Pretty Woman

I have to imagine walking through the mall with your dad carrying your new American Girl doll in her American Girl carrying bag (complete with her french bulldog) while you carry your newest American Girl accessories you purchased is as close to Julia Roberts strolling down Rodeo Drive in Pretty Woman as a 6 year-old gets...

Kiss the Cooks

If he's going to be lending a hand in the kitchen, we really need to get Everett his own apron....

Christmas

As always, Christmas was a big success at our house.  We were blessed by the company of family and a fruitful visit from Santa.  

 We got a new dinosaur security system...

 Amelia got a fashion design kit including real metal pins....I bought a box of band-aids.

 Everett got a host of new friends...

One More

Ev knows how to take advantage of getting one last bite of ice cream...

Getting Fit

With all this sunny weather, I decided to take the kids to the fitness trail for a little outdoor exercise. They clearly knocked out many more push ups and pull ups than I did....

Christmas Cheer

You can keep all the presents, songs, and lights. As long as I have these two smiling, I have all the Christmas cheer I could ever ask for...

Last Requests

We stopped by for a visit with 'Ol Saint Nick to make a few last requests. Amelia held strong with American Girl while Everett decided to opt for 2 whales.  I'm not sure if the type or size of the whales matter, but apparently, he has decided 2 is the perfect number...

Recovery

For any of you worried about Everett's recovery from his ambulance ride and ER visit, here is a video from the next morning....and his interpretation of his favorite song, Hello by Adele....

Rested?

When you wake up with this hair, you know you either had the best or worst night of sleep you've had in a long time....

What a Ride

Everett got to go on a very exciting ride today ... unfortunately, it was in an ambulance.  Without going into all the details, we are thankful he seems to be okay.  We are home and he is his normal, happy self. However, it did serve as a reminder of how precious every moment is. It also reminded me of the last time I was this worried about my little man....

Craftsmen

These two are becoming fine gingerbread house craftsmen.  Much like putting up the lights outside the house, Amelia contributed a bit more to the project while Everett contributed a bit more to the silliness....

Siblings

Everett is going on a sleepover tomorrow night.  I looked in his overnight bag and found this card Amelia made for him...

He won't understand it for about 20 years, but he's an extremely lucky little boy to have a sister that loves him as much as she does. 

Good Start

There are people who have nice, relaxing mornings and then there is Everett. This guy takes it to a whole new level.  This morning, he turned on the Christmas lights, leisurely dined on cinnamon rolls, and watched a little Charlie Brown Christmas before school...

Wall

While we were in Asheville, the kids took time to write a message on the Before I Die wall there. Amelia apparently wants to sky dive and know her "antsisters", aka ancestors. Everett simply wants to "Everett".  Hey, cut him some slack. It's the only thing he knows how to write and I was impressed with that....

Mastermind

This is an example of what I'm dealing with .....

Me (as we arrived home from the mountains): Man, my back is sore from those bumper cars.

Amelia: Would you like me to give you a massage?

Me: That would be great. Thank you, baby.

Amelia (once we got settled at home): Are you ready for your massage?

Me:  Sure. 

Amelia: Okay, lay down

She had me lay down comfortably to prepare for some yoga massages she's learned.  

Amelia (after massaging me for a minute or so): Does your back feel better?

Me (not getting much from the massage, but enjoying the sentiment): It's starting to. Thanks. Will you rub the top?

Amelia: Yeah, just let me take a drink first.

I then felt ice water so cold it took my breathe being dumped all over my back (and subsequently bed). I flew to my feet in shock.

Me: What happened?!? Why did you do that????!!??

By this point, she was rolling on the floor laughing. 

After I settled down and dried off, I asked her again.

Me: Hey, why did you do that??  That wasn't nice. 

Amelia: I thought of that in the cabin two days ago and thought it would be hilarious

Me: You've been planning that attack for two days?!?

Amelia: Yeah, that was so funny. It was hard to wait. 

Me: You're lucky I respect your efforts. 

So, there you have it. I'm dealing with some sort of disciplined, patient, mischievous mastermind. I respect it...and I fear it. 

Tag Team

These two have been in cahoots for a long time now...