Oompa Loompa Sighting

Waterloo isn't usually that exciting of a place... unless it's Weiner and Kraut Day, of course. ( I know, I know, you are all wondering why I've never mentioned THAT before... another day. ) Well, this weekend there were several oompa loompa sightings reported in our thriving metropolis. Kristen and Kailyn were among them.

They participated in Waterloo's Community Theatre which produced the musical "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". I think their really is a genetic drama gene. I always loved speech and drama and now they do too. Usually it just manifests itself in rather large dramatic expressions (and outbursts) at home... this time it was channeled and people paid money to come and see it. I may just be on to something here.... hmmmm.

Like I've already hinted, they were oompa-loompas. Here are some pictures and a video of their great performance.

Kailyn singing in the children's chorus (before they became oompa-loompas). Kristen was in the back row and so there are really no performance pictures of her, unfortunately.

In the picture above... that's Kailyn in the front and center w/ the green suit and purple hair... don't you just love it!!

Here they both are post performance. They had 3 performances in total.

The video below was one of at least 6 songs (which you can still hear me humming at any given moment on any given day, by the way... *eye twitches*) that they participated in. This was the only one I could get both girls in since Kristen was in the back... you get the idea. Kristen's wearing a blue shirt (still not sure WHY when everyone else was wearing white...) and is the oompa-loompa at the end who "mistakenly" goes the wrong way.

No Wonder Parenting is so Hard...

Karissa comes to me today and says,

"Mom, I want you to tie this exactly like you did before except different"

Most of my parenting struggles would dissolve if I could just bridge the language barrier. Half the time I don't know what they are talking about!!

How was YOUR day?

I have been challenged to let you know that the adventure does sometimes leave Tina's home and visit others.... I'm still not sure if I'm happy about that or scared.

Let me break down a little of how yesterday went.

The morning and afternoon were rather uneventful... although not absent of all drama. That part I'll have to save for later. It all started to unravel around 4:00 when Kristen decided to play soccer in the living room. I think it was kick #2 that cut that game short. I'm only glad it wasn't the 4 foot picture window only inches away. Yep... right through the window. You know, the one that is 50 years old and isn't removable. We're still figuring out how to fix it.

About an hour later I went to the furnace room in the basement. It smelled funny. I called Keith and he smelled it too. A strong, kind of pungent smell. I thought it smelled like a chemical or something kind of hot. Keith thought it smelled like gas... kind of. We looked like dogs for a while as we sniffed around the basement and couldn't find the source. An hour later we checked again... still smelled. Now what do we do?

It was getting close to bedtime and I really didn't want to go to bed wondering. Then Keith said he felt a little dizzy and woozy when he went into the furnace room. Sigh... I hate these kinds of situations. So I called the fire department hoping they would give good counsel and maybe just send a guy out to test our basement air. No such luck... he told me that I would have to call 911 in order for them to come.

So, with my heart pounding, I dialed those famous numbers. The lady told us we should evacuate since we thought it could be gas. The first fire truck rounded the corner moments later and I thought, "Oh, this isn't so bad. They just sent the small truck w/ a couple of guys." Ha! Right behind him with their lights flashing and sirens blaring were. . . . .

Fire truck #2,

Fire truck #3,

Fire truck #4, Each filled with 3 to 5 firemen in each truck. (side note: This is Waterloo.... volunteer fire department. Add that up that's close to 12-15 firemen. Yeah, they were training at the station so they ALL came. The ENTIRE city's department!)

an ambulance,

and the police...

ALL with their lights and sirens.

I have at least one regret. In the evacuation I didn't grab my camera!!

So, after the ambulance hauled Keith away to the back of their truck for an evaluation and drawing of blood since he had complained to me about feeling light headed, and after 15 muddy firemen marched through my house (I am sooooo glad I had foresight to send them through the garage and not through the front door.... one small moment of sanity), they reportedly found.... nothing!

"Sorry, ma'am, but we smell nothing! We tested for three different gases... uhhh, nothing."

After apologizing profusely they assured us that we had done the right thing. Personally, I think they loved the fact that they got an actual call out on their training night. Something about men and being the fireman.... (rolling eyes). We went inside and to the room in question-- we could still smell it!!

If you read this week's paper and see the report titled "Local Pastor Wastes City's Funds"... that's us.

I talked to mom later. Being the support she always is she could only say, "I'm so glad you didn't visit me tonight!"

So, as a follow up, we all feel fine. The smell was gone this morning. No clue. Kristen slept with us just as a precaution. This will be our last effort to keep up with the Power's adventures. We're good for a loooooong time. Sorry, Tina, you are on your own!!

I've got one, too

Since Tina's been sharing the things her adorable kids have said... I thought I'd add one, too.

I overheard the girls talking today about when they were born. Kailyn mentioned she was born in 2001. Karissa piped up and said, "Kailyn, when you were born I was just twinkle, twinkle little star!"

Not sure how to interpret that... but it sure was cute!

Just for Fun 2

Here's what I came up with when I did Tina's experiment below.

Explanation: This photo was taken in November of last year... 2007 when we went to visit Keith's family in Texas for Thanksgiving. The girls are with their cousin Kayleigh in the big tub.

Nice memory. I had forgotten they had done that.

A New Doyle

It's official... we love our children. Yep, we have submitted. The Doyle's are now the proud (errr... well, I think we are) owners of....

Sparkle

(Is it obvious she lives in a house of all girls?

Would a name like that be chosen with boys around?)

Isn't she just the sweetest? (We keep saying it over an over again... we'll be completely convinced soon)

She was free... well, kind of... we did spend a few $'s at the pet store today. I can't believe how much money one can spend on an animal... those pet stores are amazing!

If anyone has any cat advice I'm listening.

By the way... Here's her brother. He doesn't have a home... yet. I hope Dad (as in Grandpa Hawk) is prepared to be a father again, because mom (as in Grandma) REALLY likes him. .... and you think I'm kidding. Maybe leaving Mom alone wasn't such a good idea after all, Dad.

He speaks for a living???

We have some fun conversations in our home about the "correct" way to speak or how to say things. Keith is convinced that since he speaks the Queen's English and they were speaking it first that the rest of us are wrong. . . yeah, well, that's his side.

Well, last night I overheard him trying to teach Karissa his way of saying the word "orange". His pronunciation is more of an "ah-rnge" (in 2 syllables). So I interjected from the other room the correct way to say it.

His retort from the other room (in an effort to show his speaking credibility) was ...

"Hey, I'm going to talk my kids to teach properly!"

(No, that's not a typo... you might have to read that sentence out loud for its full effect.)

All this from a guy who gets paid to speak to crowds of people each week. If my kids start talking funny you know what they are up against.

What the Doyle's have been up to...

We haven't posted in a while, but I thought we'd share some pictures from our summer. Enjoy. There will be more later... I think... I hope!

We eat that...sometimes

As we were eating dinner tonight Keith mentioned one of his pieces of what I call "useless information". He's got tons of little facts tucked away and usually they are very interesting... just mostly useless for everyday use.

Tonight as we were eating our corn on the cob he mentioned how most continents have or had their own staple crop which the rest of the world did not have. Pioneers and explorers were constantly introduced to new crops which are now grown all over the world. We mentioned corn, wheat, and rice.

Out of nowhere Kailyn pops up and says, "What about hot dogs, Dad?"

Now, that may be a staple in the Doyle's house, but I'm not sure it's considered a continental staple... then again...

Lesson in the Thunder...

Karissa was playing in her bedroom with her sister during one of the many thunderstorms we have had this week. Suddenly there was a huge clap of thunder that came simultaneously with the flash of lightning. The kind that makes everyone jump and you know it was really close.... yeah, one of those!

Karissa yells in surprise then says loudly, "God, Your power is scaring me!"

I love it! Somehow, I think there's a sermon illustration in there somewhere!

Look who's Seven!

Kailyn made it to seven. She has been looking forward to this as long as most 6 year olds do... since... well, last May! Here are some pictures of her day with her friends.

Presents.....

Pot painting.... well, coloring actually, but very serious business none-the-less.

Rice Crispy cake...

Friends!

Baby update

This is a baby bird update from the Doyles.... not all of the other family members who are expecting actual human children... :0)

I've posted some more pictures of our family of robins on my blog. Come and see them!

Baby, Baby, Babies!

The Doyle's are pleased to announce the arrival of some babies..... robins that is.
Two weeks ago we noticed our resident robin had built a nest on our deck and was sitting in it... so we peeked when she flew away. Sure enough ... eggs.

We have waited patiently for the 11-14 days the books told us to wait. Mommy robin has gotten quite used to us coming to the window to check on her every day. She even tolerates all the noise our little family makes through the open window. What a good mommy she'll be.

I was beginning to worry that her eggs were duds and wouldn't hatch so when she flew away this afternoon I pulled up a chair and took a peek. Here's what I found. I'm sure they hatched within the last 24 hours. If you look closely the last egg has a small hole in it.... I think he/she'll hatch soon!

We'll keep you updated as they grow. We are so excited!

Pics for you

I finally updated my blog with a few pictures of the girls! Enjoy!

Karissa's turn

The Doyle's don't have a camera right now. . . Not sure if you could tell. . . most of my posts have not had pictures with them. Don't get me started, but I can tell you what kind of camera NOT to buy!

So I'll just have to post some of the cute things my kids say for now. I recently shared some of what Kailyn has said. Now it's Karissa's turn.

Karissa is four and seems to be really intrigued with how her body works and how God made her. Her questions lately have been, "How do all the different colors get in our eyes?" or "How do we make words?" (Referring to talking in general... how do all those words get in there and how do they get out?)

Here are some more of her questions/statements: These are my favorites!

• "I think God is a really good draw-er 'cuz He made us. He must have really concentrated or something!"

• "How does God draw our backs?"

• I love this one. We were praying the other night before bed and I asked her to close her eyes. She said, in all sincerity, "What if I have to blink when my eyes are closed?"

Oh, the joy they bring! I love my kids!

Doyle Girl's Spa Night

The Doyle girls had a movie and spa night on Friday night. Click here to enjoy!

Valentine Houses

Here's what the Doyle girls did on Valentine's Day! My favorite part is the little house for the doggy.

Yum, yum!

The Things They Say...

Kailyn's had a few "good ones" lately and I just wanted to share...


The girls and I have been reading the book The Little Princess together over the last few months. The girls are REALLY enjoying it and we are very close to the end now. We were having a discussion about Miss Minchin, one of the characters in the story. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, Miss Minchin is the very unsavory, mean, cruel, and horrid headmistress at the school where Sarah Crewe (the main character) has been living. (and I'm being nice!)

I asked the girls what they thought of Miss Minchin and even asked what they thought she looked like. Kristen thought she was fat, I thought she was thin.

Then Kailyn pipes up and says, "I think she's like you, Mom."

To which I replied, "Which one-- skinny or fat?"

In all political correctness (and for the sake of her own safety) Kailyn says, "Both."

I'm still not sure which is worse, her vagueness on the looks of Miss Minchin or the fact that I was compared to her at all! Oh, dear.

~ ~ ~

Here's another one.

An ambulance came to our elderly neighbor's home this morning. The girls watched him being taken to the ambulance on the stretcher and they were quite concerned. Kailyn was most concerned at what had possibly happened so we discussed the possibilities. Then she wasn't sure how he had been able to call for help. She says, "Does he have 'Life Alert' , Mom? He must have 'Life Alert'."

I asked her how in the world she knew what "Life Alert" was. (I wasn't sure I even knew).

In unison she and Kristen replied, "From the commercial."

Hmmm, life lessons from TV.

House for sale...??

Living in a home with three girls can create some interesting "tensions". One of which is Kailyn's desire to have her own bedroom. Now when I say Kailyn REALLY wants her own room please understand that that is the understatement of the day. It is mentioned with great regularity and can find its way into the most interesting conversations.

Take today, for instance. I asked the girls to draw a picture and journal their best birthday ever. It could be one they have already had or one they would wish for in the future.

Here's what Kailyn drew...

(I hope you can see it okay. I couldn't get it to scan... so this is the best I could get.)

(it reads: "The best birthday ever would be to move.")

Is there much more to say?

Does anyone know of any 4 bedroom houses going for a good price .... before May?

Happy Birthday, Kristen!

Kristen is 9 years old today!

We love you bunches and bunches, Kristen!