5 Dollars

My life as an at-home momma of 3 amazing kids...it's kind of like shoveling snow in a blizzard.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Obama's response to the State of the Union

The full text of Barack Obama's response to President Bush's State of the Union Address, copied and pasted from
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGVX8

Tonight, for the seventh long year, the American people heard a State of the Union that didn’t reflect the America we see, and didn’t address the challenges we face. But what it did do was give us an urgent reminder of why it’s so important to turn the page on the failed politics and policies of the past, and change the status quo in Washington so we can finally start making progress for ordinary Americans.

Tonight’s State of the Union was full of the same empty rhetoric the American people have come to expect from this President. We heard President Bush say he’d do something to cut down on special interest earmarks, but we know these earmarks have skyrocketed under his administration.

We heard the President say he wants to make tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans permanent, when we know that at a time of war and economic hardship, the last thing we need is a permanent tax cut for Americans who don’t need them and weren’t even asking for them. What we need is a middle class tax cut, and that’s exactly what I will provide as President.

We heard the President say he has a stimulus plan to boost our economy, but we know his plan leaves out seniors and fails to expand unemployment insurance, and we know it was George Bush’s Washington that let the banks and financial institutions run amok, and take our economy down this dangerous road. What we need to do now is put more money in the pockets of workers and seniors, and expand unemployment insurance for more people and more time. And I have a plan that to do just that.

And finally, tonight we heard President Bush say that the surge in Iraq is working, when we know that’s just not true. Yes, our valiant soldiers have helped reduce the violence. Five soldiers gave their lives today in this cause, and we mourn their loss and pray for their families.

But let there be no doubt – the Iraqi government has failed to seize the moment to reach the compromises necessary for an enduring peace. That was what we were told the surge was all about. So the only way we’re finally going to pressure the Iraqis to reconcile and take responsibility for their future is to immediately begin the responsible withdrawal of our combat brigades so that we can bring all of our combat troops home.

But another reason we need to begin this withdrawal immediately is because this war has not made us safer. I opposed this war from the start in part because I was concerned that it would take our eye off al Qaeda and distract us from finishing the job in Afghanistan. Sadly, that’s what happened. It’s time to heed our military commanders by increasing our commitment to Afghanistan, and it’s time to protect the American people by taking the fight to al Qaeda.

Tonight was President Bush’s last State of the Union, and I do not believe history will judge his administration kindly. But I also believe the failures of the last seven years stem not just from any single policy, but from a broken politics in Washington. A politics that says it’s ok to demonize your political opponents when we should be coming together to solve problems. A politics that puts Wall Street ahead of Main Street, ignoring the reality that our fates are intertwined; a politics that accepts lobbyists as part of the system in Washington, instead of recognizing how much they’re a part of the problem. And a politics of fear and ideology instead of hope and common sense.

I believe a new kind of politics is possible, and I believe it is necessary. Because the American people can’t afford another four years without health care, decent wages, or an end to this war. The woman who’s going to college and working the night shift to pay her sister’s medical bills can’t afford to wait. The Maytag workers who are now competing with their teenagers for $7 an hour jobs at Wall Mart can’t afford to wait. And the woman who told me she hasn’t been able to breathe since her nephew left for Iraq can’t afford to wait.

Each year, as we watch the State of the Union, we see half the chamber rise to applaud the President and half the chamber stay in their seats. We see half the country tune in to watch, but know that much of the country has stopped even listening. Imagine if next year was different. Imagine if next year, the entire nation had a president they could believe in. A president who rallied all Americans around a common purpose. That’s the kind of President we need in this country. And with your help in the coming days and weeks, that’s the kind of President I will be.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Photo catch up

Ruby really enjoyed the new Curious George exhibit at The Children's Museum. She also got to do a Curious George preschool class there that focused on math skills.





Her first tap class was also last week. I took her, but dropped her off there with Daddy so I could get Kaylee back to school for an event. I can't wait to get to peek through the window and watch this week!


I missed soccer this weekend because I was sick. Evidently Ruby's team suffered their third loss.....but she still had fun. Keithen's team is still undefeated!

The Manning spokes-family



Tuesday, January 22, 2008

And in other local news.....

About 25% of Indiana high-schoolers failed to earn a diploma within four years. PITIFUL! Are the kids failing or are we failing the kids?

Gift enables IMA film series

So, over 3 years later, the IMA is finally going to do something with the old Civic Theatre space?

Monday, January 21, 2008

Transformation

When Kaylee got dressed this morning, this is what her hair looked like.....



Then we went to Cookie Cutters.....



Snip snip.....


Kaylee donated about 12 inches of her hair to Locks of Love. I think her new short cut is just adorable. She looks very grown up with short hair! I'm so proud of her decision to grow it out and donate it to help make wigs for sick kids. This sweet girl really is all heart. I wonder what everyone at school will think tomorrow!

Winter soccer - game 2


Ruby's team suffered another loss this week, although they played much better. I think they lost by one point.

Keithen's team dominated the opposition once again, winning 8-1. These kids rock! They really know how to work together as a team and they are a lot of fun to watch.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Dan Dunn's Paintjam

Have you seen this guy?! I saw him on Ellen for the first time this week and he ROCKS! At first it looks as though he is just randomly throwing paint on the canvas to the beat of the music.....but watch until the end of each video because there is more to it than that. Ruby, Kaylee and I were all amazed. I have to share it with the boys next.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Report cards & winter soccer

Keithen and Kaylee brought home their report cards last week. They both did really well.

Keithen got all "M's" except for the part about turning work in on time. (Go figure!) He will be going to the honor roll breakfast later this week.

Kaylee got all "M's" except for needing improvement with her printing. (Again, go figure!) I'm not too worried about the printing as I know Keithen's penmanship improved 100x over from the start to end of first grade.

Ruby and Keithen started indoor soccer last weekend. Ruby's team lost 7-2 (would have been 5-4 if we'd have scored in the right goal!) Keithen's team won. I think 4-0 was the final score. We were very impressed with them as they actually played like a team, working together, setting up plays, passing.....I've never seen them do that on the first game of the season before!

First tap shoes



Ruby and I had a playdate at the mall playground today with some other IndyMoms. We had a lot of fun and it was so nice to finally meet some of the faces that I "see" online every day. I even got to hold two sweet babies and I have a new 2-ish year old boyfriend!

After our playdate we went to the shoe store to buy Ruby new ballet slippers. When I helped her get ready for her December recital I didn't think I was going to be able to squeeze her foot into her shoes! We also bought her first pair of tap shoes. Next week she'll be starting a ballet/tap combo class which she is excited about. I can't wait to see how she does in the tap class!

Friday, January 11, 2008

The Prince Caspian movie trailer

Just in case you haven't seen it yet, here is the trailer to the next Narnia movie, Prince Caspian, which is due out May 16th.




It looks awesome.....like it will be just as well done as the first one. The creatures look realistic and the battle scenes look impressive. Not to mention that the actor playing Prince Caspian is pretty good looking! (I know, I know.....cradle robber!)

I loved these books as a kid and I've really enjoyed sharing the books and the movies with Keithen. Since this one comes out in May, maybe we'll get to go for Matt's birthday or save it for an end of school celebration a couple of weeks later in June.

A day late.....

.....but definately not a Dollar short!


Yesterday was annual "Delurker Day" on the web. If there are any lurkers out there, now's the time to introduce yourself!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Truth or fiction?

Before I get another copy of the forwared "Who is he?" email about Barack Obama calling him a "radical Muslim who will not recite the Pledge of Allegience and who turns his back on the flag," let me share this link with you. Do not believe everything you read.....especially in forwarded emails! And don't forward this kind of email without verifying if it's true first. Snopes.come is a great place to look if you're unsure if something you receive is legit.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Dance War

So, did anyone watch Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann last night? Ruby and I gave it a shot. I think she fell asleep before the final 14 were announced.

I wish they had pictures of the final 14 up on the website so I could put names and faces together. These audition shows always run by too fast for me to begin to get to know anyone. I got the impression that a lot of them had not prepared their songs ahead of time as there were a few too many renditions of "My Girl" last night.

Last night certainly proved how difficult it is to find a true triple threat. The truely phenomenal dancers had weak voices and the powerhouse singers looked like club dancers. (Can someone please explain why the show is called "Dance War" if the singing is going to be an important part of things?)

Buddy TV lists the final 14 - Charity, Zack, Philip, Mariel, Allysa, Maxx, Corina, Lacey, Kelsey, Tony, Marquis, Chris, Bradley and Elizabeth.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Lost tooth


However did I forget to share that Kaylee lost a tooth at Nanny & Pappy's house on New Year's Eve? The Tooth Fairy managed to find her, even though she wasn't at home in her own bed.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

New Year's weekend

On Saturday Grandpa John stopped by for a while on his way home from Texas. The kids were absolutely bouncing off the walls with excitement. I think they were very glad to see him.

Nanny and Pappy arrived on Sunday with the long awaited dollhouse that Pappy built. Kaylee has spent a ton of time playing with it ever since.




Matt had a great paying gig for New Year's Eve, so the kids and I took off for Salem on Monday and Tuesday. We spent some time with Mamaw Betty on Monday afternoon and then spent NYE with Nanny and Pappy. On Tuesday we went to Grandma Lee's class luncheon and then headed back home.

Wednesday was all about being lazy and recovering from the busy weekend. Thursday we went to see Dance Kaleidoscope's "Funny Feet" at IRT. I absoluetly loved David's world premiere Bach piece. Laura's lighting and the costumes worked so well together and the movement was very fun. DK has a very talented company right now who really draw you into the performance.

Build a Bear

My mom always wanted to take the kids to Build a Bear to make animals. She was going to take them last year at Christmas, but didn't feel up to it. Grandpa John gave them gift cards this year at Christmas. It was kind of like a last gift from Grandma. Here are the animals that they made.....


Ruby with Garbriella, a blue "Winter Bear" with a High School Musical shirt, a denimn skirt and a microphone.


Kaylee with Rose. Some of Rose's purchase price goes to buy books for disadvantaged kids. She chose a pink fuzzy jacket and skirt with a flower on it.


Keithen with Fudge, the wizard dog. He got a "magical" sound in the paw. Fudge was named because it's holiday time and Keithen likes mom's fudge, the dog is brown like chocolate and of course good old Cornelius Fudge from Harry Potter.

Thanks Grandpa (and Grandma)!

Cheaters never win?

Way to teach our kids that cheaters never win.