an evening in Africa

Jan 29, 2012 | It's all relative, Uncategorized | 3 comments

Grandma has always wanted to go to Africa, so for her birthday we gave her a special Evening in Africa. 
I decorated the table with little safari animals we played with when we were young.
This is the only safari where the rabbits are the same size as the elephants and lions.

Our friend Gladman was born and raised in Zimbabwe. He went to the same school as Daniel and we all became friends. When he graduated, his parents flew to the United States for the big occasion and we had them over for supper. His mother sent us this beautiful tablecloth and napkins as a thank you gift. Our Africa night was the perfect opportunity to use them.

On the menu we had South African green bean salad, chicken and peanut butter gravy, South African sweet potato fritters, and spicy nutty bananas for dessert.   
Tony the giraffe made a celebrity appearance. He’s a little flat and deflated, but a giraffe nonetheless.
Gladman’s mother also gave us three genuine African shirts so we ladies wore them. Here’s the birthday girl and her daughter.
We didn’t have any African shirts for the men, so they just wore black shirts. (Aaron probably preferred that anyway!)
We ended our evening in African by watching The African Queen. Grandma had so much fun in Africa and I’m so glad we could be the ones to bring her! 😉

Monday musings

Jan 16, 2012 | It's all relative, Life, Uncategorized | 2 comments

* After two weeks of stalking Facebook everyday patiently waiting, this picture taken by one of Christopher’s classmates at the branching ceremony has finally made an appearance. 
I am a fan.
* I got to talk to Christopher for a whole hour over the weekend! 
* I like this little design. Maybe I’ll make it into a shirt. I’m ALL ABOUT rhinestones.

* Grandma’s 84th birthday party yesterday was highly successful. 
* The TIRE PRESSURE LOW came on in the car again today. A funky new light called the electro-mechanical power steering assist failure light came on too. I won’t even pretend I know what exactly that means. I foresee another trip to the mechanic in our future
* Today I’m calling realtors about apartments for us to live in after Christopher graduates. When did I gain such responsibilities? It seems like just last month I was starting second grade. How time does fly.
* I’m challenging Aaron to a game of Burnout tonight. Two things are almost certain:
1) I will crash
2) I will lose

At least I won’t be responsible for getting the car fixed after I crash it. 

Should it be said twenty-twelve or two thousand and twelve?

Jan 3, 2012 | Holidays, It's all relative | 2 comments

New Year’s Eve found us hanging out with these cute people,their parents and Oma. 
                 
Stephanie moved their clock so that seven o’clock miraculously became twelve o’clock. Logan was so excited to stay up to ring in the New Year! After supper we played charades. I’m highly creative so I was a cactus. Basically I just stood there with my arms in the air.
Stephanie and Christopher did more active things like parachuting and ski jumping. They did much more than just stand there with their arms in the air.

After all the festivities (including more games and throwing poppers) were over, Christopher and I went to the movies to see New Year’s Eve. We were nothing if not completely appropriate in our movie choices. Did you know Christopher had no idea who Zac Efron was? I had to remind myself that he has not spent the same number of hours watching High School Musical and the Disney channel as I have. Working in Babysitterville can be quite educational at times.

In keeping with the spirit of what I do all year long, I was eating crackers and pepperoni at 11:56 pm. Why stop doing something that has worked so well all year? Eating is a tradition I intend of continuing into this new year.

The new year started off beautifully with a few (very small) fireworks courtesy of some neighbors. The best part was that Christopher and I were able to begin the new year together.

You all have a lovely year. (May you have many happy eating opportunities.) 
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Little Women

Dec 13, 2011 | It's all relative, Uncategorized | 0 comments

Last week Grandma brought Mom and I to see a play of Little Women!
The last show the three us of attended together was a ballet of Sleeping Beauty when I was around the tender age of 8. 
I loved the ballet but the intermission was slightly uncomfortable. I was wearing a dress Mom made for me and the little girl in front of us REFUSED to believe it wasn’t bought. She wouldn’t leave me in peace until I showed her that there was no tag in the back.
I’m happy to say no one questioned my clothing at Little Women. =)