Hooked

My ENTIRE family is hooked on Avatar.

Mind you the series is complete and over, but we just bought the DVD's for all 3 seasons and have been watching it over and over and over...
We've been hearing rumors for a while now that a live action movie is being made, and finally they released a teaser trailer.

We simply CANNOT wait!! Summer 2010 just won't come fast enough.

Click HERE to see the trailer

Best Evening EVER... For Josh at least.

Josh had been counting down to the day when the LEGO store would open.
When it finally did, no 45 minutes waiting in line would discourage him.
They had all sorts of fun things to entertain the kiddos, including this guy, whom we found walking around the mall and building an 8 foot Yoda.

Who knew storm troopers were so pleasant.

The line... Yeah... we waaaaaaaited a very long time just to pass through that entryway.
Once inside, the line to pay was winding all the way around the entire store. Black Friday all over again.

Ahhh love :D

Lucky kid.

All tied up

This morning Josh and I got up pretty early and made our way to Nordstrom. The mall wasn't open yet, but in the kid's shoes department there was a group of anxious little ones ready to learn to tie their shoes.
I tried teaching him, but really... There is no pushing it.
BUT
when the kid is ready, the kid is ready.
Kind of like potty training I guess.
He was excited and nervous, and with a simple one minute instruction and demonstration, he had it!
"Mommy, Mom, I did it!!" He said in a shriek

We're so proud of him.

It's official. Josh can tie his shoes.
Not sure what kind of magic this chick possessed, but obviously she had the right touch.
(maybe it was patience :-) )

His reward... a Brasilian lizard cookie that totally matched his cool outfit...

... and a beach ball.

Delivering the good news to Daddy!

One HOT day back in April...

...We took the kids to Umstead park after school to play.
Bella calls Umstead park, "beach park" because of all the sand they have around instead of using mulch. The kids love it... it's like the biggest sand box around.

Soon they decided to explore the little stream that runs through the park.
It innocently started with tossing rocks in the water, then it progressed to standing in the stream and throwing rocks.

Us mom taking full advantage of the kids being distracted to have an adult conversation.

Soon, Bella ended up in her undershirt and Ryan lost his pants...
The boys showing their muscles and rock climbing skills
Josh and Sanya hanging out on the other side of the stream.

The kids decided to build a dam, cause the one the beavers had built just wasn't good enough.
With Bella being in the water, we all knew what would happen next...

... the natural progression of things.

Josh sporting the big ol' gut :D

Joshua decided to climb the big rock again...

And off course if he can do it, so can she.

You know you're in the South if...

*Just please read the top banners... LOL!

Isabella's Performance in Peter & the Wolf

Isabella's class participated in the year-end performance of Peter & the Wolf. Their part was to run across the stage and jump in the pond.
You see, she was a duckling.
We were all really looking forward to this. She could not wait to wear the big fluffy tutu.
She was in heaven to know she would wear a yellow bow in her hair.

This first picture is not very good. It took me a while to get my camera to deal with the lighting and the motion, so really I didn't get a lot of great shots, but you get the idea of how FREAKIN' cute she looked offstage waiting for her turn to come.

She quickly found us in the audience :)

The older "duck" took Bella under her wings, and they quickly became buddies. She was very doting on Bella.

Birds of a feather

Bella received roses after her awesome performance. She was so proud of herself, and did so good. We were so proud of her too.

For some reason she wanted to take a picture sitting on this chair...

...So we joined her.

With Aunt Giselle

Bella found the snacks table and served herself. Ha ha :D

After the performance, she changed and we went to the movies to see "UP" with the cousins.

It was a very busy day.

a BRIBE picture really...

I went to the pool with the family today and this is what happened...

I ALWAYS have my hair up, specially in occasions like this, but it was taking forever to dry. After spending 3 straight hours in the pool, this is what's to be expected. The kids were totally cracking up, but Dwight earned some brownie points by telling me that I still look beautiful...
("Fool me fool me, go on and fool me...")

It's amazing what Pantene gel can do for you ;)