Dancin'

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Who knew we were such good Disco dancers? Even the dog got in on the action.

Yes We Can

Congratulations to the entire Obama family, Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha!

YES WE DID!

Yesterday I opened the news paper to see a large photo of Barack Obama next to a large photo of John McCain. I asked Hannah if she knew who they were. She pointed to Obama and said "He's Obama." Later in the day I took all three kids with me to vote. They didn't have the Kids' Vote at our polling place so we drove to the nearest one (about 2 miles), so my children would have a chance to share their vote. The Kids' ballot had a head shot of each candidate next to their name. Hannah took one look at the paper, pointed to Obama and excitedly said "There he is!" Of course she voted for Obama. I have one smart 3 year old.

I've seen this everywhere today but I don't know who the author is. I'd like you to see it.

Rosa sat so Martin could walk,

Martin walked so Barack could run,

Barack ran so our children can fly.

What were you for Halloween?

For Halloween this year Maya was a fortune teller, Elias was a firefighter and Hanna was a princess. It was a lot more fun picking out costumes this year because Elias knew what was going on and Hannah kind of got it. The only part of the costumes I purchased was the reflective tape on Elias' costume. The rest of the costumes were things we had around the house or in the dress up clothes. Total cost of costumes this year? $6.

I Like It!

I was in Chess Club in elementary school. I never saw a game there that was quite as fun as this one.

Zombie Jamboree 2008 version

Before playing this video I suggest that you stop the music playing on the music player that's at the top right of this blog. (Just click on the play/pause symbol)

WARNING!! This video may cause you to hum/sing this silly song all day.

Fall Fun!

Last weekend, after a week off of school, we spent a lot of time with the cousins. My sister was in town with her two children. We went shopping and out for lunch on Saturday. Sunday we went to the Children's Museum (Free 3rd Sunday), went out for lunch, baked a cake, made dinner, then had a birthdays/anniversary party for my parents. During the free time the kids played and played and played. The weather was beautiful and the kids took advantage of it by spending most of Sunday afternoon playing outside.

My kids get along great with their cousins. Maya and my niece, Greta are great friends. Despite the 3 year age difference they have a lot of similar interests. My sister told me that her son David talks about Elias all the time. Again there is a 3 year age difference but I saw Elias and David having a great time together all weekend. It's nice for Elias to have someone that looks up to him. Hannah just tries to play with everyone, she'll dig in the sandbox, play legos, barbies, house, dress-up, cars, anything that she can to participate in what everyone else is doing. My other nephew, Nicholas, has started learning how to play with the other kids. He is still more content to play alone or with a parent, but he is coming around.

Last week I found out about a new charter school that just opened this fall. It's an all girl school for grades 5-8. I am seriously considering this for Maya for next year. She isn't too excited at the thought of leaving her elementary school a year early but I am thrilled at the thought of an all female environment for learning. I'll tour the school next week.

We are deep into the fall schedule of extra curricular activities. Maya started swim lessons again last week, after a 5 month hiatus due to scheduling conflicts. She told me after the class that it felt great to be back in the water again. Both Maya and Elias have scouts as well. I continue to lead Maya's scout troop. Hannah cheerfully comes along to all the meetings and lessons.

Myla and Cyrus

My sister is having a baby in December. On her new baby blog she is having a contest to help them think of a baby name. One of the suggested names was Myla. We met a 6 year old girl named Myla this summer on our camping trip. Her 3 year old brother was named Cyrus. Myla and Cyrus. Say those names together now, Myla Cyrus. Remind you of anyone? If you have a pre-teen girl living in your house you probably thought of Miley Cyrus also known as Hannah Montana. Three years ago one had ever heard of Miley Cyrus. Too bad for Myla and Cyrus that they just happen to be young during the reign of Miley Cyrus.

Back to School and Fall Fun

I never did a first day of school blog. School started at the beginning of the month so I am very late in getting these pictures posted. Maya is in 4th grade this year, Elias is in 1st grade and Hannah is still going to day care every day.

The first few weeks of school have gone well. Maya applied for and got the position of bus leader. This means that she is a role model to the other kids on the bus. She has some authority to tell other kids to follow bus rules and can report unacceptable behavior to the school. She is also starting music lessons this year. She chose to try the flute. Hopefully I'll find one this weekend (Craigslist has a bunch listed). She is in her 4th year of Girl Scouts this year and will be getting practice in leadership, critical thinking and planning skills (including budgeting). She is also playing soccer. In her free time she has been playing nicely with her siblings.

Elias is excited for school and I am told he is taking on some more responsibilities in class, especially by helping the Kindergartners find their way around. He started Cub Scouts last week. I pick up a uniform shirt yesterday, I still need to sew on the patches - why don't they make iron-on patches like girl scouts do? We are learning all about boy scouts together, the promise, the law, the motto and other terminology, like den and pack. He is playing soccer as well and having a great time. I have noticed a lot of improvement in his self confidence as well as his skills on the field.

Hannah just hangs out, she goes to all the Girl Scout meetings, all the Boy Scout meetings and all the soccer practices and games. Lately she has been playing with Polly Pockets and Legos a lot, doing a lot of imaginative play. She is a collector of little toys and has them all arranged in bins in her room. She is growing fast. All of her pants that fit nicely in the spring are all too short now. Her feet have grown another shoe size as well. She has been going on neighborhood excursions (to the high school track and to the parks) with day care a couple of days a week and has been going on farther field trips (zoo, giant playground) on Fridays. The day care provider is loving the nice weather we have had this month and likes having only 4 preschoolers on Fridays.

I am leading Maya's Girl Scout troop again - 4th year for me too - and doing all the running around for practices and meetings for the other kids. Work is starting to get busy again - a lot of allergy related asthma lately.

So fall has been fun so far. More trips and events are already planned for next month and should be fun as well.