Action Jackson

 
 
A friend from school was having a "Guitar Hero, Alien, Action Jackson" birthday party for her son a few weeks ago. I offered to come along and help with the splatter painting, and she was kind enough to invite the boys along. Josiah jumped in and took part in the party, and Ben was a fabulous helper with the younger kids. They made microphones and sang "Kids that Rock" with hats and sunglasses, and played in cardboard rocket and cardboard flying saucer, then headed down to the basement for some splatter painting Jackson Pollack style. As they were covered with their garbage bags and head coverings, they were sent downstairs. They started off painting their guitar papers very tentatively, splattering just a bit with the watered down paint. Then they started getting more and more free with encouragement from the parents and it turned into a full on spraying, splattering, spinning, dancing event. After the guitars were painted, then extra papers, they just sprayed the canvas and created a fabulous party wall hanging. At the end, the last girl was given permission to kicked over each cup of paint. You wouldn't belive how clean the kids were (minus the hands and feet) after all the fun they were having. I had a ball and was so glad I could join with the kids in all the fun!

"A Christmas Story"

 
 
 
 
 
 

Opening performances of "A Christmas Story" was last weekend at ACTORS. The play is terrific, and it has been fun to watch each character grow, and the scenes really come together. My favorite actor is, "Flick." ;) Ben is having a great time adding expressions and bits of humor to his character. Flick has some great lines and Ben gets to be extra winey and loud, which has been really fun. It is so exciting to see him hard at work and loving the friends he is making through drama. 6 performances to go!

The last picture is of Josiah with Santa Claus from the performance. He was totally intrigued by him. He was in the green room taking pictures with his family. Josiah saw his grandson sitting on his lap and was dying to go say hello. Santa invited him over to sit on his lap and he beamed from ear to ear. He was so excited he couldn't remember what he wanted for Christmas- just like Ralphie in the play. His smile was priceless!

Giving thanks for silliness...

 
 
 
 
After dinner and games, some of the Thanksgiving gathering moved downstairs to watch "How to Train a Dragon." I had some good cuddle time with each child, and a little nap by the fire- it was lovely!

After the movie, Josiah made himself a viking outfit, complete with a bandana with paper horns,light sabor and shield. Gabriella took one look and wanted to be a viking too. Then she designed horns for Grandpa and then she thought Baba needed a helmet too. The guys were kind enough to let her and pose with vierce grins. The evening ended with light sabor wars in the living room in the dark. I am thankful for my family, for creativity and for silliness.

Cleaning

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we are looking forward to having family over to share it with tomorrow.

I am picking up the toys and books off the floor and Gabriella asks why.

"I am getting ready to vacuum."

"Why?"

"To get all the crumbs up off the floor (and under your chair!)"

"Crumbs don't matter mom, let's just play instead."

Haircut round 2 for Gabriella

We walked into Great Clips the other day and Gabriella announced "I need another haircut now because my other one wore off already." Precious!

I am thankful for Nora who we have chased around form salon to salon since Ben was two. The kids love her, she talks and chats with them and remembers what they share with her from time to time. She knows all their cowlicks and works around them. They love going and haircuts are never traumatic, just an event that ends with a sucker or a sticker.

It is hard for me to even trim G's little curls as they are so sweet when they are freshly washed or her delightfully crazy bedhead in the morning as we snuggle in the rocker. A little trim though and they are extra springy and tamed again.

Mama needs a new mug

So I have two favorite mugs, one with Picasso and one with Edward Hopper. I was drinking my coffee at breakfast the other day with Gabriella. She seemed very distracted by my mug. She asked "Why the horse had man arms and an alien head? Followed by "That mama needs to put a shirt on!" so perhaps I need to find new artist mugs that are more appropriate than Picasso.

http://www.chaleur.com/untitled-picasso.htm for an image of my mug.

Our Girl

 
 
 
 

 
 

Here are some images from our recent photo session with Judi at Moore Park. It was such a sunny, crisp afternoon and we were so excited to spend it outside. She captured lots of great shots of the kids. Any favorites? I can't decide between these...

The boys

 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

Backsides

 
 
 
 

Family Photos