December 2012 Quote Book

The kids worked so hard making a "Merry Christmas" card for the garbage guys (who where scheduled to come on Christmas Eve). We put a $20 tip inside and taped it to the lid of our garbage can. Then the kids waited at the window and watched. When I heard the garbage truck rumble away, I asked the kids if the garbage guys were excited to get the card. Brigham looked at me with a disappointed face:
"Nah, they didn't even read it. They just picked it up and then. . . threw it away."
huh. just doin' their job, I guess. sad.


Eliza got a new skirt for Christmas. She was in heaven. When she opened it, she held it up admiringly and exclaimed,
"I think this must be the most beautiful skirt I've ever met!"
I think it must.

Eliza asked me to take a picture of her new skirt. Pretty.

Lydia would not be out done.  Before I could even snap another picture, she was posing as well.  And just as beautiful, I might add - even without a new skirt.

Clayton was looking for the paper plates which were set out and ready to dish up food for our Christmas Eve party. After looking high and low he finally asked,
Where are the plates?
Clay, they're right in front of you.
What? Oh. Huh. You know mom, I can see the solution to complicated puzzles better than I can see what's right in front of me sometimes.
huh. yeah. funny how that is.


For a three-year-old, leaving a whole bunch of presents under the tree in plain sight, has been very tempting. We have had to have lots of talks about waiting until Christmas to open them. The other day I walked in the room and found Eliza staring at the presents muttering to herself,
"Do not open the presents. Do not open the presents. Do not open the presents."
If only I could have that kind of discipline when it comes to chocolate.


The boys were asking Eliza what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas:
"Um, pink ones."
pink ones. doesn't matter to this girl what it is I guess. just as long as it's pink.


Clayton's (Russian-speaking) piano teacher was trying to get him to think ahead when he plays. She cut him off mid-playing saying, "ya-tah da da da da Mind comes first, Clayton. Mind comes first. Do you understand?"
Clayton: Yes.
Teacher: Say it. Mind comes first.
Clayton: (silence)
Me: Say it, Clay.
Clayton: uh. . . Mindah Kom-foost?
obviously there are still some translation issues. my kids, to this day, use the word "elowate" as a completely separate word from the word "elevate" to describe the lifting motion your hands make on the piano.


Eliza saw the Christmas lights on our house for the first time when we arrived home late the other night. She clapped her hands and said,
"Oooo look! Look at our house! Our house is sooooooooo Christmas!"
yes. our house is so Christmas. I love it.