Jenny and Jim

Monday, January 6, 2014

Awesome

As the dust settles, the KidiJamz Studio has been the one present that has captivated the entire family the most. Here's a sample. Its coolness lies in its ability to change the songs in so many ways. You pick one of like 25 songs (like Old MacDonald) and then you can change the from Hip Hop to Rock to Regae to Jazz to Techno as the song plays. (I wish it had a Country option!) There are style specific fillers, voice changers, rhythms, instruments you can add as the song goes along and change the speed fast, medium, or slow. Or you can just play the piano. I think it teaches you songs, but I haven't gotten chance to investigate that closely. It has an iPod-like thing that you can record onto, then take it off and play your songs separately. Everything is intuitive and easy to use. It is just so very fun for all of us.

Fun at Grandma C and Papa's

Sunday, January 5, 2014

So funny for so many reasons

Angel Choir 2013

Check out these Angels!

This was Adam's first year. There was lots of nail biting by Mom, but he didn't have even one problem. As far as I was told (and I'm friends with his teacher) rehearsals were fantastic, the performance was great, and he sat wonderfully during the other acts. What an angel!

An what is up with Laura's "Peace" sign? I think it works for her :)

He looks a bit nervous?

Friday, January 3, 2014

Trail Blazer

Clearly Laura prefers to draw her own pictures rather than trace or color someone else's. I knew this was the case since she started putting crayon to paper and she would turn over the coloring sheets rather than fill in the pictures of cartoon characters. But I was still surprised when I saw that she ignored the preprinted owl drawing on this scratch-off paper.

Sometimes I worry that she will be a pushover or get taken advantage of as she grows up because she seems to be such a pleaser, but little bits of independence like this give me confidence that she's going to be just fine.

Old Friends

Michelle came to see me! OK, I guess Odin and John came too.

They stayed one night with us before going up north to John's parents' house. We had most of a day to play and I have to say that I was astonished at how well the kids played all day. The last time the kids were together, they were 5 and that was just a brief visit in a similar situation. I don't think there was one altercation the whole time. And as far as I was aware, they included Adam very nicely too.

And need I say that Michelle and I clicked just find after 2 years too :) But I had no doubts as we keep in close touch. I'm so lucky to have her.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a lovely Thanksgiving. My sister and Jim's parents stayed with us and we ate a LOT of turkey. Jim was happy :)

Laura and Grandma (and Papa too) made a boatload of the best onion rings ever.

And we continued one of my favorite family traditions - a handmade table runner. I roll out a sheet of paper and leave markers on the floor all morning on the day of Thanksgiving. Throughout the morning, everybody stops by to add some artwork. It doesn't make for a Martha Stewart table, but then, we're not a Martha Stewart family. I love it!

Yes, I know there's a gross factor in using a "foot turkey" on your eating table, but its also very creative, cute and I don't think anyone died from the germs.

Jim's hand turkey

Adam's flower garden

Also, I'm thankful to report that everything on the Thanksgiving table turned out just fine. I think this might be my first Thanksgiving dinner without any major mistakes or catastrophes. Woohoo!