Family Dinner on Jan. 25th

We always have a family dinner for birthdays. The tradition has been that they get to choose what we are having for dinner. Aric usually has to choose something unusual. This year he said that he'd been craving broccoli with cheese sauce. (He was only 2 the first time he picked broccoli for his birthday dinner. Only we didn't eat broccoli when they were little, it was baby trees.) Then he picked roast beef and mashed potatoes - so that Riley and Alexandra would eat, too.
Since he picked a "normal" meal, I found tiramisu and spumoni - so that he could have weird after all. I've never had tiramisu, and didn't realize that one of the layers was coffee flavored. No one cared for it, except Aric. Luckily, Cortney had made brownies as a backup. Alexandra ate 2 big ones. Aric said that he'd never seen her eat that much at one time. Aric and I were the only ones who liked the spumoni. Riley and Alexandra aren't usually willing to try new things, but they did taste them this time.

Dean and Aric were playing playstation after dinner. Aric had brought over a multi-player game. I think they were Marvel heroes. I know that Aric was Wolverine, I think Dean was playing Hulk? Anyway, they were having a good time slicing and destroying stuff.

Riley and Alexandra in their jammies. They were cold, so they put them on early.

I forgot to get a picture of Cortney. She was doing better than I expected. She'd been to church, and had a bit of a headache. And then with all the chaos of dinner and extra people, I wasn't sure how she would fare, but she made it through the whole evening.

Locks of Love

On Saturday, Jan. 31st, Aric and I went and got haircuts. I've been "going to" for better than a month. My hair was below my waist, and really getting in the way. Then Aric came home from work with the announcement that he had to cut his hair and shave off his beard before his next scheduled work day. So we went together before we did the grocery shopping.

I had to get pictures before Aric's "Jesus" look was gone.

While we were waiting, I asked Aric how he was going to get it cut. He told me that he was buzzing it off. I told him that I missed him not being little. He was shocked. He wanted to know how I could possibly miss all the trouble he was always getting into. I told him that he was also a lot of fun - just like Alexandra, that they are personality matches. Then he said that Alexandra doesn't get into the trouble he did. I pointed out that Alexandra has a stay at home mom, and give her a couple of years, the mischief he was remembering was mostly ages 6-9. Then I told him that I liked him at 26, too.
I'll bet his sisters wish they were here. They used to love to sit on him to feel the stubble of his new haircuts.

Locks of Love is getting a 13 inch braid from me. It is still over my shoulders, about as long as it was when I cut it after I broke my arm.

Wet and then dry.

Aric wanted to point out that his action figures are now recorded for posterity. I'm pointing out that it is only 6 of the massive collection. Could be worse, could have pictures of his swords in the background - so people would really wonder about me.

And they are getting an 11 inch ponytail from Aric.

I'll try to get another picture of him now. He shaved off all but a goatee.

He didn't want me to take pictures, so he was being "evil." I had the girls here, so he couldn't refuse too loudly.

When I was measuring the hair, and getting it into bags to mail. I couldn't believe how close our hair color matches. Aric's is curlier, and mine has a fair amount of grey.

Mice

I found these again on Cake Wrecks (http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Sweets). For all of you that know me, you know I can't resist a mouse. Even Jacque and GusGus aren't this cute!

Aric

Aric has a new "ouchie." It's been a while since the last one, so he was due. He cut his left index finger open with a box cutter. He was taking shrink wrap off new chairs while at work. 3 inches long, to the bone, 9 stitches later. And it is parallel and about 1/2 inch from the scar when he did this when he was 4. He did this on Tuesday.
Then yesterday, he locked his keys in his car. So I had to do 45 miles on I-25, white knuckled all the way, to rescue him.
Good thing I love my children.

And More Hats

Riley

If you haven't checked out Cortney's blog lately, you've got to! She has pictures of Riley holding a snake! Alexandra would only pet it. If that isn't a reversal of what you'd expect.

Warm Hearts~Warm Babies

I just read the January newsletter for Warm Hearts. The WHWB website is: http://www.warmheartswarmbabies.org/ . If one of your New Year's resolutions included community service or uncluttering, I recommend this charity, which helps those who can't possibly help themselves. If you are uncluttering - material and yarn donations are always welcome - as are donations of other items, as the spring garage sales are just around the corner. WHWB is a 501C charity - which means that you can get a tax receipt for any donations, material or monetary.

This is the current list of most needed items:

© Newborn Boy Burial Items
© Newborn sleepers and gowns
© Sweaters, jackets and buntings
© Preemie gowns, onesies, outfits, and t-shirts
© Receiving blankets
© Gently used boys 3T & 4T clothing and pajamas
© Baby toiletries
© Bottles
© Pacifiers
© Diapers
© Wipes
© Baby friendly yarn
© Baby friendly interlock knits and ribbing
© Postage stamps
© Batting
© Polyfil

I've noticed over the years, that the boys' clothing items are almost always on the list. It couldn't be because the boys who wear 3T-4T don't have gently used clothing. ;)