Katie's Dream House

Wednesday I met up with Katie at school to assist her in the construction of a gingerbread house. The entire first grade class was in the cafeteria and each child was encouraged to invite an adult to help them build. They gave us one hour to create and Katie continued working on hers at home. Below are pictures of her first ever gingerbread house.

Here is a view of the left side and front of her house. I had bought Lifesavers, licorice, mini candy canes, M&Ms and Starbursts. She was pretty creative with the candy.

Here is the backside and left side of the house again. The right side looks just like the left. The white frosting on the tray is supposed to be snow, but she ran out of frosting and couldn't do the snowbanks that she envisioned. She had to do Texas snow, which is just a light dusting.

I call the house Katie's Dream House because she would be in high heaven if she lived in this house made out of butter cream frosting and candy where she could eat a chunk of the wall whenever she pleased.

Movie Viewing

One thing that Katie and Rick do is watch movies together, not Barbie or Disney movies, but alien movies and war movies. This past weekend they watched Battle for L.A. and Jarhead. They are not the most age appropriate movies for a six-year old and this is evidenced by the fact that Katie's new favorite quote is from Jarhead. She'll say, "Hey Daddy" or "Hey Mommy" to get our attention. Then she'll say, "Welcome to the suck!" Then she laughs and laughs. . . . and so does Rick. During Battle for L.A. Katie asked Rick why marines are allowed to swear and Rick told her it was because they are marines, so now if you ask Katie why marines are allowed to swear or do anything naughty, she says, "Because they're marines." Maybe I should activate parental controls on the TV for Katie. . . . and Rick.

If a picture is worth a thousand words than I am off the hook.

Over a month has past since my last post, so it is time for a new one. To update you would take oodles of time and numerous keystrokes. Therefore, I'll give you the abbreviated text version and rely on pictures to give you the details.

Katie danced in The Nutcracker as a Tiny Angel; was in Abilene's and Anson's Christmas parades with her cheerleading team; visited with Santa at the Mall; received another report card of straight A's; and is growing and learning.

Rick is finally on his well-deserved and much-needed, month-long vacation. We have had snow already this year, but the dusting was gone by noon. The weather has been cold for the last few weeks--30's to 40's in the morning. It gets warmer as the day goes, but the temperature just drops once the sun drops below the horizon. I've decorated for Christmas, but have not gone all out like usual. The Christmas spirit eludes me this year. I try to fake it for Katie's sake. My dad has cancer and his treatment options would possibly buy him more time, but nothing will eradicate the cancer. He has turned down the options available and has chosen at home hospice. Right now he is holding steady and doing well.

Below are a few pictures and I hope they are worth a thousand words.

Family Christmas Picture 2012

 Katie with some of her fellow cheerleaders waiting to board their float for the Abilene Christmas parade

Katie lost her first baby tooth Dec. 15, 2012. It's the gap on the bottom front. The gap on the top front has always been there!

 Katie at Santa's Wonderland at the Mall

 Katie's 2012 Santa Picture

Katie after she visited with Santa at the Mall. She got the Elf hat from one of Santa's elves.

As the holidays approach, my prayers go out to the families and the community of Newton, Connecticut. My wish for you is that the quiet peace of the season remains with you throughout the year. Merry Christmas.