Thursday, December 18, 2008

Our Visit with Santa

This year, our visit to Santa was a little different. In past years, at least one of my two children were very hesitant to visit Santa. They go in boldly, then shy away the closer they get to the "big guy." But this year, there was only minor hesitation, and that was only regarding who would go first. They both stared at him in the little house on Main Street, as they argued in whispers about who should go first. (As if Santa couldn't hear them from 3 ft away!)
Anna went first, and shared the note that she had written for Santa. She had three items on her list and she read it to Santa. She would not look him in the eye. She is not a shy child, but I think that Santa, the all-knowing, all-seeing man was too close for comfort! When it came Thomas' turn, I noticed how he would not take his eyes off of Santa's face. This is VERY odd for Thomas. He normally does not make eye contact unless he knows you and decides to let you into his world (he's very picky). I decided that he was simply growing up and getting over his fear of the Big Man. When we got into the car, the first thing he said was, "Santa sure does sound a lot like Mr. John at church!" (He was).
"Really?" I asked. "I hadn't noticed."
The best thing is that since "Mr. John" is our pastor, he knows their names when they walk in the door, which totally baffles the kids from the get go! Here they are:

Friday, December 12, 2008

We've Been Invaded!!

There comes a time in every homeschooling mom's life, when she realizes that her children are simply not doing what they have been told to do. The other day I was in my bedroom, when I knew that the kids were not sitting at the table doing school work, but doing something in the living room. On my way to the office, I poked my head through the doorway to redirect them, when I got the laugh of my week. Staring back at me were two little aliens, ready to attack their mom (I'm sure of it!) They probably didn't realize just how hilarious they looked, so I took a picture. Then it occurred to me that my son let his little sister wear his coveted Darth Vader costume. So I quickly became grateful for the sharing attitude and didn't mention the neglected school work. It got done later!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

First Snow of Fall 2008, Anthony, KS

Just a couple of days ago, my son complained, "When is it EVER going to snow?!" (As if it weren't JUST the beginning of December). Yesterday it was close to 70; today it is 29 and snowing. Welcome to Kansas! Of course both kids had to get in all their snow garb and immediately head out to the snow. I think they were out there for about an hour when they finally came in, freezing and hungry. They had fun, but my prediction is that by the middle of February, I will hear the same, "why does it have to snow AGAIN?" complaints that rang through the house last year. Here they are playing:

Monday, December 1, 2008

Turkey Poem

Well, it's December 1st and you know what that means? Christmas is 24 days away! What I want to know is how this happened so fast. I remember New Year's Eve like it was yesterday! It also means that Thanksgiving is behind us and we have fridges full of leftover mashed potatoes, turkey, and green bean casserole. If you're like me, you have a freezer full of turkey pot pies (thanks to my sister!) We had a great Thanksgiving with my sister visiting, and we went to our friends' across the street to eat. Our turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole made it safely across the street, but our other neighbor's sweet potatoes didn't make it, as the dish exploded when it came out of the oven. It might sound mean to say she deserved it, but she did and she knows why! :o) (Little details that won't make the blog, but if it did, you'd get a good laugh, I promise!)
So anyway, I wanted to share this poem that someone posted in a group I'm in. I thought it was super cute, and appropriate for all ages. Enjoy!

Black November
When I was a young turkey,
New to the coop,
My big brother Mike took me out on the stoop,
Then he sat me down,
And he spoke real slow,
And he told me there was something that I had to know;
His look and his tone I will always remember,
When he told me of the horrors of..... Black November;
"Come about August, now listen to me,
Each day you'll get six meals instead of just three,
And soon you'll be thick, where once you were thin,
And you'll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin;
"And then one morning, when you're warm in your bed,
In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head;
Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald 'n pink,
And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the sink;
And then comes the worst part!" he said not bluffing,
She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with stuffing."
Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat,
I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat,
And decided on the spot that to avoid being cooked,
I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked;
I began a new diet of nuts and granola,
High-roughage salads, juice and diet cola;
And as they ate pastries, chocolates and crepes,
I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes;
I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half,
And tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed;
But 'twas I who was laughing, under my breath,
As they chomped and they chewed, ever closer to death;
And sure enough when Black November rolled around,
I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;
So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap;
I haven't a worry! , so I eat and I nap;
She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said: "Christmas is coming..."

~Poet Unknown