Delaney Barbara

Delaney is now a big kindergartener. She's loving her independence and has been testing the waters to see what she can get away with. However, she is at that age where she is saying and thinking some funny things. Here are a few:

1. What does she want for Christmas? She wants a Barbie cruise ship, a Barbie airplane, a jewelry box she saw at Costco, and a spatula. Yes, a spatula. When she was telling me, I was in the kitchen. I turned around and picked one up and said "A spatula like this?". "Yep" was her reply.

2. She is learning to read, and learning her sounds, and can count over 100, but there are still some funny things that she mispronounces or says wrong (and it KILLS Jackson). She was so excited for her Thanksgiving Festibal she was having today. Or she'll say things like, "I cutted the paper." And Jackson is always trying to correct her, but I stop him, because there are just a few "little kid" things left about her...and I want to hang on to them as long as I can.

Delaney at the Thanksgiving Festibal.

3. My mom came and visited for 3 weeks October into November. The whole time she was here, when Delaney would say her prayers, she'd bless that Grandma would have a good time while at our house (our house being inherently not fun, and all). Well, now that Mom is gone, she's blessing that she'll have a good time in Utah.

4. She's so excited for Christmas this year. Every day she crafts paper crafts for the family, to be opened on Christmas day. There's no tree yet, so they're piling up on the fireplace mantel. I can only imagine the stack we'll have by December 25th.

5. The other day, Delaney traced two hands, cut (or cutted) them out, colored one yellow and one blue, and then stapled them together. She gave them to me, explaining, "Mom, it's your hand and Dad's hand. Just how you always hold hands."

Anyone know how to freeze time? Because as she gets a day older, and then a day older after that, my heart feels a little sad.

Howdy Pardner!

Halloween came and went at our house with a bang! (pun intended) Our kiddos picked up some cowboy boots this summer while on vacation in Utah, so the costumes were born months ago.


Poor Jackson was fighting a bout of strep throat the day before Halloween, so he didn't get to participate in the school festivities. As luck would have it, I am his room mom, so I got to go to school and run the whole show, when my kid was nowhere in sight. *Sigh* Here's Delaney all set for school.


And a shot of the pink boots.


Given the fact Addison can't even walk in her cowboy boots, she dressed up as a teddy bear. All three Clark kiddos have been this teddy bear and I am sad to retire it. It's the cutest, warmest costume. Perfect for Trick or Treatin' in the arctic Midwest. Addison was being a pistol (pun intended) all through Trick or Treating, and refused to smile or have her picture taken. Could have had something to do with the freezing temps?


Our cute little neighbor, Jack, is just a few months older than Addison, and was equally as grumpy that night. Two little grumps in their wagons.


Given the grumpy 1 year old, the freezing temperature (darn wind), and the fact Jackson thinks he old enough to go trick or treating with his friend instead of his family, we didn't get a family pic of the kiddos this year. However, we are so grateful for some great neighbors who we adore and who make the day so much more fun than if we were alone!

Here's the whole candy collectin' gang...Jack as a dragon, Jackson as a cowboy, Steven as a Camo ninga (don't ask - I didn't), Addie as a teddy bear, Delaney as a cowgirl, Olivia as a "nice" witch, and Ben as Mario. Last names have been ommited, to protect the innocent (and mostly because I don't want their parents mad at me whilst fearing internet stalkers!).

How To Scar a Child for Life

A word to the wise...my kids hated this movie. It was super scary for my 9 and 5 year old. Somehow I was naively thinking that Disney meant kid friendly (evidently I forgot Disney did "Pirates of the Caribbean"). I am usually good about screening things my kids see, and we probably, no definitely, should have walked out.

I would recommend it for adults, though. The story is a classic and the movie is cool with the 3D effects, just not for kiddos. Consider yourself warned...ours have had nightmares since (well, not so much a nightmare as a I-can't-fall-asleep-because-I-keep-thinking-about-the-spooky-ghosts-mare).

Can't Blame Them

Last week, in something out of a Hitchcock movie, a million (not an exaggeration) birds invaded our neighborhood for a few minutes. There were so many of them and, boy, were they were in a hurry! Winter's coming to Chicago and we can't blame them, really...

Back With a Bang!

Addie wins for best shiner in Clark family history.