Hark the Herald

Merry Christmas from the Moores!

One of Anna's birthday presents was an echo microphone, and she loves it! Enjoy her rendition of the great Christmas carol. (yes, we know she doesn't quite get all the words. but give her a break - there is pretty heavy theological stuff in that hymn!)

Hark the Harold

As most folks know by now, Asheville was hit by a snowstorm this weekend - about 9 inches at our house. 9 inches is plenty to sled, do snow angels, and build a snowman or snowwoman. I asked Anna what we should name our snowman and she said "Harold". I thought this was funny so I asked why and she said, "you know, hark the Harold angel sings." Our second snowman was named Taylor Swift and the third was Helen. Funny kid. One other observation: toddlers and preschoolers love the snow, but they don't quite grasp the delight of quietly reading a good book on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate.

So here are images of the day. It seems that both our kids like sledding and playing in the snow. We had lots of big fun. And also lots of cold feet and hands. Hooray for dryers that get get everything ready to go back out quickly!

The video is the hill in our backyard. For those who haven't heard my laugh in a while, here it is.

Anna loves going down the hill "BY MYSELF"

even though this is how she lands. Headflops, as she says.

Notice Joshua's super cool pink boots. We only had Anna's last year's boots for him.

December Milestones

It's that time of year. When we are subject to many Christmas specials. As I write, Anthony and I are watching the Saturday Night Live Christmas special, and it is pretty darn funny. Other "specials" include watching Charlie Brown over and over and over and over.


And of course we must get pictures of the kids by the tree.

Anna's school had their program, and thankfully it was short and sweet. The all sang (that is being sort of generous) some cute songs. My favorite was when they sang "Jingle Bells" with words that no one could understand until the famous HEY, and then all the parents jumped out of our seats because we were so startled by the change in volume. And of course, Santa came for a quick visit. I'm not a big fan of the Santa pictures. I know, I'm a freak. But Santa just kind of weirds me out. I must have had a bad experience as a child or something. So these are the first pictures of the kids with Santa.

Joshua loved Santa.

We have a Mommy!

FINALLY Joshua has decided my name is Mommy. For months he's refused to call me anything, other than occasional "Da-Da". The past couple of days he's actually repeated when we've said and pointed to me. And then the biggest breakthrough was when a friend pointed to me and asked, "who's that?" and he said Mommy! Woo hoo!

Too Many Gears

I have many internal conversations with myself at Wal-Mart. Does anyone else do this? I do our weekly grocery shopping once a week, and usually by myself. I'm glad it usually works out like that, but still - grocery shopping at Wal-Mart isn't all that fun.
Back to my internal conversations... People at Wal-Mart are just interesting. They really are from all walks of life - senior citizens, moms with kids (screaming or not), teenagers, solo shoppers and all walks of clothing - those in the 80s with their frosted jeans, those in their pajamas, those with way too tight clothes, those moms who are semi-hip / age appropriate (that's me). As I walk through Wal-Mart I observe all these folks and generally it goes something like this:
"Please get out of my way, annoying teenage gang. I have a real life. And I cannot believe your mother let you wear that shirt in public."
"Do we need Wheat Thins? I can't remember. Text Anthony."
"I am a terrible person. I should not get so mad at these old people for being so slow. Why do I run over people?"
"Where are french fried onions?"
"How old do I look? Is that lady my age? Certainly I don't look like that"

And so it goes. Mostly I go back and forth between being annoyed with people or being annoyed with myself. I think what it mostly reveals is that I have quite an arrogant streak, but I don't like it in myself.
So if you ever see my in Wal-Mart and I have a funny look on my face, feel free to interrupt me! I'm not mad - probably just thinking too much!

December is here!

This is how I know it is December - I'm watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The original, by Rankin and Bass. Who are Rankin and Bass, anyway? Are they Rodgers and Hammerstein for Christmas specials? They made the best ones, to include 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. When does that come on TV? It is Anthony's favorite, though we've noticed that it is quite heretical and teaches some not so great stuff. But they all do, I suppose. Anyway, I love December and all the old school TV specials. Maybe I'll even get Anthony to watch It's A Wonderful Life all the way through without falling asleep this year. He has appreciation of certain movies, but Christmas ones aren't too high on his list.

Also, of course, it is December because Thanksgiving is over. I didn't get many pictures because Grandma Mary made us work and work to get her house decorated. Good thing Michelle and I married wonderful guys - they work a lot and we stand around a lot.

Anthony is assigned to the mantle. And the Christmas tree lights. And the foyer. And the coffee table centerpiece. No, I'm not kidding.

Liam and Anna played a lot with the extra Nativity Scene. Until Joshua started breaking the pieces.

In general, Joshua was not a fan of decorating. He spent time hitting the tubs with the golf clubs. Seriously.

Just look at that face.