Paula Warbucks

Paula, my sister, was at the grocery store today while we were shopping and as we were standing in the checkout Anna Claire said, "Aunt Paula, get us a balloon! We love them!" Amazingly, Paula did not give into the demand!

This reminded me of being in the checkout last week at Publix and Anna Claire asking the lady bagging our groceries if she had "a present for them!" So embarrassing for me but she's just making the most of Christmas!

Jingle Bells

Anna Claire got a strap for her guitar. She and Russ tried it out!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Cradle Hymn

Away in a Manger

Deck the Halls

potty picnic

Despite her late bedtime last night Lizzie was up at 630am. She got hungry and brought a snack to the bathroom then settled into a nice picnic on the potty! YUMMY!

leg warmers

Lizzie and Anna Claire got leg warmers for Christmas from their aunt. Last night when we checked on Lizzie she had put hers over her pajamas. Even though it was 945pm and she should have been asleep, we laughed so hard! So silly!

where did that come from???

Tonight at supper Anna Claire said, "Mommy, I hope you fall on your face." She said it in a quiet voice so I thought maybe I heard incorrectly so I asked her to repeat it. Giggling she said it again. I told her that wasn't a kind thing to say to someone and Russ reinforced that. Then she said, "Can I suck my thumb now?"

More Songs

Jesus Loves Me by Lizzie

latest fashions

Today Anna Claire put these accessories together and announced she was ready to go in the snow because she was wearing her "telescope scarf!" Not to be outdone, Lizzie quickly put on her Thailand hat and said "Cheese!!!"

What's wrong with this picture?

Nightgown-diaper-socks-sunday shoes??? Lizzie is so funny about her shoes! When I came home tonight after a Christmas party I went to check on my girls. Anna Claire was reading by the light of her glow worm and Lizzie was asleep in Sunday shoes-how precious! Also, very symbolic of their personalities!

Carrots

Last night we were at a resturant and Anna Claire said,"Now that I've had my lemonade, can I go make a huge poopie?" So we went to the bathroom. After Anna Claire finished Lizzie sat on the potty and said, "Sometimes poopies turn into carrots and they are yummy!"

always thinking...

Russ is always thinking of ways to help Lizzie sleep late on Saturday mornings while I am gone running. This week was especially inventive!

bubbly

Today we went to a local bakery to have a cinnamon roll and A diet pepsi, which the girls call bubbly. After fininshing our snack we went to the bathroom and Anna Claire said "There goes my bubbly-out my bottom. YUMMY! It likes to come out my bottom!"

Buddy the Elf

We call Lizzie "Buddy the Elf" because of her activities during sleeping time. Since Lizzie slept until 750am this morning we should have been prepared for her to be awake after we put her to bed. She was very busy in the darkness of her room! She shoved a pair of "unacceptable" pajamas under the door. Also, she decorated her bedroom wall with Thomas the Train stickers.

After a training moment this morning the world was a better place.

injustice

Sunday morning, the morning after the marathon, Russ and I wanted to sleep in. We thought the girls would be tired from our whirlwind trip and would also sleep in. We put them to bed at 10pm and at 6:26am Lizzie came and crawled on our bed. "But the sun's up Mommy!" Wouldn't you know this morning (Monday) she slept until 7:50am! The injustice of it all...

3:59:52

My official race time for the Memphis Marathon! I am so happy!
We went to Memphis for the race this weekend. Paula and Andy played with our girls while Russ and I ran. He ran the half-marathon and I did the full. I ran with "running Katie" as she's known at our house, for the first 16 miles then let her go on because I knew I couldn't sustain that pace for 10 more miles. My goal was 3:59:59 and amazingly I did just that! Russ asked how in the world I made it in just under the wire and I told him my only explanation was God pulling me through!
We had a fun weekend! The weather was frigid - 27 degrees at the start. I ran with completely numb feet for the first 3 miles before getting any feeling back in them. The sights in Memphis were neat. Lots of beautiful, old homes and landmarks.
I'm so glad I did it and so glad it's over!
"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." Psalm 147:10-11

what happened to lucy the cat?

On Wednesday we had a message from a family that lives just a few doors down saying that Lucy was their cat. Her name is actually Chloe Belle. Susan came by to pick her up but poor Chloe Belle didn't want to leave! In the end she went back home but I know we will see her around the neighborhood. Anna Claire was excited because she lives close by. So...happy ending!!!

song lyrics

We have been listening to lots of Christmas music and Anna Claire is learning the words but some of them are not quite right:

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
fa la la la la la la la
Tis the season to be jolly
fa la la la la la la la
Don we now our "haira beara"
....

Jingle bell, jingle bells
jingle all the way
oh what fun it is to ride in a "onemorse" open sleigh ...

Deck the Halls

We bought our Christmas tree and the girls helped Russ put the lights on. Lizzie calls herself the "Christmas Tree Girl" because her dress for church had Christmas trees on it. She also calls the stable in the Christmas story "Baby Jesus's cow house!" So funny!

Griswold Family

I love the movie "Christmas Vacation!" Jeremy tying dad's old canoe to the roof of his family truckster is so reminiscent of Clark...

LUCY

We were in our front yard on Sunday afternoon when a cat walked up and played with us for a little while. It is not unusual to have cats come to our yard because there are lots of cats roaming our neighborhood. Well, she left and we went inside. Later Russ and I went back outside and the cat had come back. Since it was raining and possibly snowing we decided to let her in. We have put up signs all around our neighborhood but no one has called.

She is a sweet cat! Anna Claire loves her and named her "Lucy" but Lizzie is not so sure. Sometimes Lizzie likes Lucy but mostly she doesn't. Lucy is living mostly in our basement, Marshall (our mean and growly dog) is not a fan. Hopefully her family will call looking for her.

Anyone want a cat???

Turkey Time

We had a great Thanksgiving! The girls LOVED seeing their cousins. Anna Claire was heart broken when Ellie had to leave and she was sad to see Madeline drive off from Grannie's house.