Hungry, Anyone?

Miriam: The jell-o at church was really big.

Katie: What?

Miriam: The jell-o at church was really big.

Katie: (There was a dinner last night at church, but there was no jell-o. What on earth is she talking about???) The jell-o???

Miriam: You know, the instrument.

Katie: Oh, you mean the cello!

Santa and Fire Alarms

Christmas is such an exciting time of year. The children are just enthralled by all the lights, gifts, and goodies. The girls had their school parties yesterday. They each had a gift exchange in their class. They, of course, had lots of treats. But they also had a special visitor this year. Santa stopped by each class and talked to the children. How exciting. (And we didn't have to wait in line at a mall where I have to pay for the pictures...) Rebecca asked for books. Not a big surprise. But I was surprised at how shy she acted. It took her a little while before she came up with something.

After Santa finished with Rebecca, I headed over to Miriam's class. Santa was headed there next, and I wanted to get there before him. I was able to see Miriam and get situated in the room before Santa showed up.

Then the Kindergartners started sitting on Santa's lap. Miriam was so patient. All the other children visited with Santa. He stopped asking what they wanted, though. Maybe it was taking too long. He was behind schedule.

When Miriam was next in line, something unexpected happened. Lights started flashing. The fire alarms were going off. So out we all go-- children, teachers, parents and Santa. Out to the back of the school. The kids did a great job of going right to where they were supposed to go and standing on the line. They have been practicing.

Santa waited for about 10 minutes and then decided to finish his rounds outside. So Miriam got her picture taken outside with Santa.

We waited outside for the fire trucks to come. The fire men would have to check the building before we could go back in to finish our party. We watched the trucks come. We watched as the fire fighters went into every door and checked whatever it is they check. We waited and listened to see if we could hear the fire alarms or if they had turned off. We talked about other unpleasant fire alarm situations, as well as tornado alarms. We waited and waited.

After 45 minutes, we were allowed to go back in to the school. We found out that a heat sensor in one of the electrical closets went off, and wouldn't shut off so they had to check the whole building. Since the time was now 2:52 and school gets out at 2:55, we gathered belongings and left.

So class Halloween parties were cancelled due to snow, Caroling was cancelled due to ice and cold weather, and now the Christmas party was trumped by a fire alarm. What could happen for Valentine's Day?

Just Like Dad

The kids love their dad. I am so grateful that I married a man who is a good father to our children. He plays with them, helps them and gives them someone to look up to. They all want to be like him, too!

Playing Together

I watched Sebastian for Julie while she was having surgery. The boys had fun playing together. Since they are only 2 1/2, they don't really play together yet. But they sure were trying. They would run after each other, then turn around and run the other way. They tried to put the puzzle together. It took a few minutes, but then both boys were working on the puzzle at the same time.

It is amazing to watch these precious children grow and develop. It is fun to see the learning and understanding they develop.

The Box

Jack got a new office chair recently. It was not assembled, so all the pieces came in a fairly big box. While Jack had fun figuring out which holes lined up where, the kids had a ball making a 'house' out of the box.

The paint job consisted of a layer of marker, then a layer of paint. They discovered that you need a lot of paint to cover up the glossy picture sticker on the front.

Window treatments were made of paper towels. They had a cute design on the bottom, perfect for curtains.

It wasn't really big enough for more than one of the kids to fit in at once, but they sure tried. There was some discussion about whether the house should stay upright or if it should be a house that would tumble over when someone was inside.

I think Miriam won out on the stable house, because it is still in one piece in the basement.

Trimming the Tree

We put up our Christmas tree the Monday after Thanksgiving. The kids love decorating the tree. They love the lights, the ornaments and the time together.

I love the excitement and wonder in their eyes. There is a special light in their eyes the first time you turn off the lights in the house and turn on the Christmas tree lights. They want to lie under the tree, maybe even sleep under the tree. Joseph tried to put the angel on the top, but couldn't quite figure out what he was supposed to do.

Rebecca, the old pro, got it up there for him.

Joseph was so excited that he danced around the room, singing, "Happy Day to You!" I figure he was thinking of Happy Birthday to You, but it is true. It is a happy day to enjoy the Christmas season with our children.

Scratch and Sniff

We have been having lots of talks at my house about what people would like for Christmas. We drew names so everyone could get a special present for another family members.

Last night, Rebecca asked me what I wanted for Christmas. She thought I wanted something for the kitchen, but Jack encouraged her to ask me to see if I liked anything besides cooking.

(Now, I have to mention that figuring out what I want for Christmas is one of the more stressful parts of the holiday to me. I know. Weird.)

So I came up with a few suggestions-- books, craft stuff, etc. When I mentioned scrap booking, I also said something about stickers. Jack, jokingly, said she could get me some Scratch-n-Sniff stickers.

Rebecca just stared. She had no idea what that was. We asked her what she thought it was from the name.

"Stickers that when you sniff it, it makes you want to scratch?"

Jack explained that those would be Sniff and Scratch stickers, instead. A whole conversation ensued about these fun stickers that have, it seems, fallen out of style.

I guess that is one of those generational gap things...