Christmas countdown, day 3

Meteorologists may talk of lake-effect snow or Albert clippers in referencing weather patterns, we have our own phenomenon around here called the snowball effect. One person snags something they're not supposed to have and gets away with it, and we then have three others making demands; one kid is given a chance to do something and the next thing you know a line has formed. Things tend to quadruple or snowball very quickly.


The snowball effect was a full on system this afternoon when it came to guessing what was inside today's package. After reading the clue, Alena was so confident in her guess, it suddenly snowballed around the ring of wrapping paper shredders leaving no one with a guess of their own (yes, not even tooting rabbit girl).

So when the "Christmas outfits" theory panned out, there was nothing left to do but model the new threads. Red velveteen dresses with snowmen and fir trees (along with candy cane striped leggings) for the girls and a moose appliqued sweater (with plaid shirt and cords) for the long ranger.

All new outfits are tumbling in the dryer now ... our laundry lady was given strict instructions to have the new duds ready for wear tomorrow. Yet another thing that snowballed.

Christmas countdown, day 2

Good lordy, the guesses. Today's gift might have contained a "really, really big TV," according to Trace. We'll not make issue that the top of it was squishy and the dimensions were about 12 inches by 18 inches. And Alysse, well, she's sticking with her flatulent bunny guess.

What was actually inside (the squishy top) were Santa chair covers to decorate our kitchen dining chairs. They slide over the top of the chair back, leaving a big, happy Santa looking out.

Then once bottoms are seated on smiling Santa chairs, dinner can be served on the second part of the day's gift ... Mr. and Mrs. Snowman place settings. Mugs, bowls and plates are now waiting to serve up the season's favorites.

Christmas countdown, day 1

We're dusting off this old blog for a comeback of the Christmas countdown extravaganza. Literally ... wiping off the drywall dust. The blog has been neglected the past couple of months while we drywalled and finished the walls in our basement. We've now got electric, ceiling and walls, so let's mark off the days until Christmas before we start slapping on some paint.

For those not in the know, the countdown means a package(sometimes small and simple, sometimes large and not-so-simple) each day of December until we reach the big 2-5 and Santa's arrival.

Having experienced this generosity of Jason's parents the last several years, the kids know the drill and flock each day to the wrapped surprise. New this year are clues attached to the top of each gift that Alena can read to the crowd. This may prove most amusing as they can each make a guess as to what's inside before the shredding frenzy begins. Note: Alysse's guess for today was a big rabbit that would hop around the house "tooting."

While there was no large, gassy hare, there were four stocking hangers with numbered blocks to change each day noting the number of days left until Christmas, and a three-dimensional advent house.

They quickly arranged their numbers to read "24" (except for Trace who's telling of "42" days until Christmas) and agreed to take turns each day opening a door or window on the gingerbread house.

Let the counting begin ...

Tooth today, gone tomorrow

Is it bad mothering to admit there's one of your children you hate to see grow up more than the others?

I'm guessing so. But, it's so totally true in the case of my pixie.

My little Liv, who lost her first tooth, and is now sporting an empty gap which initiates her into the "kids big enough to loose teeth" group. All when she's so perfectly perfect being little.

While she's our child least like me, she's the child I most enjoy getting to discover. There's a zest about her that I hope never leaves. And while we have our moments, she's a joy to watch learn, grow and take on the world.

She placed the teeny, tiny baby tooth in waiting for the tooth fairy, then had to check on it a couple times before bedtime; tell it goodbye; and proceed to ask no less than two dozen questions about the tooth fairy and her methods. All these proof as to why I'd most like to keep her this way.

Tiny teeth are just the start of the tiny leaving her.

Spelling bee skillz

Granted, it's no Scripps National Spelling Bee, but it will provide some Saturday night entertainment. Plus, as an added bonus, it's fantastic p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e for Alena with her spelling words for the upcoming week (so far she's gotten perfect scores each week).

Introducing the kids to the concept of a spelling bee made for a novel idea to them, but has resulted in a great way to practice spelling that they see as a way to goof off and perform. Besides, the foot pedal on Alena's microphone which produces applause on demand adds a real-life effect when the speller answers correctly.

Our participants vary in their abilities, and the moderator chooses words accordingly. The current list of spelling words makes up Alena's turns at the mic (b-r-e-e-z-e/p-r-e-s-s); Alivia gets repeating word chunks (b-a-t/m-a-t/r-a-t); Alysse, our closed-eyes speller, gets the starters (c-a-t/d-o-g/A-l-y-s-s-e) with a new word thrown in here and there (l-o-v-e); and Trace, upon taking the stage, declares his own words (c-a-r/t-i-r-e-s/b-u-c-k-e-t) that we then have to spell letter by letter for him to repeat.

To date, the spellers haven't complained about the preferential treatment some competitors get. So far, so good.

We've held several of these living room bees and have yet to name a winner. I don't think it's yet occurred to them that a bee typically results in a top speller. But with them it's not about winning or losing, just pure F-U-N (well, that and the fake applause).