Virginia's Trumpeting Speed Bumps

So, we've hit the stage in every big family where we're able to have our kids draw names. (Technically we hit that stage with Hannah, but it makes even more sense now with Grace.) In the first week of December we had Sarah Kate and Ben help us draw names. Ben went first choosing his own name, as soon as it was read Sarah Kate snatched it out of his hand because she really wanted his name. The next name drawn, by Ben, was Sarah Kate. Because Sarah and Ben are the only two who really understand the whole drawing names for gift exchange thing, we decided we'd just let them keep the names they really wanted. So Ben got Sarah, and Sarah got Ben, Hannah got Gracie, and Gracie got Hannah. It's so fun having a big family.

Sarah Kate really enjoyed wrapping Ben's present.

We've been looking around in stores for about a week and finally last Thursday we let the kids buy gifts for each other. Ben got Sarah Kate the Island Princess Barbie and Sarah got Ben an Imaginex Elephant. If you don't know anything about Imaginex toys, the most important thing is that they all make noise. This toy, being an elephant, makes a very loud trumpeting noise. Being the lazy and over worked Mom that I am, I didn't take the toys out of the back of the van on Thursday night so they were still there the next day when we ran to the grocery store.

Hannah helping wrap presents! She didn't understand why she couldn't open them and play with them.

The parking lot of the particular grocery store we went to has 3 speed bumps. The first one was smooth sailing, but when we went over the second, we heard a nice trumpeting sound from the back of the car. Ben was first to talk, “Mom, was that an elephant?” Sarah Kate of course panicked and almost gave away the surprise, but managed to stop herself. The next speed bump had the same effect on the toy and I was asked the same question. Luckily Gracie was crying so I could pretend I hadn't heard anything, as did Sarah. We quickly (well as quickly as you can shop with four kids 5 and under) did our shopping and got back in the car. With all three speed bumps the elephant spoke again each one getting longer and slower, I think it’s running out of batteries. When we hit the last speed bump I knew I couldn't ignore it any longer. To my surprise Ben had come up with his own conclusion. He said, “Mom, did you hear that speed bump. It sounded just like an elephant. I bet there are lots of little elephants living in that speed bump and they don’t like it when you drive over them.” Thank goodness for 3 year old imaginations. He’s now convinced all speed bumps are made out of elephants. To top it off, Kenny took him to get his hair cut yesterday and the same thing happened over the speed bump in that shopping center. (I know, we should really take the toy out of the car. Don’t worry we did last night and it’s safely wrapped.) When he heard the elephant he had to explain to Daddy about the elephants living in the speed bumps. I hope he’s not disappointed when they stop making noise.

When Ben concentrates he sticks out his tongue. How cute!

I also discovered I don't have any recent pictures of Gracie so I thought I'd take a few to share. She didn't get to help wrap presents, but she looked cute anyway.

2 Months old. Where has the time gone?