Superbowl quandry

Here's a question for you: What happens to the hundreds of hats made for the losers of the superbowl? You know how they make up hats that say "XLI Superbowl Champions" for each team to wear just seconds after the game ends? I imagine there were hats made for the Bears in the unlikely event that they won; what happened to those caps? Do they get destroyed? Or sold on ebay for pennies?

I didn't think I'd find an answer to this question by mere googling, but after 3 tries, I came up with this article link (technology is astounding!). Turns out the 288 shirts and hats made up for the losing Chicago Bears were donated to World Vision, an African relief organization . Those Bears are so kind to lose so their shirts could be donated to needy souls.

Superbowl recap

This photo is of Chloe as she imitated the superbowl players when they were introduced last night. It was so cute I had to snap a photo. She thinks she's just as tough as they are! I'm sure she's at least tougher than Rex Grossman (that dig was for you, my dear friend, Tricia).

We were disappointed by the superbowl commercials this year. Most of them were serious or just dumb. Out of the poor selection our favorites were the beard comb-over (Sierra Mist) and the Robert Goulet (Emerald Nuts). We also chuckled at the "surviving the work week" commercials by careerbuilder.com. Did we miss some good ones at half-time? We turned the tv off at half-time though I did sneak a peek at the artist-formerly-known-as-prince-and-now-known-again-as-prince.

What commercials tickled your funny bone?

Chloe's jumping talent

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Excited for church tomorrow!

Since we missed church last Sunday due to illness, I find myself greatly anticipating the fellowship of believers tomorrow! Our pastor is preaching an awesome, and very practical, series working through the book of James. He just began the series so right now he's talking about how to consider our trials as valuable joys. If you're interested and have the time, I highly recommend you listen to his message from last week. (While you're there, check out the Gettys' concert at the 1-21-07 evening service! They are modern hymn-writers and have written some beautiful sound songs in the last few years. They've been at our church for the last year and I just found out they co-wrote one of my favorite new hymns, In Christ Alone.)

Enjoy your Lord's Day tomorrow!

Playing with markers

In my constant quest for fun creative activities (finger-painting, painting with water), Chloe and I have recently been coloring with washable markers.

What a mess Chloe made during her first time with markers! And those markers come off on EVERYTHING. She got marker all over her hands and then proceeded to wipe her mouth. That wasn't the best though. The funniest moment came when she had an open red marker in her hand and decided to scratch her head with it! Oh my. Her golden hair turns out to adhere very well to marker colors. So, I had a bit of fun and colored her tresses some funky colors as you can see in the photo below.



















Here, mom. Try the yellow marker on my head!

Recipe call for February

After a month off from the recipe swappers blog, we're back with a new theme for February.

I don't know about you, but I'm still struggling with some extra holiday and winter weight. So, let's make February's recipe theme, HEALTHY COOKING. Submit any recipes that are tasty and use healthy ingredients. Maybe you have a dessert recipe in which you've substituted applesauce for oil. Or a delicious fish recipe. Or maybe a veggie and lentil packed soup recipe. Or a whole grained bread or casserole recipe. Or maybe just have a tip for a healthy snack. The possibilities are endless! Send your yummy healthy recipes to me at aliciahorn@hotmail.com.

New look at Chloe Chronicles!

Ah. Finally done futzing with this crazy blogger html!

How do you all like the new look of Chloe Chronicles?

I'd like your feedback. Do you think the pictures are too high? Too much? What do you think of the color choices?

Boy this beta blogger is fun! Too much fun! I just spent my entire afternoon playing with this.

I need help!

I have spent WAY too long this afternoon futzing with the header to chloe chronicles.

Has anyone changed the header on the blogger template? Or has anyone monkeyed with the blog widgets?

Overall I like blogger beta but this frustrating experience is making me long for the easy html of the old blogger! Help!

Sickies and Count it all joy

Chloe and I are sickies. She got hit with some majorly bad diarrhea (I'll spare you the graphic details) and I caught a head cold. In our family, it seems that God always makes only one parent sick at a time. That's such a blessing! Does it work that way in your families too? While I slept most of the day away yesterday, Matt took care of Chloe and put supper together for us.

So, we stayed home from church this morning and we're looking forward to hearing our pastor on the radio this evening. That's one benefit of going to a large church! Lots of multimedia opportunities to catch a service if you miss one. Our services are also video streamed online but this morning's isn't posted yet.

Last week our pastor preached a powerful message to begin a series in James. He really only got through a few verses and focused most of his message on the idea of counting it pure joy when we fall into various trials and temptations. Pure joy? Seems contradictory doesn't it? Not a natural reaction at all! Anyways, I won't expound but the message from James was a huge encouragement to us as we struggle during this financially difficult student phase of our lives.

Achoo! Hope you are staying well in this season of illness and enjoying strong teaching this Lord's Day.

This is for all you Packer fans out there . . .

. . . especially Shannon Conley and Katie Bruno.

Beware the 50 cent dvd

I am a sucker for a good deal . . . or for what appears to be a good deal.

Last week we took a family trip to a store named "Deals too good to miss". Seriously, that's it's name. It's really a glorified dollar store but it also sells things that cost more than a dollar.

We found lots of bargains but the best (or so we thought at the time) were some 50 cent dvds of old tv shows. Imagine our joy and glee when we came across a 3 episode dvd of the Dick Van Dyke show! We love the Dick Van Dyke show and we like that we can watch only an episode or two and share some quick laughs instead of plopping down for a 2 hour long movie.

We use our computer to watch dvds and this 50 cent job our computer did NOT like. It wouldn't recognize it, it froze up on us, programs were not responding, etc. We did finally get the crazy dvd to play and watched the first 2 episodes. So far so good. We attempted to pop the dvd in to watch the 3rd episode a few nights ago. The computer behaved even stranger this time! And the dvd refused to play.

Into the trash can went our dvd, and now our computer is still behaving strangely and SLOWLY. I'm going to run all the updates today and do a scan disk, anyone have any other suggestions?!?

Please learn from our mistake and don't ever buy a dvd which costs 50 cents!

Youtube, Dropshots, Bliptv, Yahoo, or something else?

I really enjoy posting videos on the blog but lately I've been hesitant. The public-ness of Youtube is bothersome to me. It just doesn't feel safe to upload videos of Chloe to the Youtube etherworld and to not have any control over who does or doesn't view them. Am I paranoid here?

What site do you prefer for uploading videos? Why or why not?

Superbowl pick

Well, the teams I picked to win the playoffs did not. Good thing I'm not a sports commentator!

I changed my mind about the Colts midway through their game last night. Not that I'm now a die-hard Colts fan, mind you, but I think they made an outstanding comeback in the 3rd quarter. Down by 15 points going into halftime it appeared as though the superbowl-champ Patriots had the game in the bag. The Colts roar out after halftime and score touchdown after touchdown in the 3rd and 4th quarter. What a game!

So, my pick to win the superbowl is now the Indianapolis Colts. Another thing I like about the Colts? They're playing the Bears! (Has anyone out there heard the GB Packer saying, "I root for Green Bay and whoever's playing the Bears"? ) Stomp those Bears, Peyton!

Did any of you see the Saints/Bears playoff game? Rex Grossman has his stellar defense to thank for that win. Did you see that showboat, Reggie Bush? I admit, he's speedy and that move he made to dodge a tackler and run for a touchdown was very tricksy (tricksy little hobbit). But, what a showboat! To point and mock your defenders, sommersault into the end zone, and then dance around in their faces?!? That was ugly.

What playoff moments did you enjoy or depise?

p.s. chloe chronicles is under construction as I play around with new looks/colors. It's a work in progress!

Playoff hopes and sock monkeys

How many of you are watching the playoffs this weekend? We're rooting for the Saints and the Patriots to win. (Rationale: The Patriots are a classy team and we are annoyed by Peyton Manning's many dumb endorsements and commercials. Da Bears are the Packers' worst enemies so we abhor them and the Saints are a hardworking Cinderella story of a team. Have you seen that Reggie Bush run? Wow! Too bad he seems to be a mite full of himself.) Who would you like to see square off in the super bowl?

The pictures below are completely unrelated to the playoffs. Unless sock monkeys and football have something in common . . . I suppose both footballs and sock monkeys are sewn together. Aha!

Anyways, my dear sister made this cool sock monkey for Chloe for Christmas. Today Chloe woke from her nap and desperately wanted her monkey to accompany her downstairs. So, Chloe and her monkey shared a snack. Very cute.

Enjoy your weekend activities whether they include football or not!

Our first finger-painting session was a success!

In the past few months I've gotten excited again about reading child development books. Recently I've read in at least two places (What to expect from your toddler: the second year and Slow and steady get me ready) that finger-painting is an ideal activity for 17 mos. old toddlers as far as creative development goes.

I found a finger-paint recipe on the web, mixed up some colors and prepped the painting area this afternoon while Chloe napped. I guess I over prepared for the session because Chloe didn't make a mess at all! Maybe she's just naturally neat or maybe she didn't feel much freedom to go wild since this was her first painting experience ever. (Experienced moms will probably agree with the latter).

We both had a grand time with the painting session and will certainly be doing it again soon as I have LOTS of leftover paint (I was a dummy and made the entire paint recipe). Here's a photo journal of our experience, enjoy!


















The artist's palette.

















First things first, how does this stuff taste? (Bland!)

















Ah, the possibilities are endless, mommy! (Like Chloe's painting outfit? We both wore headbands and inside-out-t-shirts. She especially liked wearing a headband like mommy!)

















The first tentative pink strokes.

















Chloe had to point to all the colors and have me say each one. Guess this will be a good way to help her learn colors!
















I took a piece of printer paper and pressed it on Chloe's painting. Voila! Her first masterpiece.

















I was surprised at how quickly Chloe was tired of finger-painting! After two "paintings" she wanted to be done. It certainly was fun while it lasted!

Snow bunny shirt

I'll let the pictures and captions explain . . .

















Alicia: "Chloe, did you know there are bunnies on your shirt?"


















(Chloe laughs hysterically at the bunnies.)


















Chloe thinks: "Hey mom, did you know there are bunnies on this shirt? For real! Check it out!"

For those curious souls out there, the shirt depicts the following equation:
bunny + snowflake = snow bunny

Happy snow-bunny afternoon to you!

Back to life, back to reality

Don't know if anyone out there remembers that 80's song but it's stuck in my noggin' this mornin'.

Today is Matt's first day back at school for the spring semester. Sigh. It's been a wonderful dream having him home with us during the Christmas break. He's been an amazing help with Chloe (especially yesterday) and around the house so that I can have time to do my online work. Last night he even cooked dinner (dinner seems to taste better when I don't have to prepare it!) and gave Chloe a bath so I could get a few more tasks done. What a guy!

In honor of his first day back, I cooked Matt a big breakfast of french toast and real bacon (I also discovered how easy it is to bake rather than fry bacon this morning). I say real bacon because I normally buy turkey bacon to use in quiche or for bacon bits. Real bacon sure is delicious!

So today it's back to me and Chloe time. I miss Matt already! I know Chloe and I will have fun together though. It's a beautiful cold sunny day here so I think a walk is in order. Plus I'm hoping to try finger painting with Chloe this afternoon - wish us luck!

Feeling spoiled!

God has sure spoiled me this year for my 29th birthday. That's right, I reached the ripe old age of 29 yesterday. Only one more year of youth and wild living!

With our big Christmas trip completed, and what with settling in to life at home again my birthday sneaked (yes, that is the grammatically correct way to say sneak in past tense) up on me this year. And boy did God make me feel spoiled and special this year! I received several cards in the mail and got way more special birthday calls than usual. I also received lots of goodies and good eats. Matt grilled t-bone steaks for dinner last night and we paired those delicacies with twice-baked potatoes, spinach salad with crumbled blue cheese, and homemade rolls. He also gave me a gift card to Kohl's and a lovely bouquet of tulips (my favorites flowers!). Better than all of that, Matt spent the entire day with us and didn't do a lick of studying or reading. We played scrabble and watched playoff football. And Chloe treated me by having a good time in the church nursery! For the first time she wasn't crying when I went to retrieve her. She was smiling and there were no traces of tears or screaming on her face. YAY!

As for the rest of my loot . . my mom sent me an AWESOME new coffee maker, my dad sent me a card with lots of birthday money, my sister called me from new zealand (that isn't loot but it's very special to me), my gramma sent me a Christmas table runner and yummy chocolates, my pal colleen-weeny sent me some cool stationery, and jenny sent a generous gift card to red lobster. See why I feel so spoiled?!?!






















Fuzzy shot of our cool new red coffee pot!






















Shoes I bought for $4.40 at our local thrift store with my birthday money.

















TULIPS!

Chloe's opinions

Hello, blogger friends! I feel as though I've been away for eons. I've been working madly at my online job lately and haven't had time to devote to blogging this past week.

I have about 10 things in my head that are "blog-worthy" (at least in my opinion) but I'll limit this post to the subject of Chloe's newest doings. She's becoming more and more verbal but her words are becoming less intelligible! Lately it sounds like she's speaking japanese or swahili or something equally foreign. She still surprises me though. A few days ago she said "eyelashes" very clearly and today she attempted to say "cottage cheese". What is going on in this girl's mind?!?

Enjoy this video of Chloe expressing her opinions . . . in Chloe-ese that is.

Our Christmas in Pictures: Final installment

During the last leg of our Christmas journey, we stopped in Lowell to visit with Ben, Diane and the kiddos. Though it was a whirlwind of a visit, we relished in the fellowship and fun of their family. Thanks for hosting us!

Every time we visit the Ben Horn family, Grace and Chloe become more aware of each other. Grace is 6 mos. older than Chloe and much more verbal so she is all ready quite aware of Chloe. This time though, Chloe seemed much more interested in playing with Grace. Chloe would grab Grace's hands to play "Ring around the rosy" and chase Grace down the slide. It was so adorable to watch Chloe's face light up as she and Grace played all by themselves. My Chloe is growing up fast!

















The adorable twosome - Ahna and Paige. This was taken before our rousing games of mafia.

















We put on a show for the rest of the family, singing and dancing to the music of "I'll Never Grow Up" from the musical Peter Pan. The girls and I had a grand time making up the choreography and my dear husband Matt was such a good sport to participate!


















After a walk with Ben, Diane and Chloe, Grace refused to take off her winter hat. What a cute little character!


















Chloe envied Grace's new coloring table. Boy, am I glad crayola invented washable markers!

















The happy clan (minus Ben & Diane).

Our Christmas in Pictures: Part III

Chloe sported her new Christmas outfit (thanks Grandma!) to visit her pals Ethan and Madeline Drover.


















This was Chloe's reaction to the Drovers' HUGE dog, Buckets. He's a black lab and he's seriously the size of a medium-sized bear. Chloe wasn't intimidated for a moment though! She went right up to his face for some licking.

















My and my dear friend Jackie with her two kids, Ethan and Madeline. Jackie and I go back to 9th grade geometry class. (Please, no comments on my bouffant bangs. I still hate you, bangs!)


















Matt's folks flew in unexpectedly for a Christmas visit! We kidnapped them from Beth Saturday and took them on a tour of our old Milwaukee neighborhood. We finished with dinner and then a stop at my grandma's house. I think we tired these Texans out!

















Beth, Matt and Chloe after the Sunday service at Brookside Baptist. Chloe did not have a good time in the nursery.

















I know this photo is off-centered but I wanted to show off the hand done smocking on the dress my grandma made for Chloe. Beautiful, isn't it?


















The lovable Ashton Brooke Horn. Doesn't she look like her papa, Sam?


















That way please, slave boy.

















What's in your bowl over there, Ashton?

















After church we enjoyed a potluck lunch with the spanish fellowship. As usual Chloe gravitated to the people who had food to share with her.


















R.D. sure loves Chloe!






















After church and lunch, we headed to Sam and Beth's home for more visiting. Chloe was intrigued by their high ceilings and huge staircase!

Our Christmas in Pictures: Part II

The Christmas tree and all the loot.


















Our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of monkey bread. Mmmmmmmmmm . . .

















Chloe was a quick learner at how to rip open presents. This gift was her new kid-sized accordion from us.






















Grandma and Chloe (decked out in yet another Christmas dress) in front of the tree. Wait, this picture is too low . . . .






















Take two! Now this one is too high. Oh well.

















Chloe and her youthful great-grandma. (Notice her nice pig-tails have disappeared. Chloe has a knack for making her hair look messy!)

Photos for the blog header

If any of you see this post, disregard it. I'm trying to put some photos in the blog header and using this post to upload them to blogger.