There are ELVES in our house!

Last night, when it was time to go to bed, Charlie found that his room had been INVADED by ELVES! He stood in front of his bedroom door with his hands clasped over his mouth giggling in disbelief. He couldn't believe it. Santa's elves snuck in the house and made a work site. Charlie laid on the floor and tried to look under the door, but he couldn't see anything. His daddy told him that the elves do not work while children are awake or in the house. Charlie said, "Are they nocturnal?" We said, "Oh, yes!" We should him the yellow caution tape said, "CAUTION CONSTRUCTION." He noticed jingle bells hanging on the door. His daddy said that if the jingle bells get rung, the elves get scared and might leave. Hank tried to jingle the bells, and Charlie took off running. I asked Charlie where he was going. He told me that he didn't want the elves to think he rang the bells to scare them.

Rudy, Charlie and Hank's elf, was sitting at the top of the door keeping watch. Charlie told Rudy that he was being a good listener, and he ran to the bathroom faster than ever before, took off his clothes, and got in the tub. While in the tub, Charlie couldn't stop talking about the elves. He said, "We never had a work site in the house before!" After bath time and story time, Charlie ran to bed. As he was leaving our room, he turned to Marshall and said, "Daddy, you carry Hank to bed, so he won't ring the bells and scare the elves." Marshall tucked them in bedand told them that if they were really quiet they might be able to hear the elves working during the night.

Offering

Yesterday, a group of us went to see the Living Christmas Tree. We took Kensington, Charlie, and Hank too. They loved it!

When it came time for the offering, I gave Charlie and Kensington a dollar to put in the offering plate. As the offering plate comes down our row, I pass it to Charlie. I help him put his dollar in and try to pass it on, but he wouldn't let go. I firmly but carefully make him pass it down. I tried to make sure that we didn't dump the money. The offering plate went to Gaga and Kensington next. Gaga said that Kensington's eyes got really big, and she said, "What are they going to give us?" Gaga tried to explain that the offering was going to do something good for other people, but Ashley and Brittany were sitting behind them laughing.

The lights go dim again, and I whisper to Charlie, "Why were you holding on to the offering plate? Why didn't you pass it down?" Charlie replied, "I was just trying to get some money to buy something with."

Gaga's Version of Our Parade Today

the way i remember it ....

i wish i had a video of today with charlie. we (erin and i) opened the door to get him and he was standing there. i was prepared for pure unbridled joy to see me standing there to get him early. he smiled so sweetly. then he told me he was about to lead his class outside to play. i told him we came to get him early for some fun. he looked at me and said, "no gaga." i am not going early. my class needs me to lead them outside and i want to play when we get outside." confusion began to tickle my brain. he looked at me and in his expression on his sweet little face and the determination looking back at me from his beautiful brown eyes ... i knew, oh, i knew ... it was high noon. a line in the sand had been drawn and there was just not going to be a pleasant exit. i did not reopen the door that had just been gently but firmly closed in my face. my thoughts were conflicted. maybe we needed to honor his reasonable expectation of finishing his day and let him revel in the power of being the leader. then i thought of the lunch we had just ordered that would be waiting hot and ready in the cafe down the street ... and what about the appointment with the photographer? they had a very important appointment with santa and a photographer. being a calm grandmother with vast wisdom and experience i calmly walked down the hall to erin and offered to get hank. (who happened to be delighted to be leaving early as that allowed him escape from time out....) ... watching erin carry my charlie bear down the street so so upset that his will was being thwarted it was like deja' vue. his mommy was just like this. so interested and determined and ... determined.... my heart is so in love.

Sherry Manross

Pictures with Santa

First of all, I'm sorry there are no pictures to post today! The whole morning was an experience.

Yesterday, we took it easy. We enjoyed the rain, watched movies, ate a McDonald's picnic, took naps, and played. I thought it would be good to have a down day before picture day. Marshall was out of town, so I called my momma to see if she could come stay with me. THANKFULLY, she did!

Today, I had it all planned (that was my first mistake.) Momma and I ran some errands around the square, ordered our lunch, and walked to the school to pick up the kids 30 minutes early. It was so cold and the wind was making it worse.

Charlie was standing at the door with his book bag and coat on ready to go outside to play. He was also the "leader." He told Gaga that he was not leaving, gently pushed her back, and closed the door. I had to carry him out kicking and screaming (literally.) He cried all of the way down the street back to the square. Hank fell and he was crying too. Gaga spotted an injured baby bird, and Charlie calmed down to assess the situation. I convinced him to go inside and eat, and when he finished eating, we could bring the bird some bread. He ate his lunch and was not interested in dessert. Hank, however, enjoyed his cheesecake! Gaga smiled and asked me, "are you cold now?" I quickly said, "No!"

Charlie and Hank went and left the bird some bread. We told them the bird was scared. So we went across the street to get pictures made and told Charlie we would check back on the bird when we were finished. On the way across the street, they spotted Santa going to the Sandwich Shoppe to grab lunch.

We went in and changed Charlie and Hank's clothes. While we were getting Charlie and Hank ready, Santa came up the stairs! They were so excited. The picture taking process went great! Hank LOVED Santa. Charlie was a little more reluctant, but he sat on his lap and talked to him. Charlie told Santa that he wanted bunk beds. Santa asked, "Won't you fall?" Charlie said, "No, there are going to be walls built around it."

We all sat together and chose our pictures. Hank kept asking to go back to see Santa. I've never really heard children to go back and see Santa. Usually, it is a Christmas obligation to go see Santa to get the gifts on their lists. Hank really surprised me. I can't wait to share the sweet pictures with you.

We did check on the bird. He was still there. Charlie was convinced he ate the bread. He wanted to take him home, but Gaga told him that the bird was wild and we couldn't touch it. He was very concerned about the bird and wanted me to call someone to help the bird.

Charlie's 4th Birthday Party

We had such a fun day. Charlie and his friends enjoyed a bowling party. There aren't too many pictures because they were moving constantly. It was like chasing little ants.

They all had so much fun.

Robot Turkey

Charlie brought home Tom Turkey last week. As a family, we were supposed to disguise Tom Turkey so that he would not be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. Charlie and I looked on-line and found lots of good ideas. He liked the clown, Thomas the Train, and many more, but he never settled on one. He just wanted to paint his turkey. He painted his turkey green and glued eyes on him. So from there, we decided on a robot turkey because Charlie likes to dress up like a robot.

Today was the day we took Tom Turkey to school.

Charlie: Mommy, I didn't tell anyone at school that I made a robot turkey.

Me: Good job, Charlie! Now, it will be a big surprise, and you kept a secret.

Charlie: Trey is going to have a robot turkey and Carter is going to have a robot shark turkey.

Me: Charlie, did you tell your friends that you were making your turkey into a robot?

Charlie: Well, yeah

Me: Charlie, I thought it was a secret because you wanted to surprise your friends?

Charlie: Well, I whispered it.

Who can argue with that logic?

We Can Fix It!

The past few weeks, we have had a run of bad luck. From Friday to Friday, first a deer hit Marshall's car, our washing machine died, and the compressor on the refrigerator had to be replaced. Everyone kept saying, "these things seem to come in threes." But, in our case, they seem to come in fours. Now our dishwasher has died. My daddy, Marshall, and Charlie tried to fix it and had it working, but it quit again two days later. They aren't finished trying. They have a plan. Keep your fingers crossed. We need a run of good luck this month.

Things I've learned:

1. You should vacuum under the refrigerator once a year to prevent the compressor from burning up.

2. A tiny plastic twist top off of the cheap plastic bottled drinks the kids like can float around in the dishwasher for months before it finds that perfect spot to lock up the motor on the dishwasher. (We only buy those drinks at the beach. We had a few leftovers that they finished off at home in June, and the dishwasher broke in October.)

3. Marshall's car acts as a deer magnet. (Not his first.)

4. I need a heavy duty washing machine.

Cheeks

Charlie has been watching Alvin and the Chipmunks a little too much. Today, he was happy as could be and being so sweet. He smiled at me and said, "Kiss my cheeks." Then, he giggled.

Me: Charlie, don't say that anymore. It's not nice.

Charlie: Why mommy? I'm just talking about my cheeks. (pointing to his teeth.)

Me: No, Charlie, your cheeks are right here. (show him his sweet little cheeks.)

Charlie: Well, why isn't it nice?

Me: Because it was talking about your bottom cheeks.

Charlie: Kiss my top cheeks. Giggles!

I think the movie will disappear for a little while.

Charlie's Class Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

This was no ordinary trip to the pumpkin patch at Moore Acres. It was so much fun!!! They started out their visit with a story. I cannot remember the name of the book, but it was about a city mouse and a country mouse that grow an enormous prize winning pumpkin. The kids loved it.

Terry Lee, Charlie, Mason, Hank, and Matthew

Then they planted their own pumpkin seeds. Charlie was less than thrilled to stick his finger in the soil to make a hole. Look at that face, too funny!

Charlie and Carter

Waiting to do the zip line.

The zip line was a HUGE hit!

The animal train was fun too! Charlie kept yelling, "Look at me. I'm on the chicken."

The petting zoo.

The tire swing was just one of the many things to play on and with at Moore Acres. They had a swing set, a playhouse that was painted in chalk board paint on the inside, petal tractors, and more. I cannot forget the nice long hay ride!

GO DAWGS!!!

This past Saturday, we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at the Georgia game. We all wore our Red and Black and cheered for the DAWGS!!! Charlie and Hank were so excited. They enjoyed watching football, eating cotton candy and popcorn, watching the planes in the sky, the band, walking through a tunnel and by train tracks to get to the game, and much more.

The funny thing was that Uncle Rich, Aunt Ashley, and Kensington went to the Tech game, and then, we all met for dinner. We couldn't have planned all of that if we tried. Check out Ashley's pictures from the Tech game on the Manross Family blog.

As soon as we sat down, the announcer said, "Timeout, Georgia." Charlie said, "How do they get out of time out? What do they do in time out?"

Hank needed a little rest. After half time, it just happened to be Hank's nap time. He was too excited to sleep. He didn't go to sleep for over an hour after we left.

Charlie and I have been teaching Hank to cheer for the Dawgs. Unfortunately, Hank likes to cheer for the Dawgs at six o'clock in the morning. Watch the little video for a peek of what we hear at six a.m. You can't hear him, but he's got the moves down.

Class Trip to the Airport

Charlie's class has been going on lots of field trips this month. They have had so much fun visiting Pioneer Machinery, the local newspaper, the airport, and a group of elderly who put together fall games and snacks for them. I love to go with Charlie, but the feeling is not always mutual. One reason I like being a stay at home mom is so that I can be available to participate in activities with Charlie and Hank. But lately, Charlie is Mr. Independent! I went on one field trip, and he wouldn't give me the time of day. I think he was worried that he would have to ride home with me and not on the bus. He LOVES the bus. Marshall went on the airport field trip and had the same experience. No need for daddy on a field trip either. The next time Charlie's class went on a field trip to visit a group of elderly, I asked him if I could go. He told me I could and that I could help him and his friends. So I went. After awhile of talking to Charlie and his friends, he told me to go check on some of the other kids. He is so sweet, but growing up too fast.

Charlie's favorite part of going on field trips is riding the bus.

Enjoying the Weather

Picking Apples

Several weeks ago, we woke up to a free Saturday (very rare.) We started talking about some fun things to do. A friend had mentioned that she read about Mercier Orchards. We looked on-line and called. It was inexpensive, outside, and open til six. We were getting a late start. We hurried to get dressed and rode to Blue Ridge, GA. We had such a great afternoon. We enjoyed picking apples, riding the tractors, eating the yummy treats, and being together. Hank's favorites were the tractor and the homemade applesauce. Charlie enjoyed picking the apples and sampling the different varieties. His favorites were the Rome Beauties and Pink Lady.

Hank found the closest thing to candy, a candy apple. This was no ordinary candy apple. It was covered in a grape lollipop.