cold,

When Jack Frost does

His stuff, Good old oak

Drops his blanket and

Stands bare in the snow.

For You Black Friday People...

Thanks to my merchandise-savvy friend, Colleen, here is a great website to preplan your "Black Friday" strategy. I never knew such a website existed, but apparently, it gathers all the major ads for Nov 28 for you...I guess this is usually top secret info?!

I've never done the day-after-Thanksgiving-shopping-4am-madness...I'm more of a "10:30 am stroll thru Fred Meyer to see if there are any socks left" kind of gal. BUT, I did spy a digital camera at WalMart for a very good price...maybe I can talk Colleen into grabbing one for me? P has to work (on Thanksgiving and) on Friday, so since he leaves home at 4am, I won't be able to leave my sleeping children unattended to go to WM myself.

(Can't you see that story on the evening news..."Mother of Two Leaves Sleeping Children to Shop Black Friday?")

ANYWAY, I just thought I might help you save a few $$$, or some zzzzz's, if you look at the ads and don't see anything that's really worth getting up that early for!

Just In Time for the Holidays

Once again, M has come up with another hit. Inspired by the upcoming holiday (Thanksgiving) she penned "Grateful, Thankful" today. I think it is also a great song for all those kids working on their lists for Santa...I feel so blessed to have children who are grateful and thankful and are not "Gimme, Gimme" Girls!

Lyrics:

Grateful, thankful, grateful, thankful

Who needs a mansion, I've got a roof over my head

Who needs a grand feast, I get a warm dinner every day

Chorus: I got what I need, I got what I want

Why go looking for more?

Who needs a limosine, we've got our little van

Who needs a 100 bucks, I've got enough for gum

Chorus

Who needs to be popular, I've got my share of friends

Who needs video games, I've got my imagination

Chorus

Look for the best, not for the most

For in life, it's quality, not quantity that counts.

Self Manager!

Just when we thought life couldn't get more exciting and wonderful, E was awarded her "Self-Manager" badge at school yesterday! It is quite a process to apply and be found worthy of the honor...you have to be consistently kind and responsible for your teacher to even begin to consider the possibility... Then, you have to take your application around to about 10 different adults in the school (music, library, recess, etc) plus get 2 of your friends to sign off on it, too. Once everybody agrees (including yourself, your teacher and the principal), your name gets read over the loudspeaker and you get to walk down to the office all by yourself to pick up your Self-Manager Badge!

As an official card wearing member of this exclusive club, you get endless privileges, like special seating at assemblies and running errands for your teacher and all sorts of other amazing honors. Better watch it, though, 'cause if you are not managing yourself, then your teacher or any other adult in the building can take it away from you, and will only give it back when you've earned it back! (Lord, help us survive that trauma if it ever happens!)

Little Miss E was the first in her class to earn her SM badge, and wow, is she hot stuff. I guess after library time, she was the only one who remembered to go back and ask the librarian for her signature, thus completing her application first. You snooze, you loose, guys! I'm sure there are other classmates who will join her soon.

The best part of all of this hoopla is that it's inspired us to come up with a Self Manager Award at HOME! For instance, I am pretty sure that a Self Manager would put her shoes away and hang up her coat (instead of tossing them on the floor) when she came home, aren't you? She would probably clear her place and pick up her socks without being reminded, too... Oh, the possibilities! Now I have to think up the reward privileges and we're all set. Any suggestions? ;)

Reptile Man

The Reptile Man came to our friends' elementary school tonight and, knowing how much our girls LOVE close encounters with animals, she called and invited us to come along. It was great, and M especially got into the hands-on time!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Sorry the lighting is weird on this one...

Today was my happy birthday, and my girls, of course, made up a song and dance to commemorate the occasion:

"Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom

You're the best of the best of the best

No words can describe

How great you are

You take care of us

And feed us

Talk to us

And help us

So thank you,

We love you,

Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom

That was your birthday song,

It wasn't very long

Hey!"

Museum of Flight

P's parents are visiting us from Illinois, and so he took the day off on Tues (since the girls would be out of school for Veteran's Day). But, what do you do in November in our area?! Go to a museum, of course! All these years, and we've never been to the Museum of Flight, so we decided the time had come. Not being a huge fan of things-that-fly (unless I'm on one, headed someplace fun), I was surprised I liked it as much as I did. It was very hands-on and the kids LOVED it! It wound up being $3 cheaper to buy an annual pass than to pay admission for all of us, so you know me, always looking to save a few bucks...we are now members! So, for those of you in the area, let me know when you want to meet us there!

Dream On

I had a dream the other night that we needed to escape quickly and we couldn't leave any trace of being where we were. Everybody was ready to flee, except for me, 'cause I kept picking up toys and clothes, toys and clothes and they just seemed to keep multiplying. I was frantic! The bad guys were coming any minute and I couldn't get our "evidence" gathered up quickly enough!

M says, "I think that means something, Mom..."

"The Better to See You With, My Dear!"

M was thrilled that her glasses (finally) came in today! The world is bright and beautiful again!

P is calling her "M Palin" ;)

"The Princess and the Pea"

The Missoula Children's Theater came to M & E's school last week and both girls were lucky enough to get parts in their "Princess and the Pea" production. It was based VERY loosely on the original story, so don't worry, there were parts for boys. :)

Try-outs were on Monday, and M was given two parts, so she then had rehearsal from 3:50 (when school gets out) unti 8:15pm on T, W, and Th nights! E had an age appropriate part and "just" had to be there from 3:50-5:50 on W and Th. Friday, they were kind enough to dismiss the entire cast at 5:50 so they could go trick or treating! Saturday, we were at the high school for dress rehearsal at 9am, and then they had performances at 1 and 4pm, so that was a long day to cap off our long week!

M's roles were "Fuschia, the Flower Gardener" and one of four "Phony Princesses." She had some great lines and really played them up. We got many compliments on her expressiveness! E was a Dust Bunny (lived under the princess' bed). No lines, but she danced and sang a couple of songs with great cuteness!

As you can imagine, they ate it all up and had a great week. I couldn't believe they never once complained about being tired or having to wait their turn. We have a professionally recorded DVD of the show if you ever need some cheap entertainment!