Do you believe in magic?

So, Jacob's friend showed him a card trick.

Jacob tried to repeat the track for me (in preparation for his part of the magic show).  It did not work because he did not know the trick.

I guessed the trick and showed him.  He was impressed.  But when he tried it again (not knowing the trick), it did not work.

So, I showed him a way to do it where it would work.

He looked at me - exasperated - and said "but that's not magic, mom!"

Golden Days

Allison turned 11 on December 11th - a Golden Birthday!  She insisted on having a party ON her birthday (a Wednesday).   Not exactly an ideal time for a party, but we solved it by having an open house, where her friends could stop by and stay as long as they could.

Overall it went really, really well.  Many of her friends stayed the whole time, and they had a dance party and air-hockey competition in the basement.  Some friends came for just a few minutes or to enjoy a piece of cake.  Family friends stopped by, and some parents hung out and had Brian's gourmet mac & cheese (the kids got Kraft - Allison's favorite).

I can't believe she's getting so old!!