Say Cheese

Backyard Bird

This 'little' guy's been hanging around in our backyard this week. I think he's a Hawk, but I'm not 100% sure. He's a beautiful bird that likes to munch on the wildlife....we've not let Briscoe out in the backyard since!

Dear Santa

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out -- over several Christmases.

Since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now - -

*** Here are my Christmas wishes ***

• I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (-in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.
• I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
• If you're hauling big-ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
• On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.
• I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
• If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
• If you don't mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.
• It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back. Have a safe trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come in and dry off, so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours always with love and appreciation,
A Mom

P.S. One more thing . . You can cancel all my requests, if you can keep my children 'young' enough to believe in Santa.

Tree Climber

Fall Pictures of Julia

These pictures were taken at the end of October. Some cute ones of Julia playing outside with Briscoe, carrying around tennis balls and wanting to go for a bike ride (one of her newer favorite activities).

Halloween Pictures

A smelly skunk and a purple butterfly. And a beautiful day for trick-or-treating!

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

We recently took a quick trip to a local pumpkin patch (aka destination/attraction).  I picked out a couple of pumpkins for the girls since they were too distracted by everything else going on.  We then indulged in some apple cider donuts (which we all loved), a highlight of the season.  Yum!

Real Beauty

Here are some great pictures that Paul took of Elise.  She's become such a beautiful little girl!

 
 

Playing in the Puddles

Lots of rain means lots of big puddles, perfect for playing in. The girls had a blast.

Best Cousins

We went to visit my niece, Libby, for her Birthday at the end of August. Here's a cute shot of the girls riding in Libby's new Jeep.

Ballet Class

Elise started Ballet class this week too. She's been looking forward to it since the day we got the Park District catalog in the mail back in July. There are 10 girls in her class and one teacher (Miss Meagan). She tried really hard to listen but it was hard with so much activity going on. So far, she's learned first and second position, and plie. She was one of the only girls who could truely skip (that's my girl!).

Elise's First Day of School

Elise started preschool on Monday. She's going to the same school as she did in the spring, but has a new teacher, Mrs. Sherry. She seems to really enjoy it so far, has met some new friends, and is constantly wondering when her next school day is.

O-R-E-O

This picture was taken after Julia finished half of an OREO cookie (you can see the other half is still in her hand). This girl knows the official way to eat the cookie too...twist off the top, lick off the frosting, and then eat the cookies. You can tell that she thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

Julia at Lake Ave. Beach

Elise at Lake Ave. Beach

Future Triathlete

Felling Diseased Trees

My sister Errin is ambitious. She's not afraid to take on big projects, one of which was to cut down a sizable tree in our yard that was diseased. Don't believe me? Here are the pictures....