Christmas 2010 (part 3 of 3)

December started out with us needing a new tree. Ms. Stumpy had decided at some time that she might like to chew some of the wires on the tree so not all of the tree would light up anymore. We thought about fixing it, but decided it wasn't worth the fire risk. We instead bought this tree for $35. The nicest things about it is that it fits in the dining room. We didn't have to completely rearrange the living room this year and feel super cramped. The tree would only hold about 1/4 of our ornaments, but the kids didn't mind at all.

Athena made this gorgeous pot for us in Art class at school. It's for dog treats of course. The lid has Buster on it as the handle.

Here's our family photo in front of Tom and Teresa's tree before the festivities with all of the family begins:

The kids opening up presents from Santa. Carter woke us up at 6:30 am stating, "DAD! Santa came." "How do you know?" "Mom doesn't have paper with Ho Ho Ho on it!!!"

Opening up Felicity - her one big must have gift.....

Church had a kids choir this year. Carter wore his gingerbread hat (makes him look like a gangster). Even though it was 10 am in the morning, he yawned, rubbed his eyes and spent most of the 15 minutes on stage doing anything but singing. He'd pull his hat down over his eyes; push it up so he could look at the lights; turn around to look at everyone else; and clap out of beat.

Athena is behind him but you can't really see her. She is poised and professional, of course. She also was one in four kids to get to read a verse in between songs. She was perfect!

Christmas 2010 (part 2 of 3)

December is of course, Carter's birthday month. I love this photo of him. You can just see the little devil coming out in his smile and eyes.

Carter's birthday party this year was a swim party at the local Jewish Health Club. It was fantastic! He had some of his friends from school and otherwise come and even though it was snowing outside, it was warm and wet inside.

Right before Christmas, Carter lost his first tooth. It had been loose for weeks. He had panicked a bit when he discovered a loose tooth and it was just starting to get really wobbly on 12/21. Well, he would have none of it. The tooth really wasn't ready, but he insisted he couldn't eat and he couldn't close his mouth again until that tooth was OUT!

We tried to pull it out with our fingers. No good. I got a pair of pliers. No good. We watched some how to videos on YouTube and decided to go with dental floss. I'd never done this before so wasn't really sure of what I was doing. We did it in the 1/2 bath off the kitchen. Darn if that tooth didn't pop out - ping around the room about 6 times - and then fall right into the vent in the floor. Gone. Lucky for us, the tooth fairy was ok with a note and not the actual tooth. Carter said next time we need to close the vent, shut the lid on the toilet and block the drain in the sink. Smart kid. :~)

(post 2 of 3)

Christmas 2010 (part 1 of 3)

Christmas this year was the best eveh! or so it will be in our eyes.

Everyone was well (except for a few minor sniffles) after spending the last few weeks fighting stomach bugs and bad colds.

Everyone got exactly what we wanted for Christmas and then some.

We started a new tradition.

But first, a quick review of the past 4 or 5 months......

At the end of July we took a very quick road trip to Chicago and the American Girl Doll store. Athena earned the trip due to all of her hard work in 2nd Grade. We paid for the trip and a lunch at the AGD store; while Athena was responsible for buying things from the store.

Needless to say, we had a great time! We stayed in

an absolute dive on South Lakeshore Drive in Hyde Park. The location was perfect but the hotel was very seedy. The nicest thing was the free parking and the free breakfast. We took the bus into the city each day (we were only there two days). The kids absolutely loved taking the bus. As were weren't there long, we didn't do to much other than go to the AG store and eat Chicago style pizza. Right before we left to come home, we went to the Navy Pier. It was fun, but really not a place we'd go back to as it was so commercial. We'd like to plan another trip to the Windy City so that we can hit the Museums. (photos are from my phone so might be a bit grainy or distorted.)

Then there was back to school in late August. Carter started Kindergarten and Athena entered into the 3rd Grade. Carter did NOT want to start school. He told me that I couldn't make him go to school. Well, I did and he now loves it. Both are excelling and growing. It's lovely to watch.

Post two to follow......

Hilton Head Summer 2010

In June we took a trip to Hilton Head with our good friends and neighbors - Susan, Max and Zoe. We rented a four bedroom house about 1 block from the beach. We had the absolute best time. I think one of the nicest things was that each child had a good friend with them - I don't remember hearing "Mom, I'm bored" one time the entire week.

There are so many photos, way too many to try to upload onto here, so here's a link:

2010-07-07-1405-29 - Karen - Picasa Web Albums

I put these in a locked album. Hopefully, if I know you look/read this blog, I already added you to the "approved" list of viewers for the album. If you can't see the photos and want to, please let me know.

Another school year ends

Summer Vacation is here. Both kids ended the 2009/2010 school year on a spectacular note.

Carter is now reading, counting to well past 100, adding, subtracting and loads of other stuff. More importantly, he now enjoys doing his school work. His teacher was Noran Patterson this year and she was FABULOUS!!! I was afraid she would be easily pushed around by little man, but she proved me wrong (thankfully!). He is more than ready for Kindergarten this August.

Athena tested into the gifted program for 3rd Grade for everything but Math. She was five points off from getting into advanced Math, but it wasn't meant to be. She says that Math is not her favorite subject, but except for speed, she is really clever and good at it. Her biggest achievement in her mind and mine was her passing her Addition and Subtraction Math Facts the last week of school. She DID IT! and we are all so super proud of her! She really really struggled with this all school year and for her to get this done was phenomenal.

Besides ballet, she sang a solo in the BAE Variety Show. She sang Do-Re-Mi and she was fantastic. I was so proud of her.

So summer is here - swimming lessons, games, playing, crafts and a general break from the every day is heading our way. Oh, and did I say VACATION???? Heading to Hilton Head this month. I. can. not. wait. and neither can the kids. Stay tuned for photos. I promise to be a better poster on her this summer.

Athena's Ballet Recital for 2010

Here's videos from Athena's 2010 ballet recital. She did such a wonderful job! Of course, the one video with her individual dance with Zoe is too long to post on here. I'm going to have to put it on youtube and will send you the link.

March, April and May???

Sorry family. I have been quite remiss. Here's photos of our visit from Aunt Lizzie and Uncle James. We had so much fun!! (well, when someone or another wasn't throwing up). Outside photos were taken at Clifty Falls in Madison, IN.