For Services Rendered:

We would like to say "Thank You" to all of the veterans who have served our country in any capacity, especially Papa.

YOU are appreciated.

Halloween!

Halloween was fun. The girls wore their princess outfits we purchased for the Renaissance Faire last year. They wore them again at this year's Faire, as well. This year, we added period cloaks for the girls.

We went to Michael's for a craft clinic. Then we saw "Grandpa" Ed and "Grandma" Anne at the store. We got a free picture of the girls in their costumes there, as well.

In the evening, we bundled up and went to a local church. They had free lemonade and hotdogs, plus games where the girls could win candy.

Afterwards, we trekked through the neighborhood. By this time, it was getting a bit dark. The girls wanted to go all around, but we knew that wouldn't work. We walked and walked. At long last, they were ready to go home.

When both bounties were combined, it measured just about 5 pounds. That's a lot of candy! Unfortunately, Kitty and Jules didn't like the idea of donating all of the chocolate to Mom.

Tomorrow, we are making a trip to the dentist. They are buying candy at $1/pound and sending the purchased candy to our soldiers in Iraq. Pretty cool.

Happy Birthday, Lily!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, darling Lily
Happy Birthday to you.

You are a blessing in our lives and are so happy you are two!

Fireworks

Here is a fun fireworks show that may whet your appetite.

NORAD Santa Tracking

Did you know that it has been 50 years since NORAD has been tracking Santa on Christmas Eve?

You can find out the story of the beginning of this Christmas tradition here.

And, in case you are interested in watching Santa's progress on the 24th, check out the NORAD Santa website.

Oh, Christmas Party, Oh, Christmas Party ...

Tonight was the christmas party for Daddy's work. It was held at a nice place and the food was pretty good. They gave out service awards after dinner - Daddy got one last year for being with the company for 5 years. After they awards, they give away door prizes. Most often they are gift cards, table centerpieces and one grand prize.

This year, Daddy won the grand prize!

He got a Wii game system plus two games. We were absolutely blown away! We don't play video games and are a bit lost as to what to do with it.

No, we don't intend to give it to other members of the family, so don't ask!

The girls don't know about it. We are saving it for Christmas. Hopefully, we can get a game that they can play before the 25th.

While Mommy and Daddy were busy, Kitty and Jules were able to see a three hour production of the Nutcracker ballet. They loved it! They went with friends and had a really great time. Then, the girls had a sleep-over with the friends.

God sure does bring surprises into our lives. What a night!

Christmas in November

Since we live to far from our Northern kin, we exchange Christmas gifts at Thanksgiving. It makes things a bit tense, getting gifts made/purchased in time. Especially, since the adults really have no clue what they want!

We do have a few standbys in terms on interest. Aunt C likes horses and her husband, Uncle E doesn't seem to mind those presents. We didn't really get their gifts done in time, except Kitty. Aunt C & Uncle E have a resale store. We would love to frequent it, but the drive is a bit much!

Little cousin L got a bear puppet that Mommy crocheted and a Little People set. It seems she also like cars - she sounds just like Kitty!

Aunt J & Uncle J are outdoorsy types, which is really cool. Uncle J is usually hunting/taking people out hunting during Thanksgiving, so we don't always get to see him. Mommy & Daddy's gift to them was a paper eagle. Mommy spent time cutting and gluing it together. It is really fragile, but came out great. It is about 2 1/2 feet from wing tip to wing tip. Jules has a present that she wasn't able to quite get done.

Grandma got some origami lilies in a glass vase and a papercraft swallowtail butterfly. Jules also made a painting of some roses for her.

Uncle R likes Ancient Egypt, so we have been doing that theme for a few years. This year, Jules, with some help from Mommy, made a customized matryoska (Russian nesting dolls) set. We are sure no one else has them with, going outside in, King Tut, Queen Cleopatra, Anubis, The Eye of Ra, a mummy and an anhk (the Ancient Egyptian symbol of life.) We chose Anubis, not because he is the Egyptian god of Funerals and the afterlife, but because he is readily recognizable.

The girls, of course, were thrilled with their gifts. Jules got an electronic dog, Tekno, a Bingo game, coloring books, The Frog Princess book set, a Christmas Duck and a necklace, the Sorry! Sliders game

Kitty got a Tinkerbell doll which flaps her wings and talks, a Crayola craft set, a Christmas Bear and a necklace, a Disney Fairies game, a Matchbox pop-up airport set, and coloring books.

We all got some gift cards to Barnes and Noble, which is great, because we can take our time figuring out what we want!

It was a late night, but we all had a really good time visiting with each other, sharing good food and just enjoying the time.

Reveille

November 17 is a special day, as we honor those who have served our country.

We would like to share a video with you - a touching tribute to all service men and women. You may want to have a tissue handy.

Happy Birthday, Aunt K!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, dearest Aunt K!
Happy Birthday to you!

We love you and wish we could spend this day with you!

Love, C, CC, K & J
plus Fluffy & Monster Boy

Some Corny Fun

We got up early this morning and went to a corn maze. We were volunteers to highlight the maze for a local TV station. We were filmed for the morning show. Then, we got to go through the maze for free.

It was chilly, but rather fun. Another opportunity we would not have if we were doing home education.

Easter

Kitty and Jewel awoke this morning to find that there had been a visitor to our home. They each found a basket with some toys in it and engaged in an Easter Egg hunt in the living room.

We began the opening of the plastic eggs with the Resurrection Eggs the Easter Bunny supplied. They taught the girls a little bit more about why we celebrate Easter and that it is not just a holiday for candy, bunnies and food.


Jesus Lives!

Leprechauns!

We were visited by leprechauns last night. They turned some furniture upside down, spilled some beads, left footprints everywhere and generally played some harmless tricks around the house. They even put one of Mommy's oven mitts in the refrigerator! Fortunately, the girls got a present from them as well. They were left with a pretty pencil. Kitty and Jewel really enjoyed hunting for things the leprechauns changed and where they left footprints. There was even a message on a white board that said "We were here. L." Maybe because we're part Irish, they didn't play any mean tricks on us. Or, maybe that's why they visited.

Whatever the reason, it was fun to wake up to the little surprises.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

That's "Happy St. Patrick's Day" in Gaelic. Don't ask us to pronounce it, but if you want to hear it, you can go this site.

We're wearing green today and the girls have received some activities from Professor Binns for the holiday. They have two activity books and get to build their own leprechaun. We'll post pictures when they are finished.