Family Mellmann

It seems that all it took to get Patrick to look happy for the camera was a Whoopee Cushion!  Now Katherine thinks that Patrick has lost his marbles, but that matters little to Patrick.  He loves that Whoopee Cushion.  Imagine my surprise (NOT) when I had to remind him that he couldn't take it to school.  :)

Now that's better.  I think they're starting to think about the coming Christmas break...me too.

December 14th.  As you can see, the kids still haven't figured out that Advent is a season of fun and excitement.  All they notice is that I got them up for school.

Monday morning.  Advent Day 3.  Welcome to Grumpy Central. This day started like most; complaints about being tired, complaints about how dark it is (it's still dark here when we get up, especially on overcast and rainy days), and complaints about having to go to school.  Once we finally make it downstairs they complain about breakfast (Katherine would prefer pancakes, but isn't willing to speed up her morning routine...which would be required).  When we moved to the Advent Calendar I was already fed up with their complaining so, in the midst of my clowning around trying to get them to lighten up, I asked for "pleasant faces".  Katherine threw on a sort-of smile, but this is what I got from Patrick. I told them that if this is the way they show gratitude (such as gratitude for the time it takes to buy and wrap all those gifts and treats), thankfulness (for even having received such toys and treats), and joy (as we count down the days of Advent to Christmas) ...

It has been an overcast day with mostly rain.  In the last couple of hours the wind has stirred up and it is now rainy and windy.  It's the perfect weather for website updates, movies, and a fire in the fireplace.  Enjoy the pictures of our latest activities on the Mellmann website ...or else! (picture taken by cheeky little six year old girl named Katherine)

We had a slow start this morning.  A slow start led to a generally slow day such that it was lunch time by the time we did the Advent Calendar.  It's been a mostly relaxing day with website updates, helping Patrick set up his "critter cam" and recapturing the airplane that got stuck up in a tree a few days ago.  It is rainy and a bit on the warm side, but the kids did get outside and built a small snowman.  Sadly, he won't last long in this rain.

Saturday. Advent Day 11 and the day that Patrick gets to celebrate his tenth birthday with buddies and friends from school and church.

The most anticipated day of each week...Friday. The kids aren't really interested in discussing the upcoming Christmas holiday, but they do look forward to a break from school. Hmmm. Is that all that Christmas is?

You know what they say about the nut and the tree...well, it seems that Patrick and Katherine are also creatures of routine and habit; they stand in the same places at the counter and make the same comments. "What's yours, Patrick?" "The same as yours, Katherine...DUH." Maybe I should mix it up a little next time.