The North Pole

Back at the beginning of December, we took a quick trip to the North Pole. When we purchased our tickets in July, we had no idea the weather forecast would involve a 100% chance of rain on the night our travel was scheduled.  I suppose the North Pole is experiencing global warning because we were doused with rain instead of snow. 

To make things more interesting, the train had some mechanical issues, and we were given the option of accepting a refund or waiting an hour (in the rain) for repairs.  Needless to say, we were good and soaked by the time we boarded the magical train and embarked on our trip to see Santa. 

The duo have cute pajamas and cute raincoats, but they do not necessarily work together.  When facing a colossal downpour in the cold, we prioritized function over style.
 

As for me, I was glad to have Skip's raincoat with a hood (instead of my nicer, dressier one without a hood).

William George, who loves trains, was just happy to be aboard and in motion.  "Is it raining? Who cares?! We're on a train!!!"

No one can say travel to the North Pole is easy, but once we saw Santa, the trip was worth any inconvenience. 

12-27

Today is my birthday, and therefore, a fitting day to resurface.  There are lots of pictures to post from the month of December, but since today is my official lazy day, I have been indulging in all sorts of activities... like watching last year's Kennedy Center Honors and the various covers of Led Zeppelin songs.  The finale, "Stairway To Heaven," is a particularly moving rendition: 





At the 3:30 point, at the beginning of Page's legendary solo, Plant can be observed telling Page, "Not too bad." Watching the band's reaction is as good as the performance itself.

If you are also having a lazy day, you can watch the full set here.
 

Friday's Quote

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. 

Psalm 112:4

Many Thanks

Please accept my note of thanks for the many kindnesses shown to our family over the last several weeks.  We are deeply humbled by the attendance at my father's memorial service, the cards, e-mails, flowers, offers of meals, so many kind and thoughtful words, and your many prayers. We cannot thank you enough, and you will never know how much strength has been drawn from those kind gestures. For our dear readers that we may not know as well personally, thank you for thinking of us.

Our faith provides significant comfort, and we believe Dad is in a better place. He has been relieved of his duties here and is now beginning a life of eternity, where he has no more pain, discomfort - no limitations of any kind. That last sentence cannot be overstated, and the magnitude of that concept could be discussed forever. I know these things on a cognitive level, and yet the loss is hard to accept. Last month, when Skip tracked me down to tell me the news in person, he said quickly but as gently as possible, "It's your Dad...he's passed away." In the three or four weeks since then, those two short sentences have played through my mind a dozen or more times each day, despite my best efforts to not hear them again. Acceptance is hard. Thanksgiving was hard. Christmas is hard. 

Gratitude helps to quiet those two sentences. I'm forever grateful to have parents who provided a loving home and had a successful marriage for 32 years. I'm grateful for summers spent playing outside and for winters spent playing board games. I am thankful for endless words of encouragement, motivation and reassurance. In recent years, my dad concluded many of our conversations with a recurrent message: Keep doing what you're doing.

I am thankful for pitch-perfect encouragement. 

Friday's Quote

While vanity clouds my eyes and burdens my heart, gratitude clears my vision and lightens my load.

-Dr. John White

Friday's Quote

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  

-The Apostle Paul

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A Devastating Loss

I am deeply saddened to write about the passing of my father last week.

My Dad was a wonderful man. Above anything else, he was Christ-centered, humble, and wise. He had the wisdom one acquires from spending copious amounts of time studying the Bible.  He was also a great Dad. He coached little league sports for years, attended all of our activities, and I often joke that if I had entered a staring contest, he would have attended each and every single match - literally. He was there for everything.  No matter what the event.

While I would love to do a full obituary/memorial at some point, it's hard to come here to this page especially, because my Dad was my most loyal reader.  When I first started posting photos of the girls almost six years ago, he was the one who would ask for more. "When are you going to update?" he would ask. "I keep looking on there every day," he would say.  I went from posting once or twice a month to once or twice a week, and he would still ask about increased frequency.  He read every day, and during our visits he would tell us and the trio everything on the blog since the last interval. He asked about everything! I was initially surprised (Dad's online activities just barely extend  beyond e-mail), but I shouldn't have been because he had watched gymnastics, cheering and piano performances... If we participated, he was there. Naturally, out of love, he came here to my blog to see his grandchildren daily. He even visited this site during his last morning, on November 7th. This site has been our family scrapbook (with a huge dose of minutia thrown in for fun), and I always knew my Dad was "in the stands" reading, watching and looking for more. He probably could have done without the fashion and pop culture posts, but he devoured updates on our family. My dad has 8 grandchildren, and my stepmother has another 14, at times creating many demands and a very busy schedule. These posts were a way to keep him updated, and I loved that he read it all. Writing when I know he won't be reading is hard, lonely and heart-breaking.

His words are equally precious to me. I have re-read our e-mail communication over the past several years, thankful for every word and every opportunity taken to express love, pride and joy.  I have read every highlighted passage in his Bible and his handwritten notes. He was unassuming and sometimes quiet, and I am desperate for insight into his notes about spirituality, life and how to live.  Although he instilled his values in us, I know there is so much more to be learned.

Dad, we miss you, we love you, and we cannot wait to see you again.

Prolific Writers

We have entered the phase where the duo's reading and writing skills are taking off. That means anything and everything becomes a book-worthy prospect.

If they study flowers at school, we suddenly have books written about different types of flowers. Grace saw an eagle in flight this past weekend, and they have now written books about both eagles and birdwatching.  Gracie even wanted to add a bird whistle to her Christmas list until we told her there were apps she could use in lieu of an actual whistle. Whew. She was relieved not to use one of her toy requests for a necessity like a birdwatching tool.

William George, on the other hand, continues to specialize in demolition, although he will request a pen and paper to "do his homework" and trace your hand. Were you to visit, he would quickly say, "Put you hand down," as he taps his paper.

The trio work really well together until George attempts to add his own writings to their hand-crafted books, as the duo are not big on collaboration.  They prefer to work alone.

Enumerated Update

Happy Monday, friends.  (Note the lack of exclamation point.) We have had a long weekend, and the time change has kind of thrown us.  Although we were promised an extra hour, that type of thing never works out, meaning I stayed up late reading and then was really not surprised to hear the duo's feet hit the floor at 6:36am Sunday morning. 

Also, we had a major life fail Sunday afternoon at approximately 5:00pm. We have wonderful neighbors, and we recently caught up with them. They mentioned stopping by sometime, and we gave her my mobile number.  So yesterday after the duo had gotten out ALL of the arts and craft supplies and strewn them all over the kitchen and after George had gotten out all of his toys in the keeping room and after many of the toys spilled into the family room... basically after an explosion of toys and art supplies happened in the downstairs area, there was a knock at the door... So that happened. 

Other than that, here's where we are:

1) Personality Test: These tests always get me, and the test matching your personality to a state is no different.  This test was particularly interesting because it's the first time I haven't scored "off the charts" as an introvert.  Also, the test says I'm not as forgiving as I would have thought.  Huh.  In sum, my personality is that of a Coloradoan, although I'm still not sure what that means. 

Do you take these types of tests, or do they seem a little hippy-dippy-do to you?

2) The Beatles: This weekend we were listening to iTunes radio, and the Abbey Road album cover was on the screen. Lauren was looking at it, and when she asked about the group, Skip told her The Beatles are my favorite band.  I'm always hesitant to name an absolute favorite, but yes, I told her, "They are probably my favorite. They're the best." (Specifically, in order of favorites: John (of course), George, Ringo and..... as a distant fourth.... Paul.)  I'm not one of those fans who questioned their live abilities, having read some biographic material about them early on. They honed their craft as a live band, and the studio was simply secondary. In fact, their studio recordings are some lowest quality ever made so I'm not sure to what critics were referring when they claimed they employed studio trickery to capture their sound. This recent article supports their skill as a live act. 

3) Ray Bradbury: We all know Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 was written in 9 days, but I didn't know it was written in the basement of the Lawrence Clark Powell Library at UCLA.  He heard typing sounds coming from the basement, went downstairs, and found machines that could be rented for $.10 per half hour. 

As the LA Times explains:

So he went to the bank and returned with a bag of dimes. He plugged a dime into the machine, typed fast for 30 minutes, and then dropped another. When he took breaks, he went upstairs to the library, soaking in a book-loving ambiance he was making forbidden in the fiction he was writing below. He took books off the shelves, finding quotes, then ran downstairs to write some more.  Nine days -- and $9.80 in dimes later -- he'd written "Fahrenheit 451."

4) Cast Iron: We love cooking with cast iron, but are always perplexed by the clean up process.  Here's how to do it properly (via DesignSponge):



5) New York subway sign experiment: "In New York City, subway conductors have to point at a black and white sign. At every hour of the day. At every stop. They do this to show that they've fully arrived on the platform. We decided to show our appreciation for their work." —Yosef Lerner."


6) PSA: Finally, as a public service announcement, Nordstrom's semi-annual sale starts November 6th. 

That's what is happening with us. What is going on with you on this beatific fall day?

All Hallows' Eve

We hope you had a wonderful Halloween, either trick-or-treating with family, going to parties, passing out candy to visitors or just relaxing and enjoying a night at home. Rain threatened to dampen (sorry) most of our Halloween plans, but social media evidences that we all persevered.  And for those who curled up at home? The rain probably made that experience seem even cozier.

As for us, our Plan A was to trick-or-treat the neighborhood.  Plan B, in the event of rain, was to attend our church's trunk-or-treat festivities which were being moved indoors due to the weather.  We love our church's Halloween activities, and so does the rest of the community.  Our church routinely has 3,000+ visitors for its Harvest Hoedown, making it a huge success.  William George, however, is not keen on the bounce house experience, particularly with 3,000 of his closest friends.   Also, we like to kick it old school.  Here's how the past few days went down:

 

Our Halloween 2013 featured Lalaloopsy (Grace), Snoopy (George, although not shown above) and Hello Kitty (Lauren).

Grace's costume might have been my favorite for her so far since it truly suited her personality. 

And this might have been Lauren's favorite as well.  She was really channeling some Hello Kitty. 

Aunt Melinda's church had a carnival Wednesday night and because we had a prior commitment at our church, we were unable to attend.  The duo talked Grammie into taking them (thanks, Grammie!), and they had a blast.  Yesterday, William George had his first school party. He was assigned a yellow shirt and was given a yellow monkey hat to wear, although he immediately discarded the hat.

Last night, of course, was the big trick-or-treat.  Everyone suited up, and we managed to get a quick photo or two before George refused to wear the Snoopy hat.  Who could blame him, really, what with the warm Halloween weather and high humidity. 

Funny story... William George's Snoopy costume was ordered months ago, but when the time came to locate the costume yesterday, it was nowhere to be found. It had been stashed in my closet for safekeeping, but could not be located.  Y'all know how I feel about losing things. After tearing my closet, George's closet and the playroom apart, Skip finally located the package in my closet behind a box. I tend to come unhinged when something is missing and yesterday was no different.  It wasn't pretty.

During my panic, Skip suggesting putting a football shirt on him and having him go as a football player. Huge props to him for trying to calmly address the situation and all, but how could a football player possibly compare with Snoopy?

Lauren detests chocolate. We have never understood it, but she will not eat chocolate. Therefore, we have to get really creative at Halloween. Gran put a smile on her face with Golden Oreos, while Grammie came through with Rice Krispy Treats. 

Gracie gladly falls on the chocolate grenade, coordinating trades for any chocolate Lauren rejects. 

We were able to have a quick trick-or-treat session in the neighborhood before the rain arrived. Fun surprises of the night included a school friend who stopped by and being rescued from the rain by our neighbor. 

How was your Halloween?

Meatloaf, CrockPot Edition

 

For William George, meatloaf is probably his absolute favorite. The duo have always loved meatloaf, and "meafloaf" was one of the first foods they embraced.  Of course, because they went through an anti-vegetable phase, we deployed this recipe that included carrots.  Instead of sneakiness, we dangle after-dinner treats over their heads now, and that leverage is highly effective.

About a year ago a crock pot recipe for meatloaf made its way into our routine, and it is truly a game-changer.  Even if you have lukewarm feelings for meatloaf (raises hand), this is a recipe you will embrace.

Here goes:

Meatloaf

Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup ketchup, divided
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Directions

1) Combine first six ingredients, 1/2 cup ketchup and 1/4 cup water; shape mixture into an 8- x 4-inch loaf. Line bottom and sides of a 4-quart, oval-shaped slow cooker with aluminum foil, allowing 2 inches to extend over sides. Lightly grease foil. Place foil in slow cooker.

2) Stir together brown sugar, mustard, and remaining 1/2 cup ketchup; spread over the top of loaf. Cover and cook on LOW 5-6 hours or until a meat thermometer registers 160 degrees. Lift loaf from slow cooker, using foil sides as handles. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Simple, yet perfect, and your family will love you for it.

Gratis

So last year the duo were transfixed by the concepts of the lunch room and library. They enjoyed the freedom of going through the lunch line as if they were going through a buffet at Golden Corral.  They LOVED it and insisted on buying their lunches most days.  They were equally fascinated with the library, likening their weekly "shop" of the books to going to Barnes and Noble. 

As time wore on, they were less enamored by both experiences.  This year they are back on the boxed lunch bandwagon, and we couldn't be happier.  The lunch room does a wonderful job, but we prefer that they eat a hot lunch from home.  Also, they have about 18 minutes to eat, and going through a line shaves off a good 4-5 minutes of that time. 

Luckily, the mystique of the library is still strong. 

So we have only eaten lunch at school approximately six times or so this year.  However, the duo mentioned last week that they have a new bottled water option that they have been enjoying daily instead of milk.  Suspecting that the water might be more costly than milk (it is $.70 more), I thought perhaps I should log into their lunch accounts to check their balances.  Also, there is an option to view meal history, and I would use that to verify the cost of the water. 

To back up a little, there was an extra form to be completed this year at meet-the-teacher (MTP).  Our MTP also allows the opportunity to pay fees, order field trip shirts and annuals, but this year there was an extra form or two.  One of the forms was somewhat controversial because there was a request for salary information.  Having worked in a capacity where I sometimes had to ask unpleasant or potentially inflammatory questions, I empathized with the messengers asking the questions.  This was an obviously ill-thought-out plan from higher-ups who did not consider the face-to-face ramifications of asking people their annual income in an elementary school lunch room (read: a crowded room). The reception was not good, and to be truthful we did not appreciate the intrusion either. 

Skip, normally the more calm of the two of us, immediately pushed back. "Are we financing a home here?" "There is no way I'm providing this information." On and on.  Finally, we agreed to just "put something down" and leave it at that.  We went with a conservative figure.  Given that we have made a decision to live as honestly as possibly, to intentionally be truthful in all situations, we were displeased with the form. To tell a "white lie" on such a ridiculous form was vexing.  I prefer to save all of my white lies for when I am asked my age.  Or weight.  Or whether or not I color my hair.

Anyrate, when I was checking the online tool to verify the duo's school lunchroom balances, the balance seemed higher than anticipated. I clicked for more detail and verified that the flavored waters they have been enjoying are $1.00.  I also noted that the one day they purchased lunch in October had a $0.00 charge. Then I noticed that the other five lunch purchases were also $0.00.  When I contacted the lunch room, the issue was explained. There is a $0.00 charge because the duo are participating in the free lunch program. 

How I would love to be able to have an audio clip of a record player needle scratching loudly across a record here.  VVVVRRRRRPPPPP!

Of course, I thought about that wretched form and that I probably -- in my haste to turn the form in before Skip's ranting escalated -- checked the wrong frequency (weekly/monthly/annually).  I certainly wasn't that conservative. As quickly as the form flitted through my mind, I immediately dismissed it because surely there would be more to the application process than a hastily completed form? Surely our state already has all of our information and could quickly compare data to confirm/verify income? Or, at the least, income verification would be required (i.e., a W2)?  But no, when our form was fed into the machine, the scanner cut off some of the digits on the salary information, leaving a number that qualified the duo for the free lunch benefit.  Basically, the computer read the form incorrectly, and thus we began receiving the free lunch benefit.

Well played, God. We get it; white lies count, too.

So we have cleared up the situation and have paid for the lunches the girls had "on the house".  We are just grateful they were never aware of the matter or else they would have been treating their friends to ice cream on a daily basis.


Disclaimer: Providing nutritional assistance to children is a program we support. While the tone of this post is light, we absolutely want to see each and every child whose situation qualifies him or her with lunch assistance enjoy a meal at school, either free of charge or at a discount. I want to be really clear that helping a family in need feed their children lunch is no laughing matter.  

Gracie's Milestones: Tooth Fairy

With as many losses as Grace has had, you might think the Tooth Fairy excitement would diminish. That is definitely not the case.  Grace was VERY excited about the recent loss of another tooth.  

And when you're the twin who didn't lose a tooth, the bitter sting of not being at the center of attention is still just as harsh the sixth time around.  

The contrast of these two expressions is why the Tooth Fairy leaves something for everyone.  It's even more pitiful in person. 

The duo still aren't crazy about the idea of the Tooth Fairy traipsing into their rooms at night.  Even though she is a fairy (and that may as well be royalty), they need their boundaries.  Instead, they leave a pillow on the table.  

The beauty of the three envelopes.  

William George is not even remotely interested in this process but is included anyway for good measure.  

As for Lauren's sad countenance? She was cheered by a note from the Tooth Fairy, and then reported this week that her front tooth is loose.  

She's back in the game.

George the Gymnast

William George continues to display interest, if not aptitude, in gymnastics. Below are a couple of couch-vaulting routines he has been perfecting. Before we examine his form, please accept my apologies for the fuzzy photography. He completes the sequences so fast that "sport mode" must be deployed on the camera.

 

Anyrate.  Let's get to it, shall we?

 

Here he is with good alignment, head up with only the slightest of balance checks. 

Good squat, deep knee bend. 

Wow! Look at that burst of power!  Excellent height!

Good solid landing, with only a minor deduction for taking a knee.  He seems pleased with his performance. 

He's ready to take another crack at the sofa. 

He seems confident...

...but focused.  Very determined. 

With feet firmly planted, he takes a powerful knee dip...

...and look at that EXPLOSION of power! 

Fantastic height!  Good form!  Perfect execution!

HE STICKS THE LANDING!!!

The crowd goes WILLLLDDDD!!!!

And he takes the podium to receive the gold medal. 

(We have no chance of discouraging him from jumping on the furniture and our constant narration of his performances probably does not help.)

Happy Birthday, Skip!

Today is Skip's birthday. In honor of Skip's 40-something birthday, here are 40 fun facts about Skip:

1) Skip is left handed.

2) He originally hales from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

3) Like all Virginians, he declares the Old Dominion to be both God's country and the greatest state in the union.

4) His favorite childhood activity was riding his bike, and there are stories about him wearing bicycles out.

5) Skip's main sports were basketball and tennis.

6) He owned his first pair of blue jeans in 2006, having dismissed them during his youth.

7) Skip is extremely conscientious. When we have guests over, he learns their favorite drink, foods and condiments and makes sure those things are available.

8) The above is particularly remarkable because his memory? Not the best. Instead, he is intentionally attentive.

9) He is a fantastic conversationalist. Put him in the Deep South, New York City, Los Angeles or Hong Kong, and he will strike up conversations and make friends.

10) On a related note, people tell him everything. (He is also respectful and discreet.)

11) Also related, people LOVE working with Skip. Friends and co-workers are genuinely saddened when he leaves an organization.

12) Speaking of, Skip and I first met at work in 1998.

13) Skip is an airplane talker and always returns from trips with business cards obtained during his travels.

14) Skip was a history major and has a deep appreciation for politics.

15) His spirituality and religious beliefs are important to him, and he deeply respects and appreciates the beliefs of others.

16) He is verrrryyy careful with money and rarely makes purchases.

17) Skip has really good taste. If/when he buys something, he only buys things of the best quality.

18) Related to #'s 16 and 17, he has been known to return merchandise that is inferior or substandard, preferring to do without than have something that "isn't right".

19) He truly seeks to appreciate the best in others.

20) He is always genuinely happy about the successes of others.

21) In fact, he has the most anti-zero-sum mentality of anyone I have ever met.

22) He disdains schadenfreude.

23) He is honest to the core, and therefore, is very self-aware.

24) Skip has moved 30+ times. Accordingly, he is anti-clutter and very organized.

25) Skip's favorite band is probably REM, but he also has an impressive collection of R&B.

26) Listening to music is one of his biggest indulgences.

27) Skip laughed joyously when the sonogram technician told us we were having twin girls.

28) He laughed the same joyous laugh when we were told we were having a boy.

29) Skip is an avid reader.

30) Although hyper-literate, he appreciates the comedic merits of Anchorman and Napoleon Dynamite.

31) Skip makes breakfast for our family every morning, often offering to make everyone her/his favorite.

32) He sets a whole new standard for hands-on fathers.

33) Whenever we are on vacation, he always makes a spaghetti dinner the first night we arrive, thereby making the accommodation feel like home.

34) He is a time management savant. He knows the precise time - always.

35) Skip is hyper-productive and prolific. He simply gets work done quickly and with military-like precision.

36) He makes people feel good about themselves and never engages in humor that does the opposite (i.e., no "put down" humor ever).

37) Related, he is incredibly empathetic and has a high emotional IQ.

38) Everyone says he is funny. And he is, just not in the way most people think. He is gregarious, observant and very witty. There is a depth to his humor that sometimes goes unnoticed.

39) He is the best husband and father. When I was on bed rest with the duo, he cooked dinner each night, ran errands and basically ran a one-man-show for 8 weeks.

40) Skip is a person of great integrity. If he says he is going to do something, he does it - no matter what.

Happy birthday, Skip! We love you way more than you know.

Enumerated Update

Happy Tuesday, friends.  Several projects were in the works last week that left this space neglected.  Here's the short list of where we are:

1) Out of Stock: Lamenting the discontinuation of a favorite lipstick is tough. However, finding out your agenda refill is sold out and permanently out of stock in mid-October is especially unsettling.  Since this planner has been my sanity for the past seven years, there was no alternative but to start 1) a  phone campaign to stationers and 2) an exhaustive Internet search to track down a refill.  Fingers crossed, one may be on its way from an obscure paper maker in New Jersey. 

2) Archaic: On a related note, electronic planners have failed me time and time again.  The iOS7 version is especially...not good.  I could go through an entire pro/con list of the iOS7, but will succinctly just say I doubt seriously Jobs would have given it the green light.  In his biography, Jobs is quoted as saying of his youngest (and most precocious) child, "She's the one who will be running Apple someday."  I'm ready to give her a shot.  Don't get me wrong... it's still the superior product, but it's clunkier and less "clean" than previous versions.

3) Gracie Fairness Doctrine: A common refrain at our house is: That's not FAIR! If only we received a dollar every time that statement is spoken.  Gracie, especially, has created a sliding scale of fairness.  Details will be kept confidential out of respect for her privacy, but she could have a wonderful future in politics. 

4) Related: Speaking of politics, we have managed to become involved in an upcoming voting issue.  Our role is very, very minor, but being involved in a door-to-door campaign is sending this extreme introvert into shock.  Granted, I'm never at a loss of words (either here or in person), but knocking on doors to discuss an issue with members of the community is a big step out of my comfort zone.

And that is truly it.  We are hoping to get back on track this week.  What is happening with you?

Enumerated Update

Hello, friends... Updates are a little light this week due to a couple of volunteer commitments, one of which includes working at the duo's school for......book fair.  Basically, I will be in my happy place for several hours this week, surrounded by shiny new books. 

Otherwise, this is what is on our minds:

1)  Ikea Hacks: Ikea tends to elicit a strong response from consumers. Most people either love it or hate it.  We have picked up a couple of items from Ikea over the years, and while I wouldn't necessarily look to Ikea for substantial furniture, we will at least consider Ikea as a source for potential purchases.  Skip's desk, the now discontinued Ikea Jerker (with accessories), has had heavy use now for over ten years and seems indestructible.  There was a teen version of the desk that I had hoped to obtain for the trio and had even envisioned an Apple-inspired study space around those desks.  A Facebook page to save the Jerker (pronounced "Yerker") failed to save this line of desks. Anyrate, we selectively love Ikea, and the free child care while shopping doesn't hurt either. 

A new reason to like Ikea? The proliferation of ideas from Ikea hacks.  My favorite so far is the stool-turned-bicycle found here.

2)  Halloween:  One-third of the trio have decided on the Halloween costume question.  For the remaining two, I like the fashion icon ideas from Oh Happy Day, Part 1 and Part 2.  I would love to pull off an Anna Wintour (Lauren), Grace Coddington (Gracie) and Andre Leon Talley (George). 

3) Kid Mode: William George has had his own iTouch (my old iPhone 3GS) for about a year. He loves the device and enjoys watching videos and using various apps.  Unfortunately, he touches the screen while watching videos, creating all types of havoc, and then OH MY WORD at the anger and frustration he displays. He immediately throws the device, and although old, it's still an iPhone. We would prefer that he use better care. 

Kid Mode for the iPhone is the perfect solution. We are immediately enabling this functionality for all of our devices. 

4) Lists:  My favorite thing about the book fair is when the children have lists from their parents.  LISTS!  What is better than a list?

That's it for us.  What is happening with you? 

Seventh Birthdays

On October 3rd, Lauren and Grace turned seven.  Since the 3rd fell on a Thursday, we had a miniature celebration with Skip and I joining them for lunch at school followed by a spaghetti supper and concluding with cupcakes. 

Thursday being a school night really limited our celebration, and the following morning Gracie asked, "Is my birthday over?"  On the contrary, we assured her that "birthday weekend" had not even started, and that we would be celebrating all weekend long.  Woot!

They returned from school to a balloon arch across the front porch and a fully decorated house (top photo).  As a special treat, Skip picked them up from school, and he reported that they started screaming as soon as they drove down the street.

Although we have celebrated all of their past birthdays "off site," we decided to have this year's party at home.  We knew doing so would be more work, but what we didn't know is how much more fun the party would be. 

The bounce house arrived Saturday morning, and the duo conducted many test bounces to make sure their friends would like it. 

While they were bouncing, we set up the tables, chairs, etc.  (Remember, this is not a design blog so grade on a curve, please.)

Besides, the star of decorations was the birthday cake bounce house.  The trio were astounded that this inflatable was in our back yard. They watched the guys set it up, and they climbed in and out of it countless times.  George's bedroom had the best view of it, and he has looked out of his window all week, saying, "Bounce house ALL gone." 

The only thing more important than the bounce house are good friends.  The duo had sweet friends who came to help them celebrate. They were so sweet and so much fun!  (Normally I wouldn't post a photo of our guests, but their friends are either in the bounce house or are looking away in this photo! :)

This year the duo had very specific cake requests. Lauren opted for coconut cake, and Gracie wanted chocolate cheesecake from Ruth's Chris (after having the dessert at her grandparents' 50th anniversary luncheon).  Since the latter was cost prohibitive (When I inquired about ordering one, the hostess was not sure of the price... she only knew it was "outrageous"), Gracie opted for chocolate on chocolate.  When we have a cake consensus, we have one large, shared cake, and when they choose different cakes, we have two. 

And when the cakes requests are so specialized, we pick up a third cake to be on the safe side.  On the plus side, William George was able to blow out candles during the birthday song. 

The duo were so excited to have their friends over to celebrate. As everyone left, they stayed in the bounce house until the crew returned to retrieve the inflatable.  William George, on the other hand, was confused by the crowd and was a little thrown for the rest of the night. 

 

After church on Sunday, we took the trio out for a special birthday lunch -- to Ruth's Chris, where Gracie got to have her dessert of choice, along with a rendition of "Happy Birthday". 

Lauren and William George opted for vanilla ice cream. 

Afterward, we admired the koi and tossed pennies into the wishing well.  George may have tried to join the fish. 

All in all, the duo had a wonderful birthday weekend.  Happy 7th birthday!

 

 

 

For our quick reference:

 

1st Birthdays (pre-blog)

2nd Birthdays (here and here)

3rd Birthdays (here)

4th Birthdays (here)

5th Birthdays (here, here and here)

6th Birthdays (here, here and here)

 

(How did the list become so long?)