Kids, Mountains and Bears! Oh, My!

Okay.

Yes, we saw bears.

In the woods.

On the mountain.

Behind a big wall.

It was a zoo.

We went to Bear Mountain and spent a majority of the day there. Everyone rode the carousel, and went to the zoo. Then we ate (this is the part when Goldilocks informed us that "today was not working out" for him) and some of us went to the ice skating rink. It is outdoors and cold. Goldilocks told everyone he was going to practice his skating on ice. The next day he wanted to practice his skating on snow. Code for skiing. Punka had a blast. Goldilocks did "great" (think Tony the Tiger). Gigi slept in the car with her aunt watching over her. (Thanks Aunt Tippen!) We tried to get a picture of me, Punka and Goldilocks on the rink, but all 3 of us couldn't stand up together! The kids kept falling. We just laughed and laughed. Needless to say, everyone was exhausted and went to bed early. So much fun. And by the way, the day ended up working out just fine for Goldilocks!

Over the edge and out for the night!

Me, Punka and Goldilocks (going down)!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

We decided to surprise Hottie's (Bro 2) family in NY for Christmas. Only 1 brother(Bro 4) knew we were coming. All four brothers came from the four corners of the earth to gather and celebrate the birth of Christ. It was so fun to keep the secret from Hottie's parents and 1 brother's family! We arrived at the airport Christmas Eve afternoon and met up with Bro 1 and his family (from Hawaii) at the grocery store. We figured we should buy some food for us to eat, although we knew The Ma would have plenty to eat. Then, we traveled to The Homestead caravan style. After passing The Homestead (on purpose and parking in the snow pile), we walked with 6 excited grandkids trying to keep them quiet through the snow and down the driveway, up the steps and across the deck to Grandma's house we go! Oh, sorry... got caught up in the song! We gathered around the sliding glass door (outside the dining room) and began to sing (in our mixed accents) We Wish You a Merry Christmas. And into the second verse we went because they didn't open the door! It was really scary because I don't remember anymore of the song than that! Anyway, Bro 3 opened the curtain and everyone sat there with their mouths opened and we were still standing in the FREEZING cold..with a locked door between us! Did I mention the islanders and southerners were outside and the northerners were inside? Yeah...we were cold! Anyway, it was exciting and fun and The Pa and The Ma were soooo shocked, surprised and excited to see us. We had a great time reconnecting with each other and meeting nieces and nephews. Here is a picture of The Ma realizing we were there!

There are lots of stories to tell and lots of time to tell them. We have had a busy day, so I'll tell you more tomorrow...but here's a teaser: it has to do with BEARS! Yes, the kind you are thinking of!

So off the internet and over the edge and down to bed I go!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Last weekend we went to see Santa Claus at the mall. It was a very long line...lots of kids to see him. Punka was excited to see him, Goldilocks didn't want to take a picture (although you can't tell that by the picture) and Gigi didn't have a clue what was about to happen to her. Kind of like getting shots at the doctor's office a few weeks ago except she didn't cry when she got those! Shots: don't cry, Santa: Scream so security comes running, really. And would you believe the kids asked for things totally different than they told us! Why, someone tell me, do they do that? So, without further delay, here's the picture from our visit with Santa.



If I don't get a chance to post before Christmas (because I can't promise I will) we hope you have a very merry Christmas and God blesses you in the new year!

I'm over the edge with tinsel and wrapping paper! Goodnight to all!

Photostory: The Daily Commute

Hottie takes Goldilocks to school every morning. Goldilocks loves to take pictures. Here's Goldilocks view of the daily commute!

"Daddy, Can I take a picture?"

"I love apples in the morning."

self-portrait



rest of self-portrait

outside the truck

"These are my fast shoes!"



"That's where we were!"

THE END

The Dancing Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Bet you didn't know there was even a dancing Grinch. I'm here to tell you there is! Punka and Goldilocks are taking dance classes and Punka loves it. She seems to be pretty good considering it is her 1st official year. (She took lessons a few years ago, but I didn't last very long.) Goldilocks seems to be wishy washy about it. He says there are no boys in his dance class. Boys don't dance. Well...some of you may agree, but he is just too cute with his fat feet in those little black ballet shoes!

Last Sunday was "the Performance". It was great! We had such a great time. Goldilocks was not, and I repeat NOT, going to go on that stage to dance. So, being the great mom that I am (or want to be), I pointed out to Levi every time there was a boy on stage. They really did a great job. Hip hop and acrobats...pretty cool...especially to a 4 year old. The routine right before(and I mean right before) Goldilocks's class, he decided he was going on stage. I grabbed his bag (cause I'm a good mommy I was prepared) and we RAN backstage. Once we got there, I seriously only had about 45 seconds to change a cowboy (remember he wasn't going on stage) into an elf. He made it on stage, although his shirt was on backwards and I didn't get his tap shoes on his feet, only brown and red striped socks. He danced and is still talking about going on stage again! I don't have a picture of him since he was in and out of his costume really fast!

Next, was Punka's turn. She was a star. I am the Mommy of a superstar. So I'm a little biased. So are you! Punka loves dance. She loves performing. She loves dressing up! I took her to the MAC counter to have her makeup done and that was the most fun ever. She was so excited when I told her where we were going, although I don't think she really understood until we were actually there! I did her hair while we waited our turn. Everyone that walked by looked and said something. Some people stopped to ask what we were doing. She ate up the attention (just like her aunt A)!


What fun we had! Everyone was tired but in a festive mood. You should try it next year...come see the superstars! I'll keep you posted!

Hey, this mommy is going to bed. Dancing over the edge...over and out.

I have video of their performances. However, I am having problems uploading it. Stay tuned for those!

Week in Review

Just want to forewarn you...this post may be a little long. It was a long week!

First, we had Punka's birthday party. Sleepover with 5 girls. Yeah...that's what I thought too, but it was fun. Fashion show, Kitt Kitridge, cinnamon sugar popcorn, pastries for breakfast, a lot of giggles and a little sleep. It was fun!


Then, Goldilocks needed "arm freshener" (code for deodorant) and Gigi loved looking at herself in the mirror. Runs in the family. The mirror thing not the deodorant thing, although we do wear deodorant. OK. Nuff said!

Hottie had an exam an made an 89.3! Yah! All the legal stuff gets confusing. We are happy with the score.

Gigi discovered the laundry room and her warm diapers! It was very exciting for everyone involved, I'll tell you. Now she cries if I close the laundry room door. She is all alone in that!



Thanksgiving Day brought A LOT of helping! We could have washed 100 pounds of potatoes for all they were concerned. They LOVED it!


Guaps and Grams, Honorable Readers of the day, reading the "thankfuls" and being the first to know!


Friday, the UPS guy (or the brown man as the kids call him), brought a package to the door. Who knew a new hand knitted hat could bring so much joy!


And I shopped Friday. Got stuff for the kids, friends, parents, Mom's stuff. It was good. Shopping usually is! Then, the youngin's got to spend the night with Guaps and Grams so Hottie and I could celebrate our 11th anniversary. Pretty cool, huh. Wish they could have stayed just 1 more night. Oh, well.

Hottie is the super best husband. No other could match him. We laugh. We cry. We pick at each other. We drive each other crazy. We couldn't live without the other. It's cool how God does that. We finish the other's sentence. I love him. He loves me. That's all there is to it! And that's all you need to know!

So, I'm off to bed somewhere over the edge. Maybe I'll crawl out tomorrow after the sunrise...I know...wishful thinking!

I wrote this on Thanksgiving Day and never published it. It looks like I started several post and never published them. I'll do that now!

I am up to my eyeballs in turkey, cornbread and kids!

They're everywhere! They're everywhere!

I asked Punka and Goldilocks what they wanted for Christmas if they could only choose 1 thing.
Punka: A Barbie house!
Goldilocks: Mittens!
Gigi: babble, mommy earrings, babble, babble, babble

Did I mention Gigi is really picking up the important words! And the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is fun to watch. Maybe one day we can go there "for real" as Punka says. That would be a blast!

My family is coming over for dinner. It will be different, but I think it will be good.

Big Friend P helped the kids make a Thankful banner and we added our own "thankfuls" to it. It was a fun way to remember what life is all about. Not stuff. Just family and friends.


Happy Thanksgiving Day to you.

Oh, and I am thankful for you too!

Back to the turkey over the edge...