Updated Lists

The kids will always be adding things to their Christmas lists, but what they have already posted should be more than enough for anyone. However, Jim and I needed to get our lists together. Here they are:

Jim

(for Mom and Dad Rupert)

1. Dynamics of World History; Christopher Dawson; $10; Link

2. Money

Laura

New York Times Easy crosswords books (Monday ones also work)
Cooks Country Annual 2009 (or a subscription for next year)
Tales of a Scottish Grandfather (any of the 4 volumes)
Sewing Machine rolled hem foot
Mistress of the Monarchy, Alison Weir
Queen Isabella, Alison Weir

Thanks!

Reformation Day Party

Our party was small this year, but fun nonetheless. We had many swordfights, great food, and wonderful fellowship.
Find photos HERE.

Rose Hill Manor

This afternoon we took a field trip out to Frederick, Maryland to visit Rose Hill Manor. The historic house was the home of the first elected Governor of Maryland, and has been made into a nice museum. The kids enjoyed the hands-on aspects, and the carriage museum (no photos allowed, sorry!) was a nice addition to the normal historic home tour. Even though it was misty and grey, we had a nice time.
After the tour we headed over to the used bookstore Wonderbook, one reason Jim agreed to come along with us on this trip! We all found a few things to buy, but still made it out without filling more than one bag. Maybe we have learned some discretion?
For dinner we ate at a local favorite, Barbara Fritchie Fine Foods, a diner easily recognized by the giant candy cane out front. While the decor inside seemed hard pressed to make up its mind whether it was a 50's diner or and 80's restaurant, the food was good. We all came away overly-full.
The kids agreed that today was a very good day!
See photos here.

Upcoming Reformation Day

Next week we will be gathering with other families from our church to celebrate Reformation Day. Period-appropriate costumes are encouraged. Last year the kids felt left out because I did not buy them the cheap-o knight/princess costumes from the store. I promised them that I would make some for this year. Thankfully the patterns were fairly easy, or I would have never gotten them done! (Oh, and Jamie will not be wearing jeans with his tunic!)


All this, and just in time to see that the Anglicans are welcomed back into the Catholic church. It's almost like the Reformation never happened...

It's that time of year... when the kids start to beg.

Jamie's wish list
When the kids originally wrote out their lists, Jamie started his with this:
100 pizzas
(He would would be happy with any restaurant gift cards/certificates)
video games:
for the Nintendo DS
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Club Penguin
Lego Star Wars the Complete Saga
Lego Batman
Lego Battles
for the Gameboy Advance
Mater National
Lego Bionicle
Dexter's Laboratory
Lego Star Wars II
Legos (any!!)
Webkinz
Blue Google
Lil'Kinz white google
Blue whale
Domino cat
Lil'Kinz bluejay/ budgie/ cardinal/ chickadee/ hummingbird/ oriole/ robin
Anything Totoro
Any Shaun the Sheep dvd's

Dot's wish list

Laura's wish list
Masterpiece Theatre: Mansfield Park dvd
I'm sure there will be more, I just need time to think of it. Oh, wait, could you just give me more time for Christmas???

Jim's wish list
Money.
Contact him for his specific booklist

Backyard Baseball

With Jim finding a source for Ragballs online, and with me finding an aluminum tee-ball bat at the thrift store, we have been spending a few minutes outside on good nights, pitching a few balls (and hitting fewer!). The kids have enjoyed taking a turn at bat, and sometimes even made fielding fun.
If you don't mind a blurry one-minute video, take a look at how it went down the other night.

Influenza Care

We were trying to be careful this year. We got our flu shots on Friday, and planned to get the H1N1 vaccine when it became available. The kids have been listening to the public service announcements given by PBS, and have started to try to sneeze into their elbows.
Somehow we still fell prey. Jamie has tested positive for flu - most likely H1N1, since influenza A is not really showing up in our area. Jamie is getting snotty and Dot is coughing sporadically. Tamiflu has been prescribed (and now they say that H1N1 is becoming resistant, and it won't do any good!). The kids want to "protect" Jim when he comes home, so they want facemasks. Hmmm. Let's consult this chart by the CDC:

Home Caregiver to person with influenza-like illness: Avoid being caregiver. If unavoidable, use facemask or respirator Other household members in home Facemask/respirator not recommended

Read that first recommendation again, if you would:

Caregiver to person with influenza-like illness: Avoid being caregiver.

Yes, the CDC wants you to avoid caring for others within your home. Truthfully, I think that if the kids start coughing and sneezing too much, and really want to be safe, we might rig up some facemasks out of scraps of cloth. As it is, we have already been exposed to each others germs repeatedly. Jim, on the other hand, might want to get a hotel room!