Brita turned 9 this weekend.  She hosted 6 girls overnight (two left around midnight), and she watched Cinderella starring Whitney Houston and Brandy. The downside of the long Saturday spent preparing for the party and then the actual party, was that we had to catch up on homework on Sunday night.  We finished the night with Spanish, but spent most of our time on homework answering imaginary questions posed to a queen bee. We answered such questions such as “How long will you live?” (answer: 1-5 years) and “Where are your sisters?” (answer: I killed them.)

Brita turned 9 this weekend.  She hosted 6 girls overnight (two left around midnight), and she watched Cinderella starring Whitney Houston and Brandy.

The downside of the long Saturday spent preparing for the party and then the actual party, was that we had to catch up on homework on Sunday night.  We finished the night with Spanish, but spent most of our time on homework answering imaginary questions posed to a queen bee. We answered such questions such as “How long will you live?” (answer: 1-5 years) and “Where are your sisters?” (answer: I killed them.)

We took a drive down to Ocracoke Island for lunch, ponies and a walk on their beach.  When we got out at the ferry, I asked the little kids to pose for some pictures.  Sometimes, getting crazy gets good results.  I was really happy with how these all turned out.

Got some great black and white pictures at the beach in North Carolina over Christmas break.  The unseasonably warm weather made for a really fun walk to the beach.

Made homemade Boboli pizza with the kids and played chess with the kids. We watched a movie last night, and we’ll watch the game tomorrow night. So after dinner we’ll play some games before bed. (Taken with instagram)

Made homemade Boboli pizza with the kids and played chess with the kids. We watched a movie last night, and we’ll watch the game tomorrow night. So after dinner we’ll play some games before bed. (Taken with instagram)

Today was the intersection of Literary Character Day - Brita went as Hermione - and an Engineering presentation for the 3rd grade.  I went to see the show and do a couple of experiments with Brita.  Then it was back home for an afternoon of email.  Happiness followed by crushing boredom.

Today was the intersection of Literary Character Day - Brita went as Hermione - and an Engineering presentation for the 3rd grade.  I went to see the show and do a couple of experiments with Brita.  Then it was back home for an afternoon of email.  Happiness followed by crushing boredom.

The Read-a-thon was tonight. Leif read, Lars did homework and I played a game of chess. Then Brita and Gretchen returned home with books for everyone.

The Read-a-thon was tonight. Leif read, Lars did homework and I played a game of chess. Then Brita and Gretchen returned home with books for everyone.

Hipstamatic recently released a ‘lens’ and ‘film’ designed for using the iPhone to photograph food. My brother-in-law asked me if this was a gimmick. Maybe, but it also takes some nice pictures at the table.

Hipstamatic recently released a ‘lens’ and ‘film’ designed for using the iPhone to photograph food. My brother-in-law asked me if this was a gimmick. Maybe, but it also takes some nice pictures at the table.

I am going through my pictures on my iPhone and deleting the old pictures. This picture, taken on the haunted trolley, turned out much scarier than I remember.

I am going through my pictures on my iPhone and deleting the old pictures. This picture, taken on the haunted trolley, turned out much scarier than I remember.

Lars was gone to a birthday party, so Gretchen, Leif, Brita and I had game night at home.  We played Fast Track, Carcassonne (on the iPad), Apples to Apples (a kid and adult favorite), and Connect Four.  

Lars was gone to a birthday party, so Gretchen, Leif, Brita and I had game night at home.  We played Fast Track, Carcassonne (on the iPad), Apples to Apples (a kid and adult favorite), and Connect Four.  

We are lucky to have two great Christmas celebrations this year. The second was in North Carolina with Gretchen’s parents and her sister’s family.

We are lucky to have two great Christmas celebrations this year. The second was in North Carolina with Gretchen’s parents and her sister’s family.