Trolls

We were on our way to dinner Friday night. Gavin's dad and stepmom gave us a gift card to the Old Spaghetti Factory for Christmas, and there is one in Tacoma. The kids had never driven through Tacoma before, so they were enjoying the ports and bridges and new sights (especially since we missed the exit and took a particularly scenic route . . . ). 

All of a sudden, Aubrey had another one of her over-the-top ideas. "I know what we can do! After dinner, let's drive up to Seattle and go under the bridge to see the TROLL!" 

Whatever. I hear ideas and suggestions from her all day long, so I just passed it off as another "Twinkle" moment (if you've ever seen Higglytown Heroes, you know who I'm talking about). Gavin, however, wanted to know what in the world she was talking about. 

When he asked, she replied emphatically and with a bit of signature attitude in her voice, "You know, the Seattle TROLL bridge." {DUH, Dad!}

We laughed pretty hard, then tried to explain what a TOLL is and how it helps pay for roads and bridges. She thought about it for a few seconds before responding, "That's rude for them to make you pay to see the troll."

So the next time you pay a toll, watch out for the trolls. And if you happen to see one, let us know. 

Our Anniversary

Gavin and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary last week. We went out to a nice Italian restaurant the weekend before, but decided to go out to dinner as a family AGAIN on our actual anniversary. I sure wasn't going to cook dinner.

We chose Red Robin, which was the first restaurant we went to when we were dating. It has a nice family atmosphere, so it was a good fit for the kids. Little did we know how much entertainment they would find there. 

Part way through our meal, Lincoln says to me, "Dat yadee who jus came to our table yooks yike da gurl from 'Madagascar.' Ackshee, dus her butt yooks yike her."

Translation: "That lady who just came to our table looks like the girl from 'Madagascar.' Actually, just her butt looks like her."

WHAT?!? Thank goodness he told it to us before telling it to her. I was trying not to bust a gut, but totally cracking up. Lincoln didn't know what was so funny. He was just making an observation.

The next time our sweet little waitress came to our table, Aubrey craned her neck to get a good look at her backside. When she was gone, Aubrey told us Lincoln was right. She even stood up and started swaying her little hips and singing, 'I like to move it, move it!' before we could stop her.

When we were almost done, I accidentally/on purpose snapped this picture of my sweet husband and cute daughter. What do you know? Our waitress, AKA Gloria, is in the background--no doubt calculating the nice tip we left for her. 

The next morning, Aubrey told me I looked 'sort of skinny.' Really? I think Gloria from Madagascar should serve us dinner more often.

And who knew nine years of marriage would be this much fun?

If this bum looks familiar, I promise we mean no harm. I'm the last one to call someone out on derriere size. She really was a great waitress. And of course the kids loved her! (wink, wink)

Easter's On Its Way

Peter Cottontail must be hoppin' down the Bunny Trail, because Aubrey keeps writing 'Hippity Hoppity' (or something akin to it) on her spelling papers. 

She first wrote it in her planner a couple of weeks ago with her list of spelling words, along with a note in the margin to her teacher.

A:     You said hiptey hopy Ms. Howe so I rote it.

MH: I did?

A:     You did Ms. Howe siresley you did

I like how it's spelled 'hiptey hopy' in the margin, but 'hipedy hopy' with the spelling words.

A week later, she had this on her practice spelling test. 

A:    9. hipty hopy there it is Ms. Howe you said it I rite it

MH: I said hippity hoppy?

I love that she even numbered it on her test. 

And again, in her planner with the list of spelling words. I like the illustration of the 'rolled eyes'--a gesture she is all too familiar with. 

A: hipty hopy Ms. Howe I rolled my eyes

After discovering the recurring theme of 'hippity hoppy' in her spelling words, I asked Aubrey about it the next morning. "Aubrey, why do you keep writing 'hippity hoppy' with your spelling words?"

She was stunned that I would ask such a strange question. She looked at me with her big, blue eyes and responded in complete seriousness, "Because Ms. Howe keeps saying it."

Is she hallucinating, or just really excited for Peter Cottontail's visit? 'Siresley,' what's her deal?

Our smokin' FHE

The kids on American Lake at dusk

Recently we went out in the Washington Wild to make s'mores for Family Home Evening. While Gavin tended to the fire, the kids had fun playing on nearby playground equipment. We told ghost stories, talked about fire safety, made and ate our yummy treats, reminded the kids about fire safety (DON'T TOUCH--IT'S HOT!), and had a fun time. 

We can neither confirm nor deny the legality of open fires, so it's a good thing we were the only ones there. 

I'm not sure how it works exactly, but somehow having his tongue hang out helps maneuver the little creature he's riding.

She isn't as close to the flames as this pic makes it look . . . promise.

Gav is getting ready to scare the bejeebers out of the kids as he tells the story of the 'Man in the Woods.' See that grin on his face? 

One Enchanted Evening

Aubrey and her Prince (AKA Daddy)

Just before Valentine's Day, Aubrey had the "time of her life" (she said those exact words when she came home) at our annual Daddy/Daughter Dance. This year's theme was 'Happily Ever After.' 

My little princess is "sooo over" princesses now, so she opted to wear a pretty dress rather than the Princess dress-up she might have chosen a few years ago.* However, she did want to wear a crown for the evening. She ditched the crown before too long.

Just like last year, our ROA completely outdid themselves for this event. The decorations were beautiful, the door prizes were amazing (to those lucky enough to win--not us), and the food was truly fit for a royal couple. It was very charming, and very fun. Aubrey had a blast, and I think Gavin enjoyed himself too.

I remember going on Daddy/Daughter dates with my dad when I was a kid, and I treasure those memories. I felt like the most important little girl in the world when I was with my dad. I'm sure Aubrey felt the same. 

Who doesn't love cupcakes and chocolate-covered strawberries? 

These little kabobs even make the marshmallow Peeps look appetizing.

Every table was decorated around a certain theme by local business. The table loot was then given away as a door prize in the end.

Such pretty little faces! 

Thanks Jen for sharing your pictures of the night!

{*She wrote her dad a note last week asking him to stop calling her 'Princess.' She also wants to sell her Princess dolls and castle on ebay or craigslist (yes, she told me that). She has moved on to High School Musical and Hannah Montana. Disney's marketing geniuses still have their talons in her, but she is no longer star-struck with the Princesses. It's the end of a girlhood era.}