Hapennings

Isaiah and Alyssa have been playing "balloon" with a balloon that we found behind the TV from Christmas. It involves hitting the balloon in the air and not letting it touch the ground. Andy and I did this for probably a thousand hours during our growing years. It brings back a lot of memories------AND, is still fun!!

Behond the pig tails!

Dental Health Week at school!

The weather was great yesterday, so Isaiah, Ella and I went to a local park and then went hiking on a paved trail. It was really fun!

Jackpot!

Isaiah rolling his kite string up.

Trying to get that kite to stay in the air!

That is Isaiah. Kind of far away, but he worked hard to fly that kite.

At the park.

We are back in the camera business

Isaiah self-portrait. At Alyssa's Christmas program.

Ella with some sassy glasses.

Yummy brownies.

Ok, sos her hair is growing. I don't think so, but when I look at this picture, I can tell! The pony tail is right around the corner.

Her after-school position--Mom and dad's bed, snack and Disney channel!

We FINALLY bought a new camera this weekend, so you will once again get to see the smiling faces of the Neals on our blog. I know you can all sleep well again:) Anyway, I am going to post some current pictures and some from Christmas that were saved on the memory card. And, I promise to have several basketball and cheerleading pictures from their final game this weekend posted early next week. On a great note (in my opinion), Alyssa informed me on Monday that "cheerleading is boring" and that she wants to do basketball next year! I did a literal happy dance (when she was out of sight)! Let's hoop it up!

Dissed by a kindergartner

Alyssa has always been into fashion and looking hip and cool with her clothes. Well, that has recently transcended to her hair. She started fixing her own hair about a month ago at home and has since started wanting to fix her own hair for school. So, she has been fixing her own hair and doing a pretty good job. It is mostly up in pony tails with a headband, or pig tails or sometimes a bow in the front and sometimes even a small side pony tail in front. Gran sent us a lot of bows that she had made quite a while ago, so she has been using a lot of those to accessorize too. I don't know where she gets this interest, because it definitely does not come from me. Having said all that, this morning, she was pulling her hair into a pony tail and had quite a few "bumps" in the back. I grabbed a comb and went to help her smooth them out and she said "Mom, please don't do that, I want to do it myself. I am better at doing hair then you are!" I will be the first to tell you that I am lacking in the "making things look pretty" department and that includes my hair and the hair of my children. However, I was a little offended at those words! I guess it is only the beginning! A mama can't get no respect, can she!

It's Rubbing Off

Well, I just might end up with 2 cheerleaders in the house. Ella accompanies me to Alyssa's cheerleading practices and games more often then not. Now, every time anyone says the work "Ready", Ella follows it with "OK" and puts her hands on her hips. It cracks us up. We can be saying "Is everyone ready?" and we will hear "OK" from our pot-bellied little toddler! So, funny!

One of those days

Yesterday was a snow day for the older kids, so we were all home all day long. We did have some friends over in the morning to play, but it ended up being one of those crazy play dates. After everyone was gone, Isaiah and Ella went to bed and I sent Alyssa to my bedroom while I chilled out in the living room! I needed some quiet.

Well, Alyssa had school today, so the day started off fine. Then Ella, Isaiah and I went to the library to go to storytime and check out some books. While we were in the library, Ella threw not one, but 2 major tantrums. Fall down on the floor, screaming, rolling around and did I mention screaming! She continuously wanted me to pick her up and then when I did, she would immediately scream to get down or just lunge down toward the floor. It was quite a scene! She has not been quite the lovely little child she once was lately. I keep telling myself that she is almost 2 and that is what 2 year olds do!

I know that people say "you will miss it when its gone". I agree about all the cute things that 1 year olds do, but tantrums I will not miss. I am ready for everyone to express themselves in a civilized fashion and to not have "that kid" in the library! I am about to escape into a book and I might never return! Thank heaven for Jodi Piccoult!

Snow Day

Today, Isaiah is walking around saying:

"And the oscar goes to . . . ". No idea why or where he heard it, but it is cracking me up!

Also, Tim had to travel to Washington DC yesterday and when I was tucking Alyssa into bed last night, she prayed that he would meet the president today! Funny!

Happenings

My kids are constant nose pickers. I am always telling them to get a tissue and quit picking their nose. I recently saw Isaiah digging for gold and said "Isaiah, quit picking your nose" and he replied " I will when I get all the boogers out." Makes sense, I guess!

Isaiah and I painted the upstairs bathroom last week and when Ella woke up and came into the room, she looked at Isaiah's half-painted wall and said "GIRAFFE". So, now the bathroom is the giraffe bathroom!

So cute to see Ella cheering "Go, Isaiah, Go" at Isaiah's basketball game yesterday!