Preparing baby Jesus' birthday cake

All attitude

This picture reminds me of when Rooster put on this wrap, rubbed it and said "Jaaaaaguar". It was something that would have infuriated a PETA member.

Last minute lobbying and mistakes

A treat for the reindeer.
Big Dog tried to steal some of Santa's cookies.

dipping in the kettle

Well we didn't use a kettle;) It was suprisingly good. Rooster made sure her brothers tried it too.

We played this afternoon

Big Dog doesn't want the tv on anymore. So my five minute escapes have ended. The kids are under my feet while I set up activities etc. And it's really starting to drive me nuts. Somewhere Krimsin is trying to hold back a knowing smile. She's warned me about this. I don't let my kids have enough unstructured play time. And that eventually I was going to regret it...today is the day.

This is how the afternoon went. Big Dog whining for another sippy cup he can use to irrigate my floors with. Rooster demanding more cheese, and grapes for a snack. Agghh!! I'm gonna lose my mind here. I finally left them downstairs with a bunch of loud toys while I listened to some Britney Spears:D Yeah I know. I'm almost 32 years old and I shouldn't like her. But, I don't care that you all know that I love Britney Spears!


Anyway, before my mental breakdown (Britney would understand and I doubt she would judge me:)) we did get a few things done. The bead track is always a hit:)
Big Dog enjoyed playing with the farm animals and barns. The barn with the blocks makes animal noises. He loves that. While he held onto the toy pig he pushed in the pig block in so it would make a pig grunt. Now that's either being determined or stubborn....maybe a bit of both.

We finally got around to making our December cards for Make A Child Smile.

Rooster used her new Yoga tape. I know....if I were a good Christian/Catholic my kid wouldn't be doing yoga. But I'm not, so she does. It has done wonders for her. She use to really struggle with strength and coordination. I had the same problems when I was growing up. So my mom put me in dance because I was "the clumsiest child ever".

Anyway, I've purchased a few children's yoga tapes in my time. And good Lord they are awful. They just reek of hippie-ness. But, I recently got Yoga Fitness Ages 3-6 from GAIAM. Rooster watched it today and loved it. I thought it was tolerable so I guess I would recommend it if you have to do it.

Sunday's activities

I wanted the older kids to show GH how to stack blocks (not that GH is old enough....but, just for fun). Some people took this activity seriously. Others didn't take it seriously.


Rooster does a great job following directions like jump in the circle, stand in front of the circle. Others just ran away from the circle:)

We played "I spy with my two eyes". I noticed our toy pliers inside the bottle are broken apart. So I guess I better make a new salt bottle. Rooster could point out a few objects. But, I have a lot of weird and random stuff in that bottle:)

Others were just keepin' it real.

Rooster loved decorating the gingerbread house. Others loved to eat frosting by using a candy cane to scoop it up.

Others were a handful today....but, I wouldn't have it any other way:)

I don't want to take a nap

Santa Clause came to town

This was the first time GH met Santa. GH really let him have it.

I don't know you!!!

Rooster was very excited to see Santa.

Big Dog could hardly wait to see Santa.

He fell asleep on the 4 block trip to the store.

This was Big Dog's best visit with Santa so far.

Photo archiving--- Roosters One Year photos

Our yearly tradition, Rooster in mom's wedding gown.

Rooster and Jiří.

Our first family picture.

More Rooster pictures...............

I love this picture:)

Rory is Roosters godmother. She is always sending Rooster the nicest things. She sent Rooster two outfits from one of her trips back to Taiwan. She says that since Rooster is her goddaughter it makes Rooster Chinese. I don't know...Rooster doesn't look Chinese:D

But, she does look cute. Of course I am biased because she's my kid:)

This year Rory sent us a bunch of different gift cards for Christmas. One was to Build-a-Bear. She said I was to take Rooster and tell her to pick out the most beautiful bear they have. Then get this..Rooster is suppose to name the beautiful bear Rory:D Haha

Walnut boats

The Roosters candle went out first. When her flame went out she got up and left the table. I didn't follow her. I imagine she went to the living room to watch Diego or something:) But, she didn't stick around.

I'm outta here

Big Dog's boat sprung a tiny leak. Which led to GH's win.

Decorating Sugar Cookies

GH was really excited to get started.

Big Dog sang "C is for cookie."

GH wanted to do something.

So he helped me decorate a snowman cookie then he enjoyed the cookie..........

not bad...not bad at all:D

Being ridiculously good looking runs in the family

This picture is of Preston when he was little. Cousin Presto is Rooster, Big Dog, and GH's cousin. He sure looks a lot like Rooster and GH.

I always tell Captain Awesome that Big Dog, Cousin I, and Cousin Ames could pass as siblings. And that Rooster, Cousin Presto and GH could pass as siblings. I always trick Rooster when we look at pictures. She thinks pictures of herself when she was a baby are GH. And she thinks pictures of Cousin I are pictures of Big Dog.

I've noticed that my kids don't look much like me. Not that I mind. They would either look like Captain Awesome or myself. It's like they hit the jackpot:) They were going to be ridiculously good looking regardless of whom they looked like:D

This afternoon

We finished our letter activities for the day. Our Jello Jigglers are done. Most of them are ruined. There are two things I know I couldn't make if my life depended on it. One is Rice Crispy treats and the other is Jello Jigglers. You would think these two items are so simple that even I couldn't screw them up. Yet, I always find a way;)


We read our collection of Sandra Boyton books. Which basically means my kids run around making animal noises etc. We are a dignified bunch.

Now we are going to veg in front of the tv for a while before Captain Awesome comes home.

37 weeks old and super awnry

Yeah---the best picture I could get was of me holding my son down:)

This week we caught GH on the second step of our staircase. I think this is Princess J's fault. I think he saw her attempting the stairs this week at playgroup before her mom stopped her.

Breakfast time

If you leave the kids alone in the kitchen during breakfast. You might find that they choose something else to eat....like chocolate truffles. Yum Yum Big Dog went to the refrigerator and pulled them out and was happily placing them on his plate when I came into the kitchen.