Happy Birthday to Me

This year was the first year since 1995 that I celebrated my Birthday in Troy. Plans for an Outback dinner were canceled due to the snowy weather but my Mom did a great job on a steak dinner. And the kids were very excited about my Birthday cake and singing Happy Birthday to me.

36? No way I could be THAT old.

Me, my Parents and the kids

Elf Yourself 2008

Back by popular demand, Elf Yourself! This year my Dad is joined by my Mom, my Brother and my Kids. They are all very excited (at least my kids are...my Brother will probably beat me silly when he sees me).

Country

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Disco

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Charleston

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Classic

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Merry Christmas!

Katie - Guest Host of Fri Morning Assembly

Each Friday Katie and Vito's school has an assembly and each week two 2nd graders are the "Guest Hosts." They introduce each speaker, activity, etc. This past Fri was Katie and her classmate Dooho's turn.

Katie did a GREAT job. Especially considering it was a bit of an atypical assembly. The teacher that normally runs the show and works with the Guest Hosts was already off on winter holiday and the teacher who stood in for her all week called in sick Friday. And it was Pajama Day and all the kids wore pajamas. I'd be hard pressed to speak in front of a large audience, much less in my pajamas! I mean, I no longer hyperventilate (much) when I have to speak in a group but Katie seemed really comfortable and in control.

Introducing Mr. Brown to talk about the Food Drive.

Katie caught sight of Mom & Dad in the audience and paused nicely for me to take the picture.

She did a FANTASTIC job and we are very proud of her.

AISB Winter Concert

Today was the Winter Concert at AISB and we have lots of pictures and video to share.

Pre-K really enjoyed singing "Tapping, Tapping Little Elves"

and "Icicles"

Vito thanked the audience and introduced Kindergarten. He practiced hard all week and remembered his lines without any prompting. He was the best out of all the Pre-K speakers.

Pre-K came back to sing a couple of songs with Kindergarten

The 2^nd Graders enjoyed themselves and were a little more focused than the younger kids.
"All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" was their favorite song.

1^st and 2^nd Grades got together to sing "We Wish you a Merry Christmas"

Everyone did a great job!

A Visit with Mikulás

Last Sunday ExxonMobil hosted a Christmas party for the XOM families. There were cookies, pretzels, hot chocolate and crafts. The main attraction was, of course, Mikulás (Hungarian Santa).

I would say that we went right away and got in line to see him except that might give you the impression that there was a line. Or any concept of "taking turns." Basically there was a big mob aroud Mikulás and we had a delay until the lady with the infant got to see Mikulás (can't push babies around). Once she moved I just pushed the kids right to the front next to Mikulás.

In Hungary, to get a treat from Mikulás you have to sing a Christmas song (another reason for the long wait). The kids did a pretty good job singing "Jingle Bells."

Decorating Cookies at the Arts & Crafts table...

...which promptly got eaten

The kids really had a good time.