Take it up a branch.

As I have been replaying the conversation with Ally, over and over and over, I came to a realization. It is very similar to a conversation my Mother had with one of my sisters when she was younger and on the way to school . . . elementary school. Perhaps, just perhaps, this particular sister's son doesn't necessarily have the same personality traits as my sweet little daughter, but it all starts a little higher up the family tree.

Like maybe with her. Here's to butterflies and rainbows JK!!!

Another black friday has come and gone.

Not too much to report from this year's outing. Here are the highlights:

• Met for breakfast at 7:30.
• Got to see Jackie make a quick exit at Game Stop.
• Shopped at Target.
• Got to see everyone else's expression when Dad announced his potty issue.
• Shopped at Hobby Lobby.
• Shopped at the mall.
• Tried to get Dad to go to Burger King(recall last year), but he wanted a REAL burger.
• Took an hour long lunch break - but I did not eat a burger. (Love you Ben!)
• Experienced Dad's Toy's R Us gas problem. ( Like Pavlov's dog)
• Went solo to South Target.
• Returned to car with gas leaking out of it.
• Stood around waiting for someone to "flick" a cigarette out and catch my van on fire.
• Waited with Mom and Nanny for the tow truck driver to finish watching the game.
• Had my car fixed and was on my way home around 6:00.
• Thanked my husband for taking care of the kids and the car issue and went to bed.

We had a Wii night.

The Wii gets way underused at our house. To remedy that, at least for one night, we had a little family competition tonight. Me vs. Ben (he just wants to guarantee his win), Hayden vs. Ally (as if there isn't enough for them to argue about) and Caleb vs. Josh (same weight, same height, same DNA - easy match).

Outdoor challenge it is. We started with sprint while jumping logs, progress to a slapping game(the board not each other) and the grand finale is jumping rope. I lose almost every dual, thanks in part to snuggle bear getting fresh, Sadie needing to be close to me and my inability to do anything without laughing. Hayden and Ally each win some and lose some, and thankfully don't have to fight about it.

. . . and Caleb and Josh can jump like monkeys over some logs. Maybe they will be basketball players.

Let us entertain you.

You know we can.

Take last night for example: open fly, speech from outer space(about aliens, I think), raw chicken, food hoarding, child about to throw up, 3 year old determined to stab himself in the throat with a toothpick, a cake with no candles, 1 waitress impostor and a really, really smoky ambiance.

We have a picture to prove it:

Next performance: November 29.