Flexibility!

No, this isn't a blog on yoga.  It's about gingerbread houses.  Duh.

We planned on making gingerbread houses right after we got home from our Thanksgiving trip.  I knew we would be busy, but all the kids were looking forward to it and I thought it would be fun.  One of Jason's favorite childhood holiday memories is going over to his Aunt Elaine's to build gingerbread houses with his cousins.  She made dozens of them every year.  

We told the kids we would build them "on Saturday," and then "next Friday."  But something always got in the way-  illnesses, football games, root canals, recitals, play-dates, shopping trips to Best Buy (Merry Christmas to us!!!)  Our kids, especially Emily, would be disappointed at each postponement.  I finally told her that I was trying to teach her "flexibility."  I don't think she bought it and probably thought it wouldn't happen this year.

Finally, today, each of our kids made their own gingerbread house, just like at Aunt Elaine's.  And I have the pictures to prove it!  Each of them designed their personal house.  I only assisted with adhesive application, which is hard for me because I tend to want to "Martha Stewart" it.  By holding back, I was able to glimpse each one's amazing imagination.  Our ledge between the kitchen and living room has a little village on it now.  (At least it does until Bullet figures out how to get to it.)  

We had a great time.  I even think Emily agreed it was worth the wait.

Rant updated

I haven't received any response from Wal-Mart, but I'm not surprised.  I'm still shopping there.  And what's on the TV's?  Rudolph, Horton and Wal-Mart commercials.  On several shopping trips to different stores, I haven't seen anything disturbing on the televisions (unless you count Rudolph as disturbing.)

I was starting to feel pretty good about all this.  Until I got a note from my sister who lives in Mississippi.  Guess what was on the TV's at her Wal-Mart?  "The Dark Knight"  And my wonderful sister wrote a letter.  I hope it does some good.

Nativity Wars

I bought a small nativity scene during my visit to Germany a couple of years ago.  It sits on the ledge that separates the kitchen from the living room.  Unfortunately, that nativity has become the family battle ground.  Here is my evidence . . . Apparently, some members of my family believe there is a right and wrong way to display this scene.  Every five minutes, I'll hear a disgusted sigh and it has been moved again.

I don't really care which way it goes, I just want to know who put the fingerprints on it!

'Tis the Season . . . continued

Emily has been VERY busy this December.  Her Challenge class opened their "Living Museum."  Each student researched an artist or musician and then became an exhibit.  They dressed up and held a pose until a patron activated them.  Emily was Belle, I mean, George Gershwin.  (Family joke)  Here she is in action.

  

She's also been going early to school three days a week to participate in the school choir.  She was selected to be in the bell choir as well and loved doing that.  Here is the video of her recital.  Her back is to us (all the way on the left) but you can still see her talent.

Tyler is still playing trombone for the Katy Junior High band.  He, too, had a concert, but I forgot to bring the cameras with me.  He looked pretty spiffy in his red bow-tie and cummerbund.  I would have taken a picture at home, but the school keeps the "uniform" and justifiably so.  I'm really bummed that I don't have pictures or video, but he'll be in his "costume" again in the Spring.  

A friend from church invited Tyler to attend the Texas state champ football game yesterday.  While Tyler is supposed to go to Morton Ranch High in a couple of years, our hearts are with Katy.  Tyler admits that he's probably the only kid in junior high that isn't a football fan.  But he knew this would be a great game to attend.  And it was.  We are very proud of Katy's back-to-back state championships- first time in Texas history!

School is now over and the count-down to Christmas is in full swing.  The kids have big plans for this break- play dates, movies, gingerbread house and cookie decorating.  It's a wonderful time of year in the Welker house.  We hope y'all have a very Merry Christmas, too!

'Tis the Season . . .

This is the time of year that gets so crazy trying to keep up with all the events are children are involved in- recitals, field trips, and general holiday fun.  This is my attempt at catching up with my kids.

First up is Lucy.

  

My baby's last year of preschool!  How did that happen?  There was no shyness or insecurity this year.  Just my adorable daughter.  (Pardon my gushing.  And all the camera flashes in the video.  That was me, trying to capture the moment for Daddy who got stuck at work.)

Randy was busy in December too.  He had the traditional 3rd grade choir performance, but I didn't get any good pictures or video of that.  I did get to chaperone his field trip to the Children's Museum of Houston.  We've been to this museum before and Randy was very excited.  There were two displays he wanted to see.  But because the busses got caught in our lovely Houston traffic, the kids only had 90 minutes of tour time.  His favorites were not in the three galleries we got to visit.  In the past, this would mean a dramatic temper tantrum- crying, kicking, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.  This time, Randy let us know he was sad and disappointed, but he recovered.  What a miracle!  I'm so grateful for the progress he's made.

Next post . . .Ty and Emily!

Happy Anniversary!

This month, Jason and I celebrated our 16th anniversary.  Since the "traditional" anniversary table quits keeping track after 15- probably because few marriages last that long- we made it our "meat" anniversary by celebrating at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian "churrascaria."  (For those of you who don't know what churrascaria means,  its rough translation is "lots and lots of meat.)   This was our first trip there, and it was delicious.  

On our way to the restaurant, Jason surprised me with a gift from my favorite jewelry store- James Avery.  He bought me a beautiful fresh-water pearl necklace and bracelet.  (Apparently, he hadn't consulted the tradition anniversary table, because pearls are the 30th anniversary gift.  I'm not complaining.) 

Better than our delicious dinner and my wonderful jewelry, the best gift I received is my husband himself.  He is a good provider, a fantastic father and amazing husband.  He is talented in everything I lack, so I think we balance each other.  I love to watch him interact with our kids.  Nothing sounds sweeter than my husband and children laughing together.  It's been a great 16 years and I look forward to many, many, many, many more happy years ahead.   

Rant, rant, rant

(Warning:  Karen is on her soap-box again.  Just pat her on the head and tell her that it will all be OK.)

Lucy and I had to go shopping at Wal-Mart this morning.  Something happened that has occurred frequently before.  I've made comments to employees, but it comes back over and over.  I called the manager this morning, and then wrote a letter to corporate headquarters.  Here's what I said . . .

This morning, my four-year-old daughter and I shopped at Wal-Mart #3226.  My children enjoy shopping with me and it is necessary that they accompany me when I need to do my errands.  As we walked into the electronics department, I was dismayed to see a number of large televisions displaying "The Dark Knight"- a PG-13 movie.  This is not a movie I would take any of my four children to see, since they are all younger than thirteen.  When my oldest son was four, he was traumatized by a scene depicting a decapitation he saw on a big screen at Sam's Club.  He had nightmares for weeks and didn't want to accompany me when I had to go shopping.  

I don't understand why Wal-Mart, a generally family friendly store, insists on showing inappropriately violent and graphic movies for all ages to see.  I understand that Wal-Mart wants to show the "latest and greatest" movies to advertise their products.  I've made comments to the employees before and they've always been kind and understanding. Today, I called the store to speak with a manager.  I was told that the choice of movies shown comes from "above".  

Wal-Mart should adopt a family friendly philosophy by only showing age-appropriate movies when advertising their televisions.  Frankly, some of the new animated movies will show off the amazing graphics of a new TV better than the ones you've been showing.  Right now, "Horton Hears a Who" is new and has amazing animation.  I know my daughter would insist we stop to watch, which would make me want to shop more, instead of speed-racing through the department so that she doesn't see anything violent.

I do most of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.  I am in a financial position to pay higher prices if it means protecting my children from disturbing images.  I will be speaking to my friends and family about our experience and will also be posting my opinion on my blog.  I will be happy to pass on any response from Wal-Mart corporate offices.  Please feel free to respond or call.

I don't know if this will do any good.  I'll be sure to post any response I get (or more likely, lack of response.)  I don't know if anyone else even feels the way I do.  If you do, I ask you to write a letter or make a phone call yourself.  

If you don't, would you mind running to Wal-Mart for me?

Pizza for Thanksgiving

Yep, no turkey, no stuffing, no pie.  But what an amazing Thanksgiving it was.  The Welker clan- including Grandma and Grandpa- trekked out to the Land of the Mouse for Thanksgiving week.  I wouldn't want to celebrate Thanksgiving this way every year.  We had a great time.  And as delicious as that pizza was, I miss seeing the rest of my family.  And pie.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  So here are a few pictures and the stories behind them.  

After 16 hours of driving, this sign was . . . 

 . . . a very welcome sight.

The view from our room

Grandpa admiring the view from their adjoining room.

Jason wasn't impressed with the interior of our rooms.  But he's a world traveler that gets to stay in some pretty fancy-schmancy hotels on his business trips.  I liked that nothing screamed Disney, but it was there if you looked for it.  Lucy found a tiny "hidden Mickey" in the pattern stitched onto the fabric of the futon (on the right side of the photo).  Very subtle and very cool.

On our first night, we rode the boat from our resort- the Contemporary (in the background) to Fort Wilderness for dinner. The food was good, but extremely over-priced.  The boat ride was my favorite part.  By the time we headed back, it was really cold.  But Tyler, Emily and I still decided to ride in the front of the boat instead of inside where it was warm.  We took the wrong boat and ended up headed for the Magic Kingdom instead of our resort.  What a great mistake!!!  The castle was lit up with its Christmas lights and was simply beautiful!

This is how we started every morning- the kids on the floor with breakfast in front of the TV.  One of the channels shown in our room had old Disney shorts.  The same episodes were shown on a loop over and over.  Our kids must have seen the same cartoons at least a dozen times.  But that didn't stop them from entering their zombie trance every time it was on.

Two of my favorite things in this photo- grandparents and the monorail.  We LOVED having Grandma and Grandpa with us.  I didn't stress as much as I would have had they not been with us.  It was great watching our kids connect with them.  

The one thing Lucy talked about in the weeks proceeding our trip was meeting Cinderella.  When we stood in line to meet the princesses, the cast-member told us he couldn't guarantee that we'd meet Cinderella or Belle- Emily's favorite.  But when we entered the room- there they were!  I almost cried.  Lucy was so excited to see her, but got very shy and quiet when it actually came to her turn to say "hi."  

When Emily walked up to her favorite princess, Belle smiled at her and said, "Have you been in my wardrobe?"  Emily just grinned and was just as shy as Lucy.  My princesses also met Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Ariel.  More pictures to come when our Photopass CD comes in the mail.

On Tuesday morning, we ate at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary.  This was another exorbitantly priced buffet- this time breakfast.  The kids got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy- Randy's favorite- and . . . 

. . . Pluto.  Each of the characters came to our table.  So the kids were able to get hugs, pictures and autographs from each one without waiting in line, which was almost worth the amount of money we spent.

Avoiding lines was the name of our game.  So when we saw a character spot with no line, we jumped in.  We were lucky enough to find Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger- Tyler's favorite Disney characters.

I think Lucy and Emily's expression says it all!

Like I said, the monorail was a surprise favorite of the family.  It runs right through the Contemporary.  So it was very convenient to walk over and ride it to where we wanted to be.  A couple of times, we were lucky enough to ride with the pilot.  Here is Lucy taking her turn in the pilot's chair.

Of course, no trip to Disney World is complete without the rides!!!  Here we are waiting for our turn outside Test Track in Epcot.  How was it?

Randy gives it two thumbs up!  In fact, he liked all of the fast, exciting rides.  Lucy did too!  She rode Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain and thought they were great.  (In case you are wondering about Randy's fashion accessory- we brought some industrial ear-protection that someone might wear around power tools.  These saved us!  Randy handled everything so well.  We only had one melt-down on our very last day, and that was basically my fault.)

My favorite ride was The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  The theming was perfect and the ride was great.  Emily and Jason liked it too.  Tyler and Randy didn't like it as much as . . . 

 . . . Rock'N'Roller Coaster!  This ride goes from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds, with a couple of inversions thrown in the mix.  Tyler loved the ride so much, he bought the souvenir photo with his own money.

I think their faces say it all.  Emily didn't love it so much.  She wouldn't go on it again with us the second time.

But if you ask him, Tyler will say that his favorite ride was Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom.  Ty and I had to (got to) sit in the front on our ride.  I agree, it was great.  The park was beautiful.  This picture doesn't do justice to how amazing the mountain looked.

The 3-D shows were a lot of fun, too.  Randy, Emily and Ty model the Bug Goggles for "It's Tough to Be a Bug" show.  Awesome.  Make sure to stay in your seats until the very end!

As great as this trip was, it was exhausting.  We only made it to one "finale"- Fantasmic in the Hollywood Studios-  and didn't see any fireworks or parades.  We figured we'd leave some surprises for our next trip.

Both Randy and Lucy pooped out pretty early.  We converted our single stroller to a double a couple of times.  By the end of the trip, that stroller was toast and we ended up leaving it there in the hopes another family could use it.

Poor Lucy got sick on the trip.  She was a trooper.  We'll go back in about 3 years when everyone's endurance is a little bit better.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip and we'll definitely go back.  

Now, on to our next adventure- Christmas!!!!