New Breakfast Nook Table

I love Costco. We bought a new table yesterday. It was originally priced $100 more, so I was pleasantly surprised when I walked out of Costco and looked at the receipt. Now Chris and I can BOTH sit at the table, eat breakfast, AND read the newspaper without using the milk jug to prop up the newspaper because there is no place else to put it.

The High Road

Chris and I were talking with our girls about some of the challenges they might face with their friends as they grow up; we suggested that it was up to them to take the "high road" even though it might be hard. Our discussion then turned in to a definition of the "high road". Kristen piped in and said, "I'm too young to take the high road."

3rd Grade Showcase

Misha was nervous this year. She was part of the "Cotton-Eye Joe" dance and hoped that she wouldn't make a mistake so that everyone would focus on her. Glad to report that she performed very well.

Loser Song

I could hear Kristen playing around on the piano when she ran into the office and said, "I can play the Loser Song on the piano!"

Loser song you ask? Come on, you know the one, it goes, "neener, neener, neener"

Now she's trying to pick out "Jolly Old St. Nicholas".

Happy Birthday to me!

Another year, another birthday. Sadly Chris' Thursday evening flight had been canceled and he wasn't able to make it home until Friday morning, but I was just glad he got home. Last year, we had to celebrate without him. Regardless, my girls still felt it was important to adhere to birthday traditions--candles and making a wish--in my oatmeal no less. The candles melted from the bottom and the top! Yum.

Look Mom, She Has a Kitty Too!

When we went to visit Grandma Ball last December, she gave each of my girls hooded vests with fur around the face. They quickly became known as the "kitty coats". Today when we were walking into Target, Kristen noticed a lady with a similar jacket and said, "Look Mom, she has a kitty too!"

And a little bit later (nothing to do with kitties), Kristen said to me, "Mom, you're always a good mom sometimes."

Kline Family Fitness Challenge

With the benefit of our new Wii Fit Plus, the Kline family is going to be getting into better shape--from the oldest to the youngest. For some, that just means making better food choices, for others, good food choices and exercise. Amy made up charts tonight for her and Misha to help them eat a balanced meal. The focus is on having a serving of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, protein and water(throughout the day) with every meal. I was impressed that they were asking, "Does this count as a carbohydrate?" And, they both chose to have a banana. Yay for them!

A Happy Change

Except for the "Sun In" fiasco when I was 14 or 15, I haven't ever colored my hair. I figured with an upcoming birthday, I was ready for a change. I didn't tell my family that I was going to do it, hoping to surprise them. So last Friday, I took the plunge and was pleased with the results. Though next time, I'll probably go darker. I didn't want to make such an obvious change that people would look at me and say, "Oh...."

I met Chris at the temple on Friday night. I caught a ride with Loves and Chris came directly from the airport. Such is our life now. Anyway, we didn't have much of a chance to talk until after our session. I know that his mind was preoccupied with the craziness of work and truthfully, my hair wasn't extremely different, so I told him. I mentioned that I didn't want to be up in a wad because he hadn't noticed. He looked at me and laughed, "You did not color your hair." But later said, I kept looking at you in the temple and thought something was different but that you looked great. See, the change was subtle but a good beginning. Next time I'll be a little more adventurous...maybe.

Crazy Kristenisms

Alligators are animals. Escagators are to ride on.


Chris and I were decluttering the paperwork in the office over the holidays. Kristen asked, "What are you doing?" Chris' response: "Throwing stuff out that is old." Kristen's query, "Like Grandma Andrews?" No offense to Grandma Andrews whatsoever!


Kristen's view on the wonderful world of being a princess: "Mom, princesses don't really have to go to the bathroom."

"Well, I'm sure they do honey. Just like everyone else." I replied.

"No, all they do is get locked up in a tower and sleep, or get a glass slipper, or be like Sleeping Beauty."

Superhero

Even superheroes eat lunch.

Playgroup

I have three extra little girls here this morning. Right now they are running around screaming as they are supposed to be playing tag. Kristen stops them and says, "Let's play a game called 'Running Around Screaming'!" I laughed when I heard, "No, that's no fun." At least the screaming stopped.

White Elephant Gift

I received a lovely Regifted (White Elephant) mug at our New Year's Eve Party. Instead of keeping it all year long to pass along to someone else, it ended up in the garbage. Misha saw it. "Why are you throwing this out?" My response was because it was ugly. Misha's response, "Well, you should at least break it first."

My Little Eye

Kristen started a rousing game of I Spy with My Little Eye yesterday at lunch.

Kristen: "I spy with my little eye...something that is shaped like a star."
Me: "Is it the star on the wall?"
Kristen: "YES!"

Kristen's next turn: "I spy with my little eye...something that is black." I began to look around for the obvious black item and she gave a little hint, "Look at your pants."
Me: "Is it my pants?"
Kristen: "YES!"