The kids and I went to see Curious George this weekend. I loved those books growing up, and I wasn't disappointed with the movie in the least. It wasn't one of those computerized, realistic cartoons. It was just like the illustrations in the book. The kids LOVED it. I only wish we could have seen it with the Eddys. Clark, you must see this movie. Very cool.
Sorry about all the different looks lately. Just trying to find the best way to present my blog. I like this one. The black just wasn't me. Here's my newest dilemma. We bought this painting in Lawrence Yesterday. I lOVE it, but we have a few issues. I think it may be too big for the space. The wall is fine, but the focus of the room is all srewed up when the tv is on. Plus Will thinks it makes his tv look small. We designed the room to focus on the fireplace. I like the piece, but it may be too busy. I need help. Any comments? I feel about as decisive as Kerry these days. sigh.
I Love living in Kansas. Here are a few reasons why:
1. The weather. In the past 3 weeks we have hit 68 degrees and -6 degrees (with out the windchill). We have had snow and glorious sunshine. For those of us who have a hard time making up our minds anyway, this weather is perfect. As sson as you get sick of one weather type, it will change. Plus, I was able to take the kids to feed the ducks with no coats in February...case closed.
2. The home of the Jayhawks. They have been so entertaining this year. Who knew they were going to be so good? I think their average age is 10 this year! Can't forget how well the Wildcats are doing in BASKETBALL this year.
3. The wide open spaces. Classic Kansas joke - Kansas is soooooooo flat that on a clear day you can see the back of your head - ha, ha. This is the Kansas I prefer.
4. I love Kansas now for all of the reasons I wanted to leave when I was younger. Its a safe place to raise my family. People are friendly. Its not very big. Things move a little slower. I know I have the time to appreciate the little things because the bustle of the big city isn't right outside of my door. I see 10 people I know everytime I go to Target. I see the governor in the local Eddie Bauer - and no one is bothering her.
These aren't all of the reasons I love to live in Kansas, but they are a few important ones. The most important is that my family is here and together and happy and healthy. It doesn't really matter where we are - the rest is gravy.
I have been thinking alot about my brother Ben lately. He is in training in Alabama right now. His poor wife misses him something awful. Growing up, Ben and I couldn't have been more different. We were so close in age (17 months) but eons apart in personalities. To this day, no one can push my buttons and get me instantly furious the way Ben did when we were kids. We fought and argued and cussed and even got physical at times. I swore I would NEVER like him. Now that a few years have passed, I can truly say that I DO like him. The things that drove me crazy when we were kids (his outgoing personality, his humor, his charm) are the things that make me adore him now. I couldn't be prouder of my baby brother if I tried. He has turned into an amazing man who cares for his wife and son, loves his parents, makes all of us laugh, and lives his life in such a Godly way. When God made Ben, He truly broke the mold. Hopefully a little cyber gushing will make up for the time I tried to throw him out of my car in high school...while it was moving.
PS - nice legs Ben! The goose picture was when Ben was about 2 - one of my favorites!
This is Parker's good friend Hayden. Isn't she about the cutest thing you've ever seen? She reminds me of Abby at her age because of her extensive vocabulary and tendency toward drama. Hayden has anew baby sister named Emery who is every bit as cute as her big sister - adn I think she has as much hair! Parker loves protecting Hayden (she's a year younger and about half his weight). This is absolutely the closest thing he will ever have to a little sister and he loves it!
What a fun night! Last night was Morgan's first grade music program. She has been excited for weeks! Grandma Mary came up from Wichita and let her pick a place to eat for dinner. She picked Johnny Carinos for spaghetti and italian cream sodas. Every six year old has to carbo load before a big music program. 
The program was great. Hundreds of parents and grandparents sqeezed into an elementary school gymn. There is nothing like it - really. But as soon as the kids came out in their pretty dresses and button up shirts, your heart melts. They worked so hard on some really cool songs with actions and ribbons and the works. Morgan is one of the smallest in her grade, so she was in the front row - easier for picture taking moms and grandmas! Good job sweet first grader - we are so proud of you.
P.S. Don't you just love the striped tights!
There is nothing better in this life than playing in a blanket fort with your three year old son. I spent most of the morning getting our taxes sorted out, but when Parker came up with a blanket and said "hug me, mama" it was all over. I would much rather play in a blanket fort than do the taxes anyhow. I have all the time in the world to do my taxes (at least till April 15), but I only get this time with my son once. Thank God I have these precious moments at home.
Happy Birthday Abby! I can't believe I have a child who is 9 years old! How fast the time sprints by! It seems like yesterday we were brining that tiny pink thing home in the snow. This weekend was the birthday party for my baby who has turned into an amazing little girl (I'm being too often reminded that she will not be a little girl much longer). We journeyed to Kansas City to visit Libby Lu's. Abby, her sister, and two of her friends had a little girl's dream makeover. Hair, makeup, wild clothes, nails - the works! They really had a wonderful time. I have a feeling the success of these parties is highly dependent on the person working at the time. We were blessed with a gal who had as much fun as the girls and really put a lot of effort into the whole process. Parker was not as thrilled by the whole process. As if this wasn't enough, we then ventured to the
A day in the life...I'm telling you what! Sorry no pics of Abby, she has been obsessed with her Nintendog (virtual puppy) this weekend and has not been seen much. She's not allowed to play with it longer than about 15 minutes a day during the week. The younger two kept me on my toes. Morgan lost her second tooth at school on Friday and got a visit from the tooth fairy. Her and Parker were playing soooooooo hard yesterday afternoon they just passed out together (see pic). The top picture is Parkers idea of helping me with the dishes. I'm not sure if its possible to get more water on my floor. Getting ready for the upcoming week. Sunday afternnon is our regrouping time. Its one of the few event free times we have together. Everyone can hang loose, finish homework, play whatever they want, and just reconnect. I have a feeling these times ar4e going to become more and more precious when the kids really start getting busy with sports, ballet, and so forth. They are growing up so fast (sniff, sniff).
I know you all are about sick of the slide pics, but I can't get enough of them! This, of course, is Parker in Grandmas washer and me at about the same age in the dryer. I love these pictures. Children in major appliances. Whose idea was that anyway? Ben's idea for Parker by the way. I simply felt the need to take a picture. We have had a great week. We spent Monday at home having a fun and then went to KCMO Tuesday and Wednesday for a mini vacation. We stayed at Great Wolf Lodge and swam for two days straight. The water slides were great. We also went to the kids favorite resturant, Cheeseburger in Paradise. I am grateful everyday to have kids I like so much. Not just love. They have turned into such cool little people. There is no one else in the world I would rather spend time with.
I can't tell you how many times over the years my parent pulled out the old slide projector and screen. When we were kids or even teens it was kinda fun to look back at our baby pictures and the adventures we had in Alaska and Washington and Western Kansas and even the farm in Iowa. Over Christmas this year we pulled out the slides again for the first time in years. So much had changed since the last time we watched these slides. We were all married now and Ben and I have kids. Suddenly, we were the age of our parents in these pictures. Nostalgia and a unique form of gratefulness washed over me. My parents raised us without help from in-laws and parents. They raised far from everything they knew. We grew up knowing how to depend on each other...and never once doubted how much we were loved. These were some of my favorite pictures from those slies (thanks for digitalizing them Dad). The pic of me and Dad "clowning" around was taken in Goodland, Kansas in the early 80s. The pic of me and Ben would have been in Washington or Alaska(?). I love the pictures of me and my parents when I was a baby. They seemed so young and ready for whatever the world could throw at them. I don't remember not having siblings. These pictures were of a time when my folks were embarking on all things new. Their family, dad's ministry, and great new challenges. Thanks for doing sucha good job Mom and Dad. Its been a great ride!
Welcome to 2006! Who knows the adventures that await us! I hub-bub of Christmas and Nutcracker is now over. Maybe some amount of normalcy (whatever that is) will return to the Wise house. The girls enjoyed the experience of Nutcracker as always. We were blessed to spend Christmas with family this year. What an amazing time it was. Seeing ALL of our family this year was amazing. A time we will not long forget. We thank God everyday for the blessings he bestows. Our friends and our family.
This may be my last post until after Nutcracker. This week should be rough. The girls have practice for 3-4 hours every day this week leading up to dress rehearsal on Thursday night and performances on Sat and Sunday. What a magical time it is though. Abby has a liturgical Ballet recital last Friday as well. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen them do to date. I was able to sneek a few pics of Morgans regular ballet class this week as well. She is full of natural grace that amazes me every time I have a chance to watch her. I had to include a picture of Parker. He is such a trooper this time of year. He helps me shop, goes to dance practices, and helps me clean the house. The life of the youngest boy!
The purity of snow and children gives this season a magic all its own. The air was cold, but the kids couldn't think of anything except playing outside in the sparkling white. We received the "gift" of 7 inches of snow last night. The kids had a snow day...remember those? With all of the plans for Nutcracker and school productions and the holidays, it was fun to just play in the snow, drink hot chocolate, and feel the bite of winter on our noses. Pink cheeks on little girls...what more can I say!
I suppose I should get an entry in before the end of the month! November could very well be the craziest month EVER! In the last month we moved, hosted Thanksgiving, and had performances of Mother Goose! Along with Nutcracker rehearsals, church, and school of course! We are really entering a new phase of our lives as a family. With Parker almost out of toddlerhood, we leave the baby days behind. I'm amazed every time I have a conversation about fashion, or dance, or life in general with my 8 (almost 9 year old). It doesn't seem like so long ago she was our first little baby. How time flies! This holiday season will be filled with Nutcracker performances instead of pacifiers, school parties instead of carseats and diaper bags, and gameboys instead of rattles...and I wouldn't have it any other way. God bless the little (but getting bigger) ones in my life!
Happy Halloween everyone! Will worked last night so the kids and went solo. We went to our new neighborhood to trick or treat and I couldn't believe how many kids live over there! How neat. This pick is at our friends the Holmans house. What cute girls they have. We sold our house last week so th.jpg)
e efforts of packing have bneen kicked into high gear. We move on the 18th of November and decided to hire movers for the first time. That should take some of the stress off. I hope you all had a great Halloween. The other picture is from Mark Hood who took several family pictures last weekend. He is SO talented!
Last Sunday our family at St. Davids had a wonderful picnic. We had Sunday School at the Topeka Zoo followed by a service at the park and a potluck picnic. We have been blessed with a church that has a ton of kids the same age as ours. These are a few girls from Abby and Morgan's Sunday School class. What a group!
Mark Hood graced us with this (and a few other) picture of Parker last week. He came by to take pictures of our house to go with the listing. I know there are more pictures of Parker this time of year, but there will more of the girls soon. Nutcracker and Mother Goose are coming up. I can't even express the joy I have staying home with my little man. What an amazing season of my life. I thank God every day for the gifts he has given me in the forms of Abby, Morgan, and Parker. Nothing shows the beauty of God like the face of a child.
