Gumballs

I love my family. We are easily entertained. Tonight my mom mentioned she was surprised about how long the gumballs in the star dish had lasted. That led to a conversation about the best tasting gumballs which led to controversy over whether or not they differ in taste...which led me to asserting that I, indeed, could taste the difference. From there I closed my eyes while my dad picked the lucky gumball. Unfortunately I really could not tell at all. I said "I can't taste purple" (see the movie "Martian Child" to understand reference). I figured I had at least a 1 in 9 chance. Nope, orange. I'm not surprised. I prefer the white or green ones...so orange was foreign to me. Hmmm. Off to brush the slime off my teeth. Merry Christmas Eve Eve everyone.

Redolph and The Sad Face

Today during one of my sessions a darling little girl was

trying to talk a little too fast and got all twisted up as she said:
"Red-olph the Rude-Nosed Reindeer"

I knew exactly what she meant and I didn't laugh out loud but

I did write it down so I could smile about it later. If you could

have seen her face as she said it...

In another session a different little girl was not having such

such a good time of things and was crying. I made a comment

about this and she looked at me with big tears and said:

"Well, look at my face, am I smiling or am I...sadding?"

Yeah, that pretty much killed me.

Oh honey, you are sadding.

I wish so much that you weren't sweet girl.

Sadding...

Boat Parade

Amazing things happen in Arizona. For instance, December 8th is not a holiday. It is not the day Arizona (or the USA) won a war, Independence, or really anything (as far as I know). Yet, tonight at 5:45 there was a boat parade. To celebrate Christmas and the fact that you can make a boat look like a sleigh with a little creativity, a few strings of lights, and one jumping reindeer.

Families gathered together with blankets, lawn chairs, hot chocolate, mittens...waiting on the grass by the lake we all pass by daily. It was like the 4th of July...some of the floats (literally, I guess) even threw candy. In some ways it was better: NOT 127 degrees, there was Christmas music in the background, and it was still and quiet and lights on water are really quite breathtaking. Add to that Santa walking down the sidewalk passing out candy canes out of a basket with lights. Quaint. Small town. Love it.

Christmas Do's and Don'ts

Welcome to Christmas 2007

The Christmas season is upon us. In order to make this season Merry and Bright, I thought I'd share a few tips that may help you have a memorable season. Now these are just suggestions so if you're the type of person to NOT do what someone asks you to do, consider yourself excused.

Do: Hang Christmas lights on the house. A little time consuming. Totally worth it.

Don't: Consider buying ANYTHING inflatable for the yard. Ever. Unless it's a kiddie pool or beach ball. And that's just for summer. Nothing inflatable in winter.

Do: Dring eggnog at least once. Unless you hate it....then drink spiced cidar. If you hate that too, shoot, drink some tepid water.

Don't: Listen to Feliz Navidad more than once. (Once a week at the very most). Avoid it at all costs. I heard a woman call into the radio to say that next Christmas she's having a Feliz Navidad-themed wedding. Every 15 minutes they will play that song. The radio hosts tried to talk her out of it. I'm just glad I'm not her friend and don't have to be at the wedding.

Do: Sleep in flannel sheets and/or pajamas.

Don't: Wear sweaters with bells sewn in.

Do: Wear Christmas socks. (Yes Kat. DO!!!)

Don't: be tempted to buy friends and family gifts from the endcaps...dangerous.

Do: sit in front of the illuminated Christmas tree for hours.

Thanksgiving 2007

So. Here we are...we are getting to be a big family. This session of "family photos" was conducted at a park in Kansas. Despite the fact that it was about 32 degrees, it went well, was done quickly and was relatively painless. Linds and I had a fun time on the slides nearby (those photos coming soon).

It was great to be with everyone. Cayden is darling...red hair...fiesty...never stops running. Taylor, Ashley, Emily and Parker are all getting so big and so smart. Parkerwas pretty content to sit in my lap most of the weekend and I loved it. We had lots of playing time...Ashley was a tiger named snowflake, Emily was the mom, and I pretended to be the sick patient in the hospital (as this was the role that allowed me to lay under a warm blanket and sometimes REALLY be sleeping). We had fun sitting around and just laughing and talking. I really just like being with my family. (P.S. I had no idea the men in my family have had so many car-accidents and incidents...that night of stories really opened my eyes...and they say women are the bad drivers).

Thanksgiving dinner (as well as all the meals actually) was excellent. I really think Kim should be voted mother of the year. How many women who are 8 months pregnant would be willing to invite the entire extended family out for 5 days?

Mom and Dad financed the whole deal and worked hard to make sure everyone was happy and had a good time. I really have such a great family...

It was sad to leave. Looking forward to Christmas.