Despicable

Grace made the observation today that all the snow was gone yesterday and today the ground was covered by snow again. I asked her how she felt about that. She just answered, "despicable."

Daniel stuff

So Daniel is immitating animal names in books when I say them and especially the sounds they make. Fun! His best today was the fish sound.

Unfortunately, Daniel's best face is his "Whatch you talkin' about" face. When we say no to him his eyebrows furrow and he gives a real hard look. Ken says stuff that will make him upset just to see it.

Another great moment today was when he was laying on the coffee table, knowing he shouldn't be. He looked up at me with the goofiest grin. So cute.

Secret Potion

Luci was so upset today when one of her friends threw her secret potion on the floor and broke it. So Ken gave her his special secret potion. She could choose from various potion powers. She choose the pink one that gave her extra fast super speed.

She started to drink it, but had forgotten to take off the lid. Ken helped her with it. Then she drank it and was off down the hallway to test it out. Yep, she was fast!

So later that night she told me she had more secret potion. She reached into her shirt to pull it out. (I asked her why she kept it there and she said it was because she doesn't have any pockets.) She could open the lid to this potion, in fact this one had about 12 lids and she opened them all really fast. Then she took a drink and flew down the hall again at super speeds. When she returned, she pulled out another potion and said it was her normal potion. She took the multiple lids off and drank it up. She said it made her normal again. Then she tried to run away, but at a labored pace and said, "Yep, I'm slow again."

She makes me smile every day!

Girl Time

What mother doesn't picture great shopping experiences with their daughters? Well today that dream became a reality. Thanks to my great husband who helped the girls clean their room Sunday night, I didn't have to worry about it today. So we were carefree. When Luci had to go to ballet, Grace and I went to the new Penney's. I saw a dress I wanted to try on on the web. When I told Grace this she wanted to try on dresses too. As soon as we walked in Grace started helping me pick out outfits that the models were wearing. She picked out a great bright pink dress with pink rinestones too. I tried it all on. Neither of us were too enthusiastic about the outfits, "blue with white stripes and pink diamonds are not your style mom." Then it was her turn.

She picked out 5 dresses. We only had time to try on 4, but everytime she put one on she went to the mirror and twirled in it. Daniel thought this was great. Her favorite was a blue and green tank dress with little bejeweled stones all over it. It had great twirl! And it was the first she picked out so I guess she really knows her style. We both had a blast. (And by the way, this was a try on only excursion and she was ok with that.)

She just cracks me up

Last night Luci had crawled into bed with us. So this morning I had the pleasure of hearing her wake up while blogging. She opened her eyes and immediately started singing "Take me out to the ball game"!

We should show the whole world

I recieved my school pictures today. Grace wanted to cut them up so she could have a copy. She then said we should give them to everyone in the world because they were the most beautiful pictures ever! (I tend not to agree, but it was nice to hear.)

Grace's birthday, Part 2

Last year Grace always talked about having a surprise birthday party. This year she didn't ask for it, but I saw the Max and Ruby episode that had a surprise birthday party for Ruby and decided to try it.

So Grace spent the night at Grandma Brenda's and Susie's for her birthday time with them. She recieved way cool gifts; homemade skirts and "bras" to go with them. The next day Ken and I picked her up. We of course acted like we were going home, but instead headed to Dwight. When we were close to Dwight we had the girls put a "superhero cover up" over their heads so they wouldn't know they were in Dwight. The "Welcome to Dwight, Eat Stay and Play, in the friendliest town, in the whole u.s.a." signs usually give it away.

So when we arrived at mom and dad's I took Daniel and Luci in. Luci of course got out of the car and yelled, "Grandma's house!" even though we warned her that superheros can't talk or the villans will find us. Ken was prepared though and spoke some random jabber so Grace couldn't hear. (She still had the piece of red cloth over her head at this time.)

So Ken carried her into mom and dad's. We told her that we were going to Subway. When she got to the door, everyone was in their proper hiding places and yelled surprise to her. Her reaction was to turn to Ken and say, "You are always tricking me, Daddy!"

It was so much fun. When I asked her what her favorite part was, she said when everyone yelled surprise.

She requested Key lime pie for every party. Grandma also picked up an ice cream cake from the new super sized Dairy Queen. Grace wanted a super hero birthday with Kim Possible and Wonder Woman so I made pictures to decorate the cake with and we used red, silver and blue stars in the kitchen. The kids played pin the cape on the superhero and musical chairs. The highlight of musical chairs was definatly when Luci pushed Alex out of her way to get into a chair. I'm not exactly proud of the moment, but it was classic.

I of course forgot the camera trying to remeber everything else for the surprise. Mom's wasn't working and Jane and Tim didn't have theirs. So no internet pics, but hopefully Aunt Lori will come through with some pictures of the day.

Grace's birthday

Grace wanted a Chucky Cheese birthday party this year with her friends. The cost was up there, but thoughts of no set up and clean up were too great to not try. So we abliged.

It turned out great. We had the Best hostess who wouldn't even let the mothers pour their own pop. She did everything. We had the party on a Wednesday at noon so we had free reign of the place (well except for 2 boys that ended up in our group picture with Chuck E.)

Grace had a blast playing with her friends, and I had a blast sitting and chatting with my friends. We were able to chat because Ken was so wonderful to stay in the play area and keep an eye on the kids. Chucky E. Cheese was so great that I forgot to have Grace open her presents in front of everyone!!

Grace loves Chuck E. Cheese, but is not so fond of Chuck E. himself. Notice she is standing back in every picture.Grace wanted Key Lime Pie instead of birthday cake at all of her parties. She got on that kick when there was never ending pie in Alabama thanks to Aunt Susie. I was worried how it would go over with the kids, but with whip cream and sprinkles on top, most seemed to enjoy it. I recommend Matteson Chuck E. Cheese on a weekday afternoon. It was great!

Grace's artwork

Grace loves to take pictures. Here are some from her gallery....

She likes working with props. Bear before and after.
I think she was going for contrast in this picture; pretty flowers next to filthy table.

Concerned?

I was immediately taken aback when I saw this in the girls room....

I didn't know quite what to say. But this is where God's plan to have a man and a woman working together to raise children works so well. Once Ken saw it, he immediately questioned the girls to make sure that Barbie and the prince were married. They were. I wasn't expecting these issues for quite some time!

The Little Christians

Yesterday Grace was saying, "A little voice tells me we should...." I don't remember the end of the sentence, but it prompted Luci to excitedly exclaim something to the effect that God was the little voice she sometimes hears.

Today Luci put her hand to her ear and said, "Sometimes I hear God telling me things, but I just don't listen!" She's so cute....and honest.