Extraordinary Measures

To break the terrible flu tradition we have kept the last 3 Christmas seasons, we had a doctor come to visit for a few days before Christmas. It worked! I recommend it. This one didn't even charge us a dime! I think it was all the alligator games she played with Anya and Austria--they really boost your immune system. (The alligator game involves a lot of running/chasing and time for me cook dinner, we all loved it!) She also helped us eat lots of treats, see a few sights and get proper rest as you can see in the pictures below.

We were so busy with the doctor, that unfortunately we didn't take as many pictures as I'd like. Especially of the mermaids. Yes, we cashed in on a live mermaid show at the Georgia Aquarium! If you know Anya and her mermaid obsession, you know this was BIG. It's worth a look: mermaids at aquarium. We're not sure if this was a wise move (mermaids are supposed to be PRETEND). We are hoping that Anya will not aspire to be a mermaid, and maybe want to be a doctor instead (though she thinks Dr. Joanne lives at the hospital and that doesn't sound too appealing to her . . . ).

Merry Christmas (from Walmart too!)

So, a lot of roads lead to Walmart around Christmas time and I know they make a ton of money this time of year but the following chicanery is just plain exploitation of the stressed out holiday shoppers...

Merry Christmas!

Dear Santa

I can't decide if Anya's letter to Santa is a result of the 16+ (I lost track . . . ) flights she's been on in her 4 years of life, or the fact that her father is an Aerospace Engineer.

True Southern Fare?

On our way back from Disney World, we stopped for gas. We first passed a restaurant advertising Pig Feet, Pork Chops and Fried Chicken. Little did I know there was some serious competition down the road at the Lil' Pantry.

In case you can't see it or enlarge it, it reads:

Hot Food

Livers Gizzards

Fries Hot Wings

Chick Nuggets

Fortunately it was Sunday so we didn't have to decide where to catch a bite . . . it would have been a serious toss up.

An International Thanksgiving

This year we hosted Thanksgiving dinner and had several Americans, Canadians and one Brit in attendance. At least there was no translators necessary. (Well, for most of the vocabulary used anyway . . . )

We played some rousing international games:

I put the two engineers in charge of napkin folding. Each napkin was unique of course.

What better activity than visiting Centennial Olympic Park?

(I think he is saying something in American English that the Canadians don't understand . . . or maybe just something to Anya :)

We also tried some international fare (nutella):

Had tea:
And read some books by some American authors:

Some were even brave enough to participate in the all night shopping event of the year! Others of us (me) dogged out after the first store and were home by 11pm.