Something new lately is Elijah coming home with love notes from all sorts of girls, and stories about how so&so wont quit chasing him on recess when he just wants to play basketball, etc. Big sister Darla has been trying to run interference for him. Oh the drama! So today Elijah's on the phone w/ his friend "joe" who offered Elijah advice to make this problem go away:
"Joe": Elijah I have a trick to make the girls not like you. Ive tried it & it really really works good! Ive done it. This trick works!
Elijah: Really? What is the trick? (his face is happy & serious with big curious eyes)
"joe": I just started coloring really really bad.
Elijah: Are you serious? They leave you alone because you color bad?
"joe": Yes the girls dont like me anymore now.
Elijah: That's awesome!
Darla was wearing a bracelet made out of linking paperclips. Weird. Totally forgot about that till I saw it on her wrist. I did the same thing as a child. Then she was singing this song to the exact same tune as "Im a barbie girl - in a barbie world - Im fantastic . . . " Well all thru-out the day Alan kept slipping up singing the new version. And then when he would catch himself jokingly hollar "Darla!!!!" And she would laugh & say "Told ya! It gets stuck in your head, doesnt it pa?"
Darla & I finish having this deep discussion about mother-daughter relationships (another future post) & I realize "Wow Darla, your 9! Half your childhood is over?" (I seriously realized it as Im saying it.) Double check my math, ya 18 you are considered an adult I explain. Darla & I both sit stunned a bit. I get a teary eye & explain "Boy I better start teaching you more things, like how to cook!" and chuckle. Darla's face gets really serious & glossy eyed.... I semi-panic, oh no, maybe that was not parenting 101 of me to say to her?! ..... And I ask her "Honey what is wrong?" . . .
Darla: "I dont want to grow up! (pause) It will be too stressful with 4 kids!"
I remind her at 18 what her life options could be etc., & no at 18 its not "Poof-out of the house & suprise 4 kids waiting for you in your new home!" Once she understood... she was laughing & wanted me to tell papa the funny thing she said.
By the way I hope I never forget the way Elijah says "Peanut butter & jelly" (emphasis on the extreme pronounciation of the word jelly). When he was younger he always called it peanut butter jelly and sandwich.
Darla called catsup K-PATCH for years . . . . and lovingly referred to her big brother as Pay-Pay. Nowadays its Payt, unless she's upset or dissapointed its Pay-TUN!!!
Will add Random Recollections 2 for our book end children Payton & Nolan soon.
Christmas Morning has arrived! 
Brotherly Love 
The 2 oldest arrive....1 awake....1 not so much (yet) 
Payton opening a present....eyes beginning to open now.
Darla apparently happy with the dress & her 1st pair of "REAL" high-heels (the heels even light up & sparkle as she dances) 
Our new tradition for at least 3 years, since my Grandma Jo passed, is to spend Christmas Eve with Grandma Vickie & Grandpa Bob. It is one of our favorite memories during the holidays. We always do a low-key appetizer potluck and a gift exchange. The kids love driving the golf cart thru the neighborhood & check out Christmas Lights. 
One of Grandpa Bob's gifts was a talking fly swatter. I feel bad for Grandma Vickie because for some reason....we are always drawn to fun loud gifts for our fun grandpa. I joked this year about how some grandparents get their grandkids the loud noisemaker gifts but its the other way around with us...we get the grandpa those. 
This year Grandma Vickie made beautiful quilts for each of the kids. She customized each one special for each grandchild. She is an amzing woman! The kids LOVE their quilts. All 4 of the kids snuggled with their blankies on the long car ride home, and the special quilts accompanied the kids to the Tree Christmas morning. 
Three of our kids went to the same preschool. It is the BEST! All 3 of the kids sang this memorable song as well:
Darla forgot her pinnafore & bonnet in her backpack in her classroom thus the plain apparel. Ahh well.
Nolan & I enjoyed the school's Christmas Program. He even got to play with his friend Jeremiah while we were there.
Candy coated apples. 
You cant see the red berries on the bottom & it looks all lop sided .... because it is. It isnt a masterpiece or grand but its a start. My very 1st & I did it totally wrong but its ok. The greens & berries are from our own property & the wire base from Goodwill for $3. So I saved the family $12 this year instead of buying from the neighbor kid.
Crafts, facepainting, & Nolan getting to hang with his awesome teachers & friends.
