Rockin' Around

The new look

As you can see from this series of pics, our little Teyah is not so little anymore. She is developing her own mind, temper and sense of style!

I've actually stopped taking pictures of her with marker all over her body. It's not funny when that's what she does all day long! Thankfully, they are only washable markers that she is getting into (for now!).

Black teeth ... yummy!

This photo makes her look like her belly is huge, and proportionally it probably is, but it would help if I bought her some pajamas that weren't size 6 months (did I mention she's 18 months?).


When she saw these pictures of herself, she started to cry! I suppose maybe all I need to buy her is a mirror and she would realize black marker lipstick is just not so pretty.

Name Change

We are going to be changing our blog name this week, so if you are a reader, please email us (tbirddave@gmail.com) so we can tell you our new URL. Otherwise, you won't be able to find us after the switch. We thought it would be safer this way!

Thanks!
"The Management"

Christmas pictures

Oh what a lovely picture. But, wait, somebody is missing?


Try to stop the little miscreant wearing her witch slippers.


"But I don't want my picture taken, so I am going to throw myself on the ground and hide my face!"


And she'll kick her feet and pound the floor.


Daddy, has a genius idea.


Then, he got even trickier! Now that's better!

California Sledding

This kids enjoyed this homemade fun at Thanksgiving...

Thanks for all the giving

Once upon a time, there were two loving sisters who were grateful to their parents and their extended family for a wonderful vacation and visit to California. They were grateful for the sunshine and warm weather.


They were VERY grateful for cousins, giggles, and an aunt and uncle who were willing to host.


And to those hosts to allow for some wild times, 'sledding' down the stairs.


They were grateful for a warm jacuzzi under the stars.


They were grateful for a loving, fun, hardworking, silly, and patient Daddy.


They were grateful for hugs. They were grateful to a special cousin who became a new 'best friend' and welcomed into her house a party of five.


One of them, Ellie, was grateful for the chance to take pictures on her own.


They were grateful for delicious food that others purchased and prepared.


They were grateful for toys, and babies to nurture and love.


And, then came an unexpected twist in the story. On the way home, the flight was late, a plane was missed, and the airline provided another chapter to the story of Thanksgiving. Their vacation was extended overnight in another warm land, where some of their other favorite people happen to live.


The sisters were happy to see Christmas lights at a special temple in AZ.


The girls were grateful for family, a warm night, and beauty.


They were grateful Aunt Natalie drove them around Phoenix, even in her tiny Civic!


And that is the end of this thankful story.

THE Worst day of my whole life!

We found this video treasure from months back. Enjoy!

Pre-School Musical

Our girls have been obsessed with this video over the past few days so we had to share it with the world. There was a little fight over who got to be Gabriella so, we have two versions posted. Sorry Teyah, you got stuck with the boy part. Enjoy!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

My smart American Girl

After waiting an hour to enter the new American Girl Doll store this morning, the highlight for me was watching Ellie do this craft that was supposed to be for girls ages 8 and up. She was given a large square paper for the base and 18 triangles that were two sided (each side either had the greenish design or the yellowish design). On her own, she figured out which side to put the glue on and how to make a pattern perfectly (there was no model). I was going to help her with it, but was distracted and when I finally looked down to help her she was half way finished! Wow! I was impressed for a 3-year-old.

We are thrilled to have an American Girl doll store here, but we're looking forward to going back when it's not so crazy! It's a FUN place.

Reunited with destiny

I thought destiny was not on my side. I thought I was never going to see 'Wicked.' After four separate attempts to get tickets (over a course of 18 months) at various locations, I was frustrated! But then, Sunday, destiny and I became friends. I happened to check Ticketmaster again, and I must have checked right when they released a few more seats for Tuesday's show (touring production). I felt like I won the lottery!

My friend Necia and I were giddy. My expectations were high, and I was not let down. It was the best play I've seen, and I had the best seats! I admit. I cried at the end.

Savings on Target

Look closely at our savings on this receipt! Have I ever mentioned that Target and I have a love affair? Nothing's better than 90% off Halloween sales at Target ... new costumes for dress-ups and lots of new "inventory" for Dave's Ebay business.

A few impressive numbers

"Mom, so what do you think the actual temperature is out here. I mean what's the number?" questions Aubrie as we walked from door to door.

"It's 59 degrees," I respond.

"I really like 59 degrees."

"Yes, I love 59 degrees for Halloween too!"

That is the best summary of our Halloween. No Mall of America Trick or Treating this year. Not only did we stay in our neighborhood, but we joined our neighbors for a bonfire afterward. It was a mighty rare treat to spend Halloween like that in Minnesota. Hooray for 59 degrees!


We grew all three pumpkins in our garden: a big, medium and small. Just perfect for us!


Aubrie counted all three kids' candy and came up with a grand total of 243 pieces. Not bad! Now, let's hope that doesn't equal the amount of pounds added to Mommy's backside.


Teyah started a fever on Halloween, and this morning I measured it to be 106.1. What!!? Have any of you even heard of anyone having such a high temperature? After two trips to the doctor and many horrible tests, apparently it's viral. Poor, poor little pumpkin. She hasn't left my lap in two days.


Ellie is growing up. Our little snow princess received her first haircut from a salon this week which included bangs. She was the most excited to realize that she has bangs like her doll "Sophie."

"Mom, now Sophie looks exactly like me!"

Now for Ellie's impressive number. I was pleasantly surprised she wasn't shy at all while she did her little Halloween dance performance or her Joy School songs. Hooray Ellie!

Total Pride and Joy

I can think of few things in this world that have brought me greater joy than watching my little Aubrie learn how to read. On Sunday, she completed two chapter books by herself -- mostly reading them in her head. Well, she read them all by herself except that every time anything exciting happened she had to tell me about it (that was pretty much every page). I was happy to share her excitement though, because I feel the same way when I read.

I feel great joy when I think of her reading group at school. I LOVE that she can be in Kindergarten and be taught at the level that she is reading (rather than just words like top, bat, Mom, sat, etc.). Every time I think of her reading group, I smile. It makes the 12 minute drive to her school well worth the trip.

Aubrie completely taught herself to read, and LOVES it. I am amazed how quickly she's progressed. I think she started around February.

A little postscript: yesterday, I told her she needed lotion because her hands were dry. She told me she was just getting them ready to put on a fake tattoo, and then she chuckled. I asked her what she meant by that, and she said, "I read the directions, and it said your skin must be dry to put it on." I had to laugh!

Fabulous Fall

I confess. I'm really not a fan of Fall. I think it is because I love Spring and Summer so much that Fall feels like a ticking time bomb until Winter. But, then I look at these pictures, and I realize I need to enjoy it more. Fall truly is beautiful!






As you can see in this picture, it is too close to naptime for my two little ones!


Life is more complete with Grandma in town!


Grandma's first time ever picking raspberries.


Teyah's first time picking apples.


A thrown out back (by Grandma) and a very sick Teyah didn't stop us from enjoying the colors.


The other day as I was driving Aubrie to school, the sun was shining and the sky was my favorite color blue. The rainbow of colored leaves brought me to tears. I enjoyed a moment of total happiness. Blessings. A new day. Beauty. Love.

Backyard stunts

Aubrie's description of her activity, "I'm just trying to be like Joe when he got pulled by the bikes at Carpinteria." A story I (Dave) told her long ago.

Teyah... not so sure!

Winter preparations

Ever wonder what Minnesoooootans do when the weather starts to turn cold again?

Get depressed.

OK, so not completely. We are learning ways to endure the long winter. This video and memories of our magical vacation to Sheboygan, Wisconsin this summer will help! We can do it!



P.S. Isn't my hubby becoming quite the videographer/movie editor? Impressive, huh?

Take me out to the ball game

Aubrie's top five coolest things about the Twins game at the Metrodome:

5. The never ending supply of snacks that Mommy brought
4. Screaming at the top of her lungs "WAHOOOO!!"
3. Belting out "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
2. The Wave
1. The "Duh, duh, duh, duh, duhhhhhh....Charge!" Cheer

Unfortunately, Aubrie's cheers weren't enough to extend the Twins' play into the postseason, but it was a fun day anyway.