Trying to get a picture with Daddy

Something to ponder...

I found this quote (If you've read January's Real Simple, you might know this one.) and I really love it. See what you think.

"Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants." --Esther De Waal

Curious Sam and Lily

This is Sam and Lily. They are good little monkeys and always very curious.

Curious George is like a rock star in our house. My children absolutely adore him. Lily can even say "Curious George!" However, Andy and I are probably the only ones who understand it.
Anyway, our local children's museum, Imagine It, currently has a Curious George exhibit. We have been to see it many many times. Last time was the first time I was able to get them to sit still long enough for me to snap a quick picture of each of them with George. I think I will print and frame these for their rooms. I know they'll love having George around all the time.

Ho Ho NO!!!!

We went to see Santa at the mall on Saturday with about a gazillion other people in Atlanta. Waiting in line was hard- Lily didn't want to be in the stroller, but wanted to push it, unless Sam was in in it, in which case she had to be in it too, squealing "Mine, mine, miiiine!" Of course Sam was whining, "Mo-om, it's my turn. Get her off me!" While we waited, Andy and I were able to take turns doing some quick shopping. (Did you know all sweaters at the Gap are 50% off? Today's the last day!)
Our turn finally came to see St. Nick himself. Well, Lily just flipped! She screamed and cried and tried to wiggle away. We had a feeling she would react that way. Being the compassionate parents we are, Andy and I were high-fiving each other and howling with laughter. It really was funny. (Isn't seeing a small child scream in sheer terror funny to everyone? No?) I think getting a candy cane afterward may have made it all worthwhile. Lily happily ate the entire thing.
Anyway, Sam got a few minutes of face time with the big guy once we picked her up and got her out of the way.
To those of you who think it is not nice to make your kid sit on Santa's lap when you know they will be scared, I say (in a nice way), get a grip! It is a rite of passage (plus, did I mention... it's funny!!). Most everyone's been there, done that, so why should my kid be any different? In the future, Lily will look at this picture and laugh. Then she'll take her own terrified kid and plop him/her on Santa's lap too!



Fighting in the stroller



I think Santa might need a drink after this....

The (Second) Best Christmas Pageant Ever

My favorite Christmas book is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. It tells the story of a rowdy family of kids who descend upon the local church's Christmas play and steal the show. It is absolutely hilarious and very touching.
Well today, I was witness to The Second Best Christmas Pageant Ever- sorry, the Herdmans still have my vote. Sam's preschool put on a show this morning telling the story of the Nativity followed by some Christmas carols. His class dressed as Christmas trees; they are essential to the story of Jesus's birth, didn't you know? It was really darling. Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, cows, sheep, donkeys (Eeyore even made an appearance!), stars and, naturally, Christmas trees were all part of the production. It was pretty chaotic on the stage, as I am sure you can imagine. Sam had a great time and sang his little heart out.



Enter sheep from stage left...


My favorite tree is in the top row, second from left.


Proud mama (with my new glasses!) and her sapling


Goofing around

WWEPD? (What Would Emily Post Do?)

Sister likes tomato sauce so much she actually licks the plate clean. Not very nice manners but pretty funny to watch!


Sam wears his "schleppy shirt" to eat so he doesn't ruin his clothes.

I'm free

I'm free, like a puppet without strings, I can do ANYTHING! Doc says I can take my boot off. I'm so happy. He did say that I need to wear stiff soled shoes for a while. Hmm.... I've had my eye on some Frye boots, and since they are just what the doctor recommended.... Sorry, Andy. I am only following doctor's orders :)