Chucks

Owen is so incredibly proud of his new fire shoes.  He tells me they're the kind Kindergarten kids wear and they give you SPEED!  Claire just likes to be like Owen.  Andrew just thinks the whole thing is cool.  Maybe he needs some Kindergarten shoes, too.

The Driveway Wins

Ella and her mouth had a showdown with the driveway this morning.  She forgot her mittens and started running back to the house to grab them, hit some ice and down she went.  Her hands and knees were scraped her, but her poor front tooth took the brunt of it.  The bottom part of it just shattered. Fortunately, the dentist doesn't see any nerve damage and they can put a white filling on that should look just about like it did before.

Note to Ella: I guess that's one way to get out of school, but I think faking a stomachache would have been easier.

Not Quite What I Had Planned

Claire's definition of potty training is far, far different than mine.  I think she's winning.

Snow Helpful

Claire has decided to join in the snow shoveling action this year.  That means she took over Owen's kid-sized shovel.  That means Owen took over my shovel.  No problem, you say, let the kids do the shoveling.  Well, that would work out wonderfully, if only they shoveled the actual drive and sidewalks.  Claire is partial to shoveling the grass and then dumping her snow on the drive.  Owen enjoys shoveling the cul-de-sac.

I think I need to buy another snow shovel for me. 

Picass"O"

The big O has been using one of his favorite Christmas gifts all over the house.  I think Picasso would totally be into Bendaroos if he were around today. This looks like a bird with digestive issues to me, but Owen tells me it is a machine that makes stuff that comes out.  Okay, I guess that's the joy of modern art.

Popping Corn

For Christmas Kellie gave us movie tickets, babysitting and popcorn.  It was real popcorn.  As in kernels that you have to pop in some way.  It didn't come in a bag that goes in the microwave.  My children were all stumped.  "What do we do with it?"  "Maybe we could glue it on paper plates and make a creation."  Yes, there were other brilliant ideas, but I'm not sharing them all.  Instead, I got out a pot and added oil and popcorn and then shook it on the stove. "Wow!  I never knew you could do that."  I guess they don't know about life without DVD players and cell phones either, but those don't bother me.  Somehow there's something much more wrong in not knowing about popcorn.  At least I've righted one wrong in the world.

Fort Owen

My living room has looked like a fort all week.  Owen has been happy all week and super happy this weekend since he and Ella are having sleepovers in it.  Very much a worthwhile trade off in my opinion.  Now the problem is how to convince him to take it down.

Classic

This picture is just so completely Owen and Claire.  My little superhero, man of action and diva little sister who never wants to be left out of any action.  The only part not true to form is that Claire is wearing pants.  It's an important mommy intervention saved for when we're leaving the house.

Birthday Girl

It's a big day here at our household; Ella is nine.  I actually cooked breakfast.  I'm pretty sure my kids thought it only came in a box up until today.  Owen is more excited than anyone else and has been gifting Ella and being her "best birthday friend ever."  Now that she's at school he has plans for all sorts of birthday projects to make and give her when she gets home.  She certainly deserves them all.  Ella is one wonderful, sweet girl and we're so lucky to have her in our family.

The Best Part

If you bake cookies, then you really should lick the beater.  Just ask Owen.

These were pretty yummy, but I think I'd alter them a bit next time.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-I/Detail.aspx

Squishy Sissies

I'm not sure of the "whys" on this, but Bryn always has to squish Claire.  Maybe it's that whole "she's so squeezable" concept people have about babies?  Maybe she just likes making Claire do what she wants for a split second?  Either way, it's squishy 'round here.

Outerwear Claire

I was outside shoveling snow when Claire appeared with all the proper outerwear and proclaimed she was shoveling snow, too.  I appreciate the thought, but I was much more thrilled with her having all the correct pieces on the correct parts.

Group Shot

Claire really wanted her picture taken with Oscar.  Too bad Oscar doesn't want to be anywhere near her.  She likes the picture anyhow.

Roomie Reunion

Somehow life is always interesting and entertaining when I get together with my old roommates.  And Cherie is a goofball over dessert.  I guess that's a side effect of a sugar-free life.

Tutu Cute

Even with a messy face and climbing on my couch with shoes!

Triceratops?

Owen likes to call this style "three spikes" and thinks it's the best hairdo ever.  Fortunately, it spreads out as it dries.

Home Again, Home Again

Trips to California are always wonderful, but so is coming home again.

Happy New Year

Here's hoping it's not quite as crazy as Ella.