Grandma & Grandpa

My kids love discussing how family is related. I was telling them that Grandma Lang is my grandma, Grandma Goodrich is my mom and your grandma, and when you have a kid I will be a grandma.

Stella: "And Dad will be the grandpa."

Fred: "And he'll be the Big Scary Bear." (My Dad's favorite role.)

Stella: "Yeah, and you'll be the grandma and give lots of hugs and kisses."

A few days later, Dan was asking the kids what they wanted for lunch. Stella couldn't decide. Dan asked, "How about a knuckle sandwich?"

Chloe said, "Dad, that's only funny when Grandpa says it."

Accessorized

Chloe has wanted to get her ears pierced for a long time. At one point I told her she could have it done when she was eight. She reminded me. For some reason I was hesitant. But I figured if she is old enough to be baptized she is old enough to take care of earrings.

She is pretty much a wimp and has no tolerance for pain. She is very dramatic and part of this may be my fault because I don't pay much attention to her wails. "It's like you don't even care that I'm hurt!" So she may play it up even more to try to convince me she really is hurt and I really should respond. And she HATES shots.

It is amazing what she can handle with a different mind set. I don't even think her eyes watered. We told her she is never again allowed to fear shots or cry when getting them.

Season's Greetings

I love receiving Christmas cards. So I try to send them out. I'm never fully successful but I still try. This year we had a good start. We had family pictures taken in October. I made the family update/blurb, printed the photos, bought envelopes, collected addresses and printed them out before heading to St. George. The plan was to stuff and address the envelopes on the long drive to St. George. But I left the address sheet at home. So the cards weren't sent out until January. Oh well, I try.

In case you didn't receive one here it is:

I really should start sending out Independence Day cards. That time of year is a lot less hectic. Well, except July 2011.

My Kind of Tantrum

Fred was mad because I wouldn't give him what he wanted until he asked nicely. So he took his preschool art project, walked over to the garbage can, pulled all the fruit loops off the paper and threw them away. Then he crumpled up the paper and threw it in the recycling bin.

Life would be so much easier if all my kids were willing to part with their school work like this.

While I'm here I guess I'll mention how Fred always takes his dishes to the sink. I'll leave him at the counter with a bowl of yogurt and come back to him gone and his bowl by the sink. This amazes me. One of my favorite things about him.

The Rest

Rachel threw a New Year's Eve party for the kids. (And served the best guacamole I've ever had made by Frie's Fruit Market in Santa Clara. Yum. I want some right now.)*

I took pictures before the party but once it got started I was too wrapped up in the fun to think about photos. We played charades and the gift exchange game. (Fred did not allow his gift to be stolen from him.) And rang in the New Year with noise makers at about 9:30.

Other events/people not photographed during this trip:

The family Christmas party.

An awesome Indian dinner at the Wells'.

Any family of friends (other than Rachel's back).

"Pictures only prove you can't convince." -The Format

* or maybe it just fulfilled a pregnancy craving