cold

We were getting in the car to go to church.  As I started to buckle kids up they complained "why is it so cold here?" (in their defense it has been Arctic temperatures)  I replied "because it WINTER here guys that's what winter is."
Brennen with his chattering teeth said " Well, Turn the Winter Off!"

Medieval themed kids party

I can't believe I have another kid ready to be baptized.  This time around I will have family there and that is huge for me.  For his party he requested a medieval theme.  I know I've done something similar before so I changed it up a bit.  I made bows and arrows for every guest. (this is their party favor to take home.) Some moms will be mad but oh well.  I made the bows out of 4' lengths of PVC, mason line, and electrical tape.  The arrows are dowels cut down to 16" with an eraser tip (to soften the blow if they choose to shoot at something other than a target) for the notch in the end I took my smallest drill bit and drilled as close to the end as I could then worked the drill bit out the side.  So much easier than  my last attempt. Each kid gets 2 arrows.  the cupcakes are targets.  As usual I don't spend more than $50 and this is for 12 guests. Food was Williams favorite junk food pizza, chips, and soda. Honestly I was okay with it because it was less work for me.

the dragon/monster to be killed

the princess needing saving

   

For games we started out with an archery contest. we had to try out the new bows. I was surprised how hard this skill was for some of the kids. After that we did a spear throw though a hoop.  Once training was over it was time to put our skills to the test.  We had to shoot at the target then kill the dragon (knock down the stuffed dragon with balls) then storm the castle and climb the tower to save the princess. (climb a ladder to save the doll)  then return the princess to her kingdom. (put the doll in the wagon and take her back to start).  This wasn't as chaotic as I thought it was going to be. and it was funny to see how different each kids skill was.  Some couldn't throw some were scared to climb and others had no fear at all.  After the course we went inside to warm up and eat some food.  Then it was jousting time.  I think this game ended up being the favorite.  I taped 2 paint cans together for the kids to balance on them used a cut-up noodle on either end of left over pvc.  The object was to knock off your opponent. I consider a party a success if the kids don't want to go home and they continue to talk about it, that being said, another successful party down and only 2 more to go for the rest of the year.. .

easily pleased

After I dropped Brennen off at preschool I headed to my weekly run for DI.  Yes I go every week. Mostly looking for items for Christmas, today I had a few specifics in mind, namely new shoes for Brennen.  I don't know why but he keeps losing his shoes.  We are down to snow boots and crocs.  so I refuse to buy him new shoes until he can keep from losing them.
Its a little embarrassing that Peter knows the way to DI.  As we drive he watches out the window and asks "Mommy are we going to the DI?"  I never say anything until we get in the parking lot.  Today as we parked and I was getting him out of his car seat he says to me, "Are we going in there?" (Pointing to the DI.)
Yes buddy we are.
to which he replies with a huge grin "Yay!! YOU ARE THE BEST MOMMY EVER!!!" Then he gives me a huge kiss and hug.
He just made my day. Such a sweet boy. I love that he is so easily pleased.

missing things

I was warned but I didn't think it would happen so soon.  I miss the Beach!!  The beach was one of those places where we just went, for fun, for relaxing, to keep the kids busy when they were driving me crazy.  The beach is just something that was always there waiting patiently for us to come visit.  When we did come visit it didn't scold us for waiting so long to come.  It didn't care what we looked like or that our house work wasn't done.  It was just there for us to fully enjoy. 
Scott was watching a "Histories Mystery" about a lost continent near Easter Island.  As I sat there watching with him I couldn't help but feel reminiscent as I watch the savages living off the fertile soil with the bountiful fish from the sea.

Maybe it because I am starting to feel the stress that comes with this time of year.  It still fine just a little busy.  I am trying to keep it all low key, but anyone that tells you there is no stress is lying. We would always go to the beach when I felt too overwhelmed.  Or maybe its because as I was coming out of church it was cold and snowing.  Just a light dusting of snow but the cold was there, and I couldn't help but think this time last year we were playing in the fountains in 85 degree weather.  Don't get me wrong. I am enjoying the different seasons. I was looking forward to the snow. I know what I was getting into when I moved here. . . .  I just miss the beach.

So I tried to help a friend out when she asked if I could take some pics of her family for a Christmas Card. Sadly her kids did not like the idea. It was cold and they wanted nothing to do with it. So out of 100 pics these were the best ones.  Sorry guys. Funny story.  This was the same place I did the other family photos only this day there were probably 20 different groups taking pictures.  It was crazy crowded.  While we were doing a few shots this kid about 9yrs old comes over and tells me there is a $15 fee for taking pictures by this building.  (Its a public building) I told him that the fee was only for professional photographers and I was obviously not one with my little point and shoot camera. (someday I will graduate to a nice camera but since I am NOT a photographer of any kind I will just have to be patient._

There was no way I was giving some random kid money.

We commenced our picture taking when a lady came up to inform

me that it was not just for professional photographers.  That the fee 

applied to everyone.  AND each building was $15.

 I almost said. "Well I was here the other day

 and no one charged me."  I think these people

 just saw a way to make a quick buck.  Needless to

say I did not pay and we just went walked over to

the tracks to finish the work. 

I finally got Scott's family to come for more than a day so I could get some pics of all the kids for a special Christmas project I am doing.  It was quite the challenge to get a good shot of 8 kids and let me tell you it was the older ones that would NOT smile, laugh, joke, or anything else.  I tried desperately to get some sort of expression and all I got was a scowl.  One is Autistic so I expected some resistance from him, but not the rest of his family.  Oh well at least I have a record of them. Funny side note. There were about 10 different groups with the same idea at the same time only they had professional photographers.



This one beats to his own drum



I love the big gap in his smile.  This is the Will I know

The first original expression out of this one. Who knew it was so hard to get anything but a scowl out of a preteen

winter skies

Is it just me or is there something extra special about winter skies.  As I have been driving around I have been noticing how the cold air makes the clouds do remarkable things.  They just look so cool.  I'm not sure if its nostalgia or I am finally beginning to appreciate the simple things but it seems like everyday is an amazing cloud pattern.  So among all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season I encourage you to take a second and look up at the simple beauty God created for us. (excuse the poor quality of the shots they were taken while driving) 

Now I have proof of those purple mountain majesty's they sing about.