Merry Christmas

... seems the reindeer food that Abby and Lilli sprinkled in the front yard last night worked! We awoke to a living room full of goodies - but I am still not sure who supplied more of them... Santa or Nanny! : )

The kids actually decided on a nice big breakfast (pancakes ala Holly) before diving into the presents. They opened and played for hours which then lead to Christmas Dinner (the works ala Nanny). Then we hooked up the new Wii and had a few more hours of fun before Abby and Lilli and Papa couldn't keep their eyes open any longer.

Now the older kids are busy "spending" those coveted itun*s cards... and I am going to turn in also.

We had a blessed holiday and I hope that all of my family and friends had the same!

December 18th is a Very Special Day!

First, It was the day that Joe and I became parents for the first time 18 years ago in Bangkok, Thailand. Joey was born at 7:59am... WOW... what an experience! Time sure does fly... seems like yesterday he was asking for "Kackers and juicee" and now he is preparing to graduate and head off to University....

Secondly, this is the day that Joe and I became parents for the fourth time - when Abby joined our family 6 years ago.

Yes... December 18th is a very good day!

Abby is 6!

A day complete with fun and excitement and "Happy Birthday" in 3 different languages ~ English, Indonesian, and Italian!

Is That a Threat......

Last night at dinner, Joey (soon to be 18) was pestering Lilli (5). He was calling her a kitty cat.

"Stop Joey, I am human, I am not a kitty cat"

... more pestering....

"I am getting upset Joey" followed by a bit of an evil stare

... more pestering... joined in by Daniel and Abby

"When I grow up and get my witch powers, I am going to turn you three............ (long pause)....................... NICE!"

Hmmmmmmmmmm.... witch powers???? at least she is going to use them for good!

Funny thing is... when Joey does not pester her... she eggs him on to do so! Funny kids!

Trying on Christmas Dresses is Really Fun...

Christmas Village Field Trip

What fun the girls had on their school trip to Santa's Village... reindeer, Mrs. Claus, dancing, singing, and cookies and cider!

I enjoyed the trip to Cr@cker Barrel when it was all done... warming up by the fire!

White White White

Cousins

Abby is thankful for her cousins.... and she has a lot to be thankful for... there are a lot of wonderful cousins in her life! Here are the cousins in Chicago... they are so "COOL" Abby says... "SO COOL"!

Thankful

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for so many things... on the top of the list is this little pilgrim and her brothers and sisters and daddy!

I think Milli (my cat) is thankful that I put up the Christmas tree yesterday after lunch... she has not moved from this position:

Misunderstanding.... Or Not??? : )

I picked the girls up from school today, and this is how the conversation went....

Lilli : as she is strapping into her seat belt.... "You know mommy, you can't "shrink" and drive"

Me: (Knowing that I am always one step ahead of my children) " You are right Lilli, you can't "drink" and drive. That is against the rules. That is why Daddy drives if I have a sip of wine or a sip of margarita when we go out to a restaurant". .... and I am thinking to myself - Wow, the school starts early teaching this very important rule.

Lilli: " I know that mommy, but I mean you can't "shrink" and drive because your legs will be too short to touch the pedals".

Abby: "Yep mom, Lilli is right... if you shrank, you would be too short to drive."

Me: "Oh"... realizing that my kids are indeed ALWAYS one step ahead of me... and full of completely random thoughts!

A MUST See!

This was a GREAT movie!

On Vacation in Hawaii...

Ha... I wish! Not us... Lilli's "Turkey" is hiding out in disguise until after Thanksgiving... I think "SHE" will make it another year! But seriously... I wish I were on the beach in Hawaii sipping something sweet out of a coconut shell! : )

I Discovered the Fountain of Youth Last Night

... at a Bruce Springsteen concert! Seriously, he is 60 years old but his voice and energy are NOT!

I have been to many concerts - and raved about most. Joe has always judged all by a single standard... Bruce. I now understand why. The show was 3 hours of the most amazing music and energy! The crowd - and I can say that I was on the younger side of the average age- never sat down. The folks around me - including the 84 year old lady directly behind me - enthusiastically sang along with every tune.

My favorite two numbers were Hungry Heart and Thunder Road (I likes Santa Claus is Coming to Town also) ... but really it was the music that had me. From Clarence Clemons on Sax to Max Weinberg on Drums to the piano and of course Bruce on an array of guitars... it blew me away!

Time Sure Does Fly....

This picture was taken 12 years ago.... seems like yesterday!

Veteran's Day

Pumpkin Farm