TET Celebration

On Saturday, we went down the Asian district to watch the New Year's celebrations at several local businesses. (Special thanks to Mai at State Farm for being such a gracious hostess!)

We didn't really know what to expect but we really ended up having a great time. One thing is for sure, we've never heard fireworks like THIS before! WB had his hoody over his head with his fingers jammed in his ears because it was so loud!



The noise didn't really seem to bother Sister.







After the fireworks and dancing, the kids got some treats at the Asian market and we went to Cuppies and Joe for cupcakes and coffee. I'm glad we went and I'm glad our friends joined us, but next year...

EAR PLUGS!

Dealing With Ice and Snow

I guess the only one really dealing with ice and snow these days is JB. He's trapped at home with the kids enjoying some QFT (Quality Family Time.)

Everyone knows that the rules change when Dad is in charge. What is funny is that I called home to check on things in late morning. Sister was napping and WB was out sledding down our driveway. As I was on the phone with JB, I had a call come in on my other line. I flipped over to a winded WB. Ever the politician, he was calling me(because he knew he was gonna be in trouble) as he walked home from the neighborhood park (where he didn't have permission to be) to beg me to override the discipline that he knew would be coming from his Dad. Like I have that power? LOL. Anyway, Dad made him come inside for a lecture, to warm up, have lunch, and read for 30 minutes and then the OLD softie let him out again for the afternoon.

Here's WB (looking like a mini 1980's super hero) in the snow...


Entertaining Little Sister on a snow day is a little more challenging because she screams every time brother heads outside.

Laundry-basket-bumper-cars in the middle of the kitchen is always a good idea.


Finally a picture from the weekend. Can someone please explain how this happened?


Our 17-month old suddenly discover a pacifier!! (Actually, it really just a passing fancy, but I couldn't resist getting a picture.)

Stay safe and warm....

Kill A Flash!

Last night, JB and I took the boy to see Walking With Big Prehistoric Creatures. While the boy found it to be very entertaining, I was a little disappointed. We opted for the best seats on the cheapest night, the opening. ($179.70 total for all three of us) Not a cheap night by any means!

While I love the Ford Center, I get annoyed by the variety of food they serve and all the smells that I am forced to endure (not to mention the SMACKING) from those around me. But my real problems didn't start until the lights went down and the flashes came out. Sitting "in the round", I was constantly distracted by flashing cameras across the arena. In addition, there were several folks around me with new Christmas camera, EYEphones, etc, that either didn't bother, or didn't care, to read the manual to learn to take a picture without their flash. SOOOO inconsiderate!!!

The show was interesting, great music and sound effects, and an engaging narrator. The creatures themselves were both impressive and disappointing. I'd seen the commercials and ads and was lead to believe they were "robotic", but the larger ones actually have little sled-like, car-thingies under them with a guy driving. The smaller ones are little guys running around in a costume. I wanted them to be big remote controlled creatures so I could get lost in their wonder, and instead I was distracted by their humanness.



Anyway, the show is informative and the boys loved it. We had a great evening and more than anything, WB really seemed to thrive on having all our attention...just like the old days! So, for me...completely worth it.

DoriGrace-Proofing

As Little Sister approaches 17 months, and seemingly gets quicker and quicker everyday, the reality of our situation is really sinking in with me. Maybe it is "selective memory", but I honestly don't believe her brother was ever this active. (Surely it is this child and not this mother's advanced age?) Seriously though, she's into EVERYTHING! And, it never ends. She doesn't stop...until she crashes. She's not a child that will sit in a lap, or listen to a book, or fall asleep on your shoulder. She is simply on-the-move. Constantly.

As a result, in addition to tagging her as "Busy Booth", we've also taken to calling her our "Toddling Tornado" because she leaves an unbelievable trail of destruction.

Fortunately for me, she was strapped in for this little adventure:





And to think, I foolishly thought I'd be able to make it through her childhood without latches on our cabinets and permanent gates on our stairs. I knew, when she climbed up the temporary gate, knocking it over and riding it like a surfboard down the stairs, that we were in trouble. We just can not put it off any longer.

It is time to DoriGrace-proof.

It has been SO long since I've updated this thing...I'm at a loss of where to begin.

Let's see...

On Christmas Eve, in addition to joining the rest of the world in celebration, we expanded our party by observing the one year anniversary of DoriGrace joining our ranks. If you recall our nightmarish trek through the holiday masses on Christmas Eve last year in Saigon, you will appreciate our gift to little sister.



Piggy Luggage...just her size, just her color, just her animal...just perfect. (Even if my picture is blurry!)

We had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family. Of course, my plans of a "scaled down" Christmas went out the window as I looked at our barren tree two days before Christmas and had a brief meltdown. I hit the road to the mall and after a few hours of power shopping and wrapping, I felt much, much better. (They're only young for a little while....right?) Among their favorite gifts:



GH - World Tour



Little Pink Car

We packed the car and headed to Tulsa the weekend after Christmas to celebrate with my family. Here's a great picture of my folks getting ready for presents!



I should also explain that in our family a successful Christmas experience is measured by how many times we can make PaPa (my dad) cry. He's such a tender-hearted guy, especially after a few Christmas toddies, and he's often overwhelmed by the family, the babies, the babies that aren't babies anymore, holiday memories of his parents, etc, and he's evolved into an unparalleled Christmas Crier! It only takes a hint of nostalgia, the element of surprise, and the fact that everyone in the room is lurking, just waiting for the tears!

We had a three-banger this year! PaPa cried three times while we were opening presents!

What success! Without going into too much detail, he unwrapped a box that had be recycled from over twenty years ago (how does that happen???) that had a hand written note from our dear old Aunt Jewell. That was one. DoriGrace received a wooden step stool from her Uncle Big in the same patten and style that my Grandpa Walker has made for every child in our family while he was alive. It marked the continuation of a 45 year family tradition, and more importantly, provided PaPa with wonderful memories of his father. It was good enough for number two.

We must all be getting old (or having too much to drink) these days, as my sibling and I joined in the last crying episode! Niece Erin made us all CD's of her music and when we popped it in the player to hear "Silent Night", well, there wasn't a dry eye. I wish I were technical enough to post it here, it was simply beautiful.

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Post holiday updates:

WB had his tonsils out and he's a healing rock star. All is well now.

Little sister had her first trip to the ER on Dec. 27th. High fever. She had Rosiola. All is well now.

The Christmas tree is FINALLY down. All is WELL!!!

The Booths are happy, healthy, and have much to be thankful for...again and still.