What was in the box????

Here's the reason I haven't been blogging. I mentioned to Chris back in November, that an iPod would be fun to have. I had no idea what all I could do with one, but the idea of having all my music in one place was very appealing. I'd never even heard of iTunes or Podcasts, either one. Now isn't that just pitiful??? It never really crossed my mind again.; I thought one would end up being too expensive. So, on Christmas morning when I unwrapped this, I wasn't sure how to react. Especially when he said "It's not just any iPod, it's a 60 GB iPod." I smiled politely and said "oh!" Now, I'm embarrassed to have to say, I had no clue what that meant. Then he added "You could store 15,000 songs or 150 hrs of video on here." Gigabyte took on a whole new meaning!! My other gifts were: a cable to run it through the home stereo, an adapter to run it in the car and a leather case to carry it in my purse. NOW ask me how me and technology mix! I am in LOVE with my iPod. I've stored my whole CD collection, and plan to do my pictures later today.

Thanks, Chris, for such an enjoyable gift! You ALWAYS manage to totally surprise me! I promise I WILL get that mound of laundry done....and the sink full of dishes washed....I just have to import one more CD................. :)

Favorite Christmas gifts

Caleb loves his ride-on Thomas engine. It plays a song and whistle sounds.
It also chugs when you push it.

Lauren is so thrilled with her Felicity DVD and doll she wanted.

What's in this box? The reason I haven't been blogging!!

Michael asked for a new suit....navy blue like we saw in Target.
He says, every time we ask him, it's his favorite present. He keeps
wanting to know how many days till Sunday so he can wear it.
Today he said "it takes 100 years to get to Sunday.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!

Look who's 8 months!!!

8 months old and ready to play!

I'm a couple days behind schedule, but Caleb turned 8 months old on Wed. Where in the world has the time gone?? He is just the JOY of all our lives. His personality is pure sunshine. His latest loves are: crawling, getting into the cupboards, getting into the computer equipment, and chewing on any shoes he can find on the shoe mat! Accomplishments include: saying "Yay!" (only it's more like aaaa!) and clapping his hands, clapping hands and bouncing up and down anytime he hears music, says dada, and nana (we're on a first name basis!), giving slobbery kisses anytime you ask, walking pushing his walker toy, and standing alone for 10-15 seconds. He also likes to come and find us if we disappear behind a door. As you can see, he doesn't want to be a baby, much to my dismay.

I'm back............

After not posting for about a week, I guess it's time I get everyone caught up on all the latest events! Tuesday night was the walk-through at GBS. This time instead of having visitors, we visited and had so much fun. We went through the boys dorm, the girls dorm and then 6 staff and faculty houses. By the time all was said and done, we were STUFFED and the kids had a huge candy collection.

Thursday night, Lauren was in the Academy Christmas program. They were all in costume and all the kids did a great job.

Friday afternoon we had a cookie exchange at GBS. (sorry..forgot the camera) About 15 participated and we ended up with a nice assortment of different cookies.

Saturday morning I took the kids to program practice and a Christmas party at church.

Saturday night was GIRLS NIGHT OUT! I had mentioned to Chris months ago that this year I really wanted to take Lauren to the Nutcracker Ballet. So when I was in the hospital in Sept. Chris came in with an envelope with two tickets to the Nutcracker. He said that he was giving me something to get better for.....I HAD to get better. Finally, the long-awaited night came. So Lauren and I got dressed up in Christmas sweaters and black skirts and the guys dropped us off at Music Hall. What a night! We had a blast. Every Mommy should get to have a little girl! Chris had gotten us really good seats in the center section. After the show, the guys were back to pick us up.

Sunday morning, was the church Christmas Program. Lauren had to sing a solo. She kept saying all along she wasn't scared. That's hard for me to believe since I was TERRIFIED of singing in public when I was a kid. (still am :) ) She did a great job and wasn't the least bit scared. And she even sang on pitch...which was a big deal to her Music-Major Mommy! She told me she was about to laugh when she was singing because she thought it was so funny. I'm not sure where she gets that! I have many horrible memories of Christmas programs when I was a kid....I'll probably have to go through group therapy one of these days because of the awful, embarassing programs I had to endure as a kid. :)

Sunday night was a Christmas snack in our fellowship hall. Those are always events filled with many types of fattening foods and desserts. A great time once we FINALLY got to eat the food! What fun is a Christmas party without singing a few TOO many Christmas carols?! LOL

I think now our Christmas events are mostly over, so I'm going to go grab a cup of Swiss Miss Marshmallow-Lovers hot chocolate, and sit back and enjoy the fireplace.....and the 24hr. Christmas music and ponder this one persisting question I have.....who really IS "the Little Saint Nick"?

Playing Christmas.....

Lauren and Michael have a huge collection of "kids". Their "kids" consist of beanie babies, happy meal stuffed animals and other orphans collected here and there. They have 30 in all and they are grouped by "families". Some of their names are: princess, cupcake pretty kitty, squeaker beaker, Courderoy, Leanna, baby Grace and on and on. Anyway, one of thier activities with their animals, include acting out events that have just happened. Only in a slightly more hiarious fashion. Recently they have totally reenacted Lauren's academy Christmas program. Most of the animals were in costume.

Another event that was acted out, was sitting on Santa's lap. This time, Caleb was the baby, Lauren the Mommy, and Michael was Santa. It was very amusing! Michael trying to say Ho HO HO in a deep voice, and asking Caleb had he been good all year. "Mommy" (Lauren) explained that he had since April. Then Santa gave Caleb a candy cane and Caleb WAS thrilled. He thought that was a great game.

They also enjoy telling and retelling the Christmas story using a few manger scene pieces and then an assortment of Fisher Price animals.

Picture Day

Last week, we had a picture day. Now just what does THAT have to do with homeschooling? That's what the principal wanted to know!......just kidding. Anyway, we took a day off and went to the mall and visited "The Picture People" for Caleb's 7 month picture. (All schools have a picture day of course:) Only in a homeschool can you take in the latest deals at Christopher and Banks when you are finished.....

Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to Otterville we go...

Well, I guess it's time for me to get an Otterville day sceduled on my calendar. I told Lauren when she completed her 1st grade Math, we would take a day off and go to Otterville. Are you busy, Lanee? I'll be calling you! Anyway, Michael decided he wanted to get in on the picture because he finished a preschool workbook about 6 weeks ago. Of course, he will get in on the Otterville fun as well..... Although we already have 2nd grade Math, I think we're going to just enjoy having a lighter load until after the holiday season. That's the great thing about homeschooling!

#8 on my list of favorite things......

Sharon Woods drive- through light display
The kids visited Santa in the Nature Center

Michael wanted a firetruck, a trumpet and a Lauren wants a new dress and a sled

dump truck for Caleb

They even had a

dulcimer player

and a crawl through tunnel in the nature center.

They also had an interactive model train display. Initially, I thought the $9. per car charge was a little expensive, but once we got through the light display and went into the nature center, we decided it was worth our money. They also have a HUGE indoor play area called Adventure Station that was free to all kids that night too. Normally, they charge $2.50 each. It was a two-story play area, complete with a Wild West town on the second level. There was a saddle shop, feed store, a jail, a horse and buggy and much more they could play on. We also took in part of a puppet show as well. The kids had been begging to see Santa, but had not gotten a chance to yet. So after we got in the van, Lauren heaved a big sigh and said, "Well, I'm glad we got THAT over with. Now he knows what it is that I want!" I thought we had pretty well established the fast that Santa is just pretend....but I guess it is still healthy for a child's imagination to let them dream and anticipate his arrival Christmas Eve night!

Yes, I've been good ALL year

Caleb has been good all year

(since April 20th)

The tale of the Lambeth's sad tree

It's still 3 weeks till Christmas and my tree is already looking quite sad. It is too painful to my pride to post pictures of it on my blog, but I can sort of fill you in on the details. I had my tree up nice and early....two weeks before Thanksgiving. It was resplendant in chrystal and glass ornaments, gold and red ornaments, gold ribbon cascading down the sides and red and white lights. I guess you can refer to Thanksgiving photos to refresh your memory. Anyway, SOMEHOW, our tree has deteriorated so much that I have threatened to take everything off and start over! Now, why is our tree in such a disheveled state? Well, it has something to do with stray balls, balloons and various other toys "accidently" sailing into the tree, knocking ornaments off. Now, my ornaments are for the most part, cheap ones AND we have carpet. If they do get broken, I really don't care. However, in attempt to cover up these "accidents", the kids quickly put the ornament back on the tree, but it never ends up in its original spot. So, I have two red balls on one branch, or three white balls within inches of each other and other tacky arrangements. Somehow, a whole string of lights is lying on the floor under one branch. I think that is thanks to Caleb. He was "creeping" about the time I put the tree up and now, as of today, he is all and out crawling. He has been very good about the tree overall, but once in a while he can't resist trying to try to munch an ornament, or a light bulb or two. Other than the safety issue,I don't really care.....Christmas trees are made to be enjoyed by all. HOWEVER, this IS another factor contributing to my really sad tree. Will I redecorate it all? I will keep you posted. (no pun intended) It will depend on my energy level.....Although I enjoy a pretty tree, it's not an obsession and as long as Chris and kids don't care (and they don't) who else will see it?(remember, I won't let all of you see it in pictures :) I had to include pictures of my " little tree destroyer" caught in the act.......also a few extra because he's just TOO cute!. (in the pictues of Caleb and the ornament, notice the string of lights on the floor!)

"these are a few of my favorite things....."

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”….how well we all remember that line. Well, I’ve been constructing my own list of favorite Christmas things, and although I could go on and on, I will only list the top ten. So here goes……….

10. sweaters
9. getting peoples annual Christmas picture in the mail
8. looking at Christmas lights
7. Christmas cookies
6. watching A Charlie Brown Christmas
5. surprising Chris and the kids with the presents I bought
4. stations that play Christmas music 24 hrs all December
3. Swiss Miss Marshmallow lovers hot chocolate


















2. the fireplace

1. little warm pajama bodies