The Best Christmas Pagent Ever!

So it was Christmas concert time at Maggie and Ethan's pre-school. I have to hand it to the staff there - they had their work cut out for them trying to wrangle the kids together AND teaching them all of the songs! But it was really cute - even though one of my children (ahem) wouldn't sing (case of stage fright!).

The preshow at home.

Ethan's class went first. Ethan came out of the classroom with his teacher, and he was PISSED!

My baby, crying for his momma.

I was sitting on the sidelines, hoping E would start singing. But it wasn't meant to be, and he sat on my lap the rest of the show. After a cookie and some juice...

... the same kid 10 minutes later - I kid you not. Happy as can be!

Miss M, waiting patiently to begin

Smiles at the ready!
Some intricate choreography going on with these girls.

Lastly, I leave you with 2 of my favorite selections.

Thanksgiving

I know these are late...

We made the trek up north to spend Thanksgiving with the families. First stop - at Dad's house for our early turkey. After filling our bellies with some good eats, we headed over to Y-town to complete the world tour.

Portrait of Daddy, by Maggie

Playing with Playdoh with Uncle Tom

Two divas-in-training

Harley enjoying a cookie

Zoey and Astra - can't believe how grown up they are!

My baby

Zoolights 2008

Our annual trek to the Zoolights - this time, it was Ethan's first time going.

Not too cold, not too crowded - just right to take two kids out into the night!

The lights were beautiful, as usual. The pictures can't do it justice...

Maggie, with the Christmas manatee (?)...
These parrots make me wish I was in Margaritaville

Even the Grand Cayman Iguana gets into Christmas!
Meeting the big guy himself. Ethan wasn't too sure about Santa, but he was really happy to get the candy cane afterwards.

Making cookies with Mrs. Claus.

The miniature train display - Ethan loved it!

I Need...

... a permanent vacation. Feeling bogged down with work, home projects, upcoming holidays, and fighting a cold all at the same time... Trying to go to my happy place.

Get out and VOTE!

"So because Obama gets in or McCain gets in, it's not going to be repaired overnight. The economy is not going to be repaired, the schools -- the disaster in our schools -- will not be repaired overnight. Nor will the social conversation be repaired overnight.

However, I would encourage every voter to say to his or her candidate, go in and do it, and you will not do it alone. I will help. You have to get up off that sofa or off that couch and give something to the country -- even if it's one hour every other week to an old people's home -- I will read, go into the children's ward and read, or give to your church or your synagogue or your mosque. ... Offer something to the country. So you don't just sit there." - Maya Angelou

The Best $0.20 I Have Ever Spent

Halloween

This year's Halloween was a success! Maggie was Fairytale Princess Dora, Ethan a hockey player (although he wouldn't wear the helmet). Promptly as 6:00, we began our trek around the neighborhood to get as many treats as we could. Ethan quickly got the hang of saying "Trick or Treat" (sounding more like "Tweet tweet"), and also asking for more candy at each stop. Ethan's legs gave out about 45 minutes into the voyage, but Maggie lasted impressively til 7:15 or so.

Maggie as Princess Dora

Ethan's hockey costume, complete with bruises, stitches and hockey stick

Maggie examining the goods at one house. She deemed it acceptable.

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

You're a friendly person, but not the life of the party. You like making someone else's day - and you'll dress up if you think of a really fun costume. You definitely think of yourself as someone who has a dark side. And part of having that dark side means not showing it. Your inner child is open minded, playful, and adventurous. You truly fear the dark side of humanity. You are a true misanthrope. You're prone to be quite emotional and over dramatic. Deep down, you enjoy being scared out of your mind... even if you don't admit it. You are a traditionalist with most aspects of your life. You like your Halloween costume to be basic, well made, and conventional enough to wear another year.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

Pumpkin Fest

I Love the fall... Pumpkins, apples and haybales - oh my!

Love the Fall Weather...

What a gorgeous weekend we had. 80 Degree weather and sunny - perfect for a day at the zoo with the folks from up north. Aunt Jennifer and cousins Alex and RJ came down from Michigan to spend the weekend with us, which thrilled Maggie and Ethan. They love seeing the boys any chance they get.

Whenever I see the sting rays, I start singing that song from "Finding Nemo" when Mr. Ray comes to pick up the kids for school. Weird, I know.

I already have a diva on my hands... Sigh...

My boy - look at his smile!


RJ making friends with the goats.

Maggie and the polar bears. Our zoo is supposed to be getting a polar bear exhibit in the next year or two - I can't wait!

This poor moose was having a bad weekend. He was about to lose his antlers, and had to be separated from the female moose because of mating season. Yeah, I'd be on edge too if I were him.
We love our cousins!

Two boys, zoo tired.