Happy Holidays!

Just in case I accidentally missed you, here's the Christmas Card we sent out this year. I was going for three praying angels, but ended up with something much more true to form for my girls. Mallory was doing what she was supposed to do. Lila was doing it, but with attitude, and Clara, well, Clara is doing her own thing...

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe...

Who had so many children she didn't know what to do.
She gave them some broth without any bread,
And whipped them all soundly and sent them to bed...

As a child I never understood this nursery rhyme. Why would she whip her children? That's horrible. Finally as a mom of three I'm starting to understand. In fact, there have been several occasions in the past month when my children have had their little bottoms popped before finally settling down to sleep. I used to consider myself pretty in-control with my children's good sleep habits. Guess someone forgot to read "THE book" to Clara...

Last night the dear two year old faked me out. I thought she was asleep, so I went downstairs, only to hear her in 5 minutes playing with a pretend vacuum cleaner in the playroom. (Of course, she isn't quite bright enough yet to play with something a little quieter). And yes, Amanda, it is the vacuum cleaner you believe to be possessed.

Then there was the night a few weeks ago when I awoke at a quarter to 4 am only to hear "Mommy!! Door Locked! Mommy!! Door Locked!" Clara had climbed out of her crib & was in the bathroom. She had taken off her pjs and diaper and was standing there covered in BLUE bath foam. It was everywhere from her toes to her curls. Needless to say I was NOT happy about giving a 2 year old a shower at 4 in the morning, but I did see the humor in it. I tried to take a picture even, but she apparently was embarrassed and wouldn't let me take one. She kept turning away saying "No picture Mommy" and proceeded to cry throughout the entire shower because she was upset I tried to take a picture. I suppose I should be happy she feels some guilt in the matter.

This week, we made the decision to put the younger two in a room together. What would make us decide such a crazy thing, you ask? Well, in a rash moment of extreme discipline, Kevin decided to take all the girls' toys away. Now before you go thinking what a rotten parent my husband is, his actions do have some merit. My children, like many children these days, do not appreciate what they have. And why should they? They have everything - which of course is partly our fault. They mistreat their things & frequently fail to listen whenever we tell them to pick things up. So, Friday, Kevin had had enough. We have now moved Clara into Lila's room and Clara's old room has become the "checkout room." Kevin and I spent three days sorting books & toys - purging a few, separating a few, and sorting the rest. They are now all in one room and the girls must now "check out" their toys one at a time. The ability to check out toys is earned by good behavior. We're hoping this will help them appreciate their things a little more. In the meantime, this has become "reorganize the house" week, and now that we have the girls rooms and toys situated, we have plans to move everything from the "school room" to the loft so that the front room to the house will not always be in disarray and be the first thing people see when they walk in. Kevin's considering making it the media room. We shall see. Of course, moving Clara into Lila's room hasn't helped the going-to-bed situation much. Hopefully in time the novelty will wear off and my children will magically become good sleepers again.

Anyway, I realize this has been much rambling... I haven't had much blogging time lately & needed to catch up!

Happy Birthday Mallory!

Mallory turned 7 yesterday and to celebrate we did something special. Lila and Clara spent the night with some friends and Mallory, Kevin and I took an overnight trip to Dallas for a surprise visit to the American Girl Botique and Bistro - a new American Girl store that opened last month. We wouldn't tell Mallory where we were going except that we were going to Dallas, and she was beside herself trying to get us to tell her.

When we drove up to the store, she got SO excited.

The store was quite overwhelming. Mallory had such a great time pouring over all the shelves of dolls, outfits & accessories.

We had reservations for dinner at the Bistro at 4:30. They even have chairs for the dolls to sit in to dine with you.

Mallory chose a root beer float as her beverage:


A birthday outing wouldn't be complete without a special birthday cake. Here it is. Everyone sang "Happy Birthday." While we were eating dinner, Mallory told us. "I will never forget this. This is the best day of my life."


After dinner we went shopping for a new AG doll and some clothes & accessories. We also stopped by the botique to get Mallory's doll's hair done.


We shopped 'til we dropped. While Daddy took it all to the car, Mallory decided to purchase a few more things with some of her Christmas money.


Spending the night in a hotel was another exciting treat for Mallory. Here we are bringing in all our packages. We let her stay up as late as she wanted or until midnight - whichever came first. I think she was up until about 11:30 getting all her things "organized" & playing with her dolls.



After breakfast the next morning (with new doll Emily in tow) we headed back to Pearland. The trip couldn't have been more perfect & I was so pleased. I can't believe my baby is SEVEN!

Holiday Programs Part Two

Tumbling starring Clara & Lila:

The Teddy Bear Song (tumbling):

Holiday Dance Programs

Now that I can show videos - watch out!

Actually, I just wanted to share some videos from the girls' holiday dance programs. We are quite big patrons to Dancescape by Joyce - with all three girls enrolled in at least one class. Mallory takes Ballet/Tap combo for 6-8 year olds, Lila takes the Ballet/Tap combo for 3-4 year olds, and both Lila and Clara are in Tumbling.

Here are a few excerpts from their end of year holiday programs, which were basically their regular classes but with parents watching & a few special song & dance numbers.

Lila's Ballet Routine:


Lila's Tap Routine:

Mallory's Ballet:

More on the way... but I'm tired!

Another attempt at video...

The Odom Girls version of the Can Can...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

One of my favorite Christmas memories as a child was decorating a Gingerbread house every year. One year we had a sleigh & raindeer and everything. They were quite elaborate! Of course, my mom actually baked the gingerbread & made homemade icing... I have attempted to continue the tradition each year, but I go the pre-made kit route. (Hey - I did use the mixer to make the icing!) Here are a couple of shots of the girls decorating the house this year:

What does Santa Claus say?

Trying my hand at the video thing... but apparently I shouldn't turn the camera from landscape mode. Sorry!

Tis the Season...

For Christmas photos!

Some of my favorites from the shoot with my girls:

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!

Christmas Meme!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Soon after Thanksgiving. This year it was Dec. 1.
5. Do you like egg nog? nope. I like cider.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
7. Do you have a nativity scene? no
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad
9. Easiest person to buy for? The kids
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? we won't revisit that...
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Love to eat - Mom's millionares are near the top of that list!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Too many to choose! I love Christmas music!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? we do both. This year we're home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Of course.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel on one, Bow on another
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? both - My family on Christmas eve, Santa Christmas morning & Kevin's family Christmas Day
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? crowds
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Victorian
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Brisket ~ I'm a true Texas gal!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing really. I am so blessed.

Odom Girls Recent Quotes

While driving in the car:

Mallory: "We should leave some cookies for Santa this year."
Lila: "We don't have cookies. Maybe we can leave him a bar."
Me: "A power bar?"
Lila: "Yeah, they're pretty good."
Me: "I don't think we should leave Santa a Power Bar."
Mallory: "Maybe we could leave him some fruit. How about a banana?"
Lila: "We can't leave Nana on a plate! She's too big!!"

Again, in the car, after church:

Lila: "Everybody likes us."
Me: "Why is that?"
Lila: "Because we're pretty."

And this evening discussing Christmas gifts:

Mallory: "Lita already has her gift."
Me: "What are you talking about?"
Mallory: "Getting to spend so much time with us when we come over!"

Lila's Quote for the Day

Clara (playing with frog toy that sings Old McDonald): "EIEIO..."
Me, talking to my mom on the phone: "Do you remember when Lila used to go around singing that all the time. She must have been about 12 months old."
Lila: "Me?"
Me: "Yes, You."
Lila: "You've GOT to be KIDDING me!"

Random Monday Night Musings

* I think it's about time to make Kitty an in-your-bed only type thing for Clara. Although I know it will be quite the challenge helping her transition, I think it will help cut down on the thumb-sucking that she associates with having Kitty.

* Mallory, Lila & I made Rice Krispie treats tonight. Clara just grabbed a handful of marshmallows and ran into the other room to enjoy her booty!

* Taking advantage of Kevin being in school, we had a 'girls night' where we got in our pjs and sat in bed to read several storybooks before bed. We read one of my favorites from childhood "The Troll Music." Clara kept trying to shut the book and say "The End."

* Lila & Clara decided the other night that the washing machine was a movie theatre. They made their pretend popcorn & took a seat on their knees in front of the washer and watched the clothes go round and round. It was pretty cute. I took a picture, but decided not to post it because of my children's free spirits that lead to lack of clothing... :)

* Speaking of lack of clothing, my oldest, Mallory, asked her Nana for school pants for Christmas. Several of her others are too small, and she pitifully asked Nana if she would please get her some new pants for Christmas. Talk about feeling like a horrible mom!

* Bragging Mommy moment: Lila (3) can now list all the books of the New Testament. (Well, sometimes she still skips a few, but she HAS done the whole thing). Mallory (almost 7) can list all 66 books of the Bible! Clara can say "Maffew... Maak... Luuuk... John" and that's about as far as we get!

* Every time we see anything with a Santa Claus on it, Clara points and says "Paw Paw!" :)

* Mallory just finished reading the third book in the "Indian in the Cupboard" series. My mom recently brought me a box of my old books and Mallory's been going through them. I'm so glad she's enjoying books that I read as a child. She declared to me tonight that she hopes that Lila and Clara will be good readers like her.

* She also declared that Lila and Clara would probably be Aunts as teenagers. Yikes!

Pushing Daisies

So, I'm not much of a tv watcher. When Kevin is out of town, it rarely comes on with the exception of things like VeggieTales or LeapFrog videos for the kids. He came home one day talking about this odd-sounding show, and we're now hooked. It comes on Wed. nights, so we record it and watch it late at night after the kids have gone to bed. It has quite the odd plot, but is addictive & enchanting in a way because of the narrative storylike quality of the show. Here's an excerpt from a tv.com write up:

"Creator Bryan Fuller (Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me) brought his playful sense of macabre to the show, which ABC calls a "forensic fairytale." Lee Pace (who previously worked with Fuller on Wonderfalls) stars as Ned, a man with the ability to bring the dead back to life with a single touch...but only once. Should he touch the revived again, they die forever. However, if he keeps the revived around for longer than a minute, someone else in proximity dies for good.

A private investigator named Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) discovers Ned's power and decides he would make a good ally: Revive murder victims, ask them who killed them, then collect the reward. All goes swimmingly until Ned revives his childhood crush Charlotte (Anna Friel), and he realizes he can never touch her again"

Interesting? Visit ABC's website for more info & video clips.

The Girls with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Do you see the family resemblance? :)

Overheard at the breakfast table...

Lila coughs.
Mallory (disgusted tone): "Lila, cover your mouth when you cough."
Lila (exasperated tone): "But I don't want to get germs on my HANDS!!"

My Three Princesses

Decorating Cookies at Ms. Leah's house

Ms. Leah invited all the kids from church over for cookie decorating. The kids had a blast.

Clara had a little mishap with the sprinkles bottle...

Stephen just thought he'd eat some dirt instead...

The two & three year old class...

Some of the results...

Caramel Apples!

Mallory, Lila & I made caramel apples last night. (Clara had already gotten cranky and was in bed).

Mallory's Pumpkin

Mallory had to decorate a pumpkin as a favorite book character, and of course, she chose Dorothy. Here she is showing off her pumpkin as well as her new glasses...

What's your Pooh Personality?

Me? I'm Kanga...
Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

SCATTERGORIES

Sent to me by my friend Amanda,

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the Following...they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made Up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'Tuse your name for the boy/girl name question.

What is your name? Laura
4 letter word: Lion
Vehicle: Lamborghini
City: Lubbock
Boy Name: Luke
Girl Name: Lila
Drink: Lemonade
Occupation: Librarian
Something you wear: Leggings
Celebrity: Lindsay Lohan (Double Points!)
Food: Lima beans
Something found in a bathroom: Lipstick
Reason for Being Late: Lollygagging
Cartoon Character: Lazy Smurf
Something You Shout: Let Go!

Toddler Property Laws

I came across this on a scrapbooking website. Oh how true!!

Toddler Property Laws:
If I want it, it's mine.
If it's in my hand, it's mine.
If I can take it away from you, it's mine.
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
If we are building something together, all of the pieces are mine.
If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
If I think it's mine, it's mine.
If I give it to you, and change my mind later, it's mine.
Once it's mine it will never belong to anyone else, no matter what.

Boy do we have our work cut out for us!

Look Who's Two!

I finally got around to taking some two year old shots of Clara. (Only a month late - not too bad for the third child). Here are a couple of my favs:



And one of Lila, who wanted her picture made too:

Apples

In case you missed my cuties in the Autumn Apple Affair slideshow, here are a couple of my favorite shots:

SUCH photographer's children (forget about paying attention to the camera):

And my latest favorite picture of Clara:

Glad to know we're teaching our children the important things in life...

So a week or so ago I had the rare opportunity to actually take a nap. As I was waking up I hear Mallory and Kevin having a heart to heart...

"Mallory why don't you go order a pizza?"
"Dad! I don't know how."
"It's important for you to learn. What would you do if Mommy and Daddy were both hurt and you had to feed yourself and Lila."
"Call 911?"
"Well, yeah, but what if you needed food?"

Hmm... glad to know at least someone in the house knows how to handle an emergency!

Lila's new 'do...

Lila got her hair cut this afternoon. She was so excited. Here's a before shot:
And after:

Sporting her new cut for the camera at home and we've romped around on it a bit: