Sunday, December 30, 2007
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!
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!
Friday, December 28, 2007
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!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
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:
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!
Monday, December 03, 2007
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!
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.
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.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
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!"
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!"
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