The Ten Days of Christmas

I started the ten days of Christmas when Katie and Lolo were quite little. The ten days starts on my birthday and ends on Christmas Eve. I bought the girls ten gifts. They open one each day (in theory) and when the last one is opened they know that the next day is Christmas!

I started this tradition partly in remembering when I was young and Gramma and Grampa Brown would send a box of small wrapped gifts from Florida. We would get to pick one each day and then open the rest on Christmas. I remembered how thrilled I was to get to open some early. How exciting it was to pick one out of the box hoping it was something good. I was always thrilled no matter what it was.

When my girls came along, Kathryn picked up this tradition and sends them the ten days. She went a bit crazy this year so it is the 13 days of Christmas! Eva was so excited when she opened this craft. She had to sew the stocking together and then decorate it. She insisted it be photographed! So here it is... a masterpiece!

Christmas is Coming!

We love Christmas! The girls are working on a Gingerbread House. They each have a roof and two sides to decorate. Before it was over Eva had managed to do roof and four sides! El is the ever patient big sister. They had a great time doing it. I had a great time watching.

The Real Santa Claus!

Eva is not going to sit on Santa's lap!

She has let me know this in no uncertain terms.

We decided to go to the park and decorate cookies and see Santa from afar.

This probably would have worked if the Santa had been one of "helpers" (you know, the one's with the fake beard). However, this was the REAL SANTA!!! And he really wanted to talk to the little sweetie in the pink dress. He decided to go to her.

He went over to her on the swing to introduce himself.

Asked her if she would like to come and have a chat with him.

And that folks is how best friends are made!

Gotta love that guy!

Ode to Dad

Eva was being silly (imagine that!) and made up a little ditty about her daddy.

This is what she sang...

I love Dad

Curly hair boy

The one I love

Wrestle! Wrestle!

I always ask her why she wants to marry my prince.

She always responds with, "because he's cute!"

She's got me there.

Who doesn't LOVE leg warmers?

Come on... most of you readers remember them well. Keep those legs extra toasty in the long winter months! Eva loves her leg warmers! She wanted to wear them. I told her that she did not have something to match them clean. She was determined to wear them so she enlisted her sisters help to create an outfit to wear with the leg warmers... here it is!

She thought Lelly made a good accessory.

The accomplice!

The UPS Guy

El sitting at the front door. Explanation below.

Yes, he was cute, young, blonde, and wearing shorts because is was well into the 70's today. He was also grinning at me as I went over to get a box for the neighbors who are out of town. He continued to grin winningly as I explained that I would take the package. I would have been quite flattered except that I knew he was not flirting as I looked rather haggard. No make-up, hair straggly and in a clip, wearing sweats. He then hands me the package and says, "In this line of work I see a lot of doors, and your front door is the largest I have ever seen. It is great!" I guess he has been waiting awhile to tell us that. I let him know that I will forward the compliment to the architect (I happen to know him well).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has gone to the dogs!

Literally.

The boys are back in town... and I mean all of them. Rex and Jim are here to celebrate Thanksgiving. Buster is also with us this holiday. Buster and Lelly are having a little Thanksgiving treat. They are, of course, the true inventors of Thanksgiving... Eat a lot and then sleep it off!

Todd is carving the Turkey. First turkey done in the Green Egg grill. I am told it was quite tasty and very juicy.

Jim, El, Lelly, and Buster chill out in the living room

El chats with us as we prepare the feast!

Eva is Pocahantas for the occasion.

She also made the toast. "I am thankful for the entire universe, our world, my family, and my friends." Well done Kiddo!

The table was prepared by El and Eva.

Rex takes a break for a bit of fresh air.

Todd about 10 minutes after dinner. He miraculously awoke just after the table was clean and the dishes were washed. Hmm...

Lelly and Buster rest in front of the fire.

I am sure deep inside he is rooting for the Longhorns!

Lelly decided the stuffed bunny "Monsieur Lapin" made a softer bed.

We have had a wonderful time today. Hope your holiday was wonderful as well!

My Thespian

Pictures have arrived.

El was in a production of The Good Doctor at school. I will post pictures as soon as I am able to get them from my cell to my computer. I seem to have a glitch in the system. She did a wonderful job. I was very impressed with the production as a whole. My expectations were low as we were attending a middle school performance. I was pleasantly surprised with what a good job they did. El, of course, was excellent! She loves to be on stage and it shows.

Check back soon for pictures!

Kenichi Wa

OK, so the title is Japanese and she is dressed as a Chinese girl. I did not know a Chinese greeting. Eva decided to be Chinese and wanted to do a photo shoot. She just kept posing and posing. I have several more shots!

Watch out for this warrior princess!

97 years!!!

Happy Birthday Gramma Brown!

Today is the 97th birthday of my Gramma. I am hoping I received some of those longevity genes! Yes, I know, she looks wonderful... but she is only 96 1/2 in this photo:)

Here's hoping it has been a wonderful day and for another wonderful year.

My birthday advise? Heck, what do I know? Clearly you should keep doing what you are doing!

Much love from your Texas bunch!

Pertussis... really?

Eva had a fever, a cough, and general yuckiness. After one day the fever broke but there was something not normal about that cough. It was so rough at times she threw up. I took her to the doctor to find out she may have whooping cough. ??? Yes, I did have her vaccinated. However, it seems there has been a resistant strain that has been making it's way around. The test has come back and yes... Pertussis! For preventive measure the rest of out family will be starting antibiotics today. This includes Dede and Papa who were so lucky as to visit during this highly contagious moment:) No one can say Sweet Eva doesn't share. This video clip is from a late night bath for Eva after ending up with vomit in her hair. Sweet Elyse was right there for her little sister. I am one lucky mom!

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween to all!

Our neighborhood has a party at the amenities center. The kids all hop on a hayride for trick-or-treating. It would be a long walk otherwise! The hayride had about 10 designated stops and then back to the party. Our house was a stop so El was our candy girl.

She awaits the forty trick-or-treaters that come all at once!

Eva as a princess witch.

El did Eva's hair and make-up.

Ready for take-off... wait up Gramma Pat, Eva wants to fly with you!

El is a Hogwarts student in Dumblebore's Army. If you like Harry Potter you know what this means... and you are excited that the next movie will be out in 20 days!

Ready for the battle against evil!

My sweet girls!

Eva and Lelly. Lelly dressed up last week and went on parade with other pooches.

Eva on her way to treats.

YUM!

El's Sea World Experience!

El's birthday present was to go to Sea World and have an animal interaction experience with the Sea Lions. She had a ball! She started out with a short training video and lecture. Then it was into wetsuit and off to play with Elrod.

El is taking a ride by holding on to Elrod's rear flippers.

Here she gave the command to flip!

Just chillin' with her new bff.

You can't see it in the picture, but she just got splashed! The water was 60 degrees.

Time for a rub down.

El gave the command to dance.

El, Elrod, and Steve.