Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Think of Mrs. Allie

Mrs. Allie is Anna's preschool teacher and we have been waiting the arrival of her first baby. Today when I dropped off Amelia & Anna at school another teacher from Anna's room handed me a letter. I quickly looked at it and saw... Allie had a beautiful boy... and I said, "oh Mrs. Allie had her baby", the teacher quickly, in a flat tone said... "he's sick". My heart sank, once home I read the whole letter. Dominic was born with a heart defect and within his first day he stopped breathing and had surgery. 

This really shook me up, and once again I am reminded how blessed I am to have two healthy daughters. With Thanksgiving a few days away I have so much to be thankful for... A healthy family, friends by my side, a lovely home to live in, a job to work at, food and clothing, and so much more. I know someone is watching over us, and I thank them with all my heart!

If you pray, please say one for baby Dominic.


Monday, November 24, 2008

Raking the Leaves

This is the life...
Living in Webster Groves for Brian means raking leaves every weekend. Living in Webster Groves for Anna & Amelia means playing and jumping in large piles of leaves every weekend. Luckily Anna & Amelia are into helping with chores and they love to help rake the leaves, although sometime they make a bigger mess... they do have fun. And I guess we should get all the help we can now, because I know someday this will not be the same story!


Note: I did not pose Amelia for the top shot, just caught a good one.

Friday, November 21, 2008

New Family & Friends

I had to add one more photo from our trip to England, Helen's father sent it to me and I love it, it's almost perfect. Except Anna, not wanting her photo taken pulled her hat over her face. Anyway, the Bailey family were wonderful hosts to us while in England and I look forward to this new friendship of families.

click on photo to enlarge.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

spiders, cement mixers and horses

Amelia is my sweetheart and has the artist bug inside her already. She loves to craft and color everyday. Yesterday we all made these turkeys for Thanksgiving. As soon as we were done she wanted another craft, ahhhh, it's hard to think of things to keep her busy. Notice that these turkeys have earrings, we wouldn't want a turkey without her accessories!

This morning as we left for school Amelia got all excited because the neighbor (who is adding on to their house) had a cement mixer in the driveway. Amelia told me three times... I LOVE cement mixers. Then she told me she loved spiders, cement mixers and horses. With a smile I told her that was an unusual mix. So I might have a future arachnologist, construction worker, equestrain or artist on my hands.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Dentist

I went to the dentist this morning to have a cavity redone, it was old. I hate going to the dentist, I get very tense and jumpy.

When I was in first grade we started going to a new dentist, he was known as the awesome dentist for kids, there were photos of him dresses up like superman and batman in the waiting room. My first visit he pulled two baby teeth, I was crying because it really hurt. He told me if I did not shut up I would never see my parents again... gulp, I got quiet quick. I told my Mom what he said, but I guess she did not believe me. 

Second visit (my Mom had to almost drag me into the office) he pulled another tooth, more crying from me and another threat. Then he told me I have one month to get the other teeth out. He told my Mom pulling all these baby teeth would let my permanent teeth come in straight so I would not need braces (which I did end up getting).

I think my Mom finally believed me, this guy was crazy, she refused to take me to the next visit. Dad would have to take me since it was his contact that recommend this guy. 

I wiggled those teeth all I could, but no luck... Third visit (again my Dad has to drag me in, I was crying before we even entered the office) he pulled three teeth and as I sat there crying he told me that if I did not stop he would pull more of my teeth. As we left the office, he told my Dad that all my baby teeth were pulled and I carried them home in a little white box for the tooth fairy. 

That was the last time we went went to the crazy dentist, I we found a new dentist and I have gone to him since the second grade, he just retired and I just started with this new dentist, he seems to be good... so far!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Anna's 3 year photos



So, these are much better photos, we took Anna in for her 3 years photos and also got a few with Amelia since they both had these darling dresses from Brent's wedding.


Wednesday, November 12, 2008

School photo or mugshot?


We got the school photos back yesterday and Anna's photo looks more like a mugshot than a school photo. Her teachers warned me that she would not smile that day. I'm glad I only bought the smallest photo package at $10.00. Unfortunately, this will also be on the class photo sheet.... ughhhhh, they usually do retakes, I hope we haven't missed them!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Paci Fairy

So the paci came to our house Friday night, we had been telling Anna that when she turned three the paci fairy would come and take her pacifiers (which she uses only for bed time) and leave her some money. So she came and left Anna $5.00 and a trail of confetti that lead to the window. Anna woke up early Saturday morning and could not find her paci and was very upset when Brian explained that they were gone. As I heard her crying to Brian for the paci I got a sick feeling in my gut that I had done this all wrong! Maybe we should not have taken them away but had her get rid of them on her own will. Brian and I quickly talked and decide to give her one back, but told her she had to throw that one away in the trash if she wanted to go by a new toy with her $5.00. Well, she promptly told us that she would just buy a new paci!

O.K. this kid is too smart... we told her no to buying a new paci. Later that night, after dinner I told her we could go to Target to pick out a new toy, but that she need to throw away the paci first. She said no but then did go up stairs and brought down her paci, she went to the trashcan looked at it and walked away. Amelia was cheering her on... you can do it Anna, she would say. I told Anna the deal again and again she went to the trashcan, she opened the lid, looked deep down in, shut the lid and walked away. She looked so sad, Brian and I were almost in tears from her struggle. A few minutes later she went back in, lifted the trash lid and gently set her paci inside and closed the lid. WOW, I can't believe she did it!!!
We quickly left the house for target, I did not want to give her time to rethink her decision. She picked out the Polly Pocket Sparklin' Pets Pawsh limo and paid the checker herself with her paci money.

That night at bedtime, she did cry a bit for the paci but Brian kept her company for awhile and the next night was even better. Naps are taking a little longer for her to fall asleep, but I understand, she has to relearn how to fall asleep without her paci. 
Sweet Dreams my little Anna!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

44th President


I am very excited with the election of our 44th president Barack Obama, and I say to him good luck and God speed in getting our country back on the right path to keeping us safe, healthy and growing strong!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Poole, England... Part 2

The big day... this is why we flew to England, to join in the celebration of my brother Brent & Helen's wedding. It was a chilly, rainy day, but it did not damper Brent and Helen, you could see the love beaming from their souls, they were so happy. 

My girls did great that day, Amelia walked down the aisle with Sophie (Helen's sister) and Anna an I walked together holding hands. They were wonderful, smiling for the photos and being the cute bridesmaids there were supposed to be. Thank goodness... I wasn't sure how they would do that day.


The wedding was an all day event. Wedding at 12:00, photos and then to the reception for appetizers about 3:00. A 4 course dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 with several toast. Tea and coffee break then Scottish dancing (like square dancing) all night. Then more appetizers and cake at 10:00. Wedding ends at 11:30. 

Sometime I will have to write about all the differences the wedding and reception had compared an American wedding. It was a wonderful day (I loved the dancing) and we were all glad to make the trip... one we will remember always.

Congratulations to Brent & Helen!

Poole, England... Part 1

So we made it to sunny England, well it was only sunny this one day (otherwise it was about 45 and rainy) and since the house we rented was right on the beach front the girls spent some fun time playing in the sand. Poole is a beautiful beach area and I only wish we could have come in the summer to enjoy the large beaches and sail boats... maybe next time.

We did see Corfe castle, which was set in a rolling green hillside high above the most charming village, all the tiny houses were stone, some with thatch roofs, shops, tea houses, a tiny square in the middle. I loved it and wanted to live there, it was right out of a story book or an old romantic movie.
I didn't realize HOW much tea is a way of life in England, everyday, everywhere you went we were offered tea. I am not a tea or coffee drinker and I did give it another try, but... nope still don't like it. So it was hot chocolate for me and my gang. After viewing the castle we were all so cold we stopped at a tea house, it was full and so we had to sit outside, but luckily they had heat lamps and with our hot coco topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, marshmallows and a sprinkle of coco powder we were all happily munching on our jelly smeared scones. It was so charming and fun.

The girls were invited to a halloween party given by two of the other children in Brent's wedding. Halloween is a bit different over there. First they don't really trick-or-treat to houses unless they know you are coming, at the party we went visted two neighbor houses that knew we were all going to stop by for candy. Secondly, the girls are all witches. Amelia borrowed a princess dress to wear and one of the girls at the party told her that she can't be a princess for halloween. Brian overhearing this told the girl that where we come from you can be anything you want. The party was very sweet with fun games,  food, and treats to take home. It was so nice of them to include us.