Overheard

Spencer: Lilia, quit eating flour!
(15 second pause)
S: LILIA! Stop eating flour!

(2 minutes later)
Andy: Lilia ate flour!

Overheard

Lilia: Johnny Lingo had a cow.  E-i, E-i, O!

Christmas Movies

We watch a lot of movies at our house.  We love Christmas at our house.  So naturally, Christmas movies play a pretty big role in getting us into the Christmas Spirit.

We have a Canon of movies we like to watch leading up to Christmas.  The order in which we watch them is somewhat fluid but there are certain heavy hitters we save for the last.  There are a few that aren't as "necessary" to watch, but are fun to get in if we have the time.

Here they are:

Christmas Vacation (1989)

The most irreverent and sketchy on our list.  We like to start the list of movies with this one.  Lots of great one-liners and memorable characters.  This one fits in nicely into the middle-to-last half of November.








Neptune's Daughter (1949)

The only thing that makes this a Christmas movie is that it won an Oscar for Best Original Song in "Baby It's Cold Outside."  It is still a cute love story with some funny moments.  Another good one for November.









Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

I grew up watching the 1994 version which is not horrible, but this one has stood the test of time much better.  The kids call it "The Santa Movie."
This one we try to watch around Thanksgiving.









It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

(From IMDB)
A homeless New Yorker moves into a mansion and along the way he gathers friends to live in the house with him. Before he knows it, he is living with the actual home owners.
This is an End-of-November, first of December movie.








The First Presidency Christmas Devotional (Annual)

Not technically a movie, but still very much worth your time.  Every year The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do a one-hour devotional with music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra on Temple Square.  The Christmas messages from these inspired men are uplifting and a great way to kick off the holiday season.  Can be watched here.
The devotional is done every year the first Sunday in December.


Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

(From IMDB)
A food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.
Good to watch in early December.








White Christmas (1954)

It may not be technically a Christmas movie and it is possible it was only made to sell copies of the title song.  That being said, this is firmly planted in our Christmas Canon of movies.  We showed the kids this one again this year and they are starting to pick up on some of the songs.
Any time after December 1 is free game.






A Christmas Carol (1999)

One of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up was seeing the play version of "A Christmas Carol" at Hale Center Theater.  A few years ago I read it for the first time and this version I feel is most true to the story.  That and Patrick Stewart is great as Scrooge.  I recently found out that in the past he has done a one-man performance of the entire thing.  THAT would be awesome to see live.  There is an audio recording of the performance on YouTube.
Good to watch any time in December.




While You Were Sleeping (1995)

A fun Christmas/New Year's movie.  Mistaken identities, great characters, and the paperboy.  These mashed potatoes are so creamy.
The only one on the list that can be watched after Christmas.










Mr Kreuger's Christmas (1980)

Jimmy Stewart.  The Mo-Tab.  BYU Dancer's Company from 1980.  This one has it all.  The Christmas Spirit is epitomized by one of the greatest actors in the last 100 years speaking unscripted to the Christ Child.  It has been said that all of the camera men were bawling and the director was praying they captured Stewart's performance.
You can get a free copy from the missionaries.  mormon.org/christmas.
Great to watch as a Family Home Evening lesson early on in the month before the excitement of presents start to set in.





Elf (2003)

The movie that introduced the word "Ginormus" into the lexicon.  At first I was kinda bothered by the Santa-centric theme, especially with how the movie ends.  But when you stop and think how Santa represents a God who gives good things to His children, the discussion on the "Clause-o-meter" takes new meaning.  If all the people saw Santa, they would have knowledge instead of belief and the sleigh wouldn't fly.
Any time in December.






Amahl and the Night Visitors (1951)

This one almost gets an honorary place in the lineup.  When I was on my mission, Faith sent me a CD with the music from this.  As it was not on the approved music list for my mission, I dutifully did not listen to it.  A few years ago Faith showed this to the kids.  It may take a few years before it gets fully Canonized.
Any time in December.







Home Alone (1990)

For me, this movie represents my Christmases from ages 8 to about 12.  My brothers and I watched it a lot during that time.  While it is not much in the way of feel-good, spirit-of-the-season material, it brings back fond memories of growing up.  That and the soundtrack is quintessential Christmas.
A good movie to have going on in the background a week to a few days before Christmas when you have a bunch of presents to wrap.






 
A Christmas Story (1983)

So many quotes.  So many great moments.  Still wondering when we introduce this one to the kids.  Not sure if I am ready to hear Lilia say "Ohh, Fuuuuudgggge."
Fits in the week before Christmas.










It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

In all honesty, probably the best movie I have ever seen.  This is one we watched on and off when I was growing up but it has gotten to the point where this is THE MOVIE on the list. I love the message how our lives touch so many others.  Jimmy Stewart plays the hero of the everyman and like I said before, he was an incredible actor.  The ending gets me every time because it reminds me that everything will be all right in the end.  If it is not all right, it is not the end yet.
This one has to be watched within 3 days of Christmas.






Not in the Canon (Yet)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas -The kids love it.  Good message.  More of a "filler" movie than anything.
A Charlie Brown Christmas -Same as above but closer to making it to the Canon.
The Santa Clause -Has aged pretty well.  We watched it 2 years ago and was surprised how much I liked it.
Die Hard -Just need to get an edited copy.  Gotta love John McClain.

Overheard

Mom: Do you know what a widow is?
Benny: A poor woman.
Lilia: Just like Iron Man's sister! Black Widow!

Monday afternoon

Enjoying a show together.
Sure love these kids.

Overheard

Lilia: There's the banana store!
Me: The banana store?  What's the banana store?
L: That!  Right there! (pointing across the intersection)
Andy: That's Old McDonald's.
L: Old McDonald's is the banana store!

Through the ringer

Last week was a pretty rough one for our poor Anne Cakes.

It started Sunday morning (25 November) when she fell off of the top bunk in the boys' room.  Anne has always been a climber and has been so good about getting down from high places.  She is self-taught on stairs.  I never had to help her go down a flight of stairs and she's never had a problem.  Bunk beds, we've started to learn, are a bit different.  Apparently the ladder is a little too much of a challenge.

Spencer went to take care of Anne while I hopped in the shower.  He held her pretty much the rest of that time.  I got her after that and noticed a couple of splinters.  Spencer dug those out and Anne's foot was still pretty sore and she wouldn't walk on it.  She was crawling around, though, so we went ahead to church.  We decided I would see how she was Monday morning and go from there.

Monday she still wasn't putting any weight on her foot.  I called the pediatrician's office and they told me to go get X-rays.  So that morning Andy, Lilia, Anne, and I spent two hours at an urgent care so Anne could get her X-rays done.  Unfortunately, with no radiologist there to read the images, things were still inconclusive.  The doctor decided to splint the foot and told us to see our PCP for a referral to an orthopedist.  That became our Tuesday.

Monday with her splint.

Long story short, we ended up at the orthopedist and were told that there may or may not be a fracture; it's hard to tell if the line on the image is a fracture or a bone overlay.  However the possible fracture combined with Anne's behavior with the splint off (refusal to put her heel on the ground when hobbling around) are indicative of a distal tibia stress injury.  To be safe, the PA we met with said he'd like to have a short-leg cast for three weeks to give the time to heal whatever is going on.

Here she is showing off her "pink sock."
(so glad I decided to go with pink.  It suits her.)

Full of smiles!

Not being slowed down at all.

Anne still climbs on everything and basically runs around with the cast.  It did take her a couple of days to acclimatize, but I am amazed at how well she is getting around.

Thursday brought our next incident with Anne.  I was getting the kids ready for bed (Spencer was at a dinner for medical students who were here interviewing for residency) and on my way to brush someone's teeth in the bathroom.  Anne had a toothbrush in her mouth in the hallway and Benny was shutting the bathroom door.  Anne started screaming.  Poor Benny got a panicked look on his face and opened the door again.  Anne's fingers had gotten caught in the hinge side of the door.  She was quite inconsolable for a little bit.  Benny felt so bad.  He said he was just trying to keep Anne out of the bathroom because she had been getting into the toothpaste.  I felt really bad for Benny, too.

The injured fingers.

While I was trying to comfort Anne and read stories to Andy and Lilia, I saw Benny get a piece of paper and begin writing at the kids' table.  Afterwards, he came up and showed me what he had done.

It reads (with translation):

I love Anne! to Anne From Benny

Dear Anne I'm almost [always] there [home] Saturdays

and Sundays. I watch you when

Mom and Dad when they are busy.

From Benny

With his picture of the two of them.

He told me he did this to help her feel better.  He was quite distraught.

Then came Friday.

During story time I was on the couch reading to the bigger kids and Spencer was on the glider with Anne climbing around.  At one point she fell head-first into the ottoman and split her lip.  Thankfully it wasn't too bad and she calmed down more quickly than after the finger episode.  The picture is a little deceptive, though, as she was not very happy and went back to crying after I put my phone away.

All said and done, Anne had a pretty rough week.  We are grateful she is such a happy girl naturally and is back (almost) to normal.  Under two weeks and the cast will be off.  I'm really not all that surprised that our first to end up in a cast is our little Anne Peg.  She is everywhere!

Overheard

Andy (playing "Wizard of Oz" with Lilia): It's time for you to go to Munchkid Land.

Overheard

Lilia: I'm not boring, Mommy.
Me: No, you're not boring.
Lilia: And I'm not and you're not and Anne's not boring! We three girls are not boring.

Overheard

As we were walking into the grocery store today I was holding Anne's hand. Lilia held Anne's other hand (Andy is usually on his own). Lilia called us "Three ladies" walking in the store.

Then she elaborated: I am a little lady. Anne is a small lady. And you are a big lady!!

Election Day

Before taking Benny to school this morning I had a discussion with the kids about voting and how that's where we were going after dropping Benny off.  I told them some of the reasons I was making the choice I was and a couple of "I am, too" comments followed.

I'm really grateful our polling place is at a church directly south of Benny's school.  We could see the school from where we parked.  I remember going there four years ago with just the boys.  The kids were great. There were a couple of comments from people at the table who said they didn't even know the kids were there until we got to the table.  So grateful for these wonderful kids!  Andy even helped me fill out my ballot.  Got to start them early!

After voting.  The kids love the stickers!

Benny had to miss out, but he enjoyed his "Romney Hair."

Overheard

Lilia (in a singsong voice over and over): I am choking on my mind!
Me: What does that mean?
Lilia: That my big toe hurts.

A minute later...
Andy (also sing-songy and repetitious): I am never going to choke on my mind!
Lilia: I am choking on my mind!

This morning

This is what I came out to this morning. 

Eerybody up and ready for the day!

We recently switched Anne over to a "big girl bed" after getting a toddler bed from some neighbors!  It has probably been our hardest transition, but I would say not hard, still.  The exciting part is that Anne can open the girls' door.  So, this morning, at about 6:30, when I hear the door open, I go out to tell Lilia to get back in bed (assuming it's her).  On my way to close the boys' door, which has been left open after a trip to the bathroom (which, incidentally, was probably the catalyst for the girl(s) waking up), I looked into the entrance and saw Anne sitting on the Fisher Price gas station sucking her thumb.

Quiet as can be.

Just sitting there.

It would have been so darn infuriating, if it hadn't been so cute!  Got her back to bed and that lasted not quite half an hour.

 I wouldn't mind the getting up early as much if I weren't battling a cold - complete with sore throat - since the second half of last week!  Oh, well.

Life certainly goes on.

And I sure love these kids.

Costumes!!

We had our church trunk-or-treat on Friday and the kids were so excited!  They would not stop asking when we could leave for the church.

We all had a fun time with the chili night, costume parade, and trunk-or-treat.

 Here they are after they've scored all their loot.

Costume-wise, this has been our easiest Halloween, yet!

Benny requested a storm trooper costume for his birthday from Grandma and Grandpa this year and Grandma went ahead and googled "storm trooper costume."  If you ask him, he tells you that he's one of the good guys when they're dressed up as storm troopers.  I told him to choose Han Solo.

It was Andy's turn for the Optimus Prime costume and Benny so nicely asked if Andy wanted to borrow his mask to go with it. (The cheap-o mask that came with the costume got chucked sometime last year, I think, but Benny had gotten a much better mask with his birthday money.)

Without even hesitating, Lilia wanted to be Max in his wolf suit from Where the Wild Things Are.  The ears have seen better days and almost never stand up anymore.  But she looked great and was so excited to wear it!  She also did a great job of holding her tail the whole night so it didn't drag on the floor.

And Anne got to have her second year in the monkey suit.  It was a bit of a stretch to get her in and zipped all the way, but we did it.  And she had a great time hobbling around with all the big kids!  She was a big hit and you could tell how adorable she knew she was.  She had a big smile on her face the whole time - especially when she realized she was getting candy!  She was more than willing to say "treat!" when prompted.  And always ready with a thank you.  She looked so cute with her little treat bag draped over her arm.

It was a great time and they're all looking forward to Wednesday when they can go around the neighborhood.  Benny keeps asking if he and Andy can go around by themselves this year.  They sure are growing up!

Hot chocolate afternoons

I love enjoying a mug of hot chocolate on a cold afternoon. It's even more fun to share the fun with some great kids! We lucked out that today was Benny's "early out" day (school lets out two hours early on the last Friday of the month except December and May) so he got to join us!

Not sure what this look was about, but I love it!!

A little blurry, but I love that he wanted to enjoy his hot chocolate while reading to himself.

A boy after my own heart.

Anne was already put in bed by this time (unfortunately she is still not sleeping...) and Lilia missed out on the treat since she didn't eat the rest of her sandwich.

That was left over from yesterday's lunch.

 Because she's a stubborn little girl.

But I can be much more stubborn.

She also knows that she won't have any chili, rolls, or candy from the ward Halloween party tonight unless she finishes her sandwich.

That I am bringing with us.

Too much?

And now the kids are enjoying their second movie for today (Benny's first).  Both Monster-themed, incidentally (Monsters, Inc. and Monsters vs Aliens).  It must be Halloween time!  We did set the timer and were able to get the family and living rooms cleaned up, so I think we're good to take it easy as we start our weekend.

Now my turn to get my salad ready for a (late) lunch and then to make some rolls!

Running

Honestly, I'm not running as much as I would like to these days.  However, with Spencer's schedule, that is to be expected.  I could take advantage of our YMCA membership and go during the day (the kids actually love the child watch there, anyway), but between it being sick season and not wanting to feel like the whole day is taken with me trying to run, I feel like it's better not to.

Twice in September I actually got up before 5a to go to the YMCA and was able to get back just as Spencer needed to leave for the hospital.  The first day I did that went great!  I did not feel tired at all (that was a Friday).  The following Wednesday I went again and felt like I could barely function the rest of the day.  Unless I'm going to bed at 8p, I think that option has closed itself.

October has been a little bit nicer.  Spencer only had to work the first weekend and in addition, one of his chosen weeks off was last week!  That was so nice in so many ways.  I was able to go running three or four times.  I only go 2 miles each time and I am getting slower each time, but I don't mind.  The weather has been wonderful for running and I love being able to get outside.  I'm looking forward to Saturday.

Unfortunately, November's schedule will be back to hopefully one day off per week for Spencer, so unless I want to get up before 5 again, it looks like things will slow down even more.

I think I was 18-19 weeks in both of these pictures.  Definitely getting up there!

And, no, we're not going to find out the gender before-hand.

 

June Birthday catch-up: Lilia

This girl is "free!!"

This was not actually a birthday crown.  Crowns are a regular accessory around here.  Here Lilia is modelling the stickers from one of the princess sticker books from her Bubbe.

For Lilia's birthday we went up to Bartlesville for the Kiddie Park there.  A fun little carnival they have over the summer for kids under 10.  A bunch of old-school rides, but they're either one or two tickets (tickets cost only $0.25 each), and the kids love them!  It's close to an hour away from us, so we've only been a couple of times since living here, but I wish we had done it more.  I hope we get at least one outing before we move next year.

Some pictures of the day.

 The birthday girl with her new shades.

 Anne also enjoying the day.

 Sporting her new shades and new church shoes.
Yes, Lilia has been dressing herself for some time.  I don't make her change.

 The yummy birthday cake!
I think this was a gluten-free yellow cake-mix with mandarin oranges mixed in with crushed pineapple mixed into whipped cream for the frosting.  It was very tasty.

 Everyone ready to go at the Kiddie Park!

 Waiting in line.

 The favorite ride!
The boys were so happy they were strong enough this year to pull back on the handle to elevate their plane.  The last time we went they were the only ones who didn't make it up.  But they still loved it!

 Lilia didn't make it up this year.

 Benny was so excited for this ride!

 It was so fun to see Lilia on this ride.  Just sitting back and enjoying every minute of it.

 Love the silly mirror!

 The carousel.

 I was there, too!

I think this ride was remembered to be more fun than it actually was.  Thankfully our kids are so low-maintenance they had a great time, still!

When we went two years ago, Benny had recently been toilet-trained.  He loved this ride so much he didn't get off for a bathroom break.  And his shorts were dark enough that we didn't notice afterward.  I can only imagine how many kids have done the same!  What a good thing for rain!

Just kickin' back and enjoying the ride!

 Benny's getting old enough that I think it was a little tame for him.  He's starting to entertain himself a little bit more.

 Boat ride!

 I loved the car selections by each of the kids on this ride.
Benny got the fire truck!



Andy the flashy sports car.
Really, I could see those two being flipped.

 And Lilia on the tractor.
That's our girl!

 Rocking boat.

 A reprieve from the stroller during bathroom breaks.

 And the roller coaster ride!

The caboose.


And here are a bunch of pictures from my phone of our resident "big girl" from the last several months.

Here she is "pregnant" with what I think was quadruplets.

I love pictures of all the kids sleeping.  Naps are getting far fewer and even further between.  I hate having to wake kids up to pick Benny up from school.  This was one of those times.

I took this picture to document one of my favorite wardrobe selections of Lilia's these days: a cute dress that's too short, so she has to wear shorts underneath and she picks some hand-me-downs from the boys.



Playing doctor and the doctor's office.
And this little girl has impressed our pediatrician enough that I've been told more than once she could grow up to be a doctor.
I have no doubt, but I'm pretty sure that's not what I want for her.



Playing "Knight" with the boys in Benny's armor.



Helping to take care of little sister.



Taking a break at the park.

Sporting her goggles.

One of my favorite looks of hers.

Goggles, again.

And another favorite look.  Her sunglasses from her birthday.  She regularly keeps those in the map compartment in the van (right behind the compartment for my sunglasses) and she often opens the one for my glasses so we can both wear our glasses.  I love it.

Lilia is such a delight to have in our family.  She is a very bright little girl who impresses most who see her.  She speaks very well and is very intelligible.  One of our favorite stories about Lilia was from over the summer in nursery.  It was so hot in that part of the building they would often open the window for some relief.  Some kids would throw toys out the open window.  Because there was no exit close to the nursery, the nursery leader would drop Lilia out the window to retrieve the toy(s) because Lilia was the only one trusted to not run away once outside.
I love that because Lilia can be quite stubborn (I can't imagine where she gets that!), but she knows what is right and can be very adamant about that.
She is a very good girl.