Penny for your thoughts...

Nanny has been saving pennies for the kids ... and you better believe we're going to start doing the same. When she gave them this bag of coins earlier today, they kept themselves busy for AT LEAST 15 minutes putting all of the money in their big "bottle bank." And Nanny helped stretch it out even more by dropping the whole bank and all of its contents ... so they had to clean those up too! I say, what a great activity ... cleaning up, education about money and QUIET KIDS! I'm breaking out my wallet the next time I need a few moments to myself. NOTE: This is the same bank Mom's friends started for Abby at my baby shower back in 2003 ... and it's almost full! Unfortunately, Nanny tipped the kids off to an I.O.U. in the bank - from Mommy to Abby (probably from several years ago) for $5. I guess I'll pay up ... although I think THEY owe ME a few pennies for my thoughts. Thinking is so overrated!

A Visit from "Auntie" Claus

Abby and Tyler were in for a treat this weekend when "Auntie Claus" (or Auntie Jenn as she is known by others) visited for dinner and a holiday gift exchange. We had a measly offering for Jenn (Abby's Godmother) but the kids made out like bandits! Abby loves her Littlest Pet Shop Pets from Around the World, and Tyler has been obsessed with his Thomas the Train "pig shed" for days. I just hope Santa can find some Thomas track to bring on Christmas, because his trains are just dying to go somewhere other than around the house in our play shopping cart! Of course, Jenn always brings wonderful books (and she reads them too!) We hope to see more of Jenn in 2008, when schedules will hopefully be less busy and we can get together more regularly for dinner or just to hang out. The kids love her ... even when she doesn't bring gifts!

Hot Doughnuts Now!

Sunday morning after church the kids and I dropped by one of Tallahassee's finer dining establishments for a special treat: doughnuts! Hard to say what Abby and Tyler enjoy more: eating the doughnuts, or watching them being made. Visitors to Krispy Kreme can view the entire production line process from up-close thanks to the large windows . There's nothing as fascinating as hundreds of hot, sugar-glazed doughnuts parading by on a conveyor belt when you're under the age of five. (Okay, I think it's cool too.) After the show, we moved on to the front counter to order. We all picked the same thing: a chocolate doughnut with Christmas colored sprinkles. And of course, we shared an ice-cold glass of milk to wash it down. I think Homer Simpson speaks for the three of us: "Mmm... doughnuts."

--Dennis

Tyler: The Prayer Police

Since starting at Advent this fall, Tyler has been on "prayer patrol!" He keeps us on track with the blessing ... usually not letting us start the meal until he leads us in saying "God!" The actual prayer is a few lines lines long, all of which he tries to say (although we recently learned he has been saying "careful" instead of "thankful.") The funniest part of this whole thing is not how cute he and Abby looking saying this prayer, or how diligent they are - doing it at every meal (in or out of the house) ... but the fact that he calls us out if we're doing it wrong. If he can't see your hands, he shouts "HANDS!" and if you are praying from across the room, he will interuppt the prayer and say "Sit ... TABLE!" Several weeks ago, he would kind of pray with one eye open (or squinting) to keep an eye on things. Now, he just opens his eyes midway and does a once over to make sure everyone is in line. I guess we should be happy that our children see the value in thanking God for what we have ... and we do have so much to be thankful for (especially funny children!)

Our Daughter Speaks CHICKEN!

Those of you who have been around Abby recently know that she speaks fluent "Chicken!" Yes, that's right ... she responds to questions with "clucks" and such, retorts with "Pa-cack" when she doesn't agree with us ... and often speaks "Chickenese" (as we've dubbed it) in the middle of a story she's telling. Weird, huh? Well, I'm just curious to see if Dennis or I did anything like this while growing up? We think Abby's behavior is pretty funny NOW ... but we're hoping she grows out of this before she starts Kindergarten. I threatened to leave her at the Tallahassee Museum in the chicken coop if she didn't start speaking "4 year-old girl!"

Steeler Fans

Here's Steeler Dennis (from that same trip in late November) at the game. It was rainy, but the boys report they had a fun time! Personally, standing in the rain watching football ... after driving for 15 hours to get there (with my Dad who drives VERY fast!) does NOT sound like a party. But nobody asked me! I'm glad they enjoyed themselves. Here's a picture of all three of our Steeler fans too!

Dennis ... Decked for the Cold Weather

Dennis will KILL me for this I know! However, I thought it would be fun to post this for the enjoyment of all the friends and family members who are familiar with the need to suit up in long underwear before heading outside. This was actually taken several weeks ago, when Dennis (along with Dan and Aaron) went to the Steelers game in Pittsburgh. Dennis packed his Long Johns for the cold weather ... the pair he's probably had since high school! Looking good Babe!