Cap'n Crunch Candy Rules!

Seth loves his cooking class at school and he loves Cap'n Crunch Candy so what better to do than make candy in his cooking class! Seth thought this was a grand idea to do and celebrate his birthday at the same time. I bought the supplies and taught the class how to make the candy. They did a great job working together and everybody got to play a part. Check out this concentration and teamwork:
We made three batches so there was enough to send a large bag home with each child. What fun! The only thing I missed was a picture of Seth and his teacher together - ooops. We'll have to do that another time.

On Fire!

Not to scare you -- but there was no other way to describe it! Seth was absolutely on fire today! These are scores I would be thrilled to get. I wish I would have had my camera because Seth gets a dollar from Grandpa for every game over 100, and by the third frame, Seth asked me to call Grandpa. Ironically, Grandpa showed up on the next frame and was there just in time to see the second strike in a row. He knew he was doomed to lose a dollar. = )

Seth appeared to be back to his normal average of 89 in the second game and then he laid it on at the end with the triple strike and blew his average away for the second time.

It was a fun day!

Introducing Hawke (aka Peachbutt)

It's time I introduce the newest member to our family. This little guy made quite the journey. If he could talk, I bet he has a story to tell about the bumpy ride he had getting here in Santa's sleigh! He arrived safely and had an interesting home with a skyride wheel, but the plastic must have gotten brittle while in the North Pole because it has done nothing but fall apart in the mere two weeks he's been here. So, last night, he got a new, simpler home which he is quite happy with.
Lacey has named him Hawke, but I call him Peachbutt. Erik calls him Rodent or Rodentia (must be trying to make it sound somewhat nice??). Seth doesn't really seem to care too much about him other than being fully entertained watching Lily lick her chops everytime she looks at him. Lily is pretty sure that he should be a meal! After all, she was bred to chase after weasels and the like. We ended up having to put him up on a higher shelf so he can live in peace and quiet. Now Lily just spends her time looking up at him and whining. I'll have to get a picture of it and post sometime in the future.

Lacey loves him.

This is a little blurry, but I thought it looked like he was waving bye!

I doubt he will learn a lot of tricks for us to display to the world, but we will post updates of his adventures as they occur.

Intellectual Christmas Carol Titles

How about a little Christmas Carol quiz?? This is what happens when we leave Jen alone in the office for a couple of hours and she decides she needs a little icebreaker game for her volunteer's Christmas party. I can see it now....her sitting at her computer, with my thesaurus in hand, laughing hysterically while she cleverly put this quiz together. She graciously allowed me to "publish" these so all could enjoy. Write and tell me how many you get in three minutes (that's all the time she allowed us).

Can you figure out the right song?

Distantly Occupying a Stable ___________________
Allow White Crystals to Precipitate _______________
Hushed Nocturn ___________________________
Infant, It's Inclement Outdoors _________________
Dancing in Circumference of the Holiday Topiary _____
Tinkle Chimes _____________________________
I am Visualizing an Ivory Yuletide _______________
I Observed a Trio of Vessels ___________________
Depart and Divulge it on the Precipice ____________
At the Apex of the Domicile ___________________
We Triad of Royals Hail from the Far East _________
Festoon the Passageways _____________________
Bliss to the Earth __________________________
Rudolph the Vermillion-Proboscied Ungulate _______
Give Heed, the Harbinger Cherubs Harmonize ______
I Will Return to My Living Quarters for the Winter Holiday ___
Icy the Frozen Precipitation Male _______________
I Witnessed My Female Parent Pecking St. Nicholas ___
Diminutive Percussionist Lad __________________
Divine-Being Relax You, Blithe Courteous Males _____
Shiny Gray Alarms _________________________
To Whom Does this Child Belong? ______________
Cold Season Utopia _________________________
It's the Pinnacle Period of the 12-Month Cycle _______

Bowling Mishap

Both of the kids decided to bowl on Saturday. There were three kids on the lane and after each had bowled once they realized their balls did not come back on the return. So, the staff started checking the ball return and apparently the night before somebody thought it was funny to keep throwing balls down the alley even though they weren't returning. The staff ended up taking out 18 or 19 house balls from the return before they got to the three our kids had thrown. Lacey's ball, probably because it was a 6 pounder and a few years old, got damaged. Did you ever want to know what a bowling ball looks like inside?? Here's what it looks like. The little beige colored spot is actually the core showing through.

So, needless to say, the bowling alley gave us a great discount on a new ball. Lacey really liked the red/black/gold swirl so her new ball looks almost like the old one, except shinier. Also, it is a 9 pounder.

Lacey's average has been around the 50s, with the new ball she bowled an 80! Seth also had an awesome game at 119. Considering we had to change lanes in the middle of a game because their lane was out of commission, those were great scores.

Forever Family

Today was National Adoption Day and Shae and Sean officially adopted Macey and Alyssea. It was going to be extremely difficult for me to attend due to work and other appointments, so Lacey got to go in my place this time. Macey (who chose her name because she loves Lacey) was very excited about this day. She is old enough to know how important it is to have a 'forever family' and was very excited about the event. The day was extra-special because Macey wrote and sang her very own song for the occasion. She was even "published" on the back of the program. As you will see, she is very comfortable with a microphone and unphased by a roomful of about 100 people. Here is her song and performance......

Macey and Lacey

Alyssea and Lacey

Kobe the Kubota

We have a new "vehicle" in our garage. As is tradition with Lacey and I he needed a name. Lacey named him Kobe. Erik mowed the lawn with him and he did a really good job in half of the time that the old tractor took.

For those of you unaware of Jason Aldean, his most famous song is Big Green Tractor. So, I'll share one chorus that we have modified to fit Kobe.

I can take you for a ride on my big orange tractor
We can go slow, or we can go faster
Down through the woods, and out to the pasture
'Long as I'm with you it really don't matter.

I'm sure he has found a happy home. = )

Meet Charley

Meet Charley -- the adorable Havanese/Dorkie (that would be Dachsund and Yorkie). Unfortunately, he is not ours, he belongs to my Mom. The kids had not met him yet, so we went to Mom's for a puppy fix. He was happy to oblige.

Kisses.

Now, he's tired, but still wanting to know what is going on.

For more pictures, check out our Picasa page.

Silver-ific

Another great year of bowling! Seth received a silver medal today at Regionals, here he is sporting his medal. He bowled a 101 and 79.
Seth and Noah receiving gold and silver respectively.

After Regionals we went to Halloween bowling party and Seth bowled a 123 and a 107. What a day. He reminded Grandpa that he owes him $3. = ) A few weeks ago, Grandpa promised him $1 for every game over 100. I told him that if Seth keeps up this pace Grandpa will go broke. Grandpa said that is OK because he would be happy to be broke for that reason. Way to go Seth!

My Daughter, the Vampire!

We spent a large part of today bowling. Seth had Regionals earlier in the day and then we were invited to a Halloween bowling party. Lacey had the most fun sporting her new vampire teeth.