The Birthday Party

After one failed attempt, we finally had Sadie's birthday party. I think everyone had a good time. All the letterboxes were found by all the groups, although some had an easier time than others. Sadie's cousins got to be there this time because they just happened to be coming through on their way back to Colorado. It was absolutely wonderful having them there.

This is one of the groups finding a box. Imani, the one holding the items in the box in this picture, didn't even want to touch the first box found. I don't know why but she was not going to touch it. She came along way since she's actually holding one in this picture.

Another box found. Actually, Katie, the one on the right, found this one.
Back inside the room for pizza and "cake".
This time, I was going to make Sadie's cake. When I called Cici's to order the pizza the night before Sadie asked me if we could have brownies. I told her that we were going to have cake. She asked if her cake could be the brownies from Cici's. I said to myself, "hmmmmm, make a cake.....order a brownie, hmmmmm". I'm not stupid, I ordered brownie. Then when I called Cici's, they threw in the brownies for free. How cool was that?
We made the brownie as festive as possible.
Jon and Bailey (Madeline's friend - Madeline was off having a pity party for this picture) letterboxing. "Team Rose" (their team name) was way faster at finding the letterboxes than the other teams. I declare them the winner (not that there was one).

As I said, I think everyone had a good time. And I'm glad it's finally over. I can now relax a bit. Maybe get back to studying...yep, definitely do that.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! This was our living room this morning before the festivities.

Anna got up about 6:30 this morning and my mother (who is sleeping in Anna's room) got her up then brought her to me then acted as if she were going back to bed. Well, pardon me, but, #1 Anna doesn't go back to sleep so we're up. Which brings us to #2 it's CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!! That means whenever the first kid gets up, all bets are off, everyone has to get up, it's TIME!!!! I will admit that, on Christmas morning, if children sleep any past about 7 am I think there is something wrong with them.
First things first. We read the story of Jesus' birth out of the gospel of Luke. Then we say a prayer. I think Madeline missed the point this morning when she prayed "Dear Santa, thank you for all the presents. Amen".

Sadie reading the note left from Santa. It read "Dear Sadie and Madeline, I brought this for you to share when you go on picnics. Maybe when Anna gets bigger, she can share it with you, too. Love, Santa P.S. The cookies were delicious.


Anna gets the hang of her new toy, albeit backwards.Just in case you were wondering, this is what happened to the gingerbread house. They probably had just as much fun tearing it down as they did building it. The did try to eat it but I don't think it tasted very good.

Again, Merry Christmas. I hope yours was as lovely and family centered as ours.

The Reason

Isn't this the reason for Christmas? To have family here, to pass on traditions, to teach the young about the birth of our Lord? This picture, to me, sums it up. My Mom showing Anna the Creche in the foyer of Most Blessed Sacrament Church. I can't think of any thing I'd rather see at Christmas.

And, Mom, I'm sorry, I don't know how to "photo shop" or for Christmas I'd have given you the behind of a super model. But I love you just the way you are.

Merry Christmas, Everyone. Keep Christ in your Christmas.

Gingerbread house

Nonnie came to our house today! Great rejoicing in the land! Can you hear the angels singing? Here she is putting together a gingerbread house with the girls.
The gingerbread house roof complete with chimney.
The front of the gingerbread house.

And if you would like a tour all the way around...watch the video.

weird stuff

This cat...oh my, this cat has been named "Sugar" by Sadie. This is not our cat. It only just started coming around here the last week or so. He lets Sadie pet him so she put a collar on him and named him. No, he does NOT come in the house. (Yes, Auntie B., she named him after your "Sugar" - we should be so lucky.) Anyway, today both the girls were out on the front porch and some female cat - whom sugar apparently has a crush on - was there, too. Madeline was standing on the sidewalk about 3 ft. in front of the porch and after Sadie got through petting him, he went to Madeline and rubbed up against her leg. She says "gross, he peed on me". I started laughing and told her he had just marked her "his" territory. I laughed alot about that one, especially seeing it first hand. She didn't find it nearly as funny as I did. Hmmmm....
This is Anna acting all innocent like she's not the reason that most of the ornaments in the general vicinity of her height are no longer on the tree.
Caught in the act.

Poor little fishies

We've decided to try to get the aquarium going again. It's only been how long since poor little Richard Hatch (the fish-not the "Survivor") died? So we got some bacteria balls (don't ask, I don't know what they're for but they do something good for your tank) and 10 fish that cost 18 cents a piece. Below is a picture of them. Don't get attached - they are sacrificial fish.
The lady at Petland told us that the water (which has been sitting for quite awhile) will cycle and it will take about a week or so to stabilize and that the first fish we put in may die. But to bring another water sample in in about a week and we'll see if we're good to go or we need some fine tuning. The girls are learning a lesson and I'm not sure if it's good or not. We didn't get the "good" fish because we don't want them to die. So inexpensive fish don't deserve to live? What am I teaching my children? Whatever the lesson, they seem OK with it.
Miss Banda thinks she's a wrap for Christmas. Yes, she slept in here like this for most of the day.

Yesterday, at about 8:30 am, Anna walked in her room and put her hand through the crib rails and patted her mattress then lay down beside her bed. Think she was trying to tell me something?

Brownie awards

Yesterday, Conrad and I were both afflicted with the same lovely virus that got ahold of Sadie and Madeline the day before. Anna may or may not have had it, the jury is still out (trust me you don't want to know about that discussion). So, while we were laying (lying - I don't know which is correct) on our deathbed, Sadie thinks that is the time for me to help her put Anna's hair up. Well, I can't help it if I think it would be cute, too, and am willing to use up some of my strenght on it. You be the judge, was it worth it?

Tonight was Sadie's Brownie's Court of Awards/cookie exchange. She got bunches of patches to add to her vest. I'll be busy soon ironing on.
This is her before the big award ceremony.
And this is her checking out her new patches.

For those of you oooged out by critters, you can stop reading here.

For the rest of you, Pogo has returned. Here he is in all his glory.

Surprises aplenty

After weeks of planning, creating nine letterboxes, 18 poems for said letterboxes, finding things to go into the letterboxes, planning where they would go with the wonderful help of my friend Jessica, planning for inclement weather by procuring a sight that we could hide boxes inside or out, inviting 13 seven and eight year old girls (and having 2 sisters that are five years old) and having all but one RSVP that they were coming, then making sure they all know not to wear nice clothes and then ordering an absolutely darling cake...the unforeseen happened.

Sadie got sick. At first, I thought "oh, it's just nerves". Of course, I don't know anyone who throws up at 4 am the morning of their birthday party. I'm thinking it would take a real neurotic (hope there aren't any of you reading this) 8 year old for that, but it could happen. So as she's getting sick I said to myself "oh no she isn't...she can't possibly...WE ARE HAVING THIS PARTY!!!!!!!!"

So, I left the little family at home while I went to church. Thinking when I got back home, I would pack up the van, go get the cake and start out for the party. Oh, in hindsight, I was so naive! When I got home, Sadie tells me she just threw up again and Conrad told me that she was OK with postponing the party. That's when I KNEW she was sick. The panic, the sheer overwhelming panic I felt was unbelievable. Call all these people at the last minute. Call the place and tell them we're not coming and that I hope I can reschedule and them not charge me again. Sadie's disappointment she must be feeling. Man, what a few moments of crazy that was. Then I took a breath and just started dialing numbers and letting people know. Everyone was gracious and wished Sadie well. What a nice group of friends she has.

So the upshot...What a delicious cake we enjoyed today. And when we are able to have the party, it's all taken care of. Planning done! Woohoo! Well, I will have to get another cake.

The cute cake we've been eating on today. YUMMY!

And on to the other surprise. The reason I can't publish this blog until after about 10:30 or so... Wendy , James and the kids are coming in early to surprise my Aunt Brownie. Wendy is my cousin and we're like sisters so my kids call her "Aunt Wendy" and her kids call me "Aunt Lisa". Oh, I just love it when we're able to get together. My girls are about the same age as her kids so they love it when they come to town. Since Sadie was busy being sick, Madeline was the only one who made the trip to Boston Market where we met up with them. We got to visit for a long time and exchanged gifts (she's going to love what we gave them, we rock~!). I took them a huge hunk of cake because it is James' birthday today - not that I knew that when I took the cake to them but I pretended I did when he told me.

I tried to take pictures of the kids and the dog they brought with them. That dog is beautiful and very well mannered. I can't imagine how the cats at Aunt Brownie's are going to react to that dog.

This was the only picture that came out half-way decent. The rest were similar to this one below.

"Dagger" after playing with the kids, ready to get to "Nana's" house.
Madeline thinking she's going somewhere with her cousins.

I called my mom when we were saying good-bye to Wendy and family and told her Wendy was bringing Madeline over (she was meeting my Mom in Shreveport to say "hi") and that she could bring Madeline back with her when she came on Friday. She said "you are kidding, aren't you?" I said, "why?" She went on about luncheons and things to do and I asked if they were more important than her granddaughter? She assured me they were not but that she needed a little more warning. I was only kidding anyway. Madeline wouldn't go anywhere overnight without her blankie so Mom was safe.

Surprise number three? Five minutes after we left them, Madeline threw up all over the van.

Christmas concert

I know you didn't think you'd hear from me again to me today but I couldn't wait to put this on here. The picture above is Anna in her Christmas finery. Conrad got her dressed (tights, shoes and all) by himself tonight. I'm so impressed.

Below is Sadie (the donkey) and Madeline (the ever-so-theatrical sheep) during the Christmas concert tonight. When they came out, the whole congregation went "awwww". And I know it wasn't baby Jesus because he'd already been out there once.

How cute are they?

O Christmas Tree

I'm going ahead and blogging now because I will be WAY too tired tonight. However, hopefully pictures will be taken of these sleeping beauties being the donkey and the sheep in our Christmas Concert tonight and I can put them on here tomorrow. They will reprise their roles on Christmas Eve during the Children's Christmas Pagent at the 6:00 pm Mass.

To get us in the Christmas spirit, Madeline required that we put up the tree today. She buttered us up with breakfast in bed. She made me jelly toast and Conrad buttered toast. Served juice and dark chocolate M & Ms for dessert. She would not take no for an answer. It's a good thing because I think I have plenty of time to do "Christmas stuff" and in reality, if we had not put it up today it may have been Wed. or Thurs. before we got to it. "That's not even a week to enjoy it" I hear you say. Well, let me tell you, if past experience is any indication, we would have had weeks to enjoy the tree. I have been known to leave it up until February. We'll see if we can get it down in a respectable amount of time this year.

We also want to do something new this year. We want to actually have a topper to our tree. In years past, the tree bent over at the ceiling. Now, we have a smaller tree but still plenty big but with room for a topper. This is the third year, I think, we've put this particular tree up but we still don't have a topper. We'll be looking for one this year. We're thinking angel or star. Leaning more towards angel.

I will say that at least this year, we finally have a tree skirt. The first time in my adult life that my Christmas tree has had a tree skirt.

Here's the tree! And my little elves who helped decorate it.

So, if you read this in time, and you're not doing anything tonight, come to Most Blessed Sacrament Church at 7 pm and get some holiday spirit infused. Live orchestra and live Nativity (complete with donkey and sheep!) and beautiful songs - join us, you'll be glad you did. You can always record the Cowboys game.

Winter Parties

Today ACA had their Winter parties (we used to call them Christmas parties). Fun was had by all.
This is Madeline and Kolton. Remember this picture. His mother and I think it will be used someday at their engagement party.
These cookies were made by a mom (Becky Hale). I think they belong on a magazine cover. The snowflakes have edible pearls on them. They were beautiful. I am SO impressed. They tasted delicious, too. I really enjoyed my snowman until I dropped him on the floor.
Sadie and her teacher, Mrs. Solis. We both like her very much.
Sadie and her friend Katelyn. Aren't they cute?
Eden came over again today. This time, his mother came with him and Anna stayed home with them so I could do the party thing without a stroller. How lovely that was. Thank you, Rachel, for allowing me that luxury. This is Anna loving on Eden.

This is Madeline in her class singing "Singing in the Rain". I think it's cute. By the way, Madeline's class had "Pajama Day" so that's why they're all in their PJ's.

Anna and I went to Wal-Mart today. The cats had never been so happy to see two people return as we had been out of cat food for 24 hours so they were STARVING little kitties.

There are good things and bad things about Anna being able to walk. One of the good things is that when we get home from Wal-Mart or somewhere else where I may have several bags or something heavy to carry in, I can put her down on the ground and tell her to go to the door and she will. Usually by the time I have gathered up whatever treasures we've found and gotten to the door she's just about there.

Now there seems to be a little trouble with her wanting to go into the house. In this series of pictures, I am telling her "Anna, come into this house". "Anna, it's time to come in". "AAAANNNNNAAAAA, get yourself in this house this instant".

Well, I would, Mom, if you said the magic word.
"Well, no, I'm not sure if spankin' is a magic word".

Baby Eden

Today I babysat for our great nephew Eden. This is the one everyone prayed for. I have forgotten (yes, my memory is short, seeing as Anna is only 16 months old - tomorrow) how much these little tykes need. And he's as big as Anna so you think he can do all the things she can do like: sit up, eat regular food, crawl around, amuse himself occasionally. Nope, can't do any of those things. I was also hindered by the fact that he is still breast-feeding and I'm not THE momma. We managed. Rachel left me some bags of his favorite milk and then I supplemented with formula. That boy can EAT! He also napped, but only when Anna was awake. Same with Anna. She would nap while he was awake. Only once were they both asleep. For about 10 minutes, I had blessed quiet in the house.

Silly me, I had such plans for the day. I thought I would clean, get laundry done, finish the letterboxes for Sadie's party, etc. and so forth. Silly, silly me. I couldn't get that stuff done when Anna was that age, why would I think I could when I have two on hand? Oh well, one more day of a messy house isn't going to kill anyone. At least, I don't think it will.
This is Eden playing on his playmat.
Anna is visiting the new being in the house, wondering what all the fuss is about. She instantly became an infant again when Eden stayed longer than 10 minutes. Two babies is too much.
Rested, fed and finally happy. Anna had to try out the swing, too. She got in it and sat with her back flat against the back like it was going to blast off or something. She relaxed once she figured out it was just a swing.
Today was also Sadie's 8th birthday. Happy Birthday, Sadie~ Here she is with her gift from Nonnie. It's a bag to put her piano music in. Very cute. She also got a snow globe from Brady and she gets to go shopping tomorrow for an outfit she would have worn to her birthday party had I gotten ink pads that were washable. Instead, she'll wear it to school on Friday. We also gave her a "boombox". The box part which Anna has really taken to.

And just in case nothing exciting happens tomorrow and I don't blog...Happy birthday to Paul, my brother-in-law, and Phillip.

Penguin fun

Sadie, Madeline, Anna and I went to a Winter Festival at Lake Arlington Baptist Church today. The theme was penguins and it was very fun. The girls got to make crafts, see real live penguins (see video below) went on a hayride, played games, got their faces painted and played in the gym just to name a few of the things they did. LABC knows how to put on a Winter Festival. Here are some of the pictures, like you didn't know I would have them.

Sadie went rock climbing. I, in a million years, wouldn't have thought she would do it. Don't ask me why but I didn't. I was proud of her. She actually got higher than Madeline.
Madeline, looking up at "the wall".
On her way up. She didn't get much farther than this but she liked it.
Sadie and Madeline in Santa's seat after he left.
Once Anna figured out who was holding her she wasn't quite so laid back. She watched this penguin earlier and made sure she was far away from it. The it just came up behind her and put her on his knee. I got the picture then she figured out who had her and promptly got down and ran to the safe haven of her mommy.

This is a video of the penguins that came from the Ft. Worth Zoo. We were told that they were "prima donnas" and that if they didn't want to perform they would put their little flippers over their eyes and turn their backs to the audience. That didn't happen while we were there but they did show us how they say "hello" to each other. They were too cute.

Put your sunshades on, she's cute!

You knew I had one of Anna. I thought I had already put the following video on here already but I saw that it had O, none, nada, zippo views so I thought that maybe I hadn't put it on here and sure enough, I hadn't.

In the following video, Anna finally learns how to ride her toy she got for her birthday.

I just looked and I guess when I tried to put this on the blog, the video was taking too long to load and, well, I'm a busy girl, I can't wait around forever so I must have gotten busy with something else because it's in my blog as a draft. Oh well....

And, if I seem wordy without saying anything or there are multiple misspellings...I've been drinking champagne because my husband brought a bottle home because he got a raise today. Nothing like spending money we haven't made yet! Woohoo, here's to prosperity!

Anyway, the noise level in this video is an acurate depiction of everyday life. I should work in one of those places where there is chaos and someone needs to be calm, c00l and collected. I could SO be that person. Who, if not a mother, could drown out all extraneous noise? I digress, it's the champagne.

OK, I just read this to Conrad and he thinks it's funny but we're a little giggly so if you don't laugh just think of us laughing at it and you probably will.

Have a WONDERFUL tomorrow. My head will probably hurt.