Ready, Set, Bake!

I may have gotten a later start than normal this year, but the Christmas baking has begun!! I am trying some different things this year. Partly because I just like baking and cooking new things, and partly because I want to make things that I am able to resist.

So far we have done pecan bars, sugar cookies, molasses cookies, and spritz. I don't intend to be quite as ambitious as I was last year, but you never know. Sometimes baking has a way of taking over my life and spinning out of control!

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I hope you are all finding some fun things to do to prepare for Christmas. We have also cut back from our regular homeschool schedule, but have chosen a couple of books to continue to use as read-alouds and readers. The younger kids are as excited as ever to skip ahead in Bible and read the Christmas story again. It never gets old or boring and we are all amazed each time we read it that God would send His precious Son the way that He did.

Just Chatting

Micah's vocabulary continues to explode and he is starting to have some interesting things to say. This is last night's conversation that he had with me.

Micah: You are my mommy.

Me: Yes, I am your mommy.

Micah: You're not a cow.

Me: No, I am not a cow.

Micah: You're not a pig.

Me: Nope.

Micah: You are a good, good mommy.

Me: Yes I am!

So sweet! And I am so happy that he knows I am neither a cow nor a pig. And by the way, did you know that a cow says, "Boooooo"?

And It's Only 7:30 in the Morning

Already this morning I have had to carefully explain, in ten-year-old-boy language, why Tiger Woods is constantly on the news and radio. Even though I change the channel and don't watch news with the kids around, they still seem to hear everything! (One of the advantages to homeschooling our children is that we have been able to keep them from knowing about "adult topics" prematurely.)

This morning Caleb said, "Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods. They are always talking about him!"

I finally told him that Tiger Woods has made some bad choices and that the media keeps talking about it. He couldn't understand that a car crash would be that big of a deal.

Hmmm. How do I explain Tiger's crappy behavior to a child who doesn't know about you-know-what?

I ended up telling him that Tiger is a married man with a family who chose to go on lots of "dates" with other women. I asked him to think about how he would feel if his daddy chose to "date" other women and kiss and hug them.

He wouldn't like that at all. I explained that this is not God's plan for families and that is why it is so sad.

He agreed. But not without adding, "But he's still the best golfer in the world."

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Meanwhile, I gave Glory a choice of either milk or water with her pancakes and yogurt. Her answer? "Lemonade!"

Is it really only 7:30?

All I Want For Christmas

Maybe Maggie could wait until 2010 to get her two front teeth.

I love a toothless 6 year old!

My Eyes Is Hot

Micah woke up yesterday morning with a little temp, hoarse voice, and cough. His symptoms escalated throughout the day and into the night until he was wheezing and miserable. I feel badly for the little bugger; I don't know if he has ever really been sick before (thank You, Lord). I took him to the doctor this morning and he just has croup. It will pass. But in the meantime, he still is super cute. Here are a few of his comments to me:

*"My mouf (mouth) hurts."

*"My throat has a cough."

*"My juice hurts. Kiss it." Apparently the orange juice burned his throat. He proceeded to open his mouth wide and stick out his tongue. Sometimes he asks us to kiss his butt when his bottom is sore from a messy diaper. I do have my limits.

*"Sorry, Mom. Sorry, Mom. Sorry, Mom." He says this when he coughs hard.

*"I need to get a shop." He means shot. As in the H1N1 shot that keeps being discussed around our house.

And lastly, when in bed with me early this morning with a fever he said...
"My eyes is hot."

Joy to the World

This year is Carlie's first year taking piano lessons. She is absolutely loving it and really wants to practice and learn. Here is a shot of her first piano recital. Following is a video for those of you who wanted to come but weren't able to make it. (The video is a pre-recital run through her piece.)

It's Great to Be Eight!

Ellie turned eight today! What a fun age. We celebrated with family last night and then Ellie and I went out for lunch and shopping at the mall this afternoon.