December Redux

December in Review

So.... it's apparently annoying to some of you that I've not posted in 26 days. This does NOT mean I haven't been checking to see who's been checking the blog.....

Really, it's not my fault. The card reader on the PC died. This would be easily fixed by using the USB cable that came with the camera. However..... I couldn't actually find that cord until today. Really..... how many of you know exactly where every one of the 437 USB cables that you likely own actually is????????? Give me a break.

This first picture is a little out of order chronologically, but I think it best exemplifies the way I've operated this December.

It was about 8:15 on December 8th. I was on the phone talking to Sharon about her impending departure from Doha and arrival in the states. We were chitting and chatting a hundred miles an hour. Alek had already been taken to school. Nora was dressed and ready. I needed to dress Walt. I dressed him, continued the chitting and the chatting, and left the room to make Nora's lunch. A bit later, I called Walt to come into the kitchen so I could put on his socks and shoes. He just kept laying there and ignoring me. I gave up, went and gathered Nora's bag, and then tried again. "Walt, come here!" Usually he runs for socks and shoes. Today he said.... quietly in a matter of fact kind of way...... "Ow." Ow? What's wrong? Come here and show me. Walt:"............. ow."

Keep in mind that it's now about 8:45. I'm still talking to Sharon, but I get off the phone so I can see what's wrong with Walt who has apparently been laying in the same place for almost 30 minutes. Yeah. EXCELLENT parenting.

The weekend of the 5th, "The Aunts" came to visit with "Baby Ella"

I discovered a flare for modern photography. (How many of you True Blood fans don't find this a compelling interpretation of the new character?)

Tim and family came to greet "The Aunts."

At the park with the aunts, Ella, and Grant.

Yes, Dave claims this to have been a "perfectly safe" way to retrieve the football.

Dave apparently needed a handicap for the football game.

Grant and Alek practice kicking.

Alek and Ella share some down time.

The night of the aunts' departure, we put up the tree!

Then, on the 9th, IT SNOWED!!!!!! I know, I know, many of you are laughing, but for those of us who actually live here, where it NEVER snows, it was AMAZING!!!!! (Can't you see it?????)

Also on the 9th Sharon and family arrived in town. This heralded the beginning of a great week filled with "Carrie" necklaces, lovely dinners, book club, and ENTOURAGE SEASON 5 !!!!!

We celebrated the SEVENTH anniversary of Alek's Adoption Day!!! And then just a few days later, we celebrated Walter's 2nd birthday!!

Then we were visited by Grandma and Grandpa. Then Granny and Grandpa arrived, and then...........

Christmas Eve 2008!

Alek played a Roman soldier AND one of the Three Kings in the church nativity.

On Christmas Eve, each kiddo opened one present, but the rest was saved for Christmas Day! Nora and Walt went right to sleep, but Alek stayed up until after 11 o'clock quietly watching out his window. Christmas mornign was fun, the kids were thrilled with the Pony Fair, wii, and Cars Racing lanes that Santa brought.

Oh... and somewhere in there I read the complete four book, 2000+ page Twilight series. Ladies.... you're missing out. After all, it's a bona fide "pop culture phenomenon!"

The next day we travelled to see Cousin Lillian's Baptism, and then hurried back for Alek's last playdate with Stone (who has since moved to Kentucky) and my last playdate with Sharon (who is probably circling the airport over Doha as I type this), and have now enjoyed TWO quiet days at home! And now, dear friends, you are up to speed.

Nora's LAST Preschool Christmas Program
(again, can you feel my heart breaking?????)

I was afraid Nora and Paige might knock each other out, but it never happened.

We got to go back up in the evening to watch Storytime (yea MaryBear!!!), eat, see Santa, buy books, and do crafts! Alek was never in one place long enough to have his picture taken!

Neither Nora nor Kate said a word to Santa. Just posed and moved on. Too much to do.

One Word Wednesday

AWESOME.

(But I have to add.... notice his left hand. In it there is a cookie. He never dropped it.)

The Most Expensive Nap...

I was so excited when Friend Pen suggested we take the girls to see The Nutcracker. I decided to bring Alek, too, as I thought he'd be very interested in watching the athletics of the dancers.

They were both excited to go. Happy to get ready. Giddy and dancing around beforehand.

We took our seats. Before it started Nora let go with one of those rude, loud yawns. Great.

It started. Alek is interested for a few minutes.... Nora says, "When are they going to talk?" Clearly, I've not explained this properly. Alek says, "When does it start?" I say, "It is started. What are you talking about?" He says, "They're just dancing." And, well, that about sums up my children's attitudes toward the ballet.

Nora squirmed, yawned, whined, proclaimed her hunger, and ended up on my lap before intermission. Alek was better, but had the chin in hand looking resigned. He was not impressed when I told him that no, we wouldn't be leaving at intermission.

So, during intermission they ran around, acted silly, and I thought maybe would make it through to the end. Nora was in my lap and OUT COLD about 7 minutes into the second half. Alek lasted a little longer, then rolled up his jacket, used it as a pillow, and INTENTIONALLY went to sleep. I have to admit... the second half was much more enjoyable for me. Should have suggested they nap from the beginning.

But of course, Nora was perfectly willing and eager to stand in line to get autographs.

Kate, by the way, behaved like a lovely young lady and watched every minute.

I Saw Mommy

So, we have begun listening to Christmas music in the car.
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" came on. Alek listened for awhile and then said, "This is a really weird song. I mean, why would anybody even think of this? I don't think you would be kissing any man like that."


I really had no way of responding to this in any detail. Suggestions anyone?

So, this is Nora's "Portrait of Mommy." This was done today while we waited for Walt's Well Check visit at the doctor. I was even made to pose with a "nice smile."

Very flattering, I think.

Excellent Nora and Kate Moment...

Me: Nora, where is the rest of your toilet paper holder? (Noticed it missing tonight while tucking her in and straightening up in her bathroom - you know, the spring cylinder that actually holds the roll.)

Nora: Ummmmmmmmmm.... on the stairs.

Me: Why?

Nora: I don't know.

(I go check, surprised I'd missed it. Nope, nothing on the stairs except half a plastic yellow Easter egg.)

Me: It's not there, Nora. Where is it?

Nora: It might be in our Mermaid Garden in the back yard. (She and Kate were calling the back corner of the yard this today.)

Me: Why would you have taken your toilet paper holder out of your bathroom and outside?????

Nora: (Said with a distinct, "Duh"-like tone), "I was curling Kate's hair."

Tomorrow, when the sun comes up, I guess I'll be poking around the yard for a toilet paper holder. Great.

Ode to Coco

Nora brought a monkey home.

Coco was it's name.

She said its name so many times

It quickly rose to fame

Now Walter doesn't understand.

He don't know what it means,

But now when he desires an item,

"Coco" is what he screams.

Nora brought home the class pet, a stuffed monkey named Coco. For days it was Coco this and Coco that. Coco, Coco, Coco. Now Walter thinks Coco means anything good. Points to his cup, "Coco." Wants to play outside, "Coco." It's all about the Coco.

Nora's LAST preschool Halloween Party (can you hear my heart breaking?)

Pumpkins 2008

Alek did his ON HIS OWN!!!!

Walt was interested, but he could not be convinced to put his hands in the pumpkin guts.

Ready for Tricks and Treats! Shadow Ninja, Candy Corn, and Minnie Mouse! (We had to "practice" being a candy corn for several days as Walt was initially NOT interested in wearing his costume. Cookie bribes are miracles.)

The haul.

Walt, it's time to put the candy away and go to bed....

The Picture of Shame

So, late yesterday afternoon I was sweeping around the kitchen table. I found a rather sizable lock of hair on the floor. Nora had been cutting out "little houses" for me earlier in the day. After an initial denial followed by an interrogation in which I was trying to determine if it was her hair or Walt's (found the hair beneath his chair), she finally confessed and showed me where the chunk was missing from her hair. To impress upon her my dismay (that was difficult to keep up as I thought the whole thing pretty funny), she had to pose for "The Picture of Shame." She resisted (but I really wanted the picture for the scrapbook), but then complied. She's holding the lock of hair.

Picture of the Day

Fall Fair 2008

We had a great weekend. Alek has been having a ball playing in the pile of dirt at the end of the street. This is stump-hole-filling-dirt that the whole street has been sharing.

Unbeknownst to me, Alek had set up shop and bargained $6.00 out of our new neighbors. Great.

On Sunday we had the Fall Fair at our Church. Nora can pick up Alek. She's very proud.

Alek was eager to try the rock climing "wall." He did great!

The highlight of the day was Sumo Wrestling. Alek did this twice. It was hysterical. He was clearly outmatched both times, but the first time...

he held his own. The boys watching said he was the winner because his head was on top.
(waiting between matches - looks like a walrus, doesn't he?)
outmatched again....

Not looking so much like the winner this time around!

Paint ball guns!!!!

Nora climbed the wall, too! She had a great time.



Face painting, of course.
And what Fall Fair is complete without a camel ride?