Lord, Don't Let Me Forget!

Lord, please don't let me forget the big heart Jack has at the tender age of 6.

Before bed tonight, on Christmas Eve, Jack came up to me and said:

"Mom, I really hope Brooke gets the Ladybug Pillow Pet she wants from Santa. But if she doesn't, Dad, Will and I saw it at Walgreens today and we will go out and buy it tomorrow so she gets it. But don't tell her that - it's a secret."

I love this boy.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
I know I will!

Christmas Play All-Stars

We had a busy morning last Friday. Jack's Christmas Play was at 9am and Will's began at 1030am. We made it to both, on time, considering there was snow, lots of traffic and 2 different locations!

Here is my angel. All 60+ kindergarteners were angels and looked adorable! We got a seat in the balcony so we could see all the action.

Pre-Play nerves

My good little catholic school boy with his hands folded!

"Go Tell It On The Mountain!"

Off to Will's performance....on the way I asked him if he wanted a snack. "Nope. I am gettin' ready. I am gettin' fired up." All-righty-then.

Posing with his amazing teacher, Mrs. Murray.

Showtime!
No-go time.

Will stood with his back turned most of the time because he was "a little shy." He sang all the words, but no motions.

He is still my angel!

Ho-Ho-Ho

The annual trip to Santa.
I have had the same Santa since Jack was 3 months old. Guess he retired.
Kids didn't notice but I DID.
Thanks a lot, Eastgate Santa circa. 2004-2009.
There goes the continuity of my pictures.

My take on the picture...

Jack thinks if he smiles big enough he will get the DS he wants...that he doesn't really know how to use or what it is all about but all his friends are asking for one.
Nope.
Still not getting it.

This looks goes with Will's signature phrase...
"You wanna piece of me?!"

And Brooke...
the look kinda speaks for itself.
Don't you think?!

Ho-Ho-Ho!

I Think He Has A Future...

Do we have the next Bob Costas or Dan Patrick on our hands?!

This is how Jack (all on his own) read the stats for the Bengals game today.



Guess he gave up (like the rest of us) after the end of the 3rd.
He did this for the UC basketball game last night, too.
And spelled everything - correctly - on his own.

Just love this little sports-minded boy.
But he is NOT happy that Will has beat him all weekend in the new game Daddy taught them -
HORSE.
Better start practicing, Jack! Your little brother is not far behind!

Family Pics 2010

Since my Christmas cards are out I can finally post my favorites from our family pics...cause you know anal retentive me can't show them until my cards are out.

I have issues.

We had our pictures taken at a cemetery. For real. Spring Grove is a cemetery and Arboretum on the west side. Again, Mandy does awesome work and we had a beautiful day.

Here are some of my faves:


This one was on the steps of the chapel.















This was leaning up against a mausoleum. Luckily, we heard nothing coming from the inside!

I always love getting family pics. Just hate waiting another year to do it again!

Week in Review

5 Days later, the flu finally left. I hope.

Kids went back to school Thursday, finished decorating for Christmas.

Black Knights prevail last night, with Jack scoring 1 basket and Will asking players
"You wanna piece of me?!" (His go-to, intimidating phrase)

Brooke cheered loudly, yelling "Hustle!" "Pass the ball!" and all the other phrases she hears people say and has no idea what it means.

Frisch for dinner with Grandparents Goshorn - our Friday night treat.

Jack is going to a Taekwando birthday party today. Young Son will attempt to break board with own hand. Hei yah!
**As a side note, this party and a Chuck E Cheese party in the same month is making my cake and ice cream parties look shameful. Thanks, other-kid-parents.

Andy has his first swim lesson today to help his time in the pool for his next Tri, hopefully this spring. If his FEMALE instructor wears a bikini, Andy may have to just drown.
Kidding.

Brutus, our Elf, has arrived to make our holidays bright - and our discipline easier. He reports to Santa, you know.

And in other Grand Parenting News, I took the advice of a friend (who shall remain nameless...you know who you are and I thank you!) and implemented a new discipline tool for Brooke's screaming. She DOES NOT LIKE hot sauce on the tongue for excessive screaming. She shuts up real fast now when the hot sauce bottle is put on the table in front of her.

If you have lost count, that is approximately 1347 nominations for Mother of the Year for me this year.
I am going to win for sure.

Have a nice, snowy weekend!

Terrific - or Terrorizing - Turkey Day

We actually had a great Turkey Day. It was the weekend that wasn't so hot.

We started off at Grandparents' Goshorn for lunch.

Mom and Son

Uncle Eric and Jack

Grandpa and Will

Then we donned our Bengal gear (to no avail) and headed to Indy for the festivities with the Sorg Clan and friends.

The kids played a fun game of Pin the Top Hat on the Turkey, compliments of Grandma Jenny.

No, Will is not good at acting blind. After we complimented him on such a great job he admitted he could see. I am thankful for an honest boy!

Crazy Cousins

This was our last decent picture of the weekend, Grandma and Jack watching the Michigan/OSU game before all hell broke loose.

The Flu. Need I say more?
We are all on the mend, thanks to Super Dad (the only one not hit with the bug) taking care of us and doing laundry for 2 days. Thankful for him and that we are "back to the grind" tomorrow.
Although today's "majama day" was quite nice.

And for those of you who knew (and knew I was a tad worried) Andy did not get a deer on his first hunting expedition. But he did have a great time and he did get to shoot a gun. And no one was injured. Thank God.

Hope you had a (uneventful) Terrific Turkey Day!