Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thankful

Just one of the many things I'm thankful for this year: adorable, squeaky voices singing Thanksgiving songs. Amanda's cold is on the mend but it has left her voice with maximum squeak. The video didn't look this dark on the camera!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

You'll shoot your eye out kid!


This is even better than the 24 hour "A Christmas Story" marathon! Ebay is having "A Christmas Story" charity auction with 100% of proceeds going to The Wounded Warrior Project. What does the winning bidder receive? They get to be Ralphie this Christmas!

The winner and 3 guests get to stay at Ralphie's house for Christmas, ride in the family car, and have Christmas Eve dinner at a Chinese restaurant. There will even be a special Christmas Eve "major award" FRA-GI-LE crate delivery. Decoder pins, bunny suit, and Lifebuoy soap? Check.

And what about the official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time? Just look behind the desk!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia



Adorable cowgirl or evidence of sabotage? I didn't realize until after I took this photo that it was definitely the latter!
This picture was taken today, at Elizabeth's school library, during a birthday book celebration. Elizabeth was one of the guests of honor. About half way through, Amanda found this hat and quietly waited in the corner to be noticed. When one of the big kids directed the group towards the "cute little kid" in the corner, Amanda immediately said "Yee-haw, howdy partner!" Everyone laughed, I took a picture, then I looked over at Elizabeth who was gritting her teeth and smiling from ear to ear. I knew it was too late. Her head tilt told me that we were all going to pay dearly for this moment.
Revenge was short and sweet. Amanda was forced to play Polly Pocket all alone after school. I was brought up to speed about how kindergarten big sisters are punished at school when their little sisters play with foam cowboy hats in the library. We went over popcorn safety and Elizabeth described how she had almost choked and had been without water.
Thankfully, the power of Polly Pocket is strong and Elizabeth folded quickly. Amanda is back to playing the part of obedient little sister and Elizabeth has relaxed her facial muscles.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Nebulizer, Nebulizer, You Need a Nebulizer

Ahhh, it's that magical time of the year. Albuterol is in the air, Zyrtec is in the milk. I thought I'd take a picture of the happy camper this morning to celebrate the first nebulizer treatment of the season. She actually was happy and is a great sport about the nebulizer. She even smiled and posed for the first 5 pictures, but I forgot to turn on the flash.

Jack has seen and used the penguin nebulizer before, but he was really too little to understand what was going on. This time, he went crazy as he watched Elizabeth and had to be held back so he wouldn't attack the penguin. He is still looking for it!

Also, the title is a reference to a terrible Brittany Spears song (actually called "Womanizer") that has been everywhere recently. I don't know why, but I now have "nebulizer, nebulizer, you need a nebulizer" stuck in my head.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Veteran's Day 2008


Elizabeth and Buddy, Veteran's Day 2008


Elizabeth's school had a wonderful Veteran's Day Celebration yesterday. I honestly can't put into words how special it was. This picture was taken after the ceremony when the veterans joined the students in a "celebration walk" around the track. As you can see, Elizabeth was one of the children who had the extra special honor of walking hand in hand with a true hero.


**Update**


This is the list of veterans that will hang on the wall at Elizabeth's school. We were there to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday on December 9, 2008 and it was in the office, so we took a picture.

Jack and Amanda standing next to the 2008 Veteran's Plaque (I didn't draw on the actual plaque, just the picture, promise).

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Amanda's Build-a-Bear Party

Amanda celebrated her fourth birthday with a party at Build-a-Bear. I'm pretty sure she had a blast, but it was hard to tell because she seemed to be in zombie mode. She had a GI virus this past week, and it was clear she was still tired. She was easily distracted and kept wandering from the group when anything shiny and/or pink caught her eye. There were 16 awesome kids at the party, and it meant the world to Amanda that they were all there for her special day.


Here is Amanda telling the very patient Build-a-Bear party leader the name of her dog: Princess. She also named Jack's koala bear for him: Prince.

A special thanks to cousins Blythe (who rocked the hula hoop game) and Grant (who brings an extra bit of cool wherever he goes).


Jack loved the cupcakes. Right next to this truck (which was not one of Amanda's presents) there was a Hair Cuttery. After looking at these pictures, I'm surprised someone didn't just come out and grab Jack for a quick haircut!

Happy Birthday Amanda, we love you!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Hot Nose Burp

New game. Use "hot nose burp" in a sentence, phrase, paragraph, short story, or simply give it a definition. We'll see who gets it closest to Elizabeth's definition. She's been developing her own words (and sometimes language) since she was two years old. Nikki and I have always been intrigued by the consistency of context with which she applies her creations. We're equally surprised that we usually know exactly what she's talking about as soon as she says it. So give us your best shot!


P.S. Nikki is so proud that my first blog posting is under this title. I have to admit, I am a little giddy knowing "Hot Nose Burp" is somehow being forced onto Tightywhitey!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Monday, November 3, 2008

Deuce

Whodunit?

It was Elizabeth, in Gaga's living room (on an inflatable monkey), with Jack's head. We're practicing singing "All I want for Christmas."