All I want for Christmas....

A little early, but our six-year-old has had a few exciting days.....

Addie and Mommy Date

Addie redeemed her 'Lunch with Mommy' date this past week. Part of the agreement is that she gets to choose where we go. She had thrown out quite a few different ideas, so I was a bit surprised when she settled on Hy-Vee (the local grocery store with a cafe). When we got there, she requested a slice of pizza and some watermelon. I got her those things and went through the salad bar for myself.

We went back to a booth by the window to sit down. I arranged her plate across from mine when she piped up and told me she wanted to sit by me. I reassured her that we were. I would sit right across the table from her. She then told me that 'by me' means on the same side of the table. I felt a little awkward, but not enough to not to do it! I figured this stage won't last forever and I will cherish it while I can get it. I happily sat right by this little lady:

She was such a fun (and cheap) date that I surprised her at the end by taking her to Orange Leaf - a family favorite - self-serve yoghurt place. She was very pleased. A very successful Mommy - Daughter date!

Addie's First Day of Pre-School

I cannot believe this little girl started pre-school today. She was so excited. We missed her a lot, but all accounts were that she had a great time. The sweet/sad thing is that while she was gone Eliot walked around saying 'when Addie home'? 

Soccer and Good Friends

Charles is coaching Jack's soccer team again this year. They have been having fun, and actually winning some games this year!  It has been fun to see them develop better skills. It has also been fun because we have been able to play with good friends. Here are some pictures in our bright orange uniforms:

Rubber Strips and Icees

Today we had to take our van into get a little rubber strip reattached by the driver's side window. It was a small fix, but since the car is still under warranty, worth doing!  On the phone, the serviceman indicated to me that it would be a really quick fix which to a mom of four means oh about five minutes and you all get to stay in the car. No luck on that idea! When we pulled up they told us that it would take a minimum of an hour and that we all had to come out to the waiting room. 

That was the bad news. The good news was this was not just an ordinary waiting room. This was a newly renovated Toyota dealer. It had televisions all over the place and free snacks all over the place. I kid you not here is what we had to choose from: mini bags of cookies, freshly popped popcorn, chips, ice cream cups, a soda fountain and by far the kids favourite - an icee machine. In fact this was the first time they were all allowed an icee - their own icee to be exact. Did I mention they were free?

Never has an hour in a waiting room gone more smoothly. The kids did really well. I actually taught them a lot about the Price is Right game show which was showing on television. Both Charles and I associate this game show as one of each of our grandmother's favorite games but which I haven't watched in at least 15 years. 

About 50 minutes into the stay, the manager came up to compliment me on the kids behavior. I told him that he had built a place that made well-behaved kids an easier task. He laughed and then proceeded to tell me that there was an arcade in the back corner. I quickly declined and was thankful that the younger two which were in hearing distance did not know the word arcade. Are you kidding me, an arcade too? I would just like to pay less for my car next time please....

On the way home, Theo asked me when we could go back. I told him not for a while since the car wouldn't need service. He then came up with the great idea that we pull the rubber strip off of the door again so we could go back again soon. He was joking (I think!), but I have been keeping a close eye on the rubber strip!