My MasterCard Commercial

Washcloth: $1
Mr. Clean: $1.85
Scrubbing Bubbles: $1.57
Windex: $1.98
Paper towels: $1
41/2 Bathrooms: a lot
Paying someone to clean 41/2 bathrooms: priceless

She folded the toilet paper like in a hotel! She even cleaned the plunger - yuck!

Ben Is 9 & Mark's Blessing

Can you believe Ben is 9? We had a little (this is relatively speaking with my family-25 people) family party at our house on Sunday after Mark's blessing. We had a nice brunch outside on the deck since it was beautiful weather. I only gave Ben 2 shirts for his birthday since I know he hates getting clothes for gifts. He did get a cool "Mad Science" (an after school program) registration for the whole month of November and December. They are focusing on space - which Ben loves!

This is Mark's blessing outfit. In the bottom picture doesn't he look like he is impersonating the bad guy from the Austin Power's movies? I don't know his name - I never saw the movies but Mike Meyers plays him as well as Austin Powers.

Halloween 2008

This year for Halloween Emma was a "mom of a newborn", Ben was a "soldier", and Abby was a "table". Abby came up with the idea herself. It was a super easy costume to make. We used cardboard, an old sheet and lots of paper products.

Mark's Halloween costume said, "My First Halloween don't scare me". This was a gift from Aunt Jenny. Too CUTE!!!

Standing On My Soapbox (feel free to skip reading this one - venting)

I have been told on more than one occasion that I shelter my children. Well.... as of Friday I am glad I do. Abby had presentations at her gifted school on Friday. They had to prepare three projects about themselves including a power point presentation. She did a great job. This is a picture of her credo. She wants to be in the Olympics and go to Harvard Law School.

The other children's aspirations were scary. Some girls wanted to be Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, and singers. A lot of the boys wanted to be video game analysts and programmers. Some of their favorite movies and TV shows were Troy, Gladiator, South Park and Family Guy (these are 10 & 11 year olds)!

I am thankful I have such a sweet little girl!!!!!