We Are Lit Up!

Bill worked very hard last week getting the Christmas lights up on the house. It looks so pretty but it is a hard job. Guess we are going to have to invest in one of those really tall ladders. I think Bill is starting to get tired of borrowing the neighbor's ladder.

Do Dogs Really Care About Christmas?

Do dogs really care about Christmas? Looking at Chelsea's expression sort of makes me think not! Sarah would like to dress her up in silly costumes. Oh, Chelsea LOVES that! NOT! At least dogs don't try to climb the Christmas tree like a cat we used to know! I think that Chelsea is the most thrilled when we bake anything with peanut butter in it. That means a sticky treat for her. She comes running into the kitchen at the first sound of the peanut butter jar opening. Of course she knows exactly what her stocking is and she is patiently waiting for a raw hide from Santa.

Oh Christmas Tree???

Okay, so maybe SHE is not a Christmas tree, but she sure is lovely! Sarah and I were messing around with the Christmas tree lights the other night. AND then the next morning I see a report that you should not let your kids play with Christmas lights because of lead issues. Who would have thought?

It Must Run in the Family

So the funny thing is.........as we were walking around the Art Center, I noticed a piece of artwork created by a girl named Kelly Jones. I thought, hey, our family has a Kelly Jones. I looked closer and sure enough, cousin Kelly also had her artwork showing at the art show. What a coincidence! So here is a picture of Daniel and Kelly with their Art Center certificates. Kelly is cousin Wayne's daughter. See if everyone else can keep up with these Joneses!

The Artist

Daniel's art teacher at school had all the fourth grade students make a project called "Just Like Me". We didn't realize that this was for a local art contest. Our school chose two pieces of artwork from each class and then those ten were judged at the school level. Three pieces of artwork were then entered in the county level. Daniel's artwork was one of the three.
On Sunday, The Art Center in St. Petersburg hosted the awards reception and a family day for the 75 students that had their artwork showing from the county.
Even though Daniel did not win one of the top awards, he is a winner because his artwork got there in the first place.

It's December 3rd

It is December 3rd. It is hot here in Florida. I think I saw a thermomter that read 80 degrees on the way home from church this morning.
This afternoon we will be attending an art reception for Daniel. He won an art contest at his school for fourth graders. His artwork will be framed and then compete with 75 other children for the prize. They are hosting a friends and family reception at the art center this afternoon.

I Can't Believe He's Ten!

I can't believe that Daniel is ten already! Yesterday was his birthday. He was so excited and came into our bedroom right away in the morning. Bill tried to give him a 'birthday spanking'. No luck! Daniel had a better idea. A Birthday Hug! Sounded good to me!

I am hoping that time slows down a bit and the next ten years don't go so quickly. Heck, when he is 20, he'll be in college and on his own.

Daniel mostly had a great day. He opened his presents from Mommy and Daddy and Sarah. He got the coveted SpongeBob Square Pants Lego set, an Air Hogs Rocket, a game for his Game Boy and Sarah gave him some more pens for his DS. Silly things are easily lost.