Videographer

Faith got a digital camera for Christmas.  It's what she asked Santa for, and she loves it.  It's a kids camera which allows some simple editing of the pictures/video (as you'll see in the video she took of Kate below). We think she has a definite future in film. 

Dimples and water

Water:
So, Jace found a nice full glass of water on the kitchen counter. As he is often seen to do, he pushed a chair up to the counter. Then got the large glass of water.  Then walked over to Kate who was sitting at her table as she was coloring. Then he dumped the full glass of water over her head. And body. And she was wet. Suzy described it to me as if she'd stepped fully clothed into the shower.  Jace of course had no explanations for his actions, but then again, we've come to expect no explanations at times such as these.  Below is a reenactment of the scene (no actual water was used in the taking of this picture).

Dimples:
Faith was admiring her younger sister Brighton in Suzy's arms. Brighton has gotten to be fairly smiley, and she was giving Faith some of her precious smiles. At which point, Faith exclaimed, "Awwwww, she has such cute nipples!"

Spicy. And fashion shows

Jace is loving any time he can get away from those meddlesome parental eyes.  Suzy was giving him a bath this morning, went to go get a towel (took maybe 10 seconds), came back in to see him pulling a "this is gross" face saying "Spicy" as he held the girls new "Hello Kitty" shampoo.  You'd think he'd realize that all of these shenanigans end result is to his detriment, but he must find some kind of perverse joy in the act since he continues. 

Also, last night was Faith's Birthday date with her parents.  We took her to Cheesecake factory and then to Pojos (a local arcade). She had a tough decision, Red Robin or Cheesecake factory. The fact that Cheesecake factory delivers a candle on their Ice Cream Sunday decided it.  As we were driving home, she busted out with "That was Awesome! that was more fun than flies in a fashion show".  We think that's a new phrase that will catch on like wildfire and probably replace the cat's meow and the bee's knees. 

Brighton our day

Update on the newest member of the Garret family. Brighton has so far been a decent sleeper, usually 5-8hrs a night (most nights closer to 8hrs).  She has been not as fussy as we originally thought she would be (Suzy went off chocolate, which seems to have made a difference).  She's started to smile pretty regularly as well.  She still has her hair (more than can be said for her dad).  Jace is still a little sweetheart with her (sometimes too sweet as he constantly wants to hug, hold or kiss her).  Occasionally she won't cry in her car seat as well. She's gained a couple of pounds so far, and seems to be a pretty good eater.  We lover her! She was blessed today in Church as well and looked very pretty in her beautiful white dress (she borrowed Kate's).

Maternal instincts

I think this speaks for itself...

Part 2: Burping

Kate's Journal Entry

Translation:
Last Wednesday mommy had a baby. I watched mom have the baby. her name is Brighton. I love her. There was lots of blood and a lot of love. It was the best day ever.  Nothing was how I imagined it. it was cool.  She cried and cried and cried. She was very cute. Mom wears PJs all day. The PJs have holes in them *Brief Aside: They're nursing PJs*.  The baby cried a lot.

Elf on the Shelf

For those who don't know about the Elf on the Shelf, he's a little guy who watches the children during the day and at night goes back and reports on the "niceness" of the children to Santa.  The Children can't touch him or else he'll lose his magic that day.  He moves around to different places each night.

He's been a tradition in our family for 2 years (this will be the third). When Kate was 4 she named him McGiggle, and that's been his name ever since.
Elf on the Shelf Link

He just appeared this morning on a window ledge. The kids were VERY excited to see him this morning.  After breakfast I heard them talking.

Faith, "Do you think Mommy put him up there?."
Kate, "I don't think so, Mommy's always so tired, and Daddy doesn't like to get up."
Faith, "He doesn't look real, he looks like a doll."
Kate (sounding a bit exasperated at her not quite completely believing sister), "That's how he's supposed to look to children."
Faith, "I don't see him breathing. I wonder how he holds his breath that long,?"
Kate, "He probably just breathes through his nose."
Faith, "But I don't hear him?" (as she noisily breathes through her own nose to show how it sounds)
Kate, "He's probably just like the toys on Toy Story."
Faith, "Okay" (She seems pretty satisfied with that response, thank you Pixar!)
Kate (with all the sincerity and earnestness in the world in her voice) "I believe in him, I do believe. And I believe in Santa too."