Compliment Fail

One of the best gifts a Mom has is the ability to hear the sincerity of a young child's heart despite whatever happens to come out of their precious mouths.  Like at supper tonight, when Sam so sweetly said "Mom, if God didn't make me to have taste buds then I would like everything you make!".

Tact... we're gonna work on that... soon.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Great Grandma Carlaw's Stay Up Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 c. pecans
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugar well then add egg and vanilla.  Blend flour, baking soda, salt and cornstarch and add to creamed mixture.  Add pecans and chips.  Drop by teaspoon full onto baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes.

*You should probably double the recipe since 3 out of 3 kids give them two big thumbs up!!

Christmas 2012

New PJs from Papa and Gramma on Christmas Eve (Sorry Papa and Grandma, despite our best efforts we could not get Luke to stay in the picture! - as you know he isn't good at standing still and we decided it wasn't worth losing our Christmas joy over one picture!  Keep Scrolling down to see him in his jammies.)

 Everything is ready for Christmas morning!

 Stockings first.

 Then on to the presents.

 More presents at Gramma and Grampa's house.

 Ezy-Rollers!  Just what they wanted!!

Between all the presents we ate, played games, did puzzles, chated with our Enderby family on the phone and got food ready for Christmas dinner.  It was a nice relaxing day.  Hope you all had a great Christmas too!

How to Celebrate an Awesome Daddy

Step 1.  Ask the Birthday Boy if he wants a big party with friends or a quiet party with family.

Step 2.  If he says "quiet party with family"... enlist the help of three kids who are great at keeping secrets.

Step 3.  Come up with an intriguing code name like... hmmm... "Daddy's Birthday Extravaganza".

Step 4.  On the day of the party blindfold the Birthday Boy and drive to a restaurant for supper.  (Please note:  This is not really a fun step if the Birthday Boy happens to be a truck driver and somehow knows exactly where you are at all times despite the driver taking the most random, zig zaggy route possible.)

Step 5:  At supper have pity on the Birthday Boy and hand him the keys to a hotel room instead of making him wear the blindfold again.

Step 6:  Open Presents.

 Step 7:  Eat cupcakes.

 Step 8:  Work off the cupcake calories by going for a swim

 OR by spending some time on the treadmill...

 OR... forget about the calories and just relax in the hot tub... they were just mini cupcakes afterall!

Step 9:  DO NOT let people under 3 feet stay up past their bedtime.

Step 10:  Spend two hours trying to get over-tired baby to sleep.

Step 11:  Sleep.

Step 12:  Enjoy a complimentary breakfast.

 Step 13:  Enjoy one last swim before going home.

 Happy Birthday Jeremy!!!  We Love you!!

December Thus Far...

It has been a long while since I've updated on here, but we have been BUSY!!! 
With what you ask?....
Well...

There has been two school performances (A Christmas Carol)...

 Tree decorating...

 Maarti's Preschool skating party...

 Lots of baking...

 Lots of sampling of baking...

 One ballet recital...

 Two Sunday School concerts...

 And practicing to keep a Santa Hat on...

So you see... we have been busy!!!

Smarty Maarti

Maarti:  Mom, I know one word in French!

Me:  Really?!  Which one?

Maarti:  Hola!

A Little Christmas Cheer

Maarti:  Mom, I have another Christmas song for you.

Me:  Lets hear it!

Maarti:  Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way... (long pause, accompanied by a blank look)

Me:  Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!

Maarti:  Mom.  How did you know that?  Did you go to my same preschool when you were a girl?