a third eye

I picked up Polly from preschool and she had a thrilling predicament!
I hope it's not contagious!

the DSO

This week, we went to a fabulous performance at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. There were dancers for one sequence from the local performing arts high school. The kiddies always love that. But our favorite part was Tubby the Tuba, a story about a tuba who despaired that he never got to carry the melody.  It was narrated, sung, and performed.  The kids loved it that someone would make up a story to go along with a piece of music.  This past fall, they studied DeBussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, which was based on a poem and later turned into a ballet.  So, they connected to this idea of a story matching a piece of music.  It was fun for them to see, since it's usually just the Nutcracker that they see in this way.
Afterwards, we picked up Aunti Bekah for some taco truck goodness.  This time, there was a British food truck and that was exciting.  Wanna know what else is lots of fun?  Throwing rocks at food trucks.  Yep.  Good times in Dallas....until your mom and aunt catch you.  Nice try, Shortie.

the cool kids

We're at the new park over the highway eating lunch from a trendy food truck with Aunti Bekah. All the cool cats are here.

breakfast of giants

Don always finds the funniest places to eat.

 He and his compadres at work try out any eatery next to them.  Ham and Eggs is his current fave, because of all of the Dallas Cowboys who visit often.

It's the kids' current fave for obvious reasons.
Me, not so much.  :)
Sometimes, more is just more and there IS too much of a good thing.

helping Gramma

The kids and I usually visit Gramma in the afternoon, so they can finish their schoolwork in one sitting. It's easier to keep momentum going that way.

Sometimes, we're there during the time Gramma gets her meal card for the next day and she gets to choose her meals. Buddy helps her circle her choices and write in special notes, like, "NO eggs!" and "NO SWEET TEA."

This video shows Buddy helping her choose her meals.  He's so lucky.  She loves him so much.

book group in January

The older kids read Number the Stars this month and learned about the Danish resistance during WW2. The Holocaust was an upsetting concept for them, but at least the characters in this book were interesting.
At book group, they made applesauce, as the family did in the book.
The little ones played with gak and read books.
Good times were had by all.

my asthma baby

The carrier monkeys of preschool have shared enough germs over the past few months to warrant ER visits and a trip to Polly's Pulmonologist.
Armed with a new diagnosis and prescriptions for daily meds, Pollyanna is ready for the rest of cold/flu season.

'tis a wonderful thing to read

Some homeschool friends organized a Christmas service project for our kids through First Book.  The organization provides take-home books for preschool children in under-resourced areas.  The book they receive is often the first book they've owned.

The preschool children came to us in two groups. One of the mothers read a story to each group.

Then, the children went shopping at the tables of books that our children had donated or collected.

It was sweet to hear our children try to "sell" the preschool children on the best illustrated or most interesting books.  

Our fundraiser and book drive went so well (we collected over 150 books!), that each preschool child was able to take home TWO new books.  After the preschool children chose their books, our children sat and read the books to them. 

It was a lovely experience for the children to participate in, because they understand what books are and understand how special it is to have a book of your very own.  

“When I get a little money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothes.” — Erasmus

“If one reads enough books one has a fighting chance. Or better, one’s chances of survival increase with each book one reads.” — Sherman Alexie

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” — Joyce Carol Oates

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”  – Ernest Hemingway

“What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.” — Anne Lamott

“I am simply a ‘book drunkard.’ Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them.” — L.M. Montgomery

one creature was stirring

twas the night after Christmas
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring
not even a mouse.
when at the front of the house
there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the couch 
to see what was the matter.
when what to my wondering eyes should behold
but NAUGHTY Bruno
eating our gingerbread houses!

I think he was trying to tell me that it was time to start packing up the Christmas decor.  

Christmas Morning

before the kiddles attacked

stockings
a typewriter for Sunshine
a penguin dream lite for Buddy
a cash register for Pollyanna

our breakfast - which did NOT include bran  *lol*  (inside joke)

skype-ing with Gramma and Grampa, while we ate breakfast (not bran) and opened presents

Don's favorite part of the morning