After accidentally getting two basketballs stuck in the frozen net, the Little Prince decided to purposely get the rest stuck. His next decision was to get them unstuck by whacking at them with the broom. Yikes! I can only imagine what would have happened to the backboard if Dad hadn't spotted him in time. Can you see the soccer ball to the left of the basket? I think he was trying to add that to the mix.
Or maybe he was using it to get the basketballs out? Whatever he was doing, it entertained him for quite some time and was fun to watch. From the warm indoors, that is.
Chart to calculate baseball age.
Our collection at church on Souper Bowl Sunday for the soup kitchen.
The Little Prince's latest obsession, since seeing previews for "Gnomeo & Juliet".
It's a basketball term that the coaches scream when the ball goes out of bounds. I immediately thought of this when I saw this week's word and tried for 3 games to get a good shot.
then inspect it for damage. The Little League in our town is getting new sponsor signs made and someone needed to test them to see which ones held up best when hit by a ball.
What do you do if you are stuck in the house with strep throat and you've already watched the first two Aladdin movies? You recruit all the "guys" you can find to play a game of football on the landing.
Here's a view of the field from the sky cam. The Little Prince is getting ready to move the white guy on the end back with the lone white guy on his side. Just as I snapped the picture, the Little Prince said, "Ooo wait, Mommy! I forgot the running back!" Then he will move the other white guy (next to the blue guy) back with the dark guy to be HIS running back. You know, this would be more easily explained if I had some X's and O's and arrows to use.
Then you crash them all together, just like in the real game, and see who ends up with the ball. On this play, there was a whistle and a penalty flag was thrown. But then I had to stir the marinara sauce, so I missed the rest of the game. I'll have to ask him who won.
More like Pre-School sweethearts. The Valentine Dance gave the Little Prince and his friend another reason to hang out since they don't get to see each other at school. They had a great time eating hot dogs and drinking Gatorade and we got to catch up with her parents. We live almost within sight of each other, but our schedules are so busy that we don't often get a chance to chat.
Last game of the regular season today and the Little Prince scored his first basket! It was very exciting.
Butterflies for the girls.
And hand cream for the teacher.
It starts with research, although I still haven't figured out what the Right and Wrong paper is all about. All on his own, the Little Prince googled play doh recipes and made his lists (click to enlarge). While it is very cool that he is happening enough to do his own internet research, it also made me realize I have to keep a closer eye on him (I thought he was on Math 24). Guess he'll be limited to the laptop in the living room from now on.
After putting plastic and newspaper on the kitchen table, Dad mixed up the batter and the Little Prince started forming the volcano. I got to take pictures and clean up afterwards.
We added some chocolate food coloring (7 drops of red, 4 drops of yellow, 2 drops of green) to the second batch of play doh to give it some variety.
Here the Little Prince poses with the finished product in the classroom. It was his idea to add red play doh to the volcano. He said it was from erupting before. The red stuff in the bottle is vinegar, food coloring and dish soap. The baking soda is already in the volcano.
(click on photo to enlarge) Back in November, the Little Prince asked if he could write my name on the paper that we use to pick our football teams. I keep this posted in the kitchen so I can look at it when he is trying my patience. It reminds me that, deep down, he really does love me and thinks I am the Queen of his Universe.
The Little Prince says this thing attached to his ear (isn't it just the cutest?) helps him do his homework better. So far, he is correct.
One GIANT chocolate chip cookie for Santa, 9 carrots for the reindeer, chocolate milk soon to fill the glass.
Yes, opening presents was a wild event. Wrapping paper everywhere!
After all the trash was taken out, it was time to enjoy the Snuggie and open some LEGO gifts which consist of tiny, tiny pieces.
Earlier this month, one of the Little Prince's brackets came loose. When they re-glued it, he got to change his colors. The top is all one red band called a Power Chain. It is starting to close the gap between his two front teeth. See the little bit of green on his bottom teeth? Must be close to Christmas!
And because we had off, we had the time to put this lady at the top of our tree. She watches over all our many decorations each year. She was given to us by my sweetie's parents when they stopped putting up a tree.
The tree is filled to overflowing with ornaments. Many, like this toy soldier, were made by my sweetie's grandmother when he was the Little Prince's age. The dog is one of a Hallmark series called Puppy Love. Since 1994, I have purchase one for my sweetie. That's how long we have been together. Other ornaments include "Our First Christmas", "Baby's First Christmas" and "Our First House". Each year, since 2006, we have added a ribbon, attached to a card and signed by the Little Prince that reads: "This ribbon is very special, you see. Untie it, and it's the same size as me!"
This is a close up of the section from 2006. The Little Prince traced his hand and wrote his name and I wrote what he was thankful for (Mom-Mom and Pappy). This year, each person got a handmade name card, made by the younger children. They are laminated so we can use them again next year.
I love the smells of Thanksgiving that make themselves known as you are walking up the driveway. All the girls (and guys) help out by making turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, ham, green beans, corn, sweet potato casserole, fresh rolls and cranberry salad. Oh, and desserts which include, but are not limited to, blueberry pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and brownies.
Each year, I get to see the newest little ones (this little angel just turned 1 in October). The Little Prince spends most of the visit, after eating, playing outside with his cousins. They run and jump and scream as much as they can. The rest of us stay inside and play games and put away the leftovers while we catch up with the latest news. Before the first people had to leave, we all gathered around the piano and sang one of Dad's favorite songs, "All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus". Even though he is not physically with us, he is a part of each of us and always in our hearts.
Best of all, Thanksgiving is another chance to be with Mom, whom I love dearly. Now that all her girls are grown, she can enjoy the day without having to worry about doing any of the work. For so many years, she worked for us. Now all she needs to do is sit back and enjoy herself and the wonderful family she and Dad raised. It is worth the 2 1/2 hour one-way drive to spend this special holiday with the family I love.
