First Snow

Brrrr . . . last night we got our first winter snowfall.

Why isn't she wearing her parka?

I'm ready to go outside!

Okay, let's go!!

We're really going.

This is fun but it sure is cold.

Princess Party

Our darling neighbor Ella had a princess party to celebrate her 5th birthday. All the girls got dolled up.

Princess Kate

Kate and Ella

Princes and Princesses

DIVA

All She Needs for Christmas . . .

. . .are her two front teeth.

It's hanging by a thread.

And it's out.

Okay, I'm biased. What supermom isn't?
But don't you agree she's adorable toothless.

Winter is a'coming

Yes, winter is almost here. There is a chill in the air.

Lolo needs a parka, right?

The girls fed baby deer at Kroger.

You don't see that in Arizona.

Oh yeah and since they haven't been playing outside

the basement is a MESS.

Ahhh winter . . .this is just the beginning.

C.I.T.O.

After trick or treating the girls came home and feasted on their loot. Before they ate it all, Jeff and I taught the girls to trade their candy. To our surprise, they were quite good at negotiating. Enter CITO:

C.I.T.O. = Central Illinois Treaty Organization

CITO consists of four members: Dad, Mom, Kate and Sarah. All principalities have unique assets. Dad and Mom facilitated the 2008 Candy Summit between Sarah and Kate.

Negotiations went well. These two make good trade partners as the nation of Kate requires chocolate and Sarah has much more than she will ever consume. Likewise, Kate has more sugar commodities than she requires and Sarah wants them.

After the summit they sat across the table

and shared a snack native to the land of Kate.

Then Sarah shared a caramel delicacy.

Oh dear, it's made her loose tooth worse.

Look! I can push it straight up with my tongue.

Kate rushes in with aide.

Bringing paper towels and an offer

to help free the tooth.

They will be lifelong allies.

In the end Dad liberated the tooth.

The tooth was put into

protective custody

until it could be sold
at auction.

The nation of Sarah is forever changed

by the loss of the tooth.

But she is much wealthier as she

sold the tooth to a local

fairy organization for a whopping $10.

Proud of her contribution,

Kate called a press conference.

Meanwhile, left out of the Candy Summit,

Laurel invaded the trash

stealing old pizza and salad.

CITO has issued a strong warning.

Dad has deployed troops.