Wednesday, December 31, 2008

As Seen On TV

I'm not sure about anyone else, but my kids watch way to much TV. I've heard about time limits & after our break for the holidays & some interesting comments from my kids & knowing that they need to be spending more time reading & playing real games, I will make some changes for the new year. (don't you love run on sentences - hope my dad the writer isn't reading this)

But I want to share some of the comments.

Lulu - really wants a snuggie - you know that blanket with arms. She has asked us several times over the last few weeks to order her one. She's quick to let us know that we'd get two of them & that they come with 2 of the light things, so how could we not want to order one.

Gman - wants a big city slider. He can quote the commercial word for word. He too has let it be know how much he wants one. I told my DH that next year we will just shop at the As Seen on TV store in the mall & be done.

But to go with the too much TV. They can recite TV shows as they watch them. This has got to stop. But dad loves the TV & doesn't help matters. After being at work all day this is his escape I guess. He can't stand quiet. He's a 3rd & youngest child & grew up with a mom & 2 older sisters -ALL BIG TALKERS- they never stop & his wife isn't much better. So he's used to noise & to have the TV off is to quiet for him.

So while I may have a battle to fight, it must be fought.

While we're on it does anyone know anyone who knows someone that knows Billy Mays from all those TV commercials, I think if I have him tape all of Gman's lessons we will get somewhere & fast. He will go into Billy Mays mode & do his commercials so if I can get Mr Mays to do grammer rules & spelling words, we'll soar. Gman is a verbal learner esp in spelling. He just has to hear it a few times & ususally has it. (it just getting him to to it)

Wish me luck!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Day After

A little good clean fun?

I always encourage brotherly/sisterly love!

Who's going to come away with the title?
-What a way to spend the day after Christmas-
The day after the celebration of the birth of Christ
& with all the new toys to play with this is
what they do/how they entertain themselves


This is what Simon did while the fight went on just
4 or 5 feet away & never moved.
He'd looked at them like what are they doing now?

Lulu makes a fashion statement. Now isn't that the
best bowling outfit ever!



We met up with friends that were in town for the holidays
& did a little cosmic bowling.

Gman got a strike.
I had hurt my foot just before leaving
( on Gmans new Scooter that SANTA brought)
& still beat all of them. Ha!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Christmas Day

I took this right after Santa came, with only the
tree lights on. My tree looks much better than it appears in
these pic's.But my flash is too bright or something
& I can't seem to over ride it or anything HELP!

BeforeDuring
After Isn't this sweet - he told her that she couldn't ride her new scooter until she had her helmet on & correctly Watch out - he's armed - not sure about dangerous.

Lulu got a nerf maverick to defend herself with but Gman took that one over as well.

Simon found time for a nap


Off to bed -until the dishwasher is done- I am.


Not to bad considering that we had about 20 people here


Holiday Favorites - Part II (before Christmas)

A little more village
Leo the elf stopped by & made a few messes
& entertained Gman & Lulu.
He was a lot of fun, even if I had to clean up "his" messes

An afternoon decorating Christmas cookies with friends

Does this look like fun?
It really was & not that big of a mess.
Even with 12 or 13 kids armed with frosting & sprinkles
Some of the finished products

Holiday Favorites - Part I (before Christmas)

We hosted our 8th White Elephant with friends
A Charlie Brown Christmas a must in this house.

It's a law I think? Made by ME of course.
A shot of the window seat & bookcases in the kitchen
Gman wanted us to put the village up this year
(we hadn't in 4 yrs-with all the moves -Lulu didn't know what it was)
We had over 20 houses in 4 locations Mantle in the den & Simon of course
Gingerbread house 2008
Our 1st ever we see how much we improve as the years go by

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Has anyone seen a front tooth?

It was loose for weeks & was beginning to give her some pain.
I was afraid that we'd have to go to the Dr to have it pulled.
But finally we got it out & now she looks SO much older, I hate it!
I'm loosing my babies! boo hoo! Why do they have to grow up SO fast

Spreading Christmas Cheer!

One of the things about home schooling that I'm enjoying, is taking
them on projects with my woman's club group. We went a few weeks
ago to the assisted living home & decorated the doors for the
residents. I like being able to expose them to so much.

They are impersonating a set of Caroler dolls in the lobby

Monday, December 22, 2008

A Night In the Big City With The Big Guy

We had our trip to see Santa a few weeks ago.
Yes, they are wearing PJ's. It came about a few years ago when I couldn't find any Christmas outfits that I liked & we decided that since Santa comes when we are ALL sleeping that PJ's would be just fine.



After Santa we headed over to Atlantic Station for some shopping & then spotted the HUGE tree they have & it screamed photo opt. The kids were screaming something about being cold & freezing , but I had the warm fuzzies of the moment & didn't notice that their fingers were falling off. I did notice Lsquare in a very festive mood himself. Not sure who was complaining more. But I wasn't leaving until I got the photo I wanted. So I let that be known & suddenly everyone was on board.

No silly photos here, just pictures to treasure for a lifetime. Ha!


Sunday, December 21, 2008

We're Godparents now!

Lulu & her biggest fan! Caroline is 3 and thinks that
Lulu is the stuff, but Lulu really loves her too.
It's very sweet!
Lsquare & I are now Godparents to Adian
so this was his & Carolines' special day a few weeks ago.
Lsquare just laughs when I call him Godfather & that
we're going to take matters to the mattress.

Voting Day

Yes, I know I'm behind, but I wanted to share this one.
Gman is always making stuff out of paper.
ALWAYS!
I would be here all day & could have a ton of post
about him cutting & building out of paper.
So for election day he made a voting booth, he & Lulu voted.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

"The Love"

We don't call him Simon "the Love" for nothing

Poor Simon, he misses Sophie.
We knew Simon's hearing was not to good.
(or his male selective hearing is in overdrive)
But we've decided that Sophie was his ears. He doesn't
like to be left home alone (not that I blame him)
We are letting him go with us as much as possible. But it has been
pretty cold here lately, so if he'd have to stay in a cold car. We leave
him at home & when we get back he is in his chair staring at the
backdoor. So sad. We are trying to decide about getting another doople
(that's we call our 4 legged children)
But it's hard & I miss my Sophie so much. I don't want
to hurt Simon's feelings, but he is 13 1/2 so who knows how much
longer we'll have him. Plus maybe a new brother or sister
would help keep him young. The vet always comments on how
good he looks & is for his age. He's sleeping more & not as quick
to play, but we are making an effort to play with him even more.


Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Dream or Nightmare?

Ok I know the answer, this was strange or something, but. I had the worst dream/nightmare that I can remember ever having. I woke up at 5ish this morning (I'd like to add that this was the 1st night that I didn't wake up at 3am to check on the dog/s - I have continued to do this even though Sophie is gone & Simon is fine)

I woke up my heart racing, breathing heavy, adrenaline REALLY pumping. I had a dream that a man busted through our front door & was using me a "baseball bat" to open doors. In my dream I managed to scream to Lsquare to call 911. After that my speech was paralyzed I couldn't speak no matter how hard or loud it was in my mind. Nothing came out. I was trying to fight this guy off, but couldn't I was like a 3 year old trying to beat up an NFL player. It was no use, he would pick me up & throw me. All the while I was trying to speak & couldn't. I finally yelled something out that this guy had killed someone, but who?

I then was wide awake, remembering every detail, like it had actually happened. Out of breath, heart racing & feeling the adrenaline really going to town.
No I didn't watch anything on TV or the news, ( i don't watch suspense stuff) we weren't home to watch tv & when I did turn it on it was Late night with Conan sp?.
So I'm left somewhat spooked by this & feeling like I have been in a car wreck (I've been in a few) my whole body is stiff & aches. I'm so tired but somewhat fearful of trying to sleep.

So I welcome your thoughts.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Our Sweet Girl

Sophie 2-2-98 to 11-25-08
Our hearts are broken & we miss her.
She did great & we thought she might be able to beat the cancer.
On Sat the 22nd it began to show that the cancer would win.
She was so good to us. I wish I could have done more for her.

Her last run at the farm in Oct, she loved it out there.

She was such a loving girl. Always happy & wanting to be with us.
Loved car rides & runs in the country, she'd chase birds
& you'd think she might actually take flight. Sophie loved to take
Simon's ball from him then make him hunt & beg for it.
She would sing with her daddy & would try to nibble his beard off.
When we got Sophie ,Lsquare thought she was
a "dud dog" boy did she prove him wrong.


I love & miss my sweet girl!



Sunday, November 9, 2008

Ballet & Bands - Thursday




We love to eat here & come about once a week (sometimes 2)
She preforms with the band every week after ballet.
They have a few numbers they do just with her & her friends.
It's really sweet as soon as the girls walk in they invite them to sing with them.