Maybe he's just not a choir boy... (UPDATED)

This video was taken at Jack's church choir Christmas performance last Wednesday.

It's worth watching. Who doesn't want to see a kid scratch his butt. In the middle of the song. In front of the whole church (or at least those who were at church last night).

I had more videos too. But for some reason blogger won't let me upload them. After 3 days of trying to upload them, I gave up. Even I have limits.

It's too bad too because the other videos were even better than the first. I will however summarize his behavior for you and you can just use your imagination.

In the second video he tries to pick a fight by waving his hands near the head of the little boy to his left.

And in the third he just tortures stares and makes faces at the poor boy next to him who is just singing his heart out.

If this behavior continues I'm going to quickly become the mother of the boy who the other mothers don't want their children to be friends with.

In the meantime, I'm thinking choir isn't going to be his thing...

*UPDATED*

Since several of you expressed disappointment that I didn't post all the videos, here's the link to youtube to watch them there. (Yes, I'm aware I can post youtube video to my blog, but for some reason I couldn't figure it out. I finally gave up after I had one of those I-going-to-throw-this-computer-out-the-window moments.)

This is my favorite one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBX8GXxyitA

and also check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2FUQWA9de4&feature=channel

PSF and a photography lesson

One of our Thanksgiving traditions is taking a photo for our annual Christmas card.

The picture on the card (or pictures if it's one of those years where getting my children to all look at the camera at the same time with pleasant if not smiling expressions on their faces is just not going to happen forcing me to use individual, albeit adorable, photographs) always looks wonderful.

But, for every amazing photo we get, there are the ones that just don't make it.

So, I give you the anti-Christmas card photos.

One rule of a good Christmas card photo is that the subjects have to be able to stand still.

Sadly, my boys haven't acquired that skill yet.

Then, of course, there's the traditional someone-looks-drunk-photo. This time it was Melody. Those candy canes go straight to their heads, you know.

Looking at the camera is also another strong Christmas card photo characteristic.

Not happening here

and happening a little too much here.

Then there's the picture where one person is looking but the other two aren't.

Then one looks (kind of) and one closes his eyes and one decides to just leave.

And then this. This is the "I'm done" shot. Which, incidentally, reminds me of this. *Shudder*

Fortunately these are not the only shots we got...stay tuned!


Hosted by Cecily and Rachael

WW - The princess placing the angel atop the tree.

True Story Tuesday and the fake Christmas tree

You've probably noticed that we have a fake tree. Unless of course, you're used to seeing live trees perfectly triangularly shaped.

We haven't always had a fake tree. Up until Christmas 2006 we had always had a real, live tree.

Christmas 2006 was our first Christmas we stayed at home. Jack was 2 and I was almost 9 months pregnant with Melody.

A few weeks before Christmas we went over to Webb and Lindsey's house for a little Christmas cheer. When we arrived, Lindsey was frantically sweeping the floor. She insisted that she had swept several times that day but that she kept seeing stuff all over the floor. Webb and Alex go in for a closer look and discover (be prepared to be freaked out!) bugs crawling all. over. the. tree.

After completely freaking out (ok, only Lindsey and I freaked out) we quickly un-decorated the tree and disposed of it outside.

When Alex and I got home, we immediately inspected our tree (since we got it at the same place as they did). Fortunately, we were bug free. However, I just couldn't let it go and continually checked it over the next few days. And lo and behold, a few days later (be prepared to freak out again) bugs on my tree!

We un-decorated our tree and took it outside. We went back to the place where we bought it and they let us pick out another tree. After all we had to have a tree on Christmas! After careful inspection, we deemed it bug free and brought it home.

A few days later, on December 23, Jack and I were wrapping a few more gifts and placing them under the tree when I noticed some tiny specks on the floor. Yep, bugs again. (Cue more freaking out.)

I began un-decorating the tree and called one of Alex's buddies to help me drag it outside.

Remember at the beginning of this story when I mentioned that I was almost 9 months pregnant with Melody? Well, I tend to be a little on the dramatic hormonal side all the time when I'm pregnant. So, pregnancy hormones plus having two bug infested trees really pushed me over the edge.

By the time Marc got over here, I had already managed to drag the buggy tree outside. I then lopped off the top, (which was crawling, crawling with bugs by the way) and put it in a garbage bag and headed over to the place we got the tree. When I arrived I asked to see the manager. Looking back, I kind of feel bad for the poor guy. He was this nice guy and I don't think he knew what hit him when my hormones attacked him. I gave him the garbage bag and told every. single. detail. of the two bug infested trees. Including freaking out about how bugs were currently crawling over my very favorite angel tree topper (which was in the bag).

After I was finished he looked at me and asked me what I wanted him to do. My answer was simple and straight forward, "Get all the bugs off my tree topper and let me pick out an artificial tree and give it to me for free."

He didn't hesitate even a second before saying, "Deal." I think he was worried I might go into labor if I got any more worked up!

He took the bag from me and went to work on the tree topper while I walked back to where their artificial trees were. There were slim pickings since it was practically Christmas, however there was one relatively decent, pre-lit tree that I snagged. They loaded it into my car and off we went. My hormones were still raging and I some how managed to get this extremely heavy tree out of the car and up into the house and then I practically had the whole thing up and decorated by the time Alex got home from work.

Here we are in front of our fake, but more importantly, bug-free tree!

We have used the artificial tree for a number of reasons every year since. Convenience is certainly one of those reasons and I'm also a little nervous about having another bug infested tree. However, I think that next year we'll give the real thing another try. After all, finding the perfect tree is all part of the Christmas experience!

Don't forget to head on over to Once Upon a Miracle for some more True Story Tuesdays!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

You know what's a lot of fun?

Going on a candy cane hunt!

You know what's not quite as fun?

Going on a candy cane hunt when it's only 35 degrees outside!

We went on a candy cane hunt Saturday. (Just in case you didn't already figure that out.)

It was freezing. (Again, stating the obvious.)

We saw Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Jack and Melody assured him that they had been well-behaved all year. Jack said he wanted a scooter and Melody told him she wanted a cupcake. Santa actually looked a little surprised at that request.

Then we went on a candy cane hunt.

And walked around a little, visiting with friends.

This was the only picture I got.

Because my hands were literally frozen. Frozen.

(No, we didn't wear gloves. For some reason I just couldn't comprehend that it was actually going to be that cold.)

Thanks goodness the fire is so delightful. And thawed my fingers enough to let me snap this one shot.



After enjoying our marshmallows, we left to thaw out with cups of hot chocolate.
That's how I like to spend my winter.

After removing all our layers, of course. Charlie's arms were literally sticking straight out he had so many layers on. I wish I had a picture of that. But no mittens, of course.

A Christmas Song

Friday night was the Christmas program for Jack's school.

It was a wonderful program and the kindergarten classes did really well.

Jack is in the middle of the front row in the (mostly) red sweater.

Thanksgiving at the beach

Yes, I realize that Thanksgiving was weeks ago. And that Christmas is in full swing.

It is because Christmas is in full swing that I've been unable to blog about our Thanksgiving at the beach.

However, I'm going to post a few pictures, just to let you all know what's so much fun about Thanksgiving at the beach.

Hunting for sea shells. Who doesn't love that?!

Writing your name in the sand

or having someone write your name in the sand

Digging in the sand


and thinking about eating it. (And later, actually eating it.)


Having your daddy jump over your head, repeatedly, to try and distract you from either running into the water or eating sand

Running towards the water to fill up your bucket

Running to give your Captain a big hug!

Thanks for such a wonderful Thanksgiving, Captain and P3!