Expressions

Last night, Madeline and I were reading one of the Bobbsey Twins books.  Do you remember these?  I had ever single one and read and re-read them as a child.  Nan and Bert, Freddie and Flossie.....those guys were the coolest.

Anyhoo.  We got to a part where Freddie is trying to solve the mystery and.... "his expression changed."

I asked Maddie if she knew what "expression" meant. 

Of course Mom!  Like, "Get out of town!"  That's an expression.

We talked about verbal expressions versus facial expressions and that's when she gave me her, 

thankyouverymuch expression.

Sweet Little Bambino

What.  A.  Miracle.

PULL IT!

Ron called a family meeting last week for a very important matter. Here's how the meeting started:    

Ron:  If you pee it - or poop it - PULL IT!   

read:  flush your waste!

(blank stares, followed by giggles)

He went on to explain that since we are all getting "older", it is high time that Mommy stopped flushing all the toilets (I might have been openly frustrated after having flushed my 16th toilet full of waste.)  

Since we often let the kids help decide the consequences, it was elected that if you forgot to PULL IT! you would forgo any treat/gum for the remainder of the day.  He had the kids repeat the mantra and adjourned the meeting.

Fast forward to today where I am about to take a much-needed siesta (that would be 2 seconds in the bathroom by myself) and find myself face-to-face with.....well, do I really need to explain further?

When I asked the kiddos who had forgotten to PULL IT!  Lauren said, "Um, it might have been me?" At the same time, Madeline peeked in and said, "Wasn't me, I wipe 3 times."  

(TMI, I know, but crucial to the story, and somewhat hilarious.....and TMI, I know)

Sure enough, there was one, small sheet of 2-ply floating.  Lauren's cover was officially blown.....and I got a visual reminder that we have more than just the PULL IT! issue to reckon with.

Crib Tent - Update

When my sweet nephew starting having crib parties this week, it reminded me that several of you have asked how Gabe is hangin' in his "new" crib.    (click here if you missed part 1)

I really think he likes it.

I gave my best attempt at a photo.  If you could catch a clearer glimpse through the mesh, you would see an all-out boycott against the camera.

I finally switched the camera to video mode so I could catch some of the action live.  He is in full pike position.....where he remained until the paparazzi disappeared.

Harlem Globetrotters

Ron and I took the big girls to the Harlem Globetrotters last week.  Now, I'm gonna be completely honest here, it was not my favorite event.  

(shocking, I know)

We took them to dinner beforehand which was the best.  However, the actual event.....well, let's just say I'm not that into Magicians of Basketball.

Aside from watching the girls (and Ron!), the most entertaining part of the night was texting back and forth with Bex.

(middle of our converstaion)

have you seen these guys?  its like the nba on steroids....except many say the nba is already on steroids....so its like watching the nba.

it might be because I have a raging case of morning  all-day-and night sickness....but I'd rather watch paint dry.  ....or sniff paint.  that might put me out of my misery.

Needless to say, I don't plan to follow them on their tour.  I am glad the girls had fun....and so did Ron.

Maddie - are you on the court with these guys?

Top 9 Reasons I Loved Christmas

9.  Madeline dressed Gabriel for our Christmas Eve festivities. 

(the fact that I have a child old enough to dress another child goes on my Top 9 Reasons I Love My Life)
8. ......and stole a kiss in the process.
7.  Gabriel and I took a carousel ride together at the zoo lights.

(I never tire of watching him say "cheeeeeese!")
6.  Baking and consuming so many you'd think I was eating for 12 Christmas cookies.

Lauren enjoyed every morsel. 
5.  Watching Ron open Madeline's gift.  A quilt of their soccer jerseys of which each stitch was lovingly hand-sewn.
4.  Madeline unveiled that she and Abby had added a handmade stocking for bambino.
3.  Switching up tradition and opening stockings on Christmas Eve after church.
2.  Opening bambino's outfit.  

(this outfit was first unwrapped during Christmas 2000 when our dear friends, Liz and Charlie shipped it to us from the West coast.  We were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our first miracle.)  

All five of our miracles will wear it.

1.  Our Savior

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'"- Luke 2:1-14

Counting to 20

Madeline is teaching Lauren to count to 20.  

She wrote a song to help her and I managed to snag it long enough to post here:

(to its own - and quite original - tune)

Counting to 20 can so fun.....1,2,3,4,5

Then comes 6,7,8,9,10

And then comes 11,12,13,14

Here comes 15

Maybe 16

Also 17

Then comes 18

What about 19?

The last one is 20!

Oh, how I like to count with Lauren

Will you count next time with me?