Family Game Night!

We recently had out first family game night with a rousing round of Clubhouse Mickey Yahtzee. Not surprisingly, Eric won. A few days later, Jeneric and Jenni had a quiet game (or 3) of Candy Land with Jeneric winning all three. A chip of luck off her father's block?!


(Jeneric always goes first in Candy Land, which may have an impact on the outcome.)

Shake your groove thang!

Jeneric & Toddler Wily received a dancing game for Christmas - and convinced Grammy and Grampy to get down on the dance floor!




(Check out the crazy dancer in the background!)

Random Thursday

It may be random, but it is a post. Two in one week!

1. How many of you built fortresses out of cereal boxes?


2. Someone will one day paint her own car. Just you wait.




4. And she'll make sure there's nary a screw loose.


5. This video shows the girls at their best - a Rube Goldberg-esque method for scraping one's plate and a demonstration of exactly how to be a ham.


(ps We made mozzarella. It was very creamy, very rich and very good. See?)

Disney, Part 4

We'll finish up our Disney series with a bit of random.

We visited Mickey's Speedway where Grammy let Jeneric drive!




We took a spin on Pooh's ride...






Visited Hundred Acre Wood...


Took a twirl on the Mad Hatter's Tea Cups...


Watched the Electric Light Parade...


And played bop the balloon while we waited for the fireworks.


All around, a great day!

Disney, Part 1

Jeneric was over the moon to visit Mickey's house - aka Disney World.

A tram ride...


and a monorail ride later...



(Bye, bye monorail!)

and we were on Main Street, USA.


First stop, the Merry-go-round.

And once again, Jeneric's fear of large wooden horses takes over and she exits the ride.

Toddler Wily, however, remains for what appears to be a less than thrilling ride.




Much happier as an observer.

The next Ansel Adams?

Who knows! But for now, Jeneric (and occasionally Toddler Wily) is having a ball with her nearly indestructible camera.
Row 1 (l-r): Toddler Wily; Eric; Christmas Tree; Toddler Wily and cooking set.
Row 2 (l-r): tree taken on bus; Jenni & Toddler Wily in airport; plane; Christmas lights.
Row 3 (l-r): airport floor; Toddler Wily; back deck; cardinal colorforms on window.
Row 4 (l-r): road; Christmas Tree; view from bus window; Jeneric!

Sleigh ride

No, not a sleigh ride. Sledding. Jeneric is very clear on the distinction. A sleigh ride involves a horse, jingle bells and, well, a sleigh. This weekend, we went sledding - and for those who've forgotten, may we remind you of:
Attempt #1
Attempt #2
Attempt #2.1

Yes. Well. We had exceptionally high hopes. Eric and Jeneric had taken several runs down the small embankment on the west side of our house. She was thrilled. We talked of bigger hills, where the ride was longer and faster. She was ecstatic. We set a date. We ate a hearty breakfast. We bundled up (even poor Toddler Wily, who, once bundled could not walk, move her arms or turn her head. Think "A Christmas Story").

And we hit the hill with high hopes. Then the wind picked up... and up and up. As in years past, Eric, this time accompanied by Toddler Wily, showed Jeneric a sample of sledding.

Toddle Wily was ecstatic by the ride. Jeneric, however, was not amused. She did not want to go sledding. She wanted off that hill. It had taken longer to bundle up than we'd spent on the sledding hill. So we did what any decent parent would do: we bribed her. Yes indeed, with the promise of some tasty hot chocolate when we returned home, Jeneric took one ride down the hill and then headed for the car.



Once home, we discovered Jeneric's true winter passion: snow angels.


Checking out their handy work.


Hi Mama!


Demonstrating the correct method for avoiding the ever-distracting footprint-in-the-snow-angel-when-you-stand-up problem.

Bowled over

Jeneric heard that Grandpa was on several bowling leagues and was excited to try it out herself. Grandpa took her to Echo Lanes and showed her the ropes.


They have special 6 and 8 pound balls for small folks - and bright bowling shoes to match!








The master at work, picking up a spare.


Aunt Kelly - excited for bowling (and maybe she snagged a strike, too).


Eric sizes up the lane conditions.


And Jenni gets her one and only strike of the evening.

Jeneric was tired out after the first game. She hung out with Grandma and Toddler Wily for the second game.


And now, for the action shot...