I can do anything you can do better

Kilian and Lucy are starting to be a little bit competitive at times. It hasn't gotten out of hand, yet. Being two years older, Kilian can usually do things better/faster/easier. Lately we've discovered that Lucy has got him on two things. 1) rolling her "r's" and 2) winking. He just cannot do either.


She often practices rolling her R's in the car. The other day after he tried and tried, I heard her coaching him on where to put his tongue, etc. She gave up on him and said, "I think the problem is just that you are missing so many teeth".


Of course if you do practice rolling your R's right now - you'll see teeth have nothing to do with it.


Hopefully I can catch some video of the winking attempts Kilian makes. I didn't know our faces had so many muscles.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from Jamesnia!!

Here are the kids and St. Nick after Christmas Eve Mass. Last night was a really fun night at home. After our favorite soup and opening 1 gift, Brad read "Twas the night before Christmas" (to those that could sit still enough for it) for the 3rd year in a row. We're calling it a tradition now.

These are such fun ages - which reminds me...I can't answer 6,4 and 2 for their ages now. 7,5 and 2 now. Birthday posts to come later.

Somebody learned to curl ribbon. He made about 20 of these in various colors and taped them ALL AROUND the house. I was even greeted by one on my shower door yesterday.


This house had 4 nice hooks already on mantle for us when we moved in, so it only seemed right to go ahead and hang a stocking for Baby James #4, even though I don't anticipate it getting filled!

Finally - this is the present that appeared behind our couch on the 23rd. It is to all 3 kids from Brad and me. It is way too heavy to move over by the tree. The kids are stumped. They haven't even given any guesses. I'll give 2 hints though....it is bouncy and I lived on mine while I was growing up - even competed some :)

By the way - I'm not really blogging at 7:00 am on Christmas morning. I typed this last night and am trying out the "schedule" feature for the first time. I think I like it!

Polar Express

Earlier in December we got to experience the Polar Express right here in Lubbock! We all wore our pajamas and managed to stay warm enough while we waited in line to get on a real train. It was a double decker and we were on the top level!

You can kind of see it behind Lucy (who is being carried by my dad. My mom was too sick to join us that night).

Brrrr. I have on my favorite red robe (and no make up apparently).

Here is Kilian with the conductor - who did come by and punch our tickets!

Here is Camille holding hers...waiting for the conductor to come by.

Kilian and his buddies looking out the window as we take off.
>
Our hot chocolate and cookie servers

After about 30 minutes, we arrived at the "north pole" - please excuse the glare on the window. Some elves and their "boss" hopped on our train at that point.


The elves sang and told jokes and even let some kids have some microphone time. Our brave Kilian hopped up there and sang "Jingle Bell Rock" for everyone. (he does NOT get that courage from me...)


Santa made his way through the train car, asking everyone what they want for Christmas. Camille's very helpful answer was "toys".

Santa also gave each child a special jingle bell.

Here is our attempt at a family picture. It is quite difficult on a train that sways back and forth so much. I'm so glad we were able to get tickets. They sold out pretty quickly!

We went with two other families from school and all the kids loved every minute of it. I'm looking forward to remembering this each time we read the "Polar Express" or see the movie in the future!

Worst Aunt Ever!

While I was on a blogging sabbatical during the month of October...two VERY important things happened.

Avery Grace

was born on October 1, 2008

Avery is my sister's first baby, and Camille and I were lucky enough to go help out some when she was about 3 weeks old. She is coming to visit us for Thanksgiving, at which time I will help her mommy create a blog.

AND

Xavier Kolbe

was born on October 30, 2008

Xavier is Brad's brother's 4th son. We are counting down the days until Christmas when we will get to meet him in person. You can see lots more pictures of Xavier and his handsome brothers by clicking here.

The economics of a craving

For some reason when I am pregnant, I lose my usual sweet tooth and want spicy/salty things. This time around I have been wanting buffalo wings everyday. It turns out there are several ways to satisfy such a craving:

Most expensive:
On a whim, walk into WingStop and order a combo with wings, the best fries in the world, a drink, and say yes when they ask you if you want ranch dressing. Then they will charge you for that tiny little cup of ranch. But oh so good.

Less expensive:
Go into Buffalo Wild Wings on 40 cent wings day (Tuesday) and cave in when they ask if you want their "Buffalo chips with cheese" (which are circle shaped fries with melted cheese). Get smart when they ask if you want ranch dressing. Use your own ranch at home.

Almost cheap:
Talk your family into going to Cici's Pizza so they can get whatever kind of pizza/pasta/salad they want. Eat about 6 or 7 pieces of their buffalo chicken pizza and dip into a cup of ranch from their salad bar.

Pretty cheap:
Order some chicken strips from McDonalds and ask for some extra containers of their buffalo sauce for dipping. Don't order fries, and go home and drink water.

Super cheap:
Drink from the left over containers of buffalo sauce from McDonalds - skip the chicken.

Unknown:
How much does it cost to make your own buffalo wings? Gross - are you kidding?? I don't touch raw chicken wings when I have morning sickness.

The good news:
Buffalo wings haven't sounded good in over a week!

A trimester worth of updates

Long time no blog....

While I know I didn't have it as bad as some, I spent a good part of the last couple of months a little queezy and super tired. I am feeling much better now. I don't require 14 hours of sleep a day, and I can walk past the seafood counter in the grocery store instead of covering my nose with my shirt and running past it.

Here is what we've been up to during my awake hours (in reverse chronological order):

We trick or treated - Camille did NOT care for her costume. I forced her into it saying over and over that Halloween is supposed to be "FUN".

Our "ninja" scored the most candy. We ration it out at the rate of 1 per day - and if they don't make the time to brush their teeth in the morning before school, no sweets after school. It has worked wonders for my morning "slow poke" - below.

Minnie without her "ears".


The not so happy flower. I think she only scored about 4 pieces of candy.

One Saturday night my sweet husband took pity on me since I didn't feel like cooking and let us go out to eat.

Lucy fell asleep like this at the table before we even ordered. I didn't know one could balance that well in her sleep.

Here is Lucy dreaming of more time at the beach.

Kilian has joined cub scouts and was super excited to go on his first camping trip with Brad.

Camille and I went to an apple orchard in September. It was the first time for both of us.


We learned that when you go the week after the Apple Butter Festival, the pickins are slim. It was fun anyway.

Camille on her way into "Parents Day Out". When we pull into the parking lot, she gets excited and says "I see Ms. Kristen's house!!!".

This is always the first thing she goes for once she enters the room. This girl loves baby dolls!

Two cheezy kids in their uniforms before school.

Camille finally got her first haircut at 2 years and 3 months. Lucy got her first haircut at only 5 months!!

Thanks for checking in on us!!

Voter Intimidation

I voted today. No line at all. I did not see any Black Panthers, or hear groups of people saying "mean things" to people with my candidate's sticker on their cars. The only intimidation I experienced was the 2 sweet elderly woman insisting that Camille and I have some donuts and coffee/ice water as we walked toward the "exit" door. I gave in with a smile.

Another Kilian Funny:

Yesterday morning he told me that he is unusual because he can change a sneeze into a cough. He also noted that he has to make that decision really fast sometimes.

New category of clothes

"Do you know where some shorts are that are not so....churchitive?" asks Kilian while getting ready to go play outside after church today.

She's related to me

I am a pretty deep sleeper, and I have always been able to sleep past noon (if left alone). Of course that hasn't happened much in the last 7 years.

Lucy and I have a very specific routine on school mornings. I pick her up out of bed and move her to the couch while I fix breakfast. I started this so Camille would stay asleep. I turn on the light over the stove first, then start talking to Lucy so she'll wake up. Then I turn on the light over the table, and finally make her get up to get dressed.

One morning the big, bright kitchen light was already on when I scooped her sleeping body out of bed and carried her into the living room. She threw her hands over her face and angrily said,
"I HAVE HAD IT WITH LIGHT!!!".

10 Years

October 3rd, 1998

Ready to leave the wedding reception


Last night we celebrated our 10th anniversary by taking the kids to a "Kid's Night Out" at a church, and eating at O'Hana's, a Japanese steakhouse. (YUM). It was wonderful. AND tonight my parents are keeping the kids while we go see Fireproof, which I've heard great things about.

Every year on or soon after our anniversary, we have someone take our picture together. Brad finds it a little annoying, but he's a good sport. Take a look!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I don't know what gave me the idea to start doing that, but I'm so glad we did! OK - so that was the summary in pictures, here is a summary in numbers:

10 years
5 cities
4 churches
2 apartments
5 houses
3 cars/1 SUV/1 minivan (all used)
2 desktops/2 laptops
2 knee surgeries
1 broken foot
2 dogs
2 fish
3 kids

and
8 weeks pregnant with #4 (that's right!)

Happy Anniversary, Brad. I love you!!

Dental Olympics

This picture has nothing to do with this story...but it's been so long since I posted I wanted to let everyone see how he's changing!

The other morning I went to tell Kilian is was time to get in the car for school. He was brushing his teeth, and replied with those funny sounds you make when your mouth is full of toothpaste, while nodding and giving me a thumbs up sign.

Then while he was running to the garage, he said, "I was trying to say yes ma'am, but my toothbrush still had about one lap to go so I couldn't talk to you."

Little Saleslady

Lucy has become quite the salesperson. She doesn't ask if she can have a gumball. Instead, she gives me a choice like "can I have 2 pieces or 3 pieces?" - like having 1 piece or none are not even options. When she catches me alone she says "oooh we should have some special ice cream together, but it's ok....If you don't want yours, I'll finish it".

My future is so bright....I gotta wear shades

Although I'm not so sure this is how they meant for the shades to be worn.

When you care enough to send the very best

or something like that. Here is our conversation in the car yesterday.

Kilian: Moooommmm, Lucy has a marker.

Me: Lucy, are you using it on paper?

Kilian: Yes, she said she is making a card for me.

Lucy: How do you spell "horrible"?

Well, she might be nesting...

Lucy, asking about her "due in September" cousin: When is Aunt Moo going to lay her baby?

Gettin' ready for school

We had school registration/uniform sales/booster club joining/etc. at school Monday. Lucy was so excited to go to the school building she insisted on wearing her uniform (kids didn't need to be there, of the ones that did go, no one else had theirs on). *notice the super short bangs. She cut her hair for the second time on Sunday. She wouldn't look at the camera for me.



I left the kids with Brad in his classroom while I bought the shirts, filled out paperwork, and don't tell him, but chatted with other moms.

When I made it around the corner to get the kids and go....this is what I found...

Cactus Cuties

** Updated ** This video is not a couple of years old, it was from January of 2008. They just look younger with their hair like that.

Friday night my mom, Lucy and I went to a concert to see these local girls perform. (It is absolutely worth watching.)



This video is actually 2 or 3 years old, but these girls have recently been singing the national anthem at places like a San Antonio Spurs playoff game, Texas Ranger baseball games, and will be in Atlanta for a Braves game later this week. You tube has lots of newer videos of them, but the crowds make it harder to hear the whole thing.

There are only four of them now (ages 14, 11, 11 and 9). Their show was AMAZING! Lucy waited in line afterwards to get an autographed picture and the girls were so nice!! I knew to put new batteries in our our kids microphone as soon as we got home. Lucy is one singing little girl!

More beach pictures

In case the thought counts - I considered making these into a slide show with a Beach Boys song in the background....but I decided against it. So, go ahead and sing "Surfin U.S.A" or something to your self while you scroll down.

Things to do when a hurricane interferes with your beach trip:

Hurricane Dolly made us stay indoors for a couple of days while we were on vacation, but as you can see - we kept ourselves busy by...

Ooohing and aaahing over the desserts made by Grammy. This is brownie pizza.

Watching Little Einsteins on the little DVD player. They don't look related from this angle, do they?
Playing a serious game of Sorry
Playing a serious game of Connect 4. I had forgotten how fun this game is!
Sculpting clay to make a family portrait (plus Pippin, our puppy)
Making cool glow-in-the-dark jelly fish art (Aunt Angela's idea)

Taking a nice, long cousin nap.

Wait. Who are those goofballs out in the water after "no swimming" was advised??