And The Winner Is....

HERCULES!!!! Thanks so much for your votes! The kids are coming to grips with your decision..... each in their own unique way. Emma is celebrating with some of her famous dance moves. Abi is sulking and feeling sorry for herself. Sam is playing video games, just trying to forget that this ever happened. And Lily... well Lily is beating the trash out of all the other kids for "making her lose." Another typical day in the Kiefer household. Thanks again for contributing to the insanity that is us!!!

What Have We Here?

Yesterday the girls and I ran into Petco. It was supposed to be a quick trip to grab some turtle food for Fresh (our beloved Turtle). Of course Emma, Abi and Lily ran straight to the animals and were ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the cute little mice. And then it happened.... the worker pounced on us quicker than a cat on catnip. She had an offer for us. A cute little guy that was available for adoption. Free.... with food and a cage. Anyone who knows me KNOWS I have a heart for adoption. Apparently this applies to mice too. So... with my girls screaming in the store that I'm "the best mom in the world", we gathered up our new addition, along with his supplies. Then we headed home to "surprise Daddy." However, on our way home the girls couldn't decide on a name. They phoned Sam and he only complicated matters. Ultimately they came to the decision to let YOU, our faithful readers, decide. Therefore... there is NO BLOG STALKING on this one. You must cast your vote. My kids are counting on you. I'll list the names but won't tell you which kid suggested which name. (I know SOME of you out there like to play favorites. I'm just sayin'....)

Hercules
Zack
Tiny
Small Fry

What's it gonna be folks?

Why?

Why when I make a pound cake from scratch does Sam "sneak" in and with his hand, dig out a huge chunk ---- THEN attempt to put the lid back on the cake platter and think that I won't notice???? Why? Why don't boys understand that presentation is ALMOST more important than how good something actually tastes? But this "takes the cake".... if you will...

I said, "Sam, why did you do that? And did you think Mommy wouldn't notice?" Sam replied, "Oh, I didn't think that far ahead. I guess I really didn't think it through very well. I just wanted some cake."

Wow.

A Day In The Life

I had the most interesting conversation with my husband last Friday night at Natalie's house. It went a little something like this....

Steve said to Jeramy, "Michelle doesn't like flowers."
I said, "Yes, I do."
Steve said, "No, you don't."
I said, "Yes, I do."
Steve said (again), "No...... you don't"
I said (AGAIN), "YES...... I do."
Jeramy said, "WOW. This is awkward."
Steve said, "You do? Really?"
I said, "Yes, I do. Really."

End of conversation.

Then... Saturday morning while we were doing our weekend chores.....

Steve said, "Babe, do we have a vase anywhere?"
I said, "Sure. On top of the fridge."

Then when I walked in to the kitchen about 15 minutes later I found Steve making his own flower arrangement for me from roses that he had cut from our rose bushes. Isn't that so sweet?

After 17 years together.... he learned something new about me.... and acted on it!!! Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks?

What a Learning Experience

What a day for the Kiefer family yesterday! We've been spending some time focusing on the election, voting, our government, our responsibilities..... the list goes on and on! Maybe most importantly I've been trying to convey to the kids that we, as citizens, need to be involved in the process. We have a voice.

They came with me to vote yesterday and I walked them through it. We spent the day volunteering at the church. The kids greeted voters as they came and went. They did a great job offering the public free cookies, coffee and Bibles. Our homeschool support group, LIFE, even held a mock election of our own. (Tavian voted for "Badack Odama" ---- HILARIOUS!) The kids had a blast!

We came home last night, had dinner and then piled in the playroom in front of the t.v. with our electoral college maps. As results began coming in, the kids colored in the states. They were passionate about it. I kept encouraging them to take a break or go play and I'd holler for them when things changed... but they wanted to sit right there. They didn't want to risk missing anything.

When all was said and done we watched both John McCain and Barack Obama address the nation. Then the kids prayed for both of them. What a life lesson for these little people. I think it definitely made a huge impact on them.

This morning we talked more about "the positives." I felt the need to reinforce to the kids that neither was a "bad guy." That John McCain would still serve our country, like he has since before I was born. And that Barack Obama wants to do good things for them and their future. So we committed to pray for him, to help ensure that that would happen.

All in all, a great experience as a family.

But To Be Totally Honest...

I can't leave you without an inappropriate laugh. As you well know by now, the Kiefer family is rarely without drama, passion and intense emotion. So.... to suck you in to my sick humor... I thought I'd let you have a laugh (I know it's kinda mean) at poor Lily. The first shots (in clothes) are when she first noticed that McCain was behind in electoral votes. The second shots (in p.j.'s) are when she heard them announce that John McCain lost and Barack Obama was our next President. Enjoy.

And just to make you aware. Lily has firmly decided that she WILL be the first woman President of the United States. (But only because she wants large crowds to gather just for her and she wants to live in the White House.)

Viva Las Vegas

Last month Steve and I loaded up the kids and took a road trip. We decided it was time for a family vacation.... in Vegas. Granted, I know it's not your standard family destination. But we had been reading up on it and found that it is actually a very economical place to vacation as a family. So we decided to give it a go! We invited our good friends the Gleasons along too.

We stayed in a beautiful resort with four pools, four spas, two lazy rivers... the list goes on and on. It was super nice. Lots of down time. We really needed it. Of course we explored many of the hotels. They are absolutely insane.

Let me just give you the highlights of the week though. #1. My kids were so excited to see the statue of "Adam and Eve" with the tiger. I almost wet my pants. They have no idea who Siegfried and Roy are. It was MANDATORY that we have Steve and Dave pose in front of the statue for a photo. #2. WHEEL OF FORTUNE!!! I don't know what it is about that game. It sucks you in! It's the devil. I've never in my life experienced that feeling before. I really, really, REALLY thought that "the next time" was my lucky spin. I'm still trying to recover emotionally from the disappointment. But thanks Danielle for opening my eyes to a whole other world out there! HA!

It was good to get away and get to spend time with family and friends!

Poor Emma

Two weeks ago at Awanas, my poor sweet little baby girl was injured. She was giving her all in one of the games and slammed her hand against another girl's hand really hard. Anyway, she came home with a swollen, bruised hand and a thumb that wouldn't bend. After four hours in the emergency room we learned that there were no broken bones. She messed it up pretty bad though. They splinted her and sent her home with some pain meds. She was so sweet. Rarely ever complaining about the pain over the course of the next week.

It was really important to her for me to blog about this. She wanted YOU.... my faithful readers.... to know what happened. SO.... I have no doubt that you will leave extremely sympathetic comments in which you express how sorry you are for her injury and how thrilled you are that she is completely recovered. Got it?

(Thanks ---- you're the best!)

Pumpkin Carving at MaeMae and DooDad's

My parents invited the kids over to carve/paint pumpkins for their porch. Of course the kids were thrilled and most definitely put a lot of their creative juices into coming up with fabulous, amazing, original designs. They had to take time to think about what they wanted to "create." Then they had to discuss it and get feedback. But when they finally began they were unstoppable. Understand that they took breaks to refresh and reorganize their thoughts. Then they would begin the process again.

After quite some time (seriously---- WAY more time than it should have taken ---- but I'm not bitter) they revealed their masterpieces. And I (Mama) almost fainted. Why do their pumpkins look exactly like each of them. Please, please, please take a moment and compare the faces of each child's pumpkin to their creator. Notice the eyes, the mouth, the teeth, even the hair on some of them. Just take it in.

I've never experienced anything like this. I'm stunned.