If the Savior stood beside me...

I don't know why, but my little Isabelle has been carrying around the baby Jesus from our nativity today. She also snuck it to her bed and I saw her tuck it under her pillow before she went to sleep. She is too cute.

This picture was taken shortly after Halloween when she was playing kitty and then added her own whiskers to my the ones I had drawn. Oddly enough, tonight she has whiskers too. It's all about letting my children show their individuality, right? (Ryan has lightning bolts drawn on his cheeks and forehead)

New Cleaning Strategy

Apparently the best way to get me to clean my house is to give me another more important job that needs to be done soon that I would rather not do.

My bathrooms are clean, my leather couches are clean and "protected" my dishes are done (after fixing and cleaning up after two meals), my kitchen floor is clean, two batches of laundry are on their way, cancelled the Disneyland trip that we aren't going on next week (sigh), I'm dressed, clean, with makeup on, (I'm looking around to see if I've done more than this), I cleaned my room, helped both children clean their rooms (twice)....

but my rolls for tomorrows dinner haven't been started yet! :)

The really sad thing about this is that I could still clean off my counters, vacuum, take care of a myriad of piles and I have about a thousand things to put away and organize in my "preschool" room.

Another plus: I'm nearly done with my Christmas shopping!

(Can you tell that I'm really trying to convince myself that I'm capable of taking care of what has yet to be done?)

Last note: I just checked Ryan's room - looks like we'll, no wait, he'll be cleaning it for the third time today (sigh again).

A few funnies

Izzy: I can cha-cha like the Chinese. (I'm not sure where she learned about the "Chinese" people, but she has referenced them several times.

Ryan: (after tooting) Wow, that felt good.
Me: (smiling) I bet.
Ryan: Do you know what it feels like? It's like getting a massage down there.
Me: (giggle giggle)

Izzy sat in the back of the van with Ryan's friend Te (previously referenced regarding Izzy's little crush) as we drove him home. There were several left turns to get to his house which served to her advantage as she played her first game of Corners. She thought the ride was way too short.

Princess Party

When our boys went hunting Isabelle had a Princess Party (I just uploaded the pictures). They decorated crowns, played Cranium Hulabaloo (one of Izzy's favorite games), painted fingernails, and ate treats. It certainly helped cheer her up after having to cancel the day before because of strep throat! Thanks girls for coming!

Reflections

Last night Ryan received an award for his Reflections entry.

He took this picture in Maryland at a park. It looks like it was done in black and white, but it's actually in color.

He did a great job and I was very proud of him!

Vision of the Future

When I was a teenager I always lamented that my older brother was too much older and my younger brother was too much younger for me to date any of their friends.

I had a vision tonight of Ryan and Izzy's future that makes me think she is going to have many crushes on his friends.

Ryan's school friend Te came to play today. At first Izzy was with one of her friends so it didn't matter, but as soon as it was getting dark I called her home and the three of them played together while I finished getting dinner ready. I laughed as I listened to the conversation upstairs, it was "Te, look at this!" and "Te, come sit by me!" etc.

They came down to watch a Phineas and Ferb (a kids show I watch with my kids - I think it's quite clever!) and squished together on the love seat with Te in between. The same thing happened at dinner and I realized Izzy was doing everything she could to keep his attention on her. She was chattering at him, eating the same things as him, and touching his arm and hand. It was hilarious. Te was a really good sport, I thought at some point he would tell the kids to back off, but he just pleasantly enjoyed their attention (I guess).

Anyway, the kids never actually fought over him, it was just really comical to watch. (I think they both hope he'll come again soon!)

Daylight Savings

Three days this week Ryan has awakened ready for the day between 5 and 5:45.
At least this morning I was pleasant to him when he came in and snuck into my bed. Oh wait, I was pleasant until he started sniffing loudly (he hates to blow his nose). Early mornings are not my forte.
I hate Daylight Savings!