I can't wait to see what the boys get us for Christmas

The boys made a list of things they thought we'd love to get for Christmas. Oh boy, it's gonna be interesting opening our gift from them.

Here' what they think are perfect gifts:

For Daddy:
tweezers
salad tongs
coffee mug
screw and screwdriver
jacket
flowers
soldier hat
race car shirt
real shopping cart
sunglasses
fancy tie
cool socks
light bulb
fancy hat
christmas card

For Mommy:
mummy costume
clothes
purse
car
flowers
sunglasses
sparkle hat (for when she goes to a fancy restaurant)
fancy socks
computer
wipees
M&Ms
christmas card
bowl

Kyle's Letter to Santa

(Dictated to Mommy)
Dear Santa,
I know you're working hard making presents right now because I saw you for real. I love you, Santa. I have been very nice. Do you give presents to kids if they get scared? I used to be scared of you but now I am not. My name is Kyle Starr and it is spelled K-Y-L-E S-T-A-R-R and I live in T-E-X-A-S. I am a good speller. I am smarter than Daddy. I like you a lot. I have a baby sister and I am very nice to her. Her name is Annabelle. Please put me on your nice list because I am thankful for my toys, and my teachers, and my mommy and daddy, and my Lego Spaceship, and my brother.
I want a Millennium Falcon that is just for me, not to share. It's a good guy spaceship from Star Wars and Chuy's in it.
I also want big boy bike and a jet pack. Is there such a thing as a real jet pack, Santa?
And I want the kind of space ship that looks like this (drawing in the air with his hand in the shape of a triangle.)
That's all I want. I will be very thankful for these things.
Love,
Kyle

Barrett's Letter to Santa

The other day at lunch Barrett wanted to make his Christmas list for Santa. I suggested he might want to say a few words to Santa in his letter about how deserving he is rather than just sending a list of toys. So he dictated the following letter to me:

Dear Santa,
The first thing I want to tell you is I have been good. All year. I help my mom and dad by cleaning up my toys. Kyle doesn't. And I am always nice to Jack and everybody. I am nice to my brother sometimes and all the time nice to my baby sister. I set the table for dinner and once I helped Daddy clean up his tools. And I help with the laundry and I make my bed if I don't forget. I always do what Mommy and Daddy tell me...except when I don't.
Here's my Christmas list:
Transformers
Sail boat
Hot Wheels

Love,
Barrett

(He wrote the toys himself with our help sounding them out. After Transformers, I think he was just trying to think of toys that were easier to spell. I am not sure if those are toys he really wants.)

NOTE TO FAMILY: Please do not buy the items on this list. This is a list for Santa.

an attitude of grattitude...startin' 'em young

(These are all pics taken with a camera phone)

Today, Annabelle did some volunteer work with me at the food pantry. Here's a pic of her working hard bundling food for pick-up.


She enjoyed her work to help others...until she fell asleep. (Thank you Leslie for the pictures!)
Then, we picked up Barrett from school and my heart was warmed by the Turkey he and his classmates had made. They listed what they are thankful for on the turkey feathers. Oh how I love this kind of thing!

Here's Barrett's feather:

Next week, Kyle will be putting together Christmas gifts for children and families in need. And today, he brought food to donate to the food pantry. I hope they continue to give to and serve others and grow up thankful for all they have. I am very proud of their generosity and giving spirit.

Random Halloween Stuff

I call this lunch "Mummy loves you" Bwahahahaha...okay, I know it's cheesy...there I go again!


Barrett and Kyle at the Dallas Arboretum.


Annabelle at the Arboretum in her super cute ribbon pants that Gigi made.


Sadly, this was Barrett and Kyle's very first time to go real Trick or Treating...at houses. Barrett kept saying "Trunk or Treat!" when the door was opened. Kyle came back from the door and saying "Mom, they gave us candy!" every time. EVERY. TIME. So cute! He just couldn't believe that people would give him candy for knocking on their door. They are with their friends Jack and Dylan, A.K.A. Darth Vader and Super Why.


Yes, I know the previous post had pics of Annabelle in her costume, but she smiling in this one! Gigi and I took all three kids to the Farmersville Fall Festival on Saturday night. It was really unbelievable how many people stopped to look at Annabelle in her costume. A man standing next to us at one point said he estimated about 60 different people took her picture and she smiled for every one. That's probably about right, not even exaggerating.