Ta da!

Yesterday morning, Sophie watched a Kipper the Dog movie about a magic show. After the movie finished, and throughout the rest of the day, she quietly created a pile of stuffed animals, cardboard boxes, and grocery bags in the middle of the family room. I walked past the pile many times, not knowing what it was for.

Shortly before dinner, she announced her plan: she was putting on a magic show, and our attendance was mandatory. The only prop she was lacking was a cape (a red one!), which, fortunately, Ethan found.

During the show, or dare I say, "spectacular", many stuffed animals appeared out of boxes and bags, as if by magic.

I don't know what we'd do for fun around here without Sophie.

Round 3: It's all starting to taste like cough syrup

Actually, they were all really good tonight, but I think I've hit the wall. The kids, on the other hand, would eat their cereal in the morning with root beer instead of milk if they could.

Tonight's competitors:

IBC
Frostie Root Beer
A.J. Stephan's Root Beer
Stewart's Root Beer
Goose Island Root Beer

It was close, but Frostie eeked out the victory. Smooth, sweet and simple. AJ Stephan's and Stewart's were close behind. On another night any of them could have won. Try again next year guys.

Coming up next week: The final, after which we will not drink any more root beer for a very long time.

Overheard

SOPHIE: I know what the opposite of pink is. Gween.
EMMA: Wrong. It's purple.

We have warm sourdough bread

Come get some!

(Thanks for the starter Carla!)

Overheard

EMMA: I've been asking in my prayers lately to have magical powers.
ME: Why?
EMMA: Because I want magical powers.
ME: Do you think that will work?
EMMA: Well, I've been asking for a while now.

Emma and I are getting ready for the Olympics

Overheard

SOPHIE: Mudder, you talk funny when you're throwing up.

Round 2

The competitors:

Red Ribbon Home Brewed Root Beer
Gale's Root Beer
Dog 'n Suds Root Beer
Barrel Brothers Root Beer

The winner? Barrel Brothers

Dog 'n Suds was a very close second place. They were all good this week, but Gale's came in last.We like our root beer to be simple. Gale's had too many flavors going on (cinnamon and ginger in particular).

One more round to go before the finals. I know you're all dying with anticipation.

Ultimate Root Beer Showdown, Round 1

When we were in Pasadena a couple of weeks ago I went to Galco's and stocked up.

So this is Round 1 of 3. The contestants are:

Olde Rhode Island Molasses Root Beer

Hank's Gourmet Philadelphia Recipe Root Beer

Capt'n Eli's Root Beer

Thomas Kemper Root Beer

The winner? Hank's, by a mile. Not even close. That stuff is good. The Thomas Kemper was either love it or hate it--a few of us had it at the bottom of our lists, but Emma thought it was the best.

Round 2 will take place at FHE next week.

Q; What is Sophie's favorite Beatles' song?

A: Chicken to Ride. ("She's gotta chicken to ri-ide")