An artist among us

One of the very best gifts the girl's received for Christmas were art supplies.  Grandma and Grandpa Ocean invested in very nice colored pencils, chalk and beeswax crayons for the girls.  While both Katherine and Thea were excited, Katherine has really enjoyed seeing the difference quality supplies make in her artwork.  

Grandma and Grandpa were kind enough to get them a set of regular colored pencils and a skin tone set.  Katherine's first words were "Finally!  I can draw people's skin colors!"  She has been obsessed with drawing people with different skin tones ever since.  

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Ocean!  

All I'm gonna say is that he is the best papa ever!

At least these three girls think so.  

Should I tell you that right before he was crowned, Thea braided his hair?  Nah, too much information.

Playroom conversation

Zoe, with voice elevated:  "Fea (Thea)!  I need a handkerchief!  Please get me one!"

Thea:  "OK, hold on!"  Thea runs by me announcing what her plan is.

Zoe: "I can't get it out!"

Thea:  "Just blow really hard!"

Zoe:  "Fea help!"

At this point I was already on my way to help Zoe with her obstinate obstruction.  

I put the handkerchief in front of her nose and say "blow!"  Zoe says "I can't, it won't come out!"

I take a moment to look in her nose to see exactly what the problem is and I'm faced with a black object that looks nothing like the stuff we normally blow out.  I squeeze from the top of her nose  and move forward and out pops part of a crayon, that had been shoved all the way up into her nose!  

Zoe:  Nonchalantly says, "Fanks mommy"

Me:  "Fanks mommy!?!?"  (Thea, on the other hand is horrified that we are: #1.  doing a nose extraction and #2. that it's not what normally comes out.  I kid you not she was backed away at least 3 feet so as not to get slimed in case it truly was as big as it seemed.)

Me:  "Zoe, honey, please do not put things in your nose ever again!!!"  

Zoe: "Sure mommy."

Yes, this one keeps me praying.  

S Prazdnikom! and a blessed 2010 to you all!

A joyous feast of the Circumcision of the Lord to you all!  

We had a lovely quiet time at home last night.  We were suppose to have an open house for our parish, but my little Zoe is sick.  

Fr. fixed us a yummy dinner of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.  After that I surprised the girls with a new movie, "Up", and Fr. made us popcorn.  

We were all snoring peacefully before midnight.  I missed having everyone over last night, but it was also nice to have a fun night with the girls.  

A blessed 2010 to you all!  Many years to all the Basils!

The ladies after five

We went to a Christmas party last night.  When I told them we had a party at six, they immediately took the opportunity to put a little extra flair.  

I love how Katherine's scarf is tucked in to a ribbon on her belt.  Thea's scarf flowed down her back, coupled with a diamond number around her neck that my mom got her for Christmas.  

Zoe took the practical route and just put a church head scarf on.

You know it's time for Christmas detox when:

You ask your three year old what we should have for lunch and she says:  "How bout goldfish and pretzels!"

"You put steamed vegetables on the table and your children say:  "But it's Christmas!"

Your children wake up and assume that it's OK to have cookies for breakfast.

Hope your having a glorious feast of the birth of our Saviour!  Clearly my children are.

Signing off for now!

I won't have time to blog between now and Nativity, so I'll wish you and your family a blessed and joyous feast of the Nativity of our Lord!

All of creation rejoiceth in thee, O Full of Grace, the assembly of angels and the race of men.  O Sanctified Temple and spiritual Paradise, the glory of virgins, of whom God was incarnate and became a child-our God before the ages.  He made thy body into a throne, and thy womb He made more spacious than the heavens.  All of creation rejoiceth in Thee, O Full of Grace.  Glory to thee!  ~ Hymn to the Theotokos