Get some popcorn

It is about to be movie hour!

I thought I would share some of our latest happenings with videos. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show(s).


Brady was choosen to preform in the school pep rally for standardized testing. She is the one in the lime green. She had to memorize this song in three days, but you know my girl, she had it down pat in one.

Reese demonstrating the skill of "skin the cat" awful name, I know, but cool that Reese got this. Her coach said only a handful of her preschoolers can do it!

Speaking of gymnastics, Elli has shown SO MUCH growth in her little class. I love seeing her getting stronger and leaving her diagnosis in the dust!

Now, can't leave the puppies out of this line up. I think this video needs no introduction. Simple happiness.

This one may be worth watching a few times. Pay attention to what the animals are wearing. Though it is hard to tell, Elli is identifying the color and clothing for a lot of them.

Another one that is simple happiness. 

Don't want to leave out yet another production!

Cousins playing together, I can't wait to see what they get into once they really can play games together.

I guess I must say 'awe man' alot!

Season Tickets

Karl and I are lucky enough to have lifetime rights to front row seats of the Orthner Family Theater. We make sure to renew our season tickets yearly.

This is a compilation of our show we went to see this morning.

Here are blurbs of some of the MANY wonderful shows we have been privileged to attend in the past years. They are posted roughly in descending order of time. 

Never a dull moment!

2013 Bucket List COMPLETED

This post is a few months behind, but I can proudly say we kicked the bucket...list in the behind! We had it completed in late October.

I orginially made this list right after our move to get us excited about the new possibilities in this new town. Remember this list was created over a year ago.

Here it is:

-go on a rocketship (Reese)

We visited the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton, VA in September. We explored all sorts of air vehicles including rocketship. We also got to see a rocket take off from our front porch one night! We kept the girls up so they could witness this extraodrinary event.

-go swimming (Reese)

-Perform an Ariel show with my doll (Reese)

This is not the Ariel show pictured... but we get 'shows' on a daily basis. No really, EVERY day. Sound of Music is the most recent theme of most shows.

-go for a hike (Brady)

No hills in our hikes, but we do enjoy the mile walk through our neighborhood (base). 

-go to the zoo (Brady)

-go to where Felicity lived (Brady)

The older two girls were treated to a couple trips to Colonial Williamsburg last year. They enjoyed learning about the differences in life and culture, including tea and curtsy lessons.

-go to the Botanical Gardens (Christy)

Among our multiple trips to the Botanical Gardens to play in the World of Wonder kids' garden. We also explored the Christmas light display during the Polar Express event. The girls also got their first taste of hot cocoa.

-go to the Great Wolf Lodge (Christy)

-go to DC and watch the Giants play (Karl)....

This one wasn't completed in its original form...instead Karl go to see the Giants play in San Diego, even better right!?!?!

-go see Kaddie's (now better known as Pop Pop) fish (Christy)

-go to the Children's musuem (Reese)

-go to the Aquarium (Brady)

-eat Cheesecake Factory cheesecake (Karl)

You know he ate this too fast for me to grab a picture of it!

We did so much last year, much of which is not even listed on here. Glad that we were able to kick the bucket...list!

Stay tuned for the post previewing this year's to do list.

I got a promotion!

Well today has been an overwhelming (in a good way) day of new beginnings! 

Elli has started to figure out her thumb. She has had a HUGE desire to sooth by sucking, but wouldn't take a paci. She had been trying to suck her thumb/hand but it would only frustrate her more. I would try many things, but usually resort to nursing (even if she wasn't hungry). No wonder she is 90th %ile right? Well a couple times yesterday and today I have found her actually sucking her thumb, no pro yet, but we are on the right path, which allows me to breath a sigh of relief.

Reese had her first voice lesson today! She asked to learn how to sing so that she could be on American Idol when she is a teenager. I have asked her several times if she wants to do gymnastics or soccer or dance, etc etc etc. But she insists that singing it is. Not too many voice teachers want to teach a 3 year old, but when I tell them I have no expectations (aka I am NOT a stage mom) they let their guard down. I told them as long as she comes out smiling I am happy. She LOVED it today. However, she would not share any details with me. Here is a glimpse of her mid session.

Now for my Brady girl. Yesterday, she came up to me and said, pointing in her mouth, "Is that a new tooth?" Looking in her mouth I think she is crazy...sure enough there was a point of a molar poking through. I get onto google, and reminded that there are 6 year molars, and these are adult teeth. My baby girl has a tooth in her mouth that she will be chomping on when she is 98....CRAZY! Well ironically today was their dentist appointment...she also has two loose teeth! WHAT! I think I am more excited then her. I wonder how much money the tooth fairy will bring her in a couple months ;) Get a good look at this toothful 'smile' because that is about to change!

And to top off all this excitement going on here, I went 9 weeks without losing an ounce, but in the past week I have lost 7 pounds! 

So, about that title I choose for the post. I may not have a job that measures success in quantity, money earned, figures and goals reached. But I have a job that has milestones reached and smiles achieved. Well I have had a burst of milestones thrown at me at once and to me I feel like I took a step up in pay! 

Our Little Stars

The girls were giving us performances in dress up clothes (a daily occurrence) today when my wheels started spinning. Today's matinee was held in the tiled foyer with the playroom in the background. I started mentally measuring the opening to the playroom...and I just had to ask for an intermission. My mental measuring was spot on and I proudly found the supplies around our house to create a backdrop for their performances. I was quite proud of myself (if you couldn't tell since I am blogging about it!) for my creativity. However, I did have to laugh when Brady excitedly proclaimed, "Now we have a dressing room!!!"

Here is a couple acts from today's matinee in the new outfitted auditorium...

A couple sidebar lessons:
-I have obviously moved a lot since I had a shower curtain, rod and hangars all at my disposable (without dismantling one of our three full baths).
-Raising kids in awesome (for many reasons) when you get to see how they see the world (even if it is way different then you) I see a backdrop, Brady sees a dressing room.
-My girls are way better at wearing high heels then I have EVER been.
-I think I will be attending many of performances in real auditoriums, whether for drama, dancing, or choir...these girls LOVE to perform.

Orthnerisms: Figuring out how the world turns

Conversation about difference between public and private schools spurred from the sight of a school bus and Brady's question of why she doesn't ride one. Enter the middle of the conversation...

Brady: "Oh, so we go to a private school."

Yes

Reese: "We go to POTTY school!!!"

Huh?

Reese: "yeah, private school means potty school"

Then the conversation continues to describe the MULTIPLE meanings of private(s). Oh the English language...

Remember when Brady thought a 'rescue' dog is a superhero dog?

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Brady affectionately rubbing my belly..."Is Elli going to have dark skin or light skin?"

Karl (kidding) says "Yes, mommy, what color skin will Elli Dew have?"

I explain a (biological) baby has a mixture of their mommy and daddy's skin color.

Brady: "So can it be dark like your friend's baby in college?" Again, I get the eye from Karl ;)

Yes, Kathy, your sweet girl is still a topic of conversation in our family, Brady loved playing with her SO much...10 months ago! But this honest innocent inquiry allowed me to explain the beauty of adoption once again!

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Watching American Idol with Reese, she asks me...

"Do they have CDs in their mouths?"

I love this...which came first, the voice or the CD ;)

"Just means we live"

Today in the car I was listening to Scotty McCreery's CD when the words to this song jumped out at me. I highlighted my favorite lines. It reminds to appreciate what I have and that some of the 'annoyances' in life are a product of the things we love so much and wouldn't trade the world for. My husband has a secure job, that I am very thankful for. The result of this secure job is his deploying for months at a time, but I love that I never stress about an impending layoff or downsizing. And boy do I have dirty dishes lots lately, but I love now that I can think of this as a reminder that 'we have enough food to eat'!!!!

Dirty Dishes by Scotty McCreery

Mama hollers, "Supper time and don't make me tell you twice
Wash your hands and wipe your face
The table's no place for your toys and try to use your inside voice
Don't dig in 'til we say grace"

So we put down our forks and bowed our heads
And then she prayed the strangest prayer ever said
"I wanna thank You, Lord, for noisy children and slammin' doors

And clothes scattered all over the floor
My husband workin' all the time, draggin' in dead tired at night
My never endin' messy kitchen and dirty dishes"

We all got real still and quiet and daddy asked, "Honey, you alright?"
She said, "Dear, ain't nothing wrong"
Noisy kids are happy kids and slammin' doors just means we live
In a warm and lovin' home

Your long hours and those dishes in the sink
Means a job and enough to eat

So I'm gonna thank You, Lord For noisy children and slammin' doors
And clothes scattered all over the floor
My husband workin' all the time Draggin' in dead tired at night
My never endin' messy kitchen

For my little busy bees beggin', mama, mama can you please?
Always wantin' me to call their name
Loads of laundry pilin' up, crayons crushed into the rug
And those little sticky kisses and dirty dishes, and dirty dishes

What hassle do you have in your life that really is a reminder of how great you have it?

Dinner Time Chatter

Apparently when my kids are on their way to turning three, it makes them get into their own world at the dinner table. Brady used to have full conversations with herself about her baby doll. Now Reese ( 32 months old) sings the same three songs over and over again....Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep, and you guessed it ABC song.

Usually while she is singing the other three of us continue our conversation, but choose to keep it quiet for the video.

So I can't figure out any other way to let you see this video of Brady at 35 months but to give you the link.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1T03bs9zQUMr4kG-lFnfyw?feat=directlink

Do any of your kids do/did  this at the dinner table?

Wordless Wednesday: Venturing past Taylor Swift but staying Country

All Girl!

I know that I have posted about this before, but my girls are all girl. I am not sure how we got to this point, but I thought I would share these examples with you.

Reese has been having separation anxiety lately every time I go to Zumba. This past Saturday Reese came running out from the shoe closet like this and told me she was coming with me to Zumba. Then she proceeded to start trying to do the ’moves’.  Yes, she was going to do Zumba without pants and in ‘jewel’ shoes…

The girls like to paint their own toes. Now, I looked at Reese and I felt like I was looking at a 5 year old!

 

Now a girly girl post wouldn’t be complete without a video or two of them singing their made up songs…

Future Singer/Songwriter?

Brady has really gotten into singing anything and everything. She loves making up her own song. After dinner one night, she asks if we would like to hear the song she made up. So I grabbed the video camera and here are the results.

I love the inflection in her voice and also that she changes genres throughout the song. Also, my favorite part is that she goes out into the ‘audience’ while singing to hug her family. Yep, I’m guilty I let her watch the last few weeks of american idol.

 

Well, Reese still likes to mimic Brady so we got a second performance. I like the Ace bandage in her hand which makes her look like a little rhythmic gymnast.

 

 

Okay, so maybe they are future singers, but I definitely could see the songwriting!

Who is your favorite?

I just wanted to know from all the American Idol viewers, who are you picking to go all the way this year?

 

I have always preferred male singers, so know when I tell you my choice, I am not even considering the girls. So my pick to win it all is Paul McDonald. I really think he is unique or should I say quirky but not over the top.

 

I want to hear what you think!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas…

Yep, that’s right! Come to the Orthner house and you will be wished a Merry Christmas in song every night! This apparently has become part of our night time routine. It is a child’s version that has motions with it. My girls love it and sing it every night after their bath. Some nights, like tonight, they like to sing in the buff!

 

The lyrics:

 

“We wish you are merry Christmas (three times) and a happy new year”

“Let’s all do a little marching (insert any action) sing three times, and bring Christmas cheer.”

 

Every night we do this song over and over inserting actions like jumping, twirling, running, jumping, bouncing, stomping, clapping, and patting.

 

 

Five Little Monkeys

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed

 

One fell off and bumped her head

 

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said…

 

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,

 

One fell off and bumped her head…

 

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,

 

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed

  

One fell off and bumped her head

 

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”

  

One little monkey jumping on the bed, she fell off and bumped her head

  

Mama called the doctor and the doctor said, NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED

 

Oh there is that mischievous monkey!