Sometimes, Mom goes crazy

This Christmas, Mom went nutsy coo-coo making garland. She went to a store in New York City that had felt garland and braided chains so she had to try and make some too.

They actually turned out pretty cute, and now Mom has something to use for the "underwear line" on Christmas morning. So embarrassing.

Friday Night Fun

Luckily, a trip to Harmon's is all these kids need to have a good time.


Harry can't resist a sweet girl in green.

Kindergarten Program

Today was Harry's class Christmas Program. Here's the man of the hour!


Harry & Norah pose with Harry's Nutcracker.



For the die-hard Harry fan, here's a song from the program. The famous "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

Poor Girl

15 minutes of playing in the snow can really wear a girl out.

Ballerinas

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

Here's to the best father and husband any family could hope to have.

We love you and miss you.

Happy Birthday.

Another free slideshow by Smilebox

Proof...

...that Norah is the reason Mom can never find the camera.


Closet Door. A study in lighting.
Harrison. A Portrait of a Brother.

Ceiling. A study in perspective.

Pillow Pet. A study in textural contrast.

Norah. A portrait of the artist.

Caught red handed (or elbowed.)

Christmas Dance Party

Harrison has been learning the song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" at school. When Mom found a CD that actually has the song on it, a dance party was the obvious result.

Mom will not comment on how ANNOYING the song is. Seriously, people, you couldn't come up with a better song to teach the kindergartners?

An Intergalactic Christmas

The kids have spent the last few days making an "intergalactic nativity" out of clay and other bits and pieces around the house. Their creativity has been flowing and harmony has ruled the house.

The nativity


The Holy Family

The Shepherd & alien sheep

The Intergalactic (heavenly) hosts

The Three Kings

The artists (and Norah's dinner.)

Royal Wedding

Do you think this might embarrass them in later years?

Gingerbread

We bought a Gingerbread House kit at Costco. Ours doesn't quite look like the box said it would, but we had fun putting it together.

Luckily we had extra coconut from when mom made her favorite carrot cake, so we fancied up the scene with a little coconut snow. Hopefully it draws the eye away from the frosting sliding off the door.

Good little gingerbread helpers. (Harry's mouth is stuffed full of "leftover" candy.)

We're back!

It has been a really long time since we've blogged, but we are bound and determined to get back into the groove. Dad has taken a job in NYC until June, so we are hoping to keep this blog updated with pictures and stories so that he (and anyone else who is inclined) can keep tabs on us.

Since Dad has been gone we've been keeping busy.

Playing games...

visiting Santa (only Norah would sit on his lap)

challenging our minds with Professor Layton

playing in the snow

and reading lots of books. It's great to have a family of readers!

With all of December before us, we are sure to have lots of fun. Hopefully, Mom will remember to take pictures of it all.

The 4th

We had a wonderful extended 4th of July weekend. Provo really goes all out for the 4th, and this year it lasted 3 days.

We enjoyed a lovely morning at the farmer's market, played with firecrackers, watched the Stadium of Fire from the roof of the van (that's how we roll), and had a BBQ and water fight with all the Smith cousins.

We wrapped it all up with a great dinner at Aunt Anna's, decorated scooters and wagons, and then made our way to the Village of Fire and Kiddie Parade at Uncle Matt's. Check out how patriotic we are!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Three conversations that have taken place over the last little while.

1. In the car, while driving up to Grandma's house on a Sunday afternoon.

Norah: (hands clasped dramatically on her chest) "Mom, Dad, I can feel my heart pooping, for real!"

Dad: "Do you mean 'beating,' Norah?"

Norah: "Oh yeah, 'beating' not 'pooping.' Silly me."

2. In the bathroom, after a trip to the pool, as we wait for the bathwater to warm up.

Harry: (blue lips, shivering uncontrollably) "Why I am I always so cold after I go swimming?"

Mom: "Well, it's because you are so skinny. You don't have any fat on your bones to keep you warm."

Harry: "Wow Mom, you are REALLY LUCKY!" (the stinker)

3. In the car, yet again. The children are disagreeing about something.

Harry: "I know, we'll ask Mom and Dad to decide."

Norah: "No Harry, Mom and Dad are ineffective."

(A note from Mom: It is interesting to feel like you've had a knife to the gut at the precise moment that your heart swells with pride.)

The Missing Birthday Post

Way back in April, our man Harry turned 5. We had a super great party at Harry's favorite place on the planet, Chuck E. Cheese's. There were games, pizza, cake, and BEST OF ALL..... the creepy mouse himself, Chuck E. Cheese.

The proof is in the pudding. Mom and Dad love Harry a lot. He's one awesome 5 year old.

Growing Up

Mom has been putting off blogging about Maren's birthday, because she is having a hard time believing that Maren is 9!

Even though Mom can't swallow the fact that Maren is as close to being a teenager and she is to being a kindergartener, the fact remains that Maren's birthday has come and gone, and deserves some blog-props.

Maren enjoyed a party with her gal-pals from school. There was chalk drawing, game playing, food scarfing, gift opening, and lots of girl giggling.

Maren then chose to go to the Bombay House for her birthday dinner. Her parents couldn't have been prouder. Between the Naan, Chicken Pakora and Basmati rice, the kids all filled themselves up on food that they were thrilled to discover they actually liked! We tried the chicken coconut kurma for the first time (yum-o) and Maren was treated to a very special dessert. She made a great restaurant choice!

In honor of her birthday, here are nine words that describe Maren.

1. Thoughtful

2. Quirky

3. Reader

4. Responsible

5. Joker

6. Creative

7. Kind

8. Smart

9. Loved

Glorious Norah

Norah is a great big three year old. Can you believe it?

Here are some things that everyone should know about Norah.

1. Norah loves clothes and picks out her own outfits everyday. Mom only edits if there is extreme conflicts with weather or pattern.

2. Norah is a snacker. She likes to eat just a little bit every 90 minutes or so. 7:30 -- gogurt. 9:00 -- goldfish. 10:30 -- ham rolls. 12:00 -- crackers & cheese and cucumbers. 1:30 -- banana. 3:00 -- whatever she can convince Aunt Anna to feed her. 4:30 -- applesauce. 6:00 -- dinner (a little bite here and there.) 7:30 -- dinner round 2. Mom should just accept that this is the way it is, and not by annoyed that she is constantly feeding Norah.

3. Norah loves to sing and dance. Her life has a constant soundtrack playing in her head. Sometimes, we get to hear it too. "Climbing up the stairs, climbing up the stairs, here I go, here I go, climbing up the stairs" is what we heard this morning.

4. Norah eats the frosting off the top of her cupcakes. For Norah's birthday this year, Mom got smart and made mini-cupcakes, and she, Aunt Brittney and Cousin Ellie decorated them with frosting roses. That way, Norah could have lots of frosting and just a little cake.

5. Norah can entertain herself for long periods of time. Dressing up, Little People and Disney Princesses can keep her occupied for solid 30 minute chunks of time, where she dismisses mom ("go away, I'm busy") and happily talks to herself and her toys. While this is blissful in some ways, it does equal large amounts of mess. As happy as she is to get lots of toys out, Norah does not like to pick them up.

6. Every day with Norah is a treat. If you're feeling gloomy, having Norah climb up on your lap, stroke your cheek and give you a kiss will turn you right around. She's magic like that.