Jason's post: Changing format - videos now on separate site...

We've gotten some complaints about video not being available (or it being spotty). My Aunt Connie (a big fan of the blog) can't even see the pictures since I've started uploading the video. I'm moving all of the video to photobucket.com in hopes that it make the site a little more stable. You should just be able to click the imbedded URL's to see the video on photobucket.

NEW PICS

A lot of you know that I was given a new camera for Christmas...I have not had the opportunity to show you how it's been put to good use:) My husband has temporarily taken over the blog with his video projects and skiing isn't really a great place to take my new camera! Hopefully these pics will make up for the disco video that some of you might not be able to view. As you can see, Claire was very much into the role of "model" while we waited for Ayden's hip-hop class to end! She was totally unprompted to make her many expressions! I just love it! After his class we headed to the dance where I was able to catch a few a photos of Mr Coolio himself! ENJOY!

p.s. This is Ayden's buddy Ryan...they are both such "cool kids"!

click here to see ski video

http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad254/jasthomas/

IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!

We took the day off of school and work yesterday to experience "The Best Day Ever!" Jason has been looking forward to this day for a very long time...like since the kids were born. We took them to Ski Roundtop for their very first attempt at skiing! They did beautifully! (i don't know why or how this is underlined and a different color, so just ignore it!)

First, Ayden and Claire endured an hour and half lesson which proved well worth it! They LOVED it, and found themselves in a class full of bigger kids, so that just added to the "cool-factor" for Ayden and the extra determination for Claire! It was unbelievable....they go to a class while we ski, we pick them up from class and they are able to ski down the beginner slopes already!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

No ski day is complete without some hot chocolate! Although they were both ready to hit the hills after their break!

AGAIN, HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

Jason jokes that Claire is Mommy Jr.....she just glides down the hill...always in control. (Guess you know what that makes Ayden!) Jason had to have a talk with him about not going towards the moguls....Ayden disagreed:) Ayden also discovered speed towards the end of the day...watch out Daddy, you've got competition ahead of you:)

Needless to say we are SO proud of the kiddos and as you can see, they are proud of themselves! Jason is THRILLED, especially because they both want to do it again...and again...and again! Claire is upset that she has a Summer birthday, because she wants her present to be skiing:) Sorry Babe, there is nothing we can do about that!
It really was a great day. Just pure happiness.

Disco night at East High Elementary

Click Here for disco video:

http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad254/jasthomas/Disco%202010/

Last Friday was the much anticipated "Disco" at East High. In years past the dance had been a Sock Hop theme, so we weren't sure what to expect. Of course the kids were all about finding great disco costumes so they could dress up. We took an old pair of jeans and made Ayden bell bottoms, showed him some old Bee Gee's videos and Saturday night fever footage on You Tube and he took care of the rest. Claire was sporting her hippy best with an adorable outfit that included go-go boots, her hair parted down the middle and big sunglasses.

A good time was had by all. As you can see from the video, the kids are not shy on the dance floor and really enjoyed the night with their friends. Obviously Jason is still enjoying the video editing software on our new macbook. Enjoy!

FUN SLEEP-OVER WEEKEND

Click here for sleepover video:

http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad254/jasthomas/sleepover/

Jason has found a new hobby! He can edit home movies (from our awesome "Flip"...Thanks mom and dad!) The kids of course have some pretty grand ideas about their next music video!! Kudos to my husband for learning something new and entertaining all of us!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

As you may be able to see....I got my wish for Christmas. Jason and the kids gave me an awesome camera that I LOVE. I am still learning how to use it properly but that will come with time. Everytime I use it I learn something new...AND have more questions to find the answers to:) ENJOY some of my newest photos!

HOPE YOUR HOLIDAY WAS A WONDERFUL AS OURS!! We are SO thankful for all that we have especially in lieu of the disaster in Haiti . OF COURSE Claire is already asking how we can help the people who live there....and Ayden is very happy that President Obama is helping them:)This is all from a conversation we had last night at dinner. I love it.

Well, these first three pics are my children and their interpretation of "Avatar" through role-play!! We saw the movie last weekend and the kids really liked it...the movie is really beautifully done (bad language, though, for kids). The story is pretty generic, but with some interesting twists on original themes (nature "worship", but in a very physical sense, really cool). I was NOT expecting it to be so much like the story of Pocohontas:) ANYWAY, we all had a good time and it was fun to talk with the kids about their interpretation of the themes and messages in the story. We all enjoyed it and the movie deserves the attention it is getting...it is stunning to watch in 3-D.

She looks eerily like an angry Na'vi in this picture! We call her "Scary-Clairey".

BASKETBALL

Ayden has started his basketball season and really likes it. The first week we started talking about how it is important to be aggressive in sports, (especially since he doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body:) NOW, after practice he says, "woo, I am tired from being so aggressive today!" It is really funny to hear him explain how he is trying to "be aggressive".His game is getting better and better each week!

Good for you, buddy!

DANCE- PARENT PEEK NIGHT!

This week was parent peek week at E-dance, so we were able to stay through their classes and watch what they are learning. Let's just say we do NOT need to encourage Ayden to be more of ANYTHING in hip-hop class. He is quite the ham-bone!! The above picture is of him doing his MJ moves as his peers and teacher egg him on!

Ayden is very into having "his style" when at hip-hop (or anywhere else for that matter).

Claire was originally in hip-hop because she wanted to be in the same class as Ayden and thought it would be fun to try something new. In her words..."It's just not my thing!" Jason and I are SO happy she chose ballet...there is just something so adorable about watching her petite little figure practice her ballet poses. What a beauty:)

Needless to say, she is LOVING the time she has in Miss Ali's class. Many of her little girl friends are in the class...and it was pretty difficult to take pictures of her because they all "hang" on each other the ENTIRE time. It is super-cute and they are having LOTS of fun.

As you can see I am learning as I go...as far as taking pics goes. Hopefully you will begin to see my progress as I post more and more of them. I'll keep you posted:)

CHRISTMAS IS COMING...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! It isn't hard to see why by the looks of my table, the floor, the counters, and the big smiles on the kids' faces:) This is our friend/neighbor who helped us with our masterful creation! It was really fun, and obviously very successful!

It almost looks good enough to eat....

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

OBVIOUSLY we have been quite busy....and I have been trying to watch my "computer time". It can be too time consuming, don't you think?

Anyway, I thought I would post some pics of our activities of late and some of my most recent project. Keep in mind I am asking Santa for a camera this year, so I can have some quality images to share with you, rather than these cloudy out of focus ones!
This picture (and the one above) were taken at the Amish Farm and House in Lancaster in early November. We thought it would be fun to take the kids for an outing...they really liked it. The corn maze was the best part for them, but they also learned a few things while we were there, so all in all it was really fun!























This is my darling little "Native American" at Thanksgiving. I also wore a feathered hat, as did her cousin Eli:) Claire also persuaded her Aunt Torrie to wear a bonnet so there was a pilgrim present as well! I didn't feel so silly in a feathered headband when I saw her in her bonnet! hee-hee
















We JUST had our first snow on Saturday! The kids were SOOOOO excited and spent most of the day outside with their friends! They tried building a snowman, displayed the "biggest snowballs ever", and went sledding Sunday morning! I am so happy they had a chance to play in snow already this year:)


And now for "the project"...
I have been co-chairing the Staff Appreciation Committee at the elementary school this year. Typically we provide the occasional specialty lunch or snacks, goody bags, etc. for the teachers. This holiday season we thought....WOW, how about an Extreme Faculty Room Make-over!! We had a little bit of money in the budget, and worked with it to improve the faculty room as much as possible! We were not allowed to paint:( BUT we were able to make a BIG difference with lots of small features within the room! Take a peak!








Windows Before,

and after














Couch corner Before...



After














Bulletin Board Before....



and After













Fridge placement before....



and after.
We had a lot of fun finding creative "pick-me-ups" for the room and I think the teachers really appreciate it making it very worthwhile!

OOOOOOOO! SPOOKY HALLOWEEN!

Today was one of our favorite days ever:) TRICK OR TREAT! At school, the tradition is to have 'Crazy Hair Day', bringing the challenge of having bigger and better hair every year!!




This is Ayden in his classroom and yes this is the pose he chose to make when I said "smile". Obviously he is very much 'himself' when he is at school!














One of the best parts of being a mom is that you still get to be a kid whenever you feel like it! I mean, anyone who knows me knows that I cannot overlook an opportunity to dress up!

TRICK OR TREAT

Ayden chose to be a zombie from Thriller, and Claire wanted us to be a mother-daughter team of witches.....with style! It was SOOOOO fun to do their make-up and find great costumes! Claire has had this witch dress in her dress-up bin since she was 3!! That's the kind of costume I'm ALL about!! Ayden's speaks for itself, don't you think?

Hear are my dear children all hopped up on sugar and fresh air, trying to look their very scariest. As you can see, Ayden is pretty frightening. Claire, however is the type of child that can wear "ugly" and still look so darn pretty!!! What a fabulous Halloween! Loved it!!

FALL FUN

The kids carved their pumpkins Tuesday night....I think this is the first year they have done everything on their own. They made the lid, they "gutted" it and they designed/carved their jack-o-lanterns ALL BY THEMSELVES! It was really fun. You'll have to wait to see their designs on Trick-or-Treat. I will post many pictures of my costumed family!



A TEA PARTY!!

On another note....Claire and I went to a mother/daughter tea party last weekend and had a very nice time! She chose our outfits for the special occasion. The tea included a professional photo, yummy sandwiches and scones, a magic show, an open candy bar AND quality time with my Baby-girl!! It doesn't get much better than that!

Claire volunteered to help the magician and was able to pull scarves out of his magic sack....when she uttered the magic words the scarves would change colors!! ooooh-ahhhh!

We had a terrific time...the only bummer was that Benny and Lilo found her candy from the tea party and ate all of it! AHHHH! Apparently they do not like starbursts, because all the starbursts were nicely left whole among all the trash and scraps they had torn through! How weird is that? Only our "special" dogs would be finicky about candy!