12.27.05

Burning motherhood questions…

Posted in Uncategorized at 8:20 pm by Administrator

How long is it exactly before an eight year old gets tired of practicing on her new guitar?

Just wondering.

12.24.05

Almost blew it…

Posted in Uncategorized at 11:35 am by Administrator

This morning started very early for me. I heard some jumping around downstairs and it woke me up. My mind immediately went to two things: 1. It’s Christmas Eve and the kids are going to be so excited…that must be what I’m hearing! And then 2. Oh crap! John put the toys I was wrapping last night away and then turned off all the lights while I was on the computer but left the excel spreadsheet of “who gets what” on the couch!! Because it was dark, I forgot to put it away. And all my kids are readers now…. YIKES! I swear to you, I jumped out of bed and practically ran down the stairs. Lucky for me, only Noah was up and he was jumping in the playroom. (It honestly sounded like the whole freakin’ neighborhood was in my house!) Turns out he took all the pillows off the couch and was dive-bombing into the middle of them.

So with that adrenaline rush… I was awake.

Later when Emma came down and I was telling her what happened, she was lamenting the fact that she was sorry that she didn’t get downstairs first to see the list. Which gave me an opportunity to tell her how devastated I would have been if she had found it. I told her if she had found that list, I would have cried. That I spend countless hours picking out the perfect toys, wrapping them, decorating the house, planning a menu, doing all the shopping, making sure everyone is equal, making everything beautiful and wonderful for them. And although she would have had great joy at finding the forbidden list… it would have hurt my feelings to know that all my hard work was for naught. That she wouldn’t have any surprises for Christmas. I explained to her that her joy is what excites ME about Christmas. That her childlike excitement would have been nonexistent on Christmas if she didn’t have all the surprises. It would have been horrible to have that robbed of that experience.

It was a good talk. It was one of those talks I hope “sinks in” so next year when she’s searching for presents she will stop and think again about snooping. But I think it’s much more likely that she will simply decide to not get CAUGHT snooping. That is how she will choose to protect her mother’s joy.

12.16.05

Emma’s Sanibel Story

Posted in Posts at 9:22 am by Administrator

Emma is into writing stories lately. She’s quite good. She wrote this very involved story about a dog named Sanibel and her four kids. Problem is… she named each of the puppies the following:

Sanibel Jr.
Sanibel Jr. Jr.
Sanibel Jr. Jr. Jr.
Sanibel Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Her father suggested to her this morning that perhaps the story would be easier to follow if she chose different names for the puppies. She laughed and then told her father that Sanibel is in fact psychotic in this story and it’s crucial to the plot that all the dogs be named Sanibel. Her father then agreed that then naming all the dogs Sanibel was a good idea.

Well – ok then. I’m pretty sure I didn’t know what psychotic meant when I was 8 years old. I’m not sure if I should be proud or very afraid!

12.13.05

Our Holiday Message

Posted in Posts at 9:01 am by Administrator

Kym “doctored up” the holiday cards this year to convey our philosophy of trying to savor every moment and make each moment the best possible! We hope you and yours have a very blessed holiday season and a fantastic new year filled with many moments that take your breath away!

Take a look around and be sure to read our Christmas Letter to you here.

12.12.05

20 Holiday Questions: John

Posted in Posts at 6:57 pm by Administrator

When asked which he preferred, John responded:

1. Hot Chocolate or Tea
2. Chocolate or Vanilla
3. Salsa and Chips or Fruit Bowl
4. Blue or Purple?
5. Christmas or Halloween?
6. Puppies or Kittens?
7. Board Games or Computer Games?
8. Hot Dog or Hamburger
9. Comedy or Drama
10. With or Without Nuts
11. Hot weather or Cold weather?
12. Mild or Spicy?
13. Bike Riding or Roller Blading?
14. Cautious or Carefree?
15. Alone or in a Group?
16. Shower or Bath
17. Books or Magazines
18. Spongebob or The Amazing Race
19. Early Bird or Night Owl?
20. Christmas Cookies and Pumpkin Pie

Holiday 20 Questions: Noah

Posted in Posts at 6:54 pm by Administrator

When asked which he preferred Noah responded:

1. Hot Chocolate or Tea
2. Chocolate or Vanilla
3. Salsa and Chips or Fruit Bowl
4. Blue or Purple?
5. Christmas or Halloween?
6. Puppies or Kittens?
7. Board Games or Computer Games?
8. Hot Dog or Hamburger9. Comedy or Drama
10. With or Without Nuts
11. Hot weather or Cold weather?
12. Mild or Spicy?
13. Bike Riding or Roller Blading?
14. Cautious or Carefree?
15. Alone or in a Group?
16. Shower or Bath
17. Books or Magazines
18. Spongebob or The Amazing Race
19. Early Bird or Night Owl?
20. Christmas Cookies and Pumpkin Pie

Holiday 20 Questions: Dinara

Posted in Posts at 6:52 pm by Administrator

When asked which she preferred Dinara responded:

1. Hot Chocolate or Tea
2. Chocolate or Vanilla
3. Salsa and Chips or Fruit Bowl
4. Blue or Purple?
5. Christmas or Halloween?
6. Puppies or Kittens?
7. Board Games or Computer Games?
8. Hot Dog or Hamburger
9. Comedy or Drama
10. With or Without Nuts
11. Hot weather or Cold weather?
12. Mild or Spicy?
13. Bike Riding or Roller Blading?
14. Cautious or Carefree?
15. Alone or in a Group?
16. Shower or Bath
17. Books or Magazines
18. Spongebob or The Amazing Race
19. Early Bird or Night Owl?
20. Christmas Cookies and Pumpkin Pie

Holiday 20 Questions: Emma

Posted in Posts at 6:50 pm by Administrator

When asked which Emma preferred she responded:

1. Hot Chocolate or Tea
2. Chocolate or Vanilla
3. Salsa and Chips or Fruit Bowl
4. Blue or Purple?
5. Christmas or Halloween?
6. Puppies or Kittens?
7. Board Games or Computer Games?
8. Hot Dog or Hamburger
9. Comedy or Drama
10. With or Without Nuts
11. Hot weather or Cold weather?
12. Mild or Spicy?
13. Bike Riding or Roller Blading?
14. Cautious or Carefree?
15. Alone or in a Group?
16. Shower or Bath
17. Books or Magazines
18. Spongebob or The Amazing Race
19. Early Bird or Night Owl?
20. Christmas Cookies and Pumpkin Pie

Holiday 20 Questions: Kym

Posted in Posts at 6:47 pm by Administrator

When asked which Kym preferred she answered:
1. Hot Chocolate or Hot Tea
2. Chocolate or Vanilla
3. Salsa and Chips or Fruit Bowl
4. Blue or Purple?
5. Christmas or Halloween?
6. Puppies or Kittens?
7. Board Games or Computer Games?
8. Hot Dog or Hamburger?
9. Comedy or Drama?
10. With or Without Nuts?
11. Hot weather or Cold weather?
12. Mild or Spicy?
13. Bike Riding or Roller Blading?
14. Cautious or Carefree?
15. Alone or in a Group?
16. Shower or Bath
17. Books or Magazines
18. Spongebob or The Amazing Race
19. Early Bird or Night Owl?
20. Christmas Cookies and Pumpkin Pie

12.10.05

Lots of 2005 Family Photos

Posted in Posts at 11:15 am by Administrator

Lots of photos have been added. Click here to browse through them.

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