Wednesday, January 30, 2008

'Kinz Kraze




You haven't lived until you've seen Webkinz.  These very cute stuffed critters are a few more dollars than Beanie Babies, but they come with a secret code to their own website and offer endless fun.  (I know, I should work for them.)

Each animal gets its own room, so once you have an account, you keep adding rooms to your "house".  You can clothe them, feed them, accessorize them, decorate their rooms, read virtual books with them, take them to the arcade (oh, so many fun games!), send them to school...you name it!  My sister-in-law has said that Facebook is "gaming for girls", but I'm here to say, THIS is gaming for girls at its finest!

Check out Ben's tiger riding around in his little Chevy, and sleeping in his racecar bed.  (Of course, there's also the cat with the baseball room, the dog with the beach room...you get the picture.) Well, if you'll excuse me, I've got some (ahemmm) work to do before the kids get home.

P.S. It took a mom with little kids (way to go Lainey!) to answer the question of what had Ben and Bethany so preoccupied that I could snap all those cute pictures in the last post. She recognized the "Webkinz stares" right away!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

A Study in Delight


If you asked me who my kids resembled, I would tell you different sides of the family for each. But the reality is, they look like each other.  Their expressions, the way they turn their heads, hold their mouths, the way their eyes light up.  It forever amazes me.  And then I always laugh thinking about it because of the way Ben describes it in this post from last year.  

Now here's a challenge for YOU...guess what they were doing while I was having this snap fest. Click on the photo to get a closer look.

NEW HINT:  Notice the furry clues in the photos.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

New Things




Last night we went to the mall to walk. There was a game the kids wanted to play after we were done, and it just happened to be right outside a kids' clothing store that has great clearance sales. I took each of the kids in for a turn to shop for some clothes. It was the fashion statement I'd managed to avoid for more than eight years. Camouflage. They both chose it, each independent of the other. What's a mom to do?



Earlier in the day I had taken them to shop with their Toys "R" Us gift cards. Bethany picked out an electric guitar with two microphones. So today the "Wildcat Band" spent the day rehearsing for their first concert. Good thing they had chosen matching costumes.


So now I'm laughing at myself for wondering if there would be anything new to add to my blog in 2008. :-) Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!


We've had a wonderful Christmas season--click on the play arrow to enjoy the highlight video! We wish you all of God's blessings in the new year.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

On the eighth day of Christmas...


We love to take Christmas light drives in December, and didn't get to it until last night. We went to some new places and hit the jackpot--TONS of really nice lights! Bethany provided the running light commentary. "They're ready!"... "They get a lump of coal!" This house is my personal favorite, thanks to my husband who is not only industrious, but also is not afraid of heights. We're ready!

The kids wanted to sing the 12 days of Christmas while we were driving around. They couldn't remember all of the words. Lee would prompt them a little, and when we got to the 8th day, he said, "eight maids a ...." to which Ben said, "uh...dusting?" So from now on around our house, it's eight maids a dusting. I hope they get here soon.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Joy!


We had such a fun day of celebration last Sunday. Our family all sang in the Christmas musical at church both Saturday and Sunday. Since we were all dressed up, I hoped we would go someplace nice for lunch afterwards. It just happened that the kids were dying to visit with their friend from children's choir, and that her family was going to brunch at a lovely French restaurant. I'm not sure which was more beautiful, the musical or the brunch. Wow!!
"Love was born on Christmas morn
Precious Jesus, God's own son
Sent to earth from God's own heart
Jesus, perfect, holy one
Grace and mercy, joy and peace
Wrapped in love upon the hay
The passion of God's heart for man
Jesus Christ has come to save
Love came down on Christmas day."

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Let it snow!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...and the kids took advantage of it the other day.  They had their friends over to build this fort, which has quite the amazing little labrynth inside.  Just another reminder of how they are growing up!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thankful

What would Thanksgiving be without a handprint turkey and a construction paper turkey?  This year five (5) handprint turkeys graced our kitchen, but we did not receive the variety where each feather has something we're thankful for.  The kids went crazy writing when I mentioned the idea of MAYBE listing the things we're thankful for.  So Lee and I got on it too. Let's just say we stopped before we were really done. Lord, you have been good to us!  Thank you so much.