The Nutcracker

Last year we saw an interesting Nutcracker at CLC.  Gretchen knew the story but I think the ballet is kind of long for her.  This year the family and the girl scout troop saw a production done by the lovely Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre for Kids.  It has the ballet highlights in there since it was only an hour.  I think we all enjoyed that.... 

Butterflies

Steve and I have butterflies today and that sick feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you think something awful may be coming.  We made the decision to have Gretchen tested for dyslexia and ADD. She has a learning disability that she gets services for but we still feel like something is missing.  She's failing math right now even though we sit with her and go over homework and concepts.  Reading is better but still below. You think when your child goes through the IEP and the whole services thing that they are going to improve however slowly.  While we are afraid of the results, we think it's time to see if there is a medical issue.  At least we'll know what we need to do for her.......

Santa's Minion

G: Why won't Santa bring me an elf on the shelf? 
Me: You buy them at the store. Santa doesn't bring them. 
G: Why don't you believe it them? They're real you know. 
Me: We didn't have them when I grew up. 
G: Well, that's 'cause Santa hadn't thought of it yet!

She's got an answer for EVERYTHING!

Cowgirl Gretchen

Gretchen wanted to be a cow girl this year.  We didn't have the annual "how do you keep a child warm all night?" predicament we usually have.  This year it rained all night but it didn't stop us from going.  We went for the 90 minutes - not too bad in the rain....

Gretchen and our neighbor friend