What's In My Teapot?

Most children's ears will perk up at the mention of the word TRAIN ! Or at least that's the case for three out of three of my children, and by what I've observed, they're not alone! I am not sure what it is about these hulking machines and their whistles, but trains can turn grown men back into children like nothing else, while at the same time turning children into dreamers with visions of someday being the engineer behind the throttle. We recently went on a little scenic train ride in Walkersville, MD, and the idea came to me today, while I was at the library trying to decide which children's books to review, that I could tell you about that trip while at the same time reviewing some favorite children's train books. Two birds. One stone. Perfect. Our family was accompanied on our ride on the  Walkersville Southern Railroad  by Wesley's sister, Elizabeth, her husband Andre. their two children, Pierre & Helen, and Andre's sister, Heather. One...

First of all, if you wish to be sane, don't do as I did! In other words, don't get married on December 9, have baby number one on December 22 and baby number 3 on January 2!!! Those three events on a pile would be a lot without cookie bakes and gift exchanges and Christmas caroling and family gatherings and family letters (oh, wait, that didn't happen this year!) and lot's of extra food and Christmas programs and pork and sauerkraut! With them, it's exciting at best...stressful at worst!!! I don't think we're extravagant with our giving, but we have chosen to celebrate birthdays and Christmas with a few gifts. So...right about now I am trying to organize and buy birthday gifts for two and Christmas gifts for many!!! It can get a little confusing, as in " wait a minute...did I get this for Parker's Christmas or am I saving it for his birthday?"  It can also get a little expensive, although a few of the gifts this year did come from thrif...