So, the kids were watching TV, mom had gone to work and dad was sleeping in a little. We have done this before. We can hear them and they come screaming to us if they are fighting, etc. On Christmas Eve, they decided to get some packs of fruit snack to eat - they usually bring them to us to open. Yes, we are talented enough to open fruit snacks in our sleep!

However, this morning, as a special Christmas present to us, they got out TA's safety scissors and cut open the fruit snacks. Then the story gets fuzzy...the results were two unplanned haircuts. Here are photos from their self-stylin' event:

Look at the notch over his left eye. At least it is on part and not very noticable!!!

The part you can see used to be the same length as the rest of the hair. Not shown are the 1 inch segments near her crown that is currently hidden by other hair!


We took her for an emergency haircut. This is the after...the stylist cut off about 3 inches and put long layers in to blend the cut part. But EQ's hair wasn't cut as short as the self-stylin'. It'll grow...slowly, but it'll grow!!!

...and all scissors are put up far, far away...

C and Kids

S. and Kids

National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in front of the White House.

National Menorrah on Ellipse

Our Tree

Talking to HoHo again.

A giant gingerbread house

Twins!

The easy way to wash your hands when you can't reach the sink.

A recap of the past almost two months - part 1

They do love each other!!!

More of the Kramer Crew in FL for Thanksgiving

Brothers playing guitar hero.

All bundled up to watch the Alexandria Christmas Boat Parade of Lights in the snow.

Catching snowflakes on his tongue!

Showing off her pink sparkle dress.

TA played soccer with EQ cheering on every game!

I feel so fortunate to live in a country where I can vote without pressure or fear.  Amazingly , I arrived at my local polling place and saw a fairly full parking lot.  I walked inside after being bombarded by volunteers giving out 'sample' ballots.  The end of the line was at the door.  

I opened my book to read while waiting, but the line was moving so fast I didn't read one word!  I walked right up to the H-O person, checked in, got my 'permit', walked over to get my optical scan ballot, filled it out, slid it in the machine, got my sticker and left.  

All in less than 10 minutes!!!  Miracles happen everyday.  I pray that more happen today as well.

My only regret was not bringing TA with me so he could experience this as well.  But he has a sticker!!!  And we are heading to Krispy Kreme later!

Halloween 2008

First the fireman had to rescue the kitty from the tree, then they happily went in search for candy. boy did they find candy!!! 3 pumpkinfuls each. fireman T loved looking for doortags and Kitty E loved saying 'Twick o Tweat' 

They already know that some of the candy is going to be put in our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Some will just disappear. shhhh...

The Big Apple Circus came to town and had a Circus of the Senses for hearing and visually impaired people.  It was a blast!!

Tomorrow is the Service of Remembrance at Potomac Hospital. It is one small way to honor the babies that went to heaven too early for the families left on earth. I will be reading this poem that I found on the Share International site and adapted for our service. I am sorry, but I do not know who wrote it.

We’re gathering to remember what in life we can’t forget
The loss of precious children some we’ve never even met.
We’re standing here together, the bond between us strong
For we’re the only ones who know your pain, it isn’t wrong.
They’ll tell you that you’ll mend and try again someday
But only we know in our hearts this pain is here to stay
Our lives we’ll go on living our families they may grow
But there will always be a special place, for the children we didn’t get to know.
They’ll never be forgotten by all those who hold them dear
They’ll never be forgotten thanks to gatherings like this one here
We’re gathering to remember these children one and all
As together we’ll unite our hearts and break this silent wall.

QUARANTINE

Yesterday, on my way home from work, I called S to check on things.  He said he was standing outside of TA's school.  The school was in lock down.  School get out normally at 4pm. There were about 16 fire trucks and just as many ambulances outside the school.  Several students and a couple of teachers went to the hospital for a rash and cough.  

When I arrived around 6pm, S and EQ were waiting with the other parents next to the police tape.  There were people and cars everywhere.  They were letting kids who ride buses go first.  It was misting outside.  They finally began letting kids out in groups for the 'walkers'.  We were getting wetter.  Then there was my boy!  He happily told me about all the fire engines and the green ambulance.  They also went on 'an adventure walk' as part of the lock down.  We got home a little after 7pm.  

How many kindergartners experience a lock down the first month of school???  Thankfully everyone was ok.  We still know nothing about what happened and the chapel service that meets in the cafeteria had to move for Sunday's service.

Yesterday was my BIRTHDAY!!!! WooHoo!!! The kids are at Grandma's. I slept until 1130am today. S gave me a beautiful new watch.

Some more kidisms:

TA: Mommy, when I grow up I want to be imaginary.
C: You can't be imaginary, you are a real boy.
TA: No. Imaginary - a person that tells people about God and Jesus and stuff.
C: Oh - a missionary.
TA: Yeah. A missionary. Or I don't know. I have a lot of good plans for when I grow up.

C: EQ can I braid your hair? (she hates having her hair brushed!)
EQ: Ummm....Ummmm....
C: You can wear two bows...
EQ: Ummm...two bows? OK.

Oh if only it was always os easy to convince her to do things!

Thursday conversations...

TA: Mommy, I walked around the flagpole. We said the Pledge of Allegiance because the bad guys killed the other people. Can you tell me more about it?

C & S: The bad guys stole an airplane and crashed it into buildings and broke the airplane and the buildings.

TA: Where was I?

C & S: You weren't born yet.

TA: One plane broke here, right? What did God say to the bad guys?

C & S: We don't know. I am sure He said something. You can ask Him one day.

....how a 5 year old sees 9/11....

After taking EQ to school, TA and I returned home for breakfast.  He had to go potty then told me, "Mommy. I think I am sick.  Maybe I need to stay home with you today."  He was just nervous, scared and hungry! One thing he was scared of was making friends.  No worries there!! After breakfast, getting his new backpack and talking to mommy a little, he was all better.  Then we set off for the walk to school at 9:05.  School starts at 9:25am.  

There were families walking from all over the neighborhood.   There were cars parked on all the streets, busses coming and going.  Kids everywhere.  There are about 1260 students in this school - over 230 are kindergartners!!!  There are 9! kindergarten classes.  As we were walking in, TA kept saying, "There are so many kids." "Where did all these kids come from?" "Who are all this kids? There are so many of them."  He was clearly overwhelmed!  I tried to show him landmarks to help him find his classroom.  While holding back tears.

In his room, his teacher and aide were waiting for him.  He was ready to go.  He found his spot and sat down to begin working.  He forgot I was there.  I cried.  Mrs. DeVille smiled a knowing smile.  Then I began the walk home.  

Just before 4pm I went to pick him up.  I didn't know where to pick him up...so I waited in the lobby until he appeared with the other 'walkers.' He didn't even see me.  When I claimed him, he was so happy.  "Hi Mommy. I had a good day, but I need to go home and rest."  Highlights of his day include playing on the playground, going to the gym, ordering his own lunch (burrito, peaches and chocolate milk), and eating snack (I ate all the snack you sent for me.)  He also said he did homework that had to stay at school.  And told me again that he needed to rest - NOT take a nap.  Apparently kindergartners don't take naps!  

This is where Daddy was for TA's first day of Kindergarten! Thanks to a GSM phone TA was able to call his Daddy and tell him all about his first day of school before....

                                         'resting for just a minute.'

A long first day of kindergarten...another to come tomorrow.  

Kindergarten School Supplies:
1 pair of 5" Fiskars (blunt)...$0.99
1 box of Crayola (fat/8 count) washable markers...$2.80
1 box of Crayola (skinny/8 count) washable markers...$2.45
2 bottles of Elmer's white washable school glue (4 oz)...$0.44 (each)
1 large glue stick...$0.99
2 boxes of tissues...$1.59 (each)
3 boxes of baby wipes...$2.09 (each)
1 old adult t-shirt...$0.00
1 large backpack with name on the inside...$14.99
4 boxes of Crayola crayons (48 count)...$3.19 (each)
1 pack of yellow #2 pencils (sharpened)...$0.75 (not sharpened)
1 pack of primary pencils (sharpened)...$2.49
1 box of Ziploc freezer (quart sized) bags...$1.12
1 box of Ziplock freezer (gallon sized) bags...$2.00
1 bottle of hand sanitizer (12 oz)...$1.96

Total: $51.53


No wonder so many can't afford them!!! Take out the backpack and it is still almost $40. And this is for shared items except the backpack.

I also purchased some #3 pencils for TA because they write darker and are easier for him to see. That is the only extra I purchased for him. All this to start kindergarten!

It all had to be there at orientation. The parents were in the cafeteria while the kids visited with their new teachers. It was drizzling outside and guess what...the fire alarm went off. It wasn't a drill. We all had to wait in the rain, but TA thought it was afun adventure, although he was sad to have missed the fire engines and firemen in their gear!

blog giveaway!!! The gal who did my blog design is having fun giveaway. check it out here:

China Baby!!!


Good luck!

While the kids are away, the parents will play!!! We have enjoyed visiting 'adult toy stores' aka Home Depot, Ikea, and Best Buy, went on a dinner cruise on the Potomac River, saw a movie (Indiana Jones), cleaned some of the garage and unpacked a few boxes - we've only been here almost 2 years!!!, played with the kids' toys, tagged consignment items, and talked and caught up. Here are some photos from our week:

From the dinner cruise to celebrate our 8 year engagement anniversary:

The Air Force Memorial at sunset

Monuments at night

Isn't he so handsome!!!!


I added flowers to EQ's room. They are removable and came from the dollar store!

One of these things is not like the other...