Jiggling Mounds of Sticky Sugar - AKA Jell-O Jigglers

Amber: Hi, Mommy, hi! What do we have here?

Chloe: Jell-O Jigglers - Grams sent us the mold to make Santas and trees and stars and snowmen.

Amber: Intriguing. Jell-O you can hold in your hand...

***

And the verdicts:

Mommy: Too sticky, too concentrated, prefer regular Jell-O in a bowl.

Daddy: Where's my bowl of grape Jell-O you promised to make for me?

Chloe: It's good... but Jell-O in a bowl is better.

Amber (silence)

Mommy: Amber? Your thoughts?

Amber: Can't talk. Eating.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Chloe: Yay! It's Thanksgiving!!

Amber: Remind me again what this one is about?

Chloe: We go to Aunt Diane and Uncle John's house to celebrate --

Amber (interrupting): They have scary cats there.

Chloe: Well, you'll have to get over it if you want to enjoy Thanksgiving... you don't want to miss pumpkin velvet soup and turkey and stuffing and creamed corn and CRANBERRY SAUCE and pie!

Amber: THAT'S WHAT THANKSGIVING IS?!! ROCK ON.

Chloe: There's also something about pilgrims.

Daddy: Are you ready for your first Thanksgiving, Amber?

Amber: Open up that pumpkin lid, Daddy. I want what's inside. Do it. Do it now.

Chloe: Thank you for making cranberry sauce, Aunt Diane. I love you. You're the best friend ever.

Amber: Thank you for making EVERYTHING, Aunt Diane! I finally mastered the sign for "more."

Sweatsuits and Deception

Amber: So, what's going on?

Chloe: It's Cozy Sweatsuit Day at school.

Amber: That's a weird theme.

Chloe: I know. They might as just well call it "Friday," but this was at least something Mommy could use as an excuse as to why I can't wear a dress today.

Amber: True. What else is going on?

Chloe: MMmmm, well, tomorrow is Water Babies.

Amber: Hot. What else?

Chloe: Mommy said that we need to clean this weekend so we can get our Christmas decorations out next weekend and she said she wanted to go and do some Christmas shopping.

Amber: What's Christmas?

Chloe: Christmas is my favorite time of the year! We make cookies and go to parties and buy presents for each other and Santa comes and brings us toys!

Amber: That sounds great. Did you buy me a present?

Chloe: I did.

Amber: What is it?

Chloe: I can't tell you -- it's a surprise. You have to wait until Christmas morning.

Amber: Oh... well, what else is going on?

Chloe: It's Thanksgiving this week and we're going to Aunt Diane's and then Mommy and Mom-Mom will take us to see Santa and --

Amber (interrupts quickly): What'd you get me?

Chloe: I got you a-- Oooh! You almost got me.

Amber: Shucks.

Chloe: Be good, Amber. Santa is always watching -- no tricks!

Amber: Ok, I'll be good from now on.

Chloe: That's practically my mantra.

Holiday Gift Idea

Amber: These are awesome! Santa, pay attention, I want some Ollie Flaps!

Chloe: What are they?

Amber: They are so cool! They are these little flaps that you attach to your skating shoes so that when you're thrashing on your board, you tear up the concrete instead of your shoes.

Chloe: I have no idea what you just said.

Amber (petulantly): PAY ATTENTION. When you are doing skating tricks, you can totally ruin a very expensive pair of shoes by shredding them on the pavement, so you can buy these Ollie Flaps to attach to your shoes and they'll take all the abuse! I totally want some!

Chloe: You can't even walk yet.

(pause)

(pause)

Amber: Yeah, but I'm all about thrashing.

***

Mommy: My girls may not be old enough to put these to good use, but if your kids are, go and check out the Ollie Flaps site for some great stocking stuffers. My good friend, Rich, says thankya, kindly.

Chloe Post: Founders' Day

Chloe: Aunt Diane and I were so excited to celebrate Phi Sigma Sigma's Founders' Day. We were eating lunch and then I realized that she and Mommy were wearing the same pin. Mommy explained that she and Aunt Diane wear the same pin because they are sorority sisters. It made me so happy that I reached up and gave them both a big group hug!

Then, Mommy explained that she is sorority sisters with all three hundred people in the room! I find that very confusing, but I love Sigma Sigma. They sang a very pretty song and had a lot of desserts. Mommy and I each won a raffle prize and everyone complimented Teresa and I on our matching dresses.

Mommy was proud that my dress didn't stop right under my booty and said that I might be an inspiration to others! I love being an inspiration to others!

I was also so proud of Aunt Diane - she won a very special award and I was so excited that I jumped out of my seat and ran up to give her a hug! Everyone said, "Awwwwww!"

This is my friend, Miss Beth. She planned Founders' Day and is one of my BFFs. She did a fantastic job. We had such a fun day! I can't wait to attend her next event!

***

Afterthought from Mommy: I tried to explain to Chloe on the way home that so many of the people she has met are Phi Sigs and that if it weren't for Phi Sigma Sigma, she wouldn't have an Aunt Diane. I don't think she got it, but she did ask me to sing the Liebestraume (again), so maybe something sunk in.

All joking about skirt lengths aside (come ON, girls!), Founders' Day is my favorite Phi Sigma Sigma event. I am willing to give much to my sorority, but I demand much back... and we don't always see eye to eye. But, on Founders' Day I am reminded of the strength and commitment to friendship and service that ten women of differing backgrounds shared in 1913. I very much enjoy looking around the room and realizing that so many of the women who have inspired me in my life are either present or there in spirit. Diokete Hupsala, "Sigma Sigma" sisters.

Captions from the Weekend

Sassy!

Mommy and Chloe can't wait for Thanksgiving... and if Amber knew what the word "pie" meant, we're sure she'd agree!

"This seemed like a good idea five minutes ago..."*

Baby's First 'Bucks!

*Our cowgirl persevered. She made it once around the big loop, smiling, before she informed the boy that "This pony making me dizzy. I get off now."

Well, That's Why There's Chocolate and Vanilla...

Amber: This is AWESOME! What is this?

Chloe: Mommy said it's called lasagna.

Amber: Magnifique! Simply fantastic! MORE!

Chloe: I don't really like it. Can I have your corn?

Amber: Are you insane?

Amber: Lasagna rocks!