Ladybug, Ladybug, Get Out of My Home

Every other month our pest guy comes by, sprays the yard and outhouses, and then asks if we've had any problems inside. Generally, I shoo him away with a thank you. Next time, though, I'll have to ask for assistance inside. The girls found a ladybug in Irene's room, which absolutely thrilled them. It was as if they had seen a rainbow. I, however, tucked the incident away in my heart. After two more finds, I admit I am worried (and regretting the gift of a container of live ladybugs I gave to Irene for Easter last year). After having lived through more than one home infestation in my life I know as well as anyone that ladybugs are filthy pests deserving nothing less than mass elimination. Next time the bugman comes around, I'm sending him after the little devils.

Awww, isn't that so sweet and benign?

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Have to be sure not to harm the little thing... hold the dear ever so carefully

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Going to put it outside, where it belongs

To Grandma's House We Go

Grandma and Aunt B both have January birthdays, so we always get to enjoy a birthday weekend with them. Irene has long known what fun it is to go to Pasa-get-down-dena; Mary is catching up to speed.


It means a lot to her having her own special toys at Grandma's.


You might think Irene is eating cake. She's not; she's eating icing.
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While getting ready to go Mary kept saying, "We going to see Grandma?"

"And G.G.?"

"And Aunt Bawbra?"

"And Tuna?"

"And Cracker?"

She didn't think to ask about Dawn and Jarrod, but I think she will next time.

And these dog toys, whom she cared for, cuddled, and finally tucked in for a nap.

Badge Hound

American Heritage Girls held an awards ceremony. Irene finally got her hands on the fruits of her labor - six badges and a martial arts pin. She and her pal were the only first graders who earned badges outside of class time. Of course this points to great things in her future. I kind of missed the ceremony as I was having day dreams of Irene the Total Success tracing it back to her mother's magnanimous and wise help during her days of earning AHG badges. Yup.

Shuffling on stage

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That's her pin; it represents a lot of sweat.

Mary's safe place

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Irene got to play Musical Chairs for the first time. Irene hates Musical Chairs.

But she loves her pals.

A Charmed Life

Not long ago, Irene said to me, "You promised me that you would take me ice skating someday and that time is finally here." While I imagine that I would have, left to my own devices, someday taken her ice skating, I will not pretend that I wasn't thrilled when she was invited to an ice skate birthday party. That was an instant "accept" on e-vite!

One of her favorite partners in crime was also invited; here they are freshly booted up - about 15 seconds after this picture was taken they both had to go potty.

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Her emotions became a bit mixed as she approached the moment of truth.

See those two purple dots in the distance? That's the girls doing the wall crawl. Now, I wasn't so cruel as to send them out alone on their first round. No, being the good sport that I am, I booted up and inched my way along the wall with them. We had made it about as far as they are in this picture when it was time to clear the rink for the Zamboni. Apparently, customers are expected to do this in a somewhat timely fashion. I sent them out alone for the second round as I never again want to be skated across the rink by a teenage mall worker in front of a packed house. Not ever.

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After I packed the camera, Irene amazed me - by going out on the ice and skating. She did well, even skating backwards. I'm glad she didn't let shame hold her back like I let it hold me back.

Good Tidings of Great Joy

I don't have nearly as many pictures of Christmas time as I would like. It's a sign of how much fun I was having - too caught up in the moments to capture them all. A few things did get digitized... but none of the wonderful celebration at Eagle Lake, and the only shot from Christmas Eve at Grandma's is one Irene snapped of Lucille (G.G.) Oh well, I guess I'll have to rely on my old friend Memory.


Starting off the Yuletide by cuddling with Papa
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The girls had an impromptu Christmas Tree decorating party. Irene always prefers things to be done in a group setting.


We had the loveliest visit from Uncle Robert the weekend before Christmas. It's a dedicated Uncle who will go to the trouble of traveling to hear a forty-five second playing of "Gentle Mary Laid Her Child", which was Irene's piece for her Christmas piano recital.

Mary listened politely to Irene's piece, but after that Rob had to take her out of the sanctuary. Poor Rob had to miss all the other performers.

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Christmas in Old Town Katy included a snow machine. They had an area for older kids and an area for younger kids, so Mare-mare and Irene were separated. This is the most action Mary saw. Besides sitting briefly, she stood in place and occasionally bent down to pet the snow. Imagine my surprise when she cried bitterly at the end of her five minutes.

I kept trying to get candid shots of Irene playing, but her camera radar was turned on and she kept posing when I tried to get her.

The two little monkeys at the bottom of the tree are named Holt and Harper Ann.
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Uncle Robert came along for the Church carolling. Irene was overwhelmed: Uncle, outing, treats, Holiday outfit, friends, all in one go.

Christmas treat

Irene's picture of G.G. turned out well, at least.

A Stand Alone Video

Happy Turkey Day

I don't typically like the nickname "Turkey Day", but Irene's friend from Kung Fu class told her to "have a happy Turkey Day" and Irene just laughed and laughed and relived the conversation many times and marvelled at her friend's sophisticated wit. Somehow, Irene's delight with the phrase made me warm to it.

Yummy in my tummy (as Mare-mare would say)

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All dressed up

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We are thankful for...

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Popsicles and cousins.

What you can't see is the bacon in G.G.'s lap.

Best Buddies forever

Mary saw this picture and said, "That Irene? And Holt?" Note to self: Label family pictures!

The thing about Uncles is they'll rough house with the kids on a full stomach. Not me.

Monday's child is fair of face... Indeed.

Harper Ann shows off her Thanksgiving belly.

I'm sure between the two of them they got it figured out.

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Finally, someone got some clothes on that child.

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All good things must come to an end, even joyful and blessed Turkey Days.

Late night Dominoes (Is there any other kind?)