Tiny Tu-Tu Tot

I want to preface tonight's performance with Thursday night's rehearsal. So we are getting ready for class on Thursday and Libby decides she needs to wear her cowgirl hat (a just because gift from Grama Shari and Papa Ed) and her cowgirl boots. What might be the matter with that? Well, it's 30 something below zero and cowgirl hats aren't the best for keeping the ears warm; and the boots...well, they are at least 2 sizes to small! She wore them with absolutely no complaints! The idea of stuffing your foot into a shoe 2 sizes too small just because they are cute must be an inherent tool girls are just born with! Definitely not learned from me as I can't seem to find shoes small enough to even fit my foot!

On to tonight. Grammy Shari came to our house for a gourmet dinner of Mac & Cheese and green beans. After dinner we got Libby all dressed and ready to go on time! I even had enough time to explain to Maison that he had to pretend to be 5yrs old tonight. We were expected to pay $5.00 a person to watch a 2 minute half-time show. Needless to say, 5 and under were free. (At those prices, it was worse than going to a movie!) We were making great time until we got behind a driver who was driving 25 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone! Of course the road was winding and two lanes, so passing wasn't an option until a mile from our destination! We made it on time, got Libby where she needed to be and got great seats. Leave it to my brother to get himself and his friend in for free, just because they waited until the last possible second to enter! He obviously got those inherent skills from our father.

Double Click to See Our Tiny Tu-tu Tot in Action

Gracie & Woody

As many of you know, Woody was added to our family right after Thanksgiving. He was adopted through the American Brittany Rescue League. We had an extremely hard time separating him from his brother and were seriously considering adopting him as well.

Needless to say I am glad we didn't! We had forgotten how difficult a puppy can be! The pooping, the chewing, the crying, the eating of anything that isn't nailed down...the list goes on. Sadly Libby discovered her toy necklace outside on the deck intertwined with dog number 2! Yikes! There was no way I was rescuing a 25cent necklace from poop! I have my limits. I was hoping the butterflies from our Elefun game would fly the poop away, but they didn't. That dog must have a gut of steal. On the positive side, the kids don't leave their stuff laying around for fear Woody will eat it.

I think people have forgotten how difficult Gracie was when she was a puppy. I brought her home to Jason's house when she was just 4 weeks old from the animal shelter in Des Moines, The Animal Rescue League. She ate countless pairs of shoes, tore up the garbage every chance she had, and pooped up the house! During our wedding ceremony, Gracie was busy at my folk's house eating my brother's sandals and shredding every tissue in the house! With some time and a little bit of love, Gracie learned the ropes and has been the best dog ever!

I am really grateful we have Gracie. She has been a terrific influence on Woody. It truly helps having a dog that is already trained around when trying to train a new dog. Woody has learned all of Gracie's tricks, good and bad! Now, if we could only keep the two of them off of the couch!

Woody has also been great for Gracie. Gracie is about 9 years old and her age has really been showing. She like to sleep most of the day! Now that Woody has joined us, she is back to her playful puppy self. Woody and her run and play in the back yard, chew bones together, wrestle, and occasionally snuggle together. (I think Gracie likes to pretend to be the Alpha Dog, but when she thinks no one is looking, she likes to snuggle up to Woody)

Woody continues to sleep in his kennel in Maison's room until around 4:30am, when he goes outside to potty. He then joins Jason, myself, and Gracie in bed! Good thing we have a king-size bed! The kids love him, we love him, and Gracie loves him. He has been a great addition.

Snuggle Puppy

Dough University

Maison and Libby attended Dough University with their friends Aydin and Naomi at Nick and Willie's Pizza this afternoon. They had a great time. Each Chef received a hat, a personalized apron, a sack of cooking supplies, a large pizza (which they made), and a diploma. They have now earned credits towards the next class.

After their class, Aydin and Naomi came to our house to sample their pizza. It was very delicious!

On Your Marks, Get Set, Go!

Papa Dan and Maison worked on his derby car over Christmas break and Daddy put the final touches on it this week.Everyone told us the Pinewood Derby was a serious event. We thought we understood what serious meant. Judging by some of the cars, we grossly misunderstood "serious"! This was a professional track that had an automatic start and a timer, which was all hooked to a computer! Maison's car was 33 out of 50 something.

Apparently the boys at the office had their own little Pinewood Derby! Must be a guy thing. Here I thought Jason was going off to the office to put a hard days work in, but I was sorely mistaken. They were busy weighing and racing!

It was amazing to hear the kids chanting for their favorite cars! The Oscar Meyer car was a crowd favorite. One heat included the Oscar Meyer car, the Ketchup Bottle car, and a Mustard car.

There has already been talk about next year. Now that we know this race is more about the parent's ability and creativity, Papa Dan and Daddy will have their work cut out for them!

On Your Marks, Get Set, Double Click Play!

Surprise Party

To my surprise, it actually worked. We actually pulled off a surprise party! Jeremy, Erin, the girls, and us all made the trip to Rolfe Friday night for Mary's birthday. Papa Dan must have called a half dozen times during the day through the evening. Despite all of the phone calls, Grama Mary had know idea we were coming.

The kids waited patiently under the counter waiting Grammy's arrival. Cousin Hayley thought she would be invisible if she took her clothes off. (So the floating pair of underwear is Hayley) I don't know who was more excited about the surprise, the kids or Papa!

Double Click for Some Birthday Surprises!