Phew! Part Deux!

We survived! Christmas was a blast and we even had a little snow on Christmas Day night! Had our usual gaggle of folks over who either do not have family around or who were just spending the day alone. Good food, good friends...complete with Jason's Flaming Figgy Pudding!

Spent Boxing Day with more good food (leftovers) and more good friends...

Now awaiting the arrival of Tanta and Papa on Thursday for more fun, food, and general merriment!

Some photo memories from the past few weeks...

The first pictures were taken at Panola State Park--they were done as gifts so I've resisted posting!

Rockin' Cupcakes!

Natan's friend at Waffle House who always treats us "real good!"

Natan's Rockin' Birthday Party!

Celeste reading "The Polar Express" to the kids--they LOVED it!

Jason's Tortiere...a favorite Christmas Eve tradition

Christmas Eve means new jammies!

Jason reading my Dad's book, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before heading to bed.

Our little GA snow fall!

My favorite little munchkins...

Happy Festivus!

Since I won't get around to it tomorrow with the activities and company coming, "Happy Holidays" to everyone! We are ready.

The 2 Tortieres have been made by Jason as always for Christmas Eve dinner.

Several casseroles ready to go in the oven tomorrow.

Figgy Pudding is steaming--Jason again.

Red Velvet Brownies ready to be cut and served for Xmas Day dessert.

Wine lined up ready for consumption.

Gifts wrapped.

Kids have managed to stay sane in their anxious wait for Santa.

The big question: Will it actually snow as they are predicting?? I dare not hope for too much!

Happy Day!

Five years ago, Natan was born! Happy Birthday, Rock Star!

More craziness!

One more!

Being festive!

Click here!

Decade...

Ten years ago today Jason's parents, Bonnie and Bill, were killed in a car accident on their way through Tennessee Christmas shopping.

We were going to have my Children's Choir at the time perform "Star Journey" the next day but cancelled.

Last night, we performed it, ten years later.

Here is the talented group that I am privileged to direct:

2010

Annual Family Photo:

'Tis the season!

For activities, that is!

Piano recital today was a success--everyone played well, including our two!

Enjoying some delicious, home made goodies from Celeste--wasn't expecting carrot cupcakes, so I'm in heaven!

Christmas Program with 29 AMAZING kids this Wednesday--lots of fun!!

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Citizenship ceremony was fine--the Lee greenwood song/video at the end was a little on the cheesy side, but overall it wasn't too bad! 157 people, 63 different countries--a racist person's nightmare!!!! I enjoyed seeing and speaking with some of the other people and thought we made a pretty nice looking group!

So, no more Green Card! No more mean immigration people to deal with! Yay!

Now...bring on a referral, and Christmas will be complete!

Thank you, Celeste!

Dear Celeste,

Your bunny is a hit! When she's not holding her, Mimi is primping her and arranging her on the bed!

Thank you!!!!!!

Seriously??

My Mum just got off the phone with my Auntie Gail.

They tried to watch a movie with their granddaughter, Mishelle.

Easy, right?

Not for my Uncle Neb.

They ended up with the hockey game on the TV and the sound was the movie music.

Uncle Neb blames Benjamin--a one-and-a-half year old.

Who wasn't even in the room!

That's pretty low!

Auntie Gail "suggested" it was a senior thing.

I am inclined to agree.

They should have let Mishelle, run the DVD player.

She's all of 10 or 11--probably could take it apart and rebuild it!!!

Feliz Navidad

Kickin' off the holidays in style!

Click here!

Kid Talk

Vinny asked: "What are these?"

I answered: "Nipples."

Vinny said: "I gonna pinch my nickels!"

*****

George was practicing piano with Jason. Literally, every 30 seconds: "Can we be done?" or "Are we done?" or "Why is this taking so long" until he laid down a "You're mean, Daddy!"

*****

Two train whistles up!

The Polar Express was a HIT!!! We managed to keep it under wraps until we had them in their jammies at the Train Depot!

The look in their eyes as they waited for Santa to come was priceless...

The two waiters on our train were fabulous--they entertained us the entire time.

MERT: If you go, get first class tickets--it was awesome!! And have the kids wear their jammies! The website is: www.gsmr.com

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Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We had a lunch feast...Jason did the bulk of it with some help from yours truly! Delicious if I do say so myself!! Turkey, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, sausage and cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, and fried okra. Brownies for later when we've settled a bit! Not overly traditional, but that's how we role!!

Pool Party!

Outside Temp: 78

Pool Temp: 60

Crazy People Swimming: 3

Countdown!

One month until Natan's Birthday...

Less than a month until choir program...

Five weeks until Christmas...

Two days until we ride the Polar Express...

And a partridge in a pear tree!

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We wrapped up our unit on the Pilgrims/Indians/Pioneers with a feast of sorts last Friday with our friends, Celeste and Tom. Lots of corn, Mum's homemade bread and pumpkin pie, and chicken fingers and tater tots (just as in the Pilgrim days!). A good time was had by all!

Super Delish Pumpkin Pie!

Mimi is a workhorse!!!!!!!

Mimi and Nana making the canned pumpkin pie...very authentic!

George watching TV instead of helping...he would have made a lousy pioneer!!!!

Ready for the feast! Three pioneers and their friendly Native Canadian/Almost American!

Daisy Girl!

Last Monday Mimi became an official Daisy Girl Scout! We had a sweet ceremony and the girls did a great job! Mimi had her BFF Heidi there which made it all the more special.

*****

Saw a side of Mum today that I hadn't expected to see--in Toys R Us! Maniac!! I was actually putting things back from her cart!! Apparently there are things the kids NEED. On the count of three: "Thank you, Nana!!!!!!"

*****

Mimi and George are becoming voracious readers--reading everything they can! So much fun to watch! They are also keeping busy in Nana's room with puzzles and the newly purchased Lego. Mimi LOVES puzzles (it's genetic, so do I!). George loves Lego, so it's all good!

*****

Natan and Vinny are becoming better and better buddies every day. Natan likes to help him and be a big brother, and Vinny loves all the attention from his Ta Ta!

*****

And yes, we pulled out our Christmas stuff today. The kids are so excited we just couldn't wait! Not putting up the tree until T'Giving week, but still...Xmas is only 6 weeks away and we want to enjoy it as long as possible!

Monday, Monday!

Counted to 100...

Took a Math test...

Read two new stories...

Wrote down our 8 new spelling words for the week...

Practiced sight words...

Made handprint turkeys...

Walked outside with the dogs...

Made and at lunch...

Getting ready to make Mayflower ships while Vinny naps...

*****

The Tussahaw Young Singers are almost up and running! We are finally getting this done--will hold auditions in February and begin rehearsals the following week! been planning this for a long time and can't wait to start! This voice of mine may never get back to normal, and I'm tired of waiting for it!!

*****

Counting the days until Nana's surprise secret trip for the kids. January 17th!!!!

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George is in Nana's room "sewing" which actually means that he is "crocheting" which actually means he's just making a mess of her yarn which actually means he's probably just in there pissing her off!!!!

*****

Tonight is Mimi's Investiture Ceremony to make her an official GS Daisy! Very exciting! George will be at Basketball with Nana.

Good news!

OK, not a referral, but something great for the moment!

Natan saw his Developmental Specialist today and it went very well!

She tested his vocabulary and this time, he scored at a 5.3 year level!! Fantastic! She is very supportive of the home school aspect and thinks it is helping Natan by him being included. Score one for the Montagues!!!!

She did some other tests, and the language issue is still there, although she was impressed with how coherent he was. We'll go back in May as we try to figure out what to do next year. Thanks again, Kyron, for the wonderful recommendation for Dr. Bussey! LOVE her!

Some people still think Autism is something he will "grow out" of, but this is not the case. It just means that as other areas improve, we can focus more and more on behavior modification. Which we are doing. If we do not have a problem with Natan being Autistic, others shouldn't either.

A good day all round!

Success!

Had a GREAT time at the Heart Walk today!

15,000 walkers...over $1 million dollars raised--over $1 thousand by Team George!

Thanks to our team this year: Jennifer and Kate, Bob and Nola, Virginia, Mum, Pam, and the 6 Montagues!

Some pics:

Heart Walk here we come!

Today is the day! We're walking in our sixth Atlanta Heart Walk to raise money for the American Heart Association. You can still donate--go to the link on the right for our team page!

We have about sixteen dedicated walkers this year, and we are EXCITED!

We will walk the Survivors One Mile Walk since none of the kid will do the stroller thing anymore!

Go Team George!

Donate! And watch Fox 5 Atlanta for coverage of the walk!