I Want My Three Hours Back

Today I decided to avoid cleaning and go see one of the Oscar nominated movies instead. I went to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This is a movie that I wasn't that interested in but thought maybe I would be pleasantly surprised. I wasn't. To me Benjamin is this years English Patient. It was so long and slow. I felt like Elaine on the English Patient episode of Seinfeld. The most interesting thing about it was noticing the subtle changes made to Brad and Cate as they aged backwards and forwards. The story itself was ridiculous. How can you suspend disbelief enough to become invested in a story about a man aging backwards? This wasn't science fiction. It just happened that this baby was born old and grew young. Ending on a positive note... the Cinematography was beautiful and Oscar worthy.

Starting To Like Her

While the Kaufmans were at our house Noah and Ian pretended to be each other. When Noah started calling Charity "Mommy," she told him that if he came to their house he would have to sit by Kailie at the table. (Noah does not like to be touched, talked to or bothered in any way by the younger kids.) He replied, " That's okay, I'm starting to like her a little." Congratulations Kailie, you've graduated from baby to real person in Noah's mind.

Time Spent at Aunt Tole's

DS time for the boys. They also played BINGO when the wrestling became too much.

Madeline thought she would swim and claimed this as hers.

Kailie started out in Aunt Tole's dress-up drawer. Beautiful.

Happy Birthday Ian

The sweet little 2 year old boy pictured here is 8 today. Happy Birthday Ian Ryan Kaufman.

And now, a proud mommy moment. Last night the boys and I started talking about Ian's birthday and what they might want to get him. Noah's first suggestion was a Nintendo DS. I told him that was a nice idea but that was more than we spend on cousin gifts. He thought for a moment and then said, "Could I give him mine?" 

Let me just pause for a moment to say that Noah loves his DS (just got it from Grandma for Christmas) and would play it ALL the time if we let him. This is also the same kid that is always asking for things, looking for ways to make money (he thinks the neighbors will buy anything) and just seems to be all about me, me, me. I keep praying that someday he will be less self-centered and this little gesture has given me hope.

Anyway, Joshua also has a DS so Noah thought they could share Joshua's and give Ian his. When he went to bed he was thinking about all the accessories he would need to gather up to go with it. I figured by morning he would have "givers remorse" and be ready to keep it. Not so. He still wants to do it and he wants to give it to him today because, "Ian would really like it." Little does he know that Ian is actually getting one from his family. I wonder if he will be disappointed or relieved when we go over for cake and Ian shows him his birthday present. 

I know that Noah's generous spirit would probably not have shown up for anyone else, but it's a start. Joshua, on the other hand, did not like the idea of sharing at all. He was definitely looking for the loophole when he said, "What if someone else gives him a DS?" Translation: Please let someone else give Ian a DS so Noah doesn't take mine and I never ever get to play on it again. Joshua can be a bit dramatic.

Jammer Time

I haven't taken many pictures lately but since I never posted any Christmas pictures I thought I'd share a few. 

The Brechbill cousins were thrilled with their new pajamas from Nana and Grandpa on Christmas Eve. They all started stripping in the living room immediately. It was the fastest switch to pajamas in history.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Snaggletooth

How did we go from this...

To this....

In just a few short months? That tooth is staying put so I can learn some self control because every time Noah opens his mouth, it's all I can do to keep from laughing. Add the toothless lisp and I seriously lose it.

Lights, Camera, Action

We used to go to movies all the time before we had kids. I loved seeing all the Oscar movies and having discussions about what should win vs. what would win. I would agonize over my Oscar ballot. Last year the only Oscar nominated movie I saw was animated (Ratatouille - a blog in itself) and I had only vaguely heard of the movies on my ballot sheet. So sad! 

The last movie Rich and I saw in the theater was Indiana Jones last summer. Everything we've rented has been pure popcorn entertainment. I thought escapism of any kind was wonderful. The less thought provoking the better.  All that changed today when Rich and I went to see Gran Torino. It is the best movie I have seen in a really, really long time. So long that I had forgotten what a good movie felt like. A movie with a real story and meaning. It was thought provoking enough to elicit conversation afterwards instead of just "it was okay" and going on to the next thing. I don't know if it is the best movie of the year but I have the Oscar itch and I'm ready to find out. I'm already plotting to see Slumdog Millionaire and watching for Revolutionary Road to arrive in Omaha. Nominations will be announced next Thursday at 7:30a.m. Have you marked your calendar? 

New Year, New Goals

It's a new year and what better time to change things up. I'm making the switch from our personal website to a blog with the hope that it will be more interactive and current. 

This brings me to my goals for 2009:

1. Blog at least 1-2 times a week.

2. Get the romance back in our marriage.

3. Read a Jane Austin novel. I've had Pride and Prejudice for years and this is the year I'm going to read it. You'll notice the Jane Austin quote of the day for added encouragement.

4. Patience, Patience, Patience - with everyone, especially my kids when getting ready in the morning!

I feel like I'm off to a good start since this blog is almost going, I'm sending Rich an e-vite for a date tomorrow and I actually have been more patient (code for no yelling) since winter break.