Fun Day!!

We're in the car leaving the city. DC was a blast. We walked and
froze and did a lot of sightseeing and Metro riding. We ate lunch at
Ben's Chili Bowl and then went to the Holocaust Museum. The museum was
more than we expected. What an amazing day! Now pictures:

Snow? No snow.

It rained yesterday, so the snow is just about gone. There are a few
piles left here and there, so Ty and Maddie were able to play in it a
little bit. Pictures!

Since we've no place to go....

We are sitting on the runway in Memphis...delayed due to rain in
Philadelphia. So, I'll post some pictures.

Santa brought Ty a hula hoop, but Maddie is enjoying it more than
anyone.

Maddie's gifts from Santa. He framed some posters of New York City
for her room.

And Maddie and her friend, Chris, made cookies for us.

I think we're safe.

Furthermore...

We have had the tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve for
quite some time. One year we gave Maddie a DVD, and that has become a
tradition as well. This year we combined the gift and gave both kids
one video. It was "Elf."

Since Ty has been old enough to get out of his own bed, he gets to
spend Christmas Eve in Maddie's room. She doesn't let him do it too
often, and he views it as a real treat. They are locked in now with
strict rules not to get out till 7:00 am. They can watch their DVD
together, and it's turned into something fun.

The cookies and milk are out along with celery and water for the
reindeer...so I think Santa needs to get to work. Good night.

Christmas Eve

Here is our day:
Erik went to work. Maddie had her friend, Chris, over. I put them to
work baking cookies. Ty and I hung around and did some last minute
Christmas preparations. Then we all went to Chris's church to see him
play in the praise band. It was so nice to worship together as a
family and to take a break in the middle of this busy time.

Then we came home and had our traditional appetizer dinner and watched
"A Christmas Story." Actually, we're just finishing it now.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!! We're looking forward to
seeing some of you very soon!!!

Pics from the Big Man

Erik and Ty spent some time together at Bass Pro Shop last night so
that Maddie and I could do a bit of shopping. They had all kinds of
activities set up for kids, and here are pictures that Erik took for us.

Big night

We came to Destin to do some last minute shopping and to see the
sights. We're having dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. So...pictures:

Just me and my gal

Maddie loves to do makeup, so I was her willing subject tonight. Here
we are after the glamour session.

Just trying to stay safe!

Maddie went to a birthday party last night for one of her dearest
friends. She always has a great time with this group, and last night
did not disappoint. Last year she won a mousetrap in one of the
games. This year's prize was just as fun: a potato.

The picture is of Maddie and some friends during the party...just
another example of what makes the party fun.

Won't she be disappointed when we put presents under the tree?

My "secret" candy stash

Is no longer a secret.

The elf and his dad

Here are Ty and Erik before the program the other night.

Maddie and Callie

Two sweet girls in the house. Tomorrow is the last day of school
before the break!!! We're almost there.

About this shirt...

We are at Ty's school waiting for his Christmas program to begin. The
students made shirts for their moms to wear tonight and here it is. I
promise, I was not wearing it when they applied the antlers.

What an elf looks like....

When his mother is not crafty.

What a day!

We had a great day! MK has a new "friend," and he plays drums in the praise band at his church. So, we visited his church this morning to see him play. He then came to our house for lunch. It was a fun afternoon.

We didn't send Ty to the kids' class since he was visiting the church, so he came to "big church" with us. He played with my iPhone to keep busy and drew this picture for me.



















I'm exhausted and up way too late. Good night!

The view from here.

After a long and fun day of Christmas shopping with the kids, Erik and
I are settling down to watch a movie. This is a rare luxury for us.
He also brought me a grilled chicken salad. Life is good!

Overheard by Maddie.

Ty was talking to the cat. He said, "Callie, you just ate some food.
How do you still have so much hungry?"

I've got class...

A few actually. But this is a picture of one of them.

And yes, one student is holding a doll. He was babysitting for one of
the flour baby mommas.

Hmmmm

It is hard to get a 5 year old to pose for a picture...so so hard.

Busy and Fun

We had a very busy day: school, a meeting after school, orthodontist
appointment, out to dinner and church! We had such a great time,
though.

Maddie had a chance to practice with her friend's color guard rifle,
and she's completely hooked. So I think we'll be looking for one very
soon. The picture is similar to what she'll be getting.

Party time

I'm posting from the parking lot at Cracker Barrel with hot chocolate
in hand. They're having their Christmas party. The theme is
tailgating. Cars are parked in the back, and they grilled all kinds
of good food. There are fire pits all around, and everyone seems to
be having a great time. I know I am!

Flour Babies!

The Life Skills classes at school are doing flour babies. They are
each given a sack of flour to carry around and care for in the next
two weeks. Some of the girls put doll heads, arms and legs on them.
Here is one that belonged to my student. I had the most fun
"babysitting" during class. They're weighted perfectly, and I haven't
held a baby in a long time. I definitely do not want a baby...I'd just
like one to play with.

A Junie B Jones moment.

Ty recently overheard us talking about graduations. We mentioned that
Maddie would be graduating in 2013. Then we quickly did the math and
figured that he would graduate in 2022.

So, we were in the car, and he brought it up. He said, "I'm
congraduating in 2022."

We thought it was cute and commented on how he said the word. His
reply was, "I'm not too smart of that word." If you've read Junie B.
Jones, you would realize how much that sounds like she sounds.

Then...Maddie has a new "friend." He came to church with us tonight.
He wore jeans for which I'm sure he paid good money. They had
intentional holes in them. Ty looked at him and asked, "Chris, why are
your pants broken?"

Did you see those Saints?

Maddie has long been programmed to like the teams that we like. She
likes the Saints, Steelers and Eagles, because we like them. She
dislikes the Cowboys for the same reason. Her friend, Chelcie, spent
the night with her last night, went to church with us this morning,
and then stayed to watch the most amazing Saints game. She isn't much
of a football fan, but she kindly watched with us and even wore my
Saints jacket graciously to share our enthusiasm.

Maddie and Chelcie

Chelcie is spending the night, and the girls are making cookies to
decorate.

Maddie and Taylor

Parade Night!!!

We had a fun time at the Christmas parade....until Ty was hit in the
face with a flag. His nose was bleeding, but he and Erik had driven
separately, so they left early. He's just fine now, though.

Maddie had a good time despite the extreme cold. We were all freezing,
but we've warmed up and are happy to be home now.

Movie night!

Ty and I are having a date. He and I are going to see "Planet 51,"
and Maddie and her friend, Chelcie, are in another theater to see "The
Blind Side." That was my first choice, but I'm happy to hang with Ty.
Hope you're having a great night!

Aviator of the Month

All quiet here.

The Big Man is working late tonight, and Maddie is at the church youth
group with her friend, Taylor, so Ty and I are hanging out.

We had a very rainy morning, but it has cleared up and gotten cooler.
I love it! It feels a little more like December.

Today's picture is from yesterday. Ty and Maddie each have a bag full
of presents from the Big Man's parents. They are to open one a day
until Christmas, and here are the gifts from yesterday.

Pepsi

Diet Coke wins!

Diet cream soda fountain

Loading the Mentos

Science Project time

Maddie and a friend spent all afternoon working on a science project together. It was the old Mentos and 2 liter of soda experiment. The hypothesis was confirmed: the Diet Coke eruption was higher than the diet cream soda or regular Pepsi. Her friend stayed for dinner. What a really nice kid! We just took him home, so now it's time to get ready for tomorrow.

The Big Man is home

And bearing gifts!