Happy Birthday, Jack!

The holiday season is jam packed with fun (and wrapping paper) at our house.  First we have Grammie's birthday and then Christmas.  Right after that Jack's birthday arrives, and then mine brings up the rear.  You get a lotta bang for your holiday buck at our house this time of year. Whew!  We are partied out.

Jack  is now TEN.  Ten years old.  Double digits, folks.  He's starting to make that familiar shift that kids make in their fourth grade year.  Little kid silliness still exists (a lot) but here and there, Jim and I question ... "Whoa.... who's this mature person living in our house?!"  Quick wit and easy sarcasm pop out at the most unexpected times.  It's a weird sensation to be the parent, in this case, instead of just the teacher observing the 9 to 10 year old transition in a classroom.  You'd think I would have been better prepared.

But no.  I just marvel.  When Jim needs help with the Christmas lights, Jack is right there, up in the attic, on the roof, HELPING.  Not just being in the way.  When Jim has to think about how to best get the new Christmas up into the attic, Jack has ideas.  And real solutions.  And Jim takes his advice.

When dinner needs cooking, Jack is willing and able to help.  And remembers how to cook it himself the next time.

 Jack, master of mac and cheese. 

And when Jack argues with his mom and dad, suddenly he has a logical argument that he's much less afraid to deliver right back to you.  When you're caught unaware, his viewpoint.... it's suddenly much more thought out and valid. 

This is a weird concept.  Alien Jack.  Alien and cool Jack.

Here's Jack's birthday interview:

1.   Favorite song:  Sleigh Ride

2.  Favorite cereal:  Lucky Charms

3.  Favorite color:  Blue

4.  Favorite outfit:  Short sleeve shirt, shorts, bicycle gloves, and fluffy slippers  (??? )

I've never seen him wear the outfit mentioned above... but this one is equally flashy.

5.  Favorite holiday:  Christmas (because my birthday is close)

6.  Favorite friend:  Kyle

7.  Favorite snack:  Snow ice cream  (this answer really confused me because... we've... um... never made snow ice cream.)

8.  Favorite thing to have for dinner:  Mac and cheese

9.  Favorite movie:  The Polar Express

10.  Favorite game:  Playing with the parachute in P.E.  (oooh... that's a good one, Jack.)

11.  Favorite toy:  Woody  (remember this?)

12.  Favorite fruit:  Strawberries

13.  Favorite animal:  Mouse  (Mouse?  Mouse?  I'm pretty sure he's just making stuff up now...)



Happy Birthday, Jack!  And thanks for the sweet birthday wishes right back at me.  You make me smile, kid.

Just Dance 2013!



It's become sort of a New Year's tradition for *friends to gather at our house on New Year's Eve.  We eat really unhealthy foods and play a few group games... but I think mostly people just gotta dance and/or cheer (heckle) the dancers once the midnight hour rolls on by.

The award for Best Overall again (no surprise) goes to Andrea Schlager!  Her funk is unbeatable.

Artsy, I know.

Even if we conspire, and then go and rent a brand new dancing game with surprise choreography/songs that Schlager has never seen, we are defeated. This year we tried the X-Box's  "Just Dance 4" just to throw her off, but her internal beat is rock solid and steady.

Best Modest Claims Not To Be Able To Just Dance... but then Heyyy, Never Mind.... I Might As Well Be An English Boy Band Stand-In :  Andrea Pullan! 

Cutest and Most Rhythmic Newcomer Under 4:  Chloe Pullan! 

Most Impressive Is-This-My-Child Newcomer Over 9:  Jack Hoodenpyle! 
Best Rock Lobster/Obliging 4th Grade Teacher:  Danavee Long!

Most Physically Exhausted:  Danavee Long!  (Double Winner!)

Sleepiest Observer:  Emma Hoodenpyle! 

And Best Tender Embrace/Homage to Patrick Swayze:  Andrea Schlager!  (Double Winner!) 

Thank you, Schlager... I did, in fact, have the time of my life.

 

 

Sorry, ladies, there are no trophies for the superlative winners this year.  But... if there were, they'd probably look a lot like this:

 



Happy New Year!

*Not in attendance and sorely missed:  Nancy Doubrava and Ashley Boschen.  Mark your calendars and bring your babies next year.  We start the schooling early 'round here!