You've Inspired Me, Stacy

I'm resuming the blog. I find myself very reluctant to put much on Facebook. Just a little too public for my taste. That doesn't mean I'm going to put anything important or interesting on the blog, but at least you know what you are getting into when you visit. I promise not to put my grocery list on here or check in at the gas station unless I'm really desperate for material whcih is always a possibility.

Anyway I was part of a peer pressure group to get our friend, Stacy, to start a blog since she is moving off to London for 3 years. sniff sniff. But I feel I should at least put some effort into mine since I'm asking her to. So, you can address all thanks and complaints to her at poolsacrossthepond.blogspot.com.

December 23, A Davis "Hollyday"

When December 23rd rolls around, and there is no missing it since the countdown on the wipeboard starts right after Thanksgiving, we set aside the Christmas revelry and celebrate Holland's birthday. We wouldn't dare not. This year, Holly Bear turned 9. Our 3rd grader is full of song and dance! We often hear her upstairs belting our made-up tunes during her bathtime. She loves to write stories, read, and has such an imagination. She had her first short solo during her Christmas play at school. Normally, a little shy, the girl loves a stage and a microphone. She is truly a joy to us. (We reserve the right to revisit the word "joy" when she hits the teenage years.)

We woke her up with a pink- lit birthday sign.

Then we put the sign in the yard and kept it on with all the Christmas lights.

The ceremonial opening of the birthday loot first thing in the morning.

Her big gift from us was the Ipod Touch complete with an expert to give her hands-on training on how to operate it, what apps to get, etc. (thank goodness for Grey)

In keeping with the spirit of "Predator on a Shelf".

(Predator fom the 80's movie "Predator" that I got as a white elephant gift.)

(Instead of elf on a shelf, we had Predator on a shelf. "Predator" ate our elf and shows up in different places each morning in the elf's place.)

He wrapped himself as one of Holland's birthday gifts complete with Barbie head and birthday card.

The ballon does not indicate any affiliation with the Herman Cain campaign.

She had Gigi's cupcakes for her birthday instead of a cake. Her personal favorites in the right hand corner, the Grasshoppers.

For her birthday, she picked three friends from school and went to the Kemah Boardwalk.

(even number of girls = fun times, odd number = trouble when somebody is left out)

That kind of wisdom comes from experience.

Caroline, Holland, Madison, Tiffany

We had one non-rider, one "Grey has met his match" rider, and 2 nervous, but warmed up to the rides quickly, riders.

There's always a comedian in the group.

The shark is their school mascot.

Last ride of the day.

We were able to make bail.

We also went to the little aquarium and got to feed the stingrays. There were a few sharks in

there,too.

One of the great things about having your birthday 2 days before Christmas, there was hardly anybody was at Kemah. They didn't have to wait on any rides or even to feed and pet the stingrays. Holla.

Then we returned home and 2 of the 3 were able to spend the night, playing games and watching a movie. There were battlecries of "We're staying up til midnight!!!" They were all out by 10:30.

It was a great way to spend her birthday and we all had a blast!!

Until next year.....