The Giant Footprint

I've just been sworn to secrecy - so between me, you and the internet -- my children have found a giant shoe print in the sand.  They were at the park with the neighbor kid and they found it.  They had buried something and marked it with a rubber-band  X and now there is nothing but the footprint -- a Giant one -- the rubber-bands are gone!  All three of the girls are breathless with excitement.

Yesterday they had found some money in the sand and that is why they buried something in the lucky spot and then marked it. They have dug in the sand near the foot and have found a brick -- there are letters on the brick and they believe it to be some sort of code -- a code for money? 

They are going to dig to see what's buried beneath the brick -- they think the foot may belong to the money leaver and that he has returned to burry more -- soon they may be rich!

I have the best kids

Today is my birthday, but my kids started with the birthday treatment yesterday.  Lizzie prepared a glass of seltzer with a pineapple garnish (so fancy) -- she set it by the computer where she was sure I would see it.  I've also received a special card and flower pot (also by the computer).  

Winnie has been all manners and "can I get you anything, mom?" And both have been asking many questions about my favorite types of food.

I love being a mom.

A story of luck and charm for all my friends who are sick of looking at the Wisconsin State Capital

Do you understand what is happening in these pictures?

A leprechaun trap is being set. You had to be here for the full effect because Lizzie was certain of her genius.

Once enticed by the cheddar bunnies, the leprechaun would enter the kennel whereupon hearing the kennel commotion, Lizzie (or Rich, or I) would pull the yellow string, which would shut the kennel door, thus trapping the leprechaun and forcing him to give up all of his gold in order to be set free.

There was also a softer plan involving trade. The bag held two quarters and a few chocolate kisses. Lizzie wrote a note explaining the desired trade.

In the end, the stealthy leprechaun came, took the booty, made a mess of my living room and peed green in our toilet. On the bright side, he did turn her money into golden wrapped chocolate -- not the real gold she was hoping for, but better luck next year Busybeth.

Wisconsin State Capital Feild Trip

The Capital Building pictures were taken with the little camera.

The light in that building is something else, not to mention --holy gilded building batman!

The reddish picture in the middle is of the Governor's conference room -- that's Winnie in the Governor's chair.

Click on the dome picture (6th from the bottom) to see better detail and to see the W's surrounding the center painting.

I So Don't Do Mysteries by Barrie Summy: Book Review

Friends, a special treat today -- my daughter Winnie is taking over my blog so that she may post a book review.

Enjoy...

On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give this book a 10. And by the way 10 is a MUST READ. I think this book is amazing! Bravo Barrie! Not only is this a mystery book, but it is a romance novel too. A perfect way to get the best of both worlds. It has characters very different from eachother, and that is a really great charactaristic in a book. I mean, think about it, it would be the most freakin' boring book if all of the characters were the same. Again, bravo Barrie! I recomend checking out this book at your nearest book store. I got mine at Borders. And as you can see I am very siked to get the book from Borders, at the mall on Christmas Eve. I gaurantee you'll LOVE,LOVE,LOVE this book, because I have great taste, and I liked it, a thankyouverymuch.

What's so great about a bunch of vidiots sitting around, peacefully playing their games?

The miracle here is that this is 35 minutes before we have to leave the house for school.

That's right, you are looking at three calm children on a school day -- before school. Nobody is fighting, having a fit or ignoring marching orders.

I know all parents who are reading this are yelling at the screen, "How did you do it, Kim?!"

I'll tell you -- it's the third kid -- the one who doesn't belong to me.

Don't worry, she's no golden child -- they don't exist. She is an angel when she's at my house, but as soon as her mom comes to pick her up, she forgets how to tie her own shoes and needs "heheheeeeelp" from her mom.

Neither here nor there -- the deal here is that her parents needed a favor, so she stayed over on a school night, which proved to be enough of a novelty to have everyone rush to get ready so they could play before school.

Nice.

Olympians

We went to a meet and greet with Paul and Morgan Hamm and Sean Johnson -- very cool. As Winnie said though, "I thought it was a meet and greet, but it was all meet and no greet". It was an event sponsored by Winnie's gym and another place. Even though we got there fairly early and the line wasn't real long -- it took a while to get our moment. Originally you saw the boys and then the girl, but as time marched on, they got wise -- put them all together and had someone shuffling folks in, "hi", "hi", "hi",autograph, autograph, autograph, "get behind them and take a picture." ...and out, "Next!" But thrilling, none the less. Okay and how about that quick snap photo? All six looking, all eyes open (red, but open). I've done two rolls a film trying to get a decent Christmas photo for our family of five and not gotten as good a shot. side note on the picture -- I did get to take two photos because the first picture I took was of my own eye (stupid delay, I thought it didn't go). The Hamm mom was there too -- she sold us the posters.

Something New

I have experienced taking in historical moments before-- the death of someone important, acts of terrorism and war -- significant, but horrible history. Wednesday, as I sat watching the coverage of Obama's victory, I experienced something new -- profound hope for the human race.

I thought this must be what it was like in 60's when real change was happening and people felt personal power could actually be used to effect the world in a positive way. Here we are again, with a leader capable of motivating the masses -- he's just a man, a politician, but wow.

When you look at the big picture and the world with it's wheels falling off, prior to Tuesday night, the cynic in me kept things fairly reserved -- I hoped for the best, but couldn't see how humanity could pull it off no matter who was in charge of the United States.

I really wasn't thinking Obama could change all that much even if he were elected, but now that he has been and watching the world react -- drastic change feels possible.

Can you imagine, one day you are just a man and the next you are someone who has profoundly changed history before you have even set a single foot in office. All eyes on one man. So many people ready to follow his lead.

I've always lived in a world where too much power for one man has been a creepy deal -- I've never experienced this possibility of real and positive change. Even as Obama campaigned on the idea of change, it was, yeah, yeah -- don't they all promise change. Even as it was refreshing to hear intelligent, thoughtful words coming out of a politicians mouth -- I kept the lid on my hopefulness.

Who knows what will happen, but in these moments where so many people have been lifted from their apathy and really seem motivated -- it's the coolest thing. I've always lived trying not think about how I am at the mercy of foolish people who are blinded by greed or fear -- people who make greedy or fearful policies that seem to have nothing to do with the good of humanity at all. I've wanted to believe the world can change and I do my part where I can, but the big picture has been bleak.

We are still at the mercy of our leaders, but doesn't it seem different? The air is ripe with real possibility -- what's that word?

Hope.

Watching one person be so inspirational and seeing his message get bigger than he is -- it's crazy in a good way.

"I urge all Americans to join me in not just congratulating him, but in offering our next president our goodwill and encouragement in finding ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises to settle our differences, to help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world and leave our children and grandchildren in a stronger better country than we inherited." -- John McCain

Wasn't that the best concession speech ever? (save for the booing). Civility abounding -- loved it.

"Godspeed" indeed, and dicernment to you President-Elect Obama.

Hopped up on "hopium"

Obama.

Not so fast

This is my cousin's boy. I am very proud of this shot because the boy is a little shy and was trying hide behind that bag of chips before I could get his picture.

Not only did he not succeed, but I got a better shot than if he were to have sat still -- as great as that hair is, you don't get much of the eyes through those bangs. And every bit of his sweet personality shows here too.

Better luck next time Dusty.

Ten things which make me happy

I got the "ten things" idea from Barrie Summy's Feel Good Post. Thought I'd do a photo list.

1. Picture of my grandpa's hands, taken by husband.

2. Rock star best friend.

3. Sleepy girls in a princess cave.

4. My party planning kids

5. Princess cave (don't you just want to go in there?)

6. My picture frame wall (even though I have not filled most of the frames as of yet).

7. My notes for using the "garage band" program on the Macbook --seeing the notes makes me think of working on podcasts with fourth graders (If you give a kid a microphone...)

8. I don't often "have" to have material goods, but when I saw this pillow I needed it. Reminds me of my favorite kind of coloring book pages when I was a kid -- screw those detailed pics, give me a big, big elephant face and I was happy.

9. God gave google to me.

10. My husband's grandmother's artwork. We have it all over our house, but this one is my favorite.

Lizzie is 8 today

Pickle gators and chicken (or is it gator meat?) .





















Eat the Lillian Q.
Oh sure, were cheek to cheek here, but two shutter clicks away I got the boot.
"...to youuuuu..."

An American Girl party-- hair-dos, games, prizes, food --livin' the dream.

Crazy is as crazy dogs

I really am a cool mom!

Some of you may have seen Lizzie's fish room,well she wanted a change and she got one.

The other night?

She missed the dang fish! Her little friends were gone. The other day she had gotten a book at the book fair 'DOGERELLA' -- I told her I would paint the dog next to her bed so she'd have a new friend (after my speech about change flopped. She said, 'I'm just a kid and I don't get all that stuff you said -- I just miss my fish').
I'm so happy with how it turned out, more importantly -- so was Lizzie...and Winnie. Now Winnie wants one too -- wish me luck, the magic doesn't always strike twice.

And for those of you who need a Frances (with the bear) and Gurty (in the sun) fix -- for you.