My kids literally kept themselves occupied for a week with STRING

She taught Allan

Her teacher taught her how, then she googled more tricks.

Jacob's Laddar with her eyes closed (video):

Since Elaine probably wont stumble upon my blog....

It's probably safe to let yall know some of the presents we got for the kids. For Elaine's birthday, December 17th (9years), I ordered her an MP3 player that can pick up the local radio stations and play MP3s. She's listening to music more lately, a sign she is growing up.

For Christmas from us, Elaine's getting a 'Tangled' Barbie doll. She loved that movie, thus her costume in October. The other thing she's getting from us is the boardgame 'Operation' and a 'Toy Story' Wii game.

For Christmas from us, Allan is getting a Captain America shield, which is also a functional frisbee. He's also getting a 'Avengers' Wii game. He's very much into the 'Avengers' (who are Captain America, Thor, The Hulk, Ant Man, and Iron Man).

All of the Avengers

We didn't get them any DVDs, but I can recommend some they'd enjoy. Allan liked Thor, Captain America, and Kung Fu Panda 2 this year. He said before that he wants the Iron Man movies. He'd play with action figures from any of those movies. He's more into heroes than cars this year. He plays a lot with his Transformers and ‘Bionicle Hero Factory’ toys, and Legos. In tops and jeans he wears a size 7. Socks he's a size 2.

Elaine loved 'Tangled', but she doesn't have it. She'd like Princess Diaries, Bolt, Monsters vs Aliens, or any of the Toy Story DVDs.  Other things she'd like are beginner sheet music for her keyboard, warm snow boots (size 3 or larger), magnetic earrings (her ears closed up) and nail polish. She likes monkeys, butterflies, astronomy, and peace signs, if that gives yall any gift ideas. Her favorite colors are aqua and pink.

This shirt is a woman's size Small, taken last week.

Clothing is tricky for Elaine. We just bought her a winter coat... had to be a woman's small to fit around her tummy. She can wear a child's XL (14-16) shirt or dress, or woman's small shirts for a looser fit (but we'd have to roll up long sleeves). 
When we get her woman's small capri leggings, they are the right size and the correct length. Otherwise, I end up altering her pants to be 6 inches shorter, since they are meant for adults. Skirts are very convenient, since they can fit at the waist and not be too long on her. Everything we get that goes around her tummy is elastic, like cute gaucho pants (her fav) and leggings.

If signature will be required upon delivery

Dad had trouble mailing the kids things last Winter because (though he didn't ask for it) a signature was required to deliver his package to us. Fed Ex or UPS or whatever kept trying to deliver the package during normal business hours... when we were all away at our jobs.


The solution last year was Dad ended up re-mailing us the package to my work address, so someone would be able to sign for it. In case this is the case again; my work address is as follows:

Liss Decker-Brank

c/o Costume & Dance World

2201 S.I-35 E. Suite M-13

Denton, TX 76205

Kids teaching about Wind and Ice Erosion

The kids helped Codi with a video project for one of her classes, as you can see...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmav3d_wind-and-ice-erosion_tech

Canton First Monday Trade Days, Nov 6th 2011

Most dealers at Canton wont let you take photos of their crafts, so they aren't copied. But the Build-a-cross place lets you take pictures so you can copy their designs by buying their blank wooden crosses. These are the pictures I took of their store.

Carrollton Family Festival Nov 5th 2011

October 31st

Tangled (Rapunzel) and the Human Torch (from Fantastic 4)

Mom took us to Magic Time Machine! I had never been.

Kids in October

He was completely asleep in the car and then immediately wide awake at the bus station