Quote

"A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner."--English Proverb

Our new baby

We found out that the Barnards are not very good fish keepers so we had a family meeting to figure out what kind of pet would suit our family. Thanks to Dan's experience with his pet lizard [a Tagu] named Edmund nn Ned when he was a teenager- we agreed to get a lizard.

I decided that everyone in the family should help "pay" for it since it would be a family pet and I wanted to stop the boys Christmas cries of "I want..." and help them understand the great value of work. The boys picked out toys to sell through the consignment shop [I was really impressed by their devotion] and earned $200- I would have gotten more through craigslist but I didn't want them to change their mind while waiting for things to sell and be picked up. Dan sold some hobby stuff through E-bay. Don't worry I contributed some too. Got the cage on my birthday- was able to raise funds quickly. Then yesterday, Dec 14th we got our lizard. Our baby lizard, Ignatius nn "Iggy". He is a bearded dragon and is incredibly docile and doesn't mind being handled. Still adjusting to his new home but we love him already [we won't really know the sex until he is older but the boys wanted a boy lizard].

Welcome to the family Iggy!!!

Christmas Tree

We had fun decorating a tree...

(Almost had) Snow

After church on Sunday- we had flurries- SNOW and while we hoped for a good snowfall that we could play with and even have a snow day- off from school. Alas the the snow didn't stick and we had a beautiful sunny day the next day. [Also ignore Solomon's bare arms- I did ask him to put his jacket on- at least he is holding the jacket...] So maybe we'll get a snowstorm soon- we're hoping!

My Birthday

Thank you everyone for your calls and items in the mail- I love them all. I had a very nice birthday! Next week, I will have my sushi dinner [also a date with Dan] and a movie [I Am Legend] so I am looking forward to continuing the good times.

Much Love,

Monica

First Theatre Performance

Solomon and Cyrus had their first part in a play- "Christmas In a Box" put on by St. Matthew Lutheran Church's Sunday School kids.

Preschoolers and Kindergarteners were only on stage for one song- they wore sheep or donkey or goats [my boys] hats as part of the shepards' flocks surrounding Bethleham.

Solomon was in the back in the furthest corner from me so I didn't get a picture until afterwards....

Meet the Grinch

Here is a fun twist on the traditional 'sit on Santa's lap to ask for what you want for Christmas while Mom gets a photograph' that doesn't work for us since Solomon never wants to sit on Santa's lap- face it- he is scary.

So imagine my joy when I surprised the boys by taking them to a bookstore [Powells bookstore in Beaverton/Cedar Hills location] to meet the grinch. This location is really new so this was the bookstore's first character appearance. First a man read the story of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess- you can see Cyrus reading it in the bottom right picture. Then after the story was over- the Grinch comes with a dog on a lease [see bottom left picture] for the kids to pet then we went over for "picture time". Solomon ran ahead of Cyrus and myself to be next to the Grinch when I didn't have my camera ready so by the time it is our turn- both of them are goofy or weird looking but not at the same time. The boys really enjoyed this and hugged the Grinch bye when it was all done. It was exciting and a better than Santa Picture for a holiday picture. So enjoy!

Dan

Here is an adorable picture of Dan at 3 years of age!

Lighting of a Tree in Beaverton, OR

Countdown for Christmas has begun....

Boys and I enjoying some 30 degree weather- at least it was not raining!