Christmas 2012

We started out the week with a visit to Santa. Lea has been very good this year so of course he was happy to see her well written and simple note. 

We went out to Grandmas on Wednesday and spent the week with Grampy (Lea's Great Grandpa) and Margarete. We had one beautiful day and we spent it outside. We fed the goats and donkey, we filled the bird feeders, Lea played scientist and wandered around finding things for us to examine.

We played many games of Train Dominos. 

Someone asked if Lea had a boyfriend and her response of "I'm only six, of course I don't have a boyfriend!" got a big hoot out of Grampy.

Katelyn the "Our Generation" doll (Target's version of American Girl and far more affordable) came with a skating outfit, a book and then also under the tree was a bowling outfit, a sleeping bag and tent and pus for Katelyn. That was certainly the prize present. Lea and Katelyn have been practically inseparable.

Lea also was an awesome gift giver this year. At our church's bizarre they had a "children's store." Garage store quality goods from parishioners that the kids could shop for. The church ladies helped Lea shop without us and she got a gift for me, Dan, Grandma and Grandpa Dan. Lea wrapped the gifts all by herself and left them under the tree for over a month without telling us what they were. All we knew as that we had to be careful with Grandma's because it was breakable. She did wonderful! Grandma got a glass jewelry box, I got a cute box and candle and Dan got a Norman Rockwell coffee cup with a fisher man because "I knew you liked to fish Daddy!" She was so proud and really put thought into the gifts. It is was so cute and sweet. She did awesome!

Santa brought the Playdoh Smashed Potato game which is fun for the whole family. There is a machine that crinkle cuts, chops, snips or french fries your little guy. There could be an extra smashing space on the spinner for more smashing fun, but I guess then the game would last too long. It quickly turned into a game of "restaurant and potato orders" but that was fun too. Santa also brought a Barbie pretend news camera so there was much reporting going on. And in Mommy's stocking was a new camera! Hooray no more rubber band holding her camera together!

A wonderful Christmas. We'll be back out in East Texas for a low key New Years. Thanks to all the rain the week of Christmas we should be able to have a nice fire in the fire pit and roast some marshmallows and drink some cocoa. A wonderful holiday. 

Did I mention she rode a fish (for 8 seconds, even)

So let me explain. We went to the Rodeo in Frisco. We got a groupon. We took Grandpa Dan. We had a great time. By the luck of the draw... or I guess Grandpa would say the luck o' the Irish we made it just in time for bull riding. We had a great time! In the courtyard there was a children's area with remote control bulls, a horse and the catfish that Lea chose. I couldn't have been more proud at her choice. Fun day. We started at the day at the church bazaar where they had a Children's Store where Lea got to go in and shop for Christmas presents for me and dad, Grandma & Grandpa. They also had face painting and Lea wanted to be a Christmas tree which thus explains the green face she had for the rest of the day.

Jingle All the Way

Last Night was Lea's Christmas Choir program called "Jingle All the Way." There was much last minute rehearsal and preparation.

Dan and I created the set for the production. Not much time, but for a simple one performance I think we did great. I am especially proud of the North Pole that Dan created at an angle. We had one mom try to straighten it. I loved that it leaned and had snow around it. Then we had the reindeer area with hay and Reindeer Chow.

But the best part was the elves and reindeer and kids that sang their hearts out — at least for the first 3 songs. By Scene 6 there was some distracted wiggly bottoms on stage and off stage - once the audience was asked to participate in making noise it seemed hard to get them to focus again.

My favorite part is in the song "Jingle in My Heart" they sing "Jingle in my right hand, jingle in my left hand, jingle in my head, jingle in my feet, jingle in my knees, jingle in my bottom!" And each line comes with a shake of said body part. Of course Jingle in my bottom was the best! I was too busy watching to get good photos or video.

Our elf had one line and she did great!

And the choir sounded great.

 
For the last two songs, for some reason Lea did not want her elf hat on, even though she looked so cute. Thus the grumpy elf photo after it was over. I was allowed one photo of the hat and this was it. She was only grumpy because she had to put the hat on, otherwise she had a great night.

I guess she might have been happier as a reindeer, but she did great as an elf.

Christmas Choir at the Tree Lighting

Lea's Choir preformed at the Casa Linda Tree Lighting at the shopping center at the corner of Garland and Buckner. There were several schools that preformed, but of course we were the best (Ok I didn't see any of the others, but who could argue with these cutie pies!)

Lea and Zoe on their way to preform. Lea had that bell in her mouth several times too. Crazy kids.

The quality is not great, the thing you need to listen for is... I have a jingle in my left hand (no the other left), a jingle in my right. And then near the end... what's that? a jingle in my bottom, a jingle overhead. Too cute!

The whole choir that showed up for the performance. They sang 3 songs and did an awesome job. They sounded great!

Next song: What ever happened to Christmas? 

Lea participated in all the songs, had all the hand gestures and actions down. She did great! They all sang and looked spectacular. And you know I'm not biased!

Summer Catch up 2 - Lea's Birthday

Our theme this year was S'Winter wonderland. At first I thought Lea was just being brilliant putting the words summer and winter together, but then I learned that Phineas & Ferb (our new favorite cartoon) had introduced Lea to the word & idea. None the less it was a fun idea and a challenge in the middle of July and the hottest summer on record. We substitued

Waterballoons & shaving cream instead of snowball fight

Goggle so we didn't have any teary disasters - I think it helped mosly.

Daddy made an excellent waterballoon target.

Mommy took the hits in the shaving cream war.

And mounds of suds as snow drifts for the winter wonderland visitors who were not too excited about the shaving cream & water balloons. 

 Snow princess Barbie for Lea's cake.

Our S'winter S'wonderland was loads of fun. We had two rave reviews from school mates, both proclaiming later to their parents "Best party EVER." It certainly was for us. Thanks to all those who came and made it a great party! 

Summer 2011 catch up 1 - Myrtle Beach

Its been a long dry year for the blog. So I'll just pick up any old place. Unfortunately its just not in my nature to skip all the great photos and things that happened, but I'll try to be brief and get back in the habit.

We had a fantastic summer that included a great trip to Myrtle Beach right after Lea's birthday.

Same ol' same ol'... beach, pool, lunch, beach, pool, dinner. Lea was swimming like a champ all across the deep end! Diving in all by herself and swimming to the ladder.

Although I guess we did have a few different events. We played Miniature golf. It was very hot, but very fun.

Then to cool off we had ice cream at Friendly's!

And since it was so close to Lea's birthday this year, we threw her a surprise party (which she'd been asking for. She was truly surprised... maybe a little scared or shy when she first walked walked in, but it was fun.

Dan got to go fishing and caught some fish, but others on the boat did not want what they caught after cleaning so Dan brought home extra fish. The Spanish Mackerel was delicious! But Dan also got the shark fins from the sharks that were already caught and cleaned. He brought home a bag to make shark fin soup. Nothing inhumane since they were already caught and were being eaten. The inhumane parrt comes when the cut the fin off and throw the rest of the shark back to die a torturous death. Not us... we ate all the parts. 

So when Dan made shark fin soup (after several months since he caught some bug on vacation that he could not shake for the longest time.) So Dan makes soup and Lea comes home and says: 

"Ewww it smells like shark fin in here"

The Hamster Tree

A week ago or so Lea and I visited Uncle Scumfy's house (Michael's) where he was doing some yard work. He had put a border and some plants around one tree, but not the other. He said, "Its my guinea pig tree." Then Sherry helped by saying, "Oh those are the worst, they come down in little balls and if you stand under one you get pooped on!"

Lea laughed and laughed. Then looked at her, cocked her head and said, "really?"

So as we left for our errands with Sherry. Lea said "There's Michael's hamster tree," remembering things in her wonderful little girl way.

As we left we explained that it was because he was testing something out, but when we went to visit yesterday Lea pointed to the tree with the new border and said "There's the guinea pig tree and over THERE is his hamster tree."

"Yes, dear."

Spring Break as told by Lea

Lea made a book about her Spring Break. I couldn't have told it better myself.

"My Mommy had a birthday party"

"Two of my friends slept over"

"I went to Chuck E. Cheese with my Grandma (although she may from here on out be Gramu cause I love that new name!)

And then she drew her favorite things. We don't own a cat. She's only been ice skating once and she bruised her face and we don't have perfume in the house because of Dan's allergies. What terrible parents we are not allowing her to have any of her favorite things. What a sad life filled only with Barbies, bubbles, bikes and candy!

Spring Break by Mommy

Ok so I maybe I can't tell it better, but I can add a few details.

I turned 40 and had a party. It was my Fo'ty party and we had 40oz beers with specially designed (by me) labels. Oh, and I cut 17" off my hair.

On party day, we started at the St. Pat's parade.



m

Hey that's Bret Hull behind me! Grand Marshall of the parade.



 Then it was back to the house for bbq, beers and loads of great company.


Great shirts with my invitation logo. Dan and his dad conspired to surprise me with shirts!



Loads of food and hand labeled 40 oz.




Michael, Teddy & Andrew sporting some awesome party shirts.





Again Lea said it best!



Oh and as my mid life crisis I dyed my hair pink. Sadly it didn't take on my first try so it wasn't pink for the party. My mom tried to help me dye it, but even with my beautiful light blonde, I had to bleach it to hold the color. Dan helped me bleach and dye it on Sunday.

Lea stayed with Grandmu for the first couple days of Spring Break after the big birthday party. We met up at Chuck E. Cheese to play a bit and then take off and do a bit of birthday shopping. Lea had a blast at the Cheese. I think we spent 20 bucks and Lea walked out with a pencil and eraser - woo hoo. 

On the tail end of Spring Break we did a kid exchange. We had two little girls stay over at our house. They couldn't wait to play restaurant where one girl is the customer with a menu, one the waitress and other is the cook and cashier. It was fun for about 15 minutes and then interest started to wane, but they were great and had a great time. Then the next night Lea packed her bag and went off to her first sleep over (other than family). We tried to prepare her with her blankie, kitty (who turns into a tiger to protect Lea at night) and Uni (Pillow Pet Unicorn who turns into a dragon to protect Lea). But when it came time to sleep at their house, the other girls sacked out right away (surprise they didn't sleep much at the first sleep over), but not Lea. The mom & dad came in to find a wide eyed Lea clutching Uni & Kitty. She was holding it together until they asked if she was ok and then the dam burst. So at 8:30 we got a call. Fortunately we were so stuffed with sushi that we bailed on our plans to go to a movie so Dan dashed over and picked her up. We'll try again when she's a little older. She said she wasn't scared, it was just "... too different." 

And that was our Spring Break.