Branson Redux

We ditched traditional turkey dinner and spent our holiday weekend in Hillbilly Vegas, also known as Branson. I took the little pink camera, but took no pictures. I was having too much fun! LOL. The kids loved Silver Dollar City and the weather was chilly but sunny- perfect. Here's the highlights:

• Gabi and Blake rode Thunderation (roller coaster) many times, as well as Fire in the Hole and the giant swings. Gabi loved all the rides.
• Micah rode the giant swings with Blake, but did not like it. We were lucky he didn't send a shoe flying across the Ozarks the way that kid was kicking his feet maniacally as he swung. But this was our first amusement park visit when he was tall enough to ride some kiddie rides by himself, and if you have met Micah (or most any 3 year old) you know he likes to do things "by my-self!" He had so much fun he was bouncing and squealing in line.
• The whole family rode the Sunken Mine ride, which is a boat ride where you shoot lasery guns at targets and mannequins in striped jumpsuits create scenes of escaping prisoners. Again, if you know Micah (or most any 3 year old boy), you know he likes to shoot bad guys. Or anything, really.
  
• We also rode the steam train after dark and got to see all the beautiful Christmas lights. All of us loved that.
• There was a Frosty show at SDC for families. As the audience was gathering, a man came out from the stage, scanned the crowd and walked up to Blake. He asked if Gabi could be in the show! She got called up on stage to help make the snowman. If you know Gabi, you know she loved this. Huge grin on her face. After it was over, a couple of audience people kindly told her she did a great job. She said she felt like she was famous.
  
• Gabi made a ragdoll with one of the interpreters at the park and is quite proud of her. She wants to make more.
  
• At the outlet mall, Gabi wanted to ask the people at the Fossil store if they had dinosaur bones for sale.
  
• We played miniature golf and decided Micah should play hockey. He really smacked those balls, and if you didn't watch out, he was on the green with his club blocking the hole like an expert goalie. And Blake got 3 holes-in-one. And Gabi lost her ball. Twice. She should stick to being in shows and leave the games with balls to her brother. But it was very fun.

Micah is thankful...

...for blueberries, peanutbutter, crackers, Star Wars, and mommy.

Micah made this turkey at preschool. I'm using the term "made" loosely here as I'm sure all he did was paint paper plates brown and answer some questions. But he's still a cute gobbler.
Micah says the turkey's name is Boba Fett.
It's good to know I rank right up there with peanutbutter and Star Wars.

Don't Worry, Mom

I lost Micah today. We'd been having playgroup at church and after everyone was leaving I was gathering up some of the items I take to be recycled. I looked around, and Micah wasn't there. I started calling, no answer. He wasn't back in Blake's office or in the bathroom. I looked all over. Then I get a glimpse of him through the glass door, and he's standing out in the middle of the parking lot. Apparently, when I'd gone into a room he didn't see me and had gone looking for me at the van. I run over and call him back in and I went on and on about how he shouldn't go out by himself, especially not out where there could be cars.

His reply?

"Don't worry, Mom, I looked both ways."

Talented Hula Girls

Gabi and her friend hula danced to Somewhere Over the Rainbow for the church talent show. They did great!

Super Miriam

Turns out Miriam is the kind of cat a kid needs.... she likes being dragged around by a 6 year-old and dressed up. Here she is in Gabi's pink cape.

Gabi has proof that she's a helper....

Our church has a local outreach team called H2O (Help to Others.) They do monthly projects in the community. The mission team leader, Jennifer, keeps up with how many projects you attend and if you help for 3 days, you get one of these coveted t-shirts. Jennifer had to special order this one because Gabi is the first kid to earn one! She helped at a nursing home, making care packages for students, and on a workday on our church grounds. Woo hoo for Gabs!

Micah said....

We went to the state park this weekend to hike around and hang out with some friends. I'll post pics later, but Micah made an observation worth sharing.... we pulled up to the overlook and there stands what remains of an old CCC-built stone lodge. As we walked up the path toward the rock building, Micah said, "The big bad wolf couldn't blow that house down!"

He's also been working on his list for Santa. He's up to five things so far:
1. a light saber
2. storm trooper
3. webkinz bear
4. donuts
5. an apple

(I don't know why the apple is on the list as he eats one most every day, but I guess he just likes them so much he wants a spare for Christmas.)

Pile-O-Leaves

Micah Asked for Stick-Up Hair

Pre-haircut

Post-haircutMicah asked the barber to cut his hair so it was spiky and sticks up. So he has a really short almost buzz haircut! His cowlicks sticking up in the front actually look really cute with this new 'do!

Tree Status

Sign-Shaking for a Cause

Gabi wanted to set up a lemonade stand yesterday, to give away lemonade. I didn't have any lemonade fixings. Then she wanted to stand on the side of the street and give away pennies. Sensing that she felt the need to do something for someone, I suggested she make a "don't forget to vote" sign in chalk on the driveway. But she wanted an actual sign, and with a gleam in her eye she grabbed her iPod and began dancing on our driveway. I think we may drive past Little Ceasar's Pizza too often.

Tree Status

Jack-o-Lanterns All Lit Up

My last Halloween post until next year!

It's not all a sugar high

We had a candy-apple making station at the church carnival last night, and Micah ate two. Two apples on a stick with no caramel, that is. Anything tastes better on a stick.