2012 Christmas programs

Santa's Belt

Saw this cake at Cub today:

So Santa's belt is enough!

See, my front porch decoration is in fashion!

Deep thoughts about history

The other day, I had an idea for a project for a history major. I would like to see a map of the world and, starting as far back as possible, show the wars throughout the world as time moves forward. Or maybe find a way to show how power, borders, kingdoms shifted over history. I am convinced that violence and power shifts are just a part of life that have always existed and aren't necessarily any worse today. They are just better reported to people in far away places and the weapons can do more damage. But at the same time, perhaps the better reporting, communications, and changing cultural views on basic human rights have offset some of those negatives? I did some Googling and found these two, neither of which is exactly what I was looking for, but both of which are interesting.



This one seems very limited to the history of  Europe and the Middle East. I'm sure there was lots going on in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas that aren't included (all the A's). But its still interesting.



I think this is very interesting. I wish the time scale at the bottom were consistent so we could get a better impression of how long each empire lasted in comparison with the others. I had no idea some of those empires were so massive.

History is fascinating.

Gingerbread Houses

Both terms, 'gingerbread' and 'house', are used loosely. But fun was had by all!

Brave and Silly

With lots of tears, determination and encouragement, Laura made it to the top of the REI rock wall again. She made it 2 years ago, then had a few bad climbs where she freaked herself out bad enough to not try again for a year. But she wanted to give it another go last weekend. She got stuck up there crying, so an REI associate climbed up to help bring her down, but she was stubborn enough to push the rest of the way up and ring the bell. There was a group of tween girls having a birthday party waiting their turn to climb and they were so supportive and cheered for Laura as she made it to the top.  Outdoorsy people are so nice, even as tweens.

And its a testament to how many times they've been on the MOA roller coaster that they know where the camera is and can time it just right for a silly face.

Tornado Fixation

For maybe 2 years now, Adam has been fixated on tornadoes. 

It started with fear and nightmares, but now they are mostly just cool. For the longest time, he thought they were living things that could be killed ("Do tornadoes have eyes?").

From the moment I asked him in September, a tornado was all he wanted to be for Halloween this year.

And then the movie Tornado Alley came to the Science Museum. As members, we can go to the movies free so he's been twice. They have the specially built tornado chaser car sitting in the lobby, so we've seen and examined that a couple times. So, he has made his own tornado chaser at home a few times. 

The red thing in the middle extends down into the ground so when the tornado blows over him, he won't be blown away (just like the real car). And there are other, various tornado choppers and bonkers to keep him safe. Oh, and a walkie talkie to talk to his crew.

The other day, he asked which way tornadoes go around. 

I'm telling you, this boy is spending some serious time thinking! 

Why I hate snowblowers

Snowblowers are everything snow is not.

Loud

Stinky

Dirty

Lazy

Snow is

Quiet

Peaceful

Clean

Natural Exercise

But I didn't complain much when Jim was blowing the driveway last weekend with a borrowed blower.

Maybe over 6" deep, it becomes worth the noise and stink? 

Glad we have nice, well-equipped neighbors and a willing husband!

Front porch Christmas decorations

OK,  I need a third opinion. I wasn't satisfied with Jim's second opinion.

I think my front porch decorations are cute, subtle, suggestive of the season.

Jim says "When are you going to add 'Christmas' to the sign?"

And, "Why is there a pillow with a belt around it on the chair?"

Your thoughts? Come on, I can take the truth.

More holes in her head!

Miss Laura now has pierced ears. 

Yes, it was a painful ordeal, but we're past that now. And she looks beautiful. And old.

Winter finally arrived

Winter showed up last night. She's making up for lost time.

Borrowed a snow blower

Messing up the clean blower line just because he can. 

Chicken Giggles

A few months ago, we were visiting some good friends who have new chickens. Laura and her friend Mimi spent most of their time playing outside doing who-knows-what. Later, on the drive home, she told me they were marrying the chickens.

Huh?

She said they would stick two of them in the coop and close the door. Then open the door and the two would walk down the little walkway together "married".

I still get the giggles when I imagine this. Chickens are funny enough on their own, but two little girls dreaming of chicken weddings is just too much.

So the giggles were renewed when I told her yesterday that one of Mimi's chickens had laid her first egg and Laura calmly said "It worked. See, the chicken marriage worked!"

Christmas Preparations