Proverbs...Elementary Style

Thanks to Clancy's post about asking her children to complete the proverb, I tracked down mine from a few years ago, four to be exact.
Here are the answers that Aimee and Alex gave when they were 7 and 9. I added Allie's (5)answers from today as well. I also had the older ones redo it today. (They are the ones in parenthesis.)

1) Better to be safe than......................hurt / hurt / sad. (sorry/sorry)
2) Strike while the............................ death / opponent is weak / thunder booms. (ball comes/opponent is down)
3) It's always darkest before..................night / light / midnight. (morning/dawn)
4) Never underestimate the power of............God / God / Superman. (force/freedom)
5) You can lead a horse to water but........... you'll be sorry / Why? / you can't lead a horse to a cliff. (he won't play in it/you can't force a horse to water)
6) Don't bite the hand that.....................you use / guides /Aidan has. (can bite you back/hits you)
7) No news is.................................. good news / bad news / the best. (good news/bad news)
8) A miss is as good as a...................... hit / gold / eating a snack. (a mister/ nothing)
9) You can't teach an old dog new..............tricks / tricks / tricks. (tricks/tricks)
10) If you lie down with dogs, you'll........... cry / love them / get sick. (get bitten/ smell like the dogs)
11) Love all, trust............................. more / all / Jesus. (none/ no one)
12) The pen is mightier than the................pencil / writer / feather. (paper/pencil)
13) An idle mind is.............................non-smart / dumb / lazy. (stupid/the devil's workshop)
14) Where there's smoke there's................. fire / fire / fire. (fire/fire)
15) Happy is the bride who......................... married (marid) / loves all / has flowers (kisses the groom/ is divorced)
16) A penny saved is.............................wise / good / good for buying food. (a penny spent/a penny earned)
17) Two's company, three's.......................no company (because then two are together and one's left out) / dinner/ together forever. (business/a party)
18) Don't put off till tomorrow ....................reading / what you did / because there could be a party. (what can be done today/do it today)
19) Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and……cry / the whole world cries with you / the whole world cries with you. (you cry alone/everybody laughs AT you)
20) There are none so blind as.................. a bat / the devil / a car (the three blind mice/the one who chooses not to see)
21) Children should be seen and not............. hurt / heard / sad (heard/heard)
22) If at first you don't succeed............... try again / try, try, try again / you should try try again. (try try again/try try again)
23) You get out of something only what you............like / got out of (if you got out of something, that's the only thing you got out of) / have (put out/take out of it)
24) Better late than............................ never / never / early. (never/ never)
25) As you shall make your bed, so shall you….make the covers / break your head / exercise. (clean your room/clean your room)
26) You have nothing to fear but…. spiders / fear / DEVIL. (life itself/what you imagine)

Christmas Card Pictures

I apologize to those of you who have not received a Christmas Card yet. Of course, it took too long to choose "THE picture." We usually look over all the shots and then look over them again and again. Oh well. Once we chose, they were ready almost instantly thanks to 1-hour photo. Initially, I had a good excuse for not addressing...that I couldn't access all the addresses because they were on a computer that was not turning on. But, I've had them for quite a few days now and I'm determined to address them today. We love you all!

Here are some images that you won't see on the card.

Manic Monday: Tradition

In the tradition of children everywhere, there comes a time when satisfying curiosity's call is more rewarding than revelation after a lengthy anticipation. Some learn from the first incident and favor anticipation in the future. Some continue to seek instant gratification.

When I was 8 years old, my sister and I couldn't wait for the rest of the family on Christmas morning. We sneaked out and by the light of the tree, peeked at our gifts. Santa had given us both a beautiful jewelry box containing a necklace bearing our own birthstones. We quickly and quietly made our way back to bed and joined the rest of the family in the living room at the prearranged time. Unfortunately, in my excitement, I happily exclaimed my joy over the necklace before I opened the box with the family. I was one of those who decided that from then on out, I would choose anticipation; sitting and talking in the bedroom wondering at our new gifts was just more fun. (Also, I felt awful that I had ruined the surprise for my parents.)

As far as I know, my children have been curious, but haven't tried to peek...until now.

Alex has always been calmer and more patient. He enjoys the excitement, the gradual build up. The 'not knowing' makes it more exciting when it finally comes. He occupies himself with other thoughts and interests. However, he has a way of "coming across" information very easily.

Aimee is a seeker. Although she is getting better at impulse control, curiosity still gets the better of her on occasion. After her satisfaction, her conscience is restless, so we are usually in on the secret.

At Christmas, their inquisitive minds warrant a little extra care on our part. In a more careless moment this year, Aimee saw something she shouldn't have, and she just "happened" to add the item to her Christmas list. Usually, hiding is the hard part, as our lists are rarely found by our children because of a tradition of mine.

Our holiday tradition is the Christmas gift plan, written in code. The code changes from year to year and at times, it is indecipherable even to the writer, me. Our code was tricky enough this year that our surprises weren't compromised until Christmas morning (I'm pretty sure they peeked.)

Here's our code...let me know what you can figure out.





Manic Monday posts can be found every Monday at Mo's.

Christmas Quote #8

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

At the request of big sis...a video!

Unthinkable

I awoke Christmas morning only to realize that I was so exhausted from the holiday busyness and preparations, that I fell asleep before leaving cookies for Santa; Santa hadn't visited our house at all that Christmas Eve. I panicked and tried to come up with a plan to quickly cover up the mistake before the rest of the house began to stir.
(A couple of years, I entirely forgot that it was already Christmas, and therefore failed to ensure his arrival.) Sometimes I wake in the initial moment of discovery; other times, I go through a whole "quick fix" before Christmas is ruined for everyone else as well.
I am always glad to find that Christmas is still a few days away, my children would never let me forget that Christmas had finally arrived, even if I managed to let it slip my mind, and that my own excitement will draw him near and never let Santa pass over our house, even if we do forget his snack.

I may not have had this dream every Christmas, but many of them. Last night was the night. So, as everyone expressed joy and excitement for Christmas with, "I wish it was already Christmas," I was thinking, 'not me.'

Christmas Quote #7

According to Brecca, I'm quotable. So, a recap of my 'lights' post.

The most important light of Christmas is the light we give to each other, through kindness and service. Whether you are one who feels that this is the light of the Christ, the light of life, the light of friendship, or the light of nature, this is the light of the season. It shines forth in every kind smile, every act of service, the sparkle in every child's eye, and each light on the tree. Our life, just like the season, would be very dark without this light.
~Polly

Manic Monday: Tree

When we were first married, we went out and chopped down our own tree. It was too tall, so we ended up using just the top part. It was one of the funniest trees we ever had. We have also bought them from the store, but for the past 6 years we have had an artificial tree. I have to admit that it is definitely time for a real one again. Allie, my 5 year old, asked me this year if it was close enough to Christmas to "put together the tree."

As always, it takes me hours to get the lights up...the children were a little impatient and decided to make a tree skirt for our tree while they waited.

After days of partial ornamentation, we got on the ball and got most of the ornaments up. Our completed tree.

For more 'tree' posts, visit the Manic Monday headquarters.

An New Addition To Our Nativity

While tidying the Living Room, I came across a new addition to our Nativity scene. This is most definitely an improvement in self-control for my children, as in previous years, all of the participants are usually standing in a circle around the baby Jesus. We tried to tell them that, although that may have been better for the first Christmas, we want to be able to see Him too. It seems to have worked.

Apparently Mr Horse came from afar to visit the Christ child too.

(we love the life-like qualities of the Schleich animals...the colt is one of the children's toys)

Okay, I'm Playing

Either Bold, or Color the ones you've done...mine are in Bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (I had my characature sketched at my senior all night party...does that count?)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someones’ life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Hmmm...it looks like I need to get started...not only touring the US an the world, but some things close to home as well. (Although I'll leave the ambulances, broken bones, and bouncing checks to someone else.)

Thoughts of Conflict

At each of the four major intersection of the highway and the busiest stores, they stand, or sometimes sit, with their cardboard signs. "Homeless and Hungry" I don't judge them. I don't always give them money, either because I don't have any extra cash or because I'm in the wrong lane. Yesterday, I made certain to get in the far left lane so that I could hand the fruit bar, meal bar, and money out to him without holding up traffic. He might not use the money for a good purpose, food/shelter, but that's not for me to judge. (Yes, I know that some panhandlers can make a lot of money in a day, I know that they might spend it on alcohol, but when inspiration hits, you can't ignore it.)
This morning at the grocery store my "carry out" girl told me that she didn't have a lot of money and her boss (the owner of the grocery store) gave her a $200 gift card for Christmas. "GAVE, they just gave it to me." So, she went to Toys R Us and bought her 18 month old daughter $200 worth of toys...and let her open one the other night. What I wanted to say was "no 18 month old child needs $200 worth of toys all in one lump sum...don't you think they expected you to use the money for food or clothes, not just waste it all on toys?!" Of course I didn't. I just commented on what a nice gift her boss gave her and wished a Merry Christmas.
Yep. Judge not. I gave freely without judging and then judged another for the way she had received. It's not my my place to tell someone how to spend their money, but sometimes I wish I could just funnel some common sense into their brains. Until then, I will take deep breaths and continue to learn how to not judge.

I don't think this is his best work, but still a fun song, and who can resist a very young Bob Marley.

Friday Fabulous Five

1. I got some packages mailed today!!!!
2. Teacher gifts are done!
3. Our tree is finally complete after a couple of weeks of partial ornamentation.
4. 'Baby' slept in his own bed all night last night, which means I wasn't squished.
5. Christmas cards are going out tomorrow!

Friday Fill-Ins (103)

(listening to most of thes everyday...hanging out in traffic)

1. Said the night wind to the little lamb, DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE.
or
SEE WHAT FUN IT IS TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT?!

2. The first Noel, the angel did say, WAS TO CERTAIN POOR SHEPHERDS IN FIELDS WHERE THEY LAY.
or
BIG BIRTHDAY BASH AT THE FIFTH STABLE ON THE LEFT.

3. SNOW SNOW IT'S HERE; IT'S THERE, Over the hills and everywhere. (yeah, i didn't recognize this one.)

4. It came upon the midnight clear, THAT GLORIOUS SONG OF OLD.
or
THAT GLORIOUS HOUR OF INSPIRATION.

5. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, Let your heart be light.
or
HAVE PEACE AND JOY THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

6. And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing RIGHT WITHIN YOUR HEART.
or
HOPEFULLY ON TUNE.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to WRAPPING, tomorrow my plans include SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SHOPPING ON SUCH A CRAZY DAY and Sunday, I want to BAKE!

And more fill-in fun is right here.

Christmas Quote #6

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

~Washington Irving

Trash Talk Tuesday: Irresponsible Pet Owners

Alright, it's the Christmas season and I want to stay positive, but I totally will after I vent. Lazy and irresponsible pet owners drive me crazy! I want to SCREAM!!! If people are going to have a pet, they should be responsible for every aspect of that pet.

1. Friday night...finally cold here in Texas... there was a totally cutie pie dog that was just freezing out there...wandering the neighborhood...wanting petting from everyone that arrived/left/arrived... He was a little timid, but the need for love prevailed, so he cowered at your hand at first, then just stayed as long as anyone would let him. Yeah, I want to scream some sense into his owners.

2. Yesterday, after cleaning while the children were at school, I got to reclean everything since Aimee stepped in yucky. I can only say that maybe she didn't notice because she was in some very Texas appropriate clothing, while we had some non-Texas appropriat weather (short sleeve shirt with a warm, but sleeveless jacket.) So...instead of spending the afternoon with the children or wrapping presents or cooking dinner, I revacuumed, remopped, cleaned the car floor, washed rugs... Yes I really want to scream at those people...reason being...there are a few dogs that always run around loose at the school. They chase the kids at PE, they follow them in, they get in the way of the cars, and yes, they leave yuckies all over.

So, this week, it was only dogs, but there are certainly irresponsible cat owners as well. Just a trash talk Tuesday shout out to all pet owners...WAKE UP. Be responsible or don't have a pet. ARGGHH!

Arrested For Opening Gift Early

This article was just too funny, appalling, idiotic, and eye-rolling. Hmmm...doing a little (very little) math would suggest to me that this mother might need some parenting classes. Oy!

"Boy Arrested For Opening Xmas Gift Early
Mother has kid, 12, nabbed after Nintendo Game Boy is unwrapped
DECEMBER 5 [2006]--A South Carolina boy, 12, was arrested Sunday morning after his mother called police to report that he had unwrapped a Christmas present without her permission. According to a Rock Hill Police Department report (a copy of which you'll find below), the child opened a Nintendo Game Boy, though he had been directed not to by family members. When the boy's mother learned that the $85 gift had been opened, she called cops, who charged the juvenile with petty larceny. In an interview with The Herald newspaper, the boy's mother, a 27-year-old single parent, described her son as a disruptive child, noting that she hoped his arrest would serve as a corrective to disorderly behavior at school and home."
This came from the Smoking Gun, which shows the actual police report, but other news sites have a reporting of it as well.

David Archuleta sings Christmas

I know some of you really hoped he would have won American Idol, but he's definitely still on the singing path. So here are some great videos --his voice is as clear as always, but the second video is a little better recording.

Oh Holy Night


Silent Night

Manic Monday: Candle

On Christmas Eve, one of our traditions is to turn off all the lights in the house; using only the Christmas tree lights and our Christmas candles, we sit around the tree and read the story of the first Christmas and sing Christmas carols. There is something truly peaceful and calm about the soft light from a candle that quietly ushers in the spirit of Christmas love.

Original Christmas countdown candle photo, courtesy of Martin Geisler.

More 'candle' posts at Manic Monday.

Friday's Fabulous Five!!

1. Friday luncheon with the ladies is always totally awesome! Many thanks to the Dutch ladies for hosting us today!

2. Crazy Holiday Sweater party with friends provided plenty of comedic therapy!

3. Shopping tomorrow to pick up "small item" for school gift exchange. School gift exchange??!Weird.

4. I totally got my wreaths finished and up on the door! Love it!!

5. Christmas baking and decorating is finally sounding appealing.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Friends ROCK.
2. GOOD health; it's PRICELESS.
3. I'm ready for FUN THIS WEEKEND.
4. CLINIQUE'S HAPPY is one of my favorite perfumes or aftershaves or smells.
5. The oldest ornament I have is A RED AND WHITE STOCKING.
6. Take some FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, FOOD, DRINKS, STORIES, LAUGHTER, mix it all together and you have A NIGHT FULL OF FUN.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to CRAZY HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS SWEATER PARTY, tomorrow my plans include SHOPPING WITH KIDS and Sunday, I want to FINISH DECORATING THE TREE (I TOTALLY SAID THIS LAST WEEK, BUT HEY, IT'S WORTH A SHOT)!



And be sure to check out more fill-in answers at the Friday Fill-Ins Blog.

Christmas Quote #5

Blessed is the season

which engages the whole world

in a conspiracy of love!

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Manic Monday: Lights

What would December be without light?! One of things we do every year is drive through town listening to Christmas music and looking at the beautiful Christmas lights. I remember one year when we drove to a city 45 minutes away and checked out this house that had ice scuptures lit and my dad poured us all some hot chocolate out of his work thermos (totally special, huh?!) We loved it and looked forward to the drive to see lights every year, so I've continued it with my own children.
We had some favorites that we made it a point to see every year, and now that we've moved, we have to find some new favorites. We were all totally impressed to find that, even in our tiny town, there is a family that has gone to great lengths for their light display. They have winter, Christmas, and religious themed shapes and have it all set to music, which you can tune on your radio. This year, they even have bleachers so you don't have to sit in your own car. We found it the other night (yeah, we don't read the paper, so what others knew, we actually happened upon...lol) and we are most definitely going back! These houses are so much more fun to see in person and they actually encourage you to walk through the driveway during the show!
They have a few diffent songs that are included in the 10 minute program, but this is the first one.



Apparently, our neighborhood is a little control-freakish because we were looking at our covenants and we are only allowed to have whitle lights. We may try to sneak in a few red ones, but our lights (if we actually get them up) will be much more muted than the computerized display.

The most important light of Christmas is the light we give to each other, through kindness and service. Whether you are one who feels that this is the light of the Christ, the light of life, the light of friendship, or the light of nature, this is the light of the season. It shines forth in every kind smile, every act of service, the sparkle in every child's eye, and each light on the tree. Our life, just like the season, would be very dark without this light.

As always, more 'light' themed posts are over at Mo's Manic Monday blog!

Christmas Quote #4

There's nothing sadder in this world than
to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.

Erma Bombeck

I almost said that I don't think this one is quite true. As a parent, I love Christmas, maybe just as much as I did as a child. But, there is certainly a wonderment that is irreplacable and I think that it's most definitely a sad thing to lose the "magic" feeling of Christmas. I also don't think that I need to be under the age of 12 to experience that. We can all, despite our age, wake up Christmas morning and be a child! (especially if you have a giant bouncy ball)

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Snow COVERS THE GROUND IN A BLANKET OF PEACE.

2. I'm looking forward to MY PACKAGE ARRIVING.

3. REACH CLEANPASTE is the best DENTAL FLOSS ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is LEAVE IT TO BEAVER.

5. I'm done with ...NOTHING...I'M PRETTY MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERTHING RIGHT NOW.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is GET TOGETHERS.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to CHRISTMAS PARTY, tomorrow my plans include BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, HOLIDAY BAZZAR, CHRISTMAS PARTY and Sunday, I want to FINISH THE TREE!

Remember to check out more fill-ins here.

Christmas Quote #3

Oringinal Photo courtesy of Darwinek.

Christmas Quote #2

He who has not Christmas in his heart

will never find it under a tree.

Roy L Smith

There are myriads of Christmas movies about this very fact. "Christmas isn't something you buy at the store...Christmas...is a little bit more." (paraphrase from "How the Grinch stole Christmas", which we read and watch at least a couple times each year.)

Christmas Quote #1

I love quotes. It may be the perfect wording of a perfect thought, or just that someone has captured the feeling.

My Christmas quote of the day:

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.

In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

Larry Wilde