Okay!
As I indicated when I introduced the contest, the winner would be selected by having my kids write out numbers corresponding to the number of entrants, fold the slips of paper, shake them around in a plastic pumpkin, pick one slip out of the pumpkin, unfold it, and display it to all the world (or at least to the little portion of the world who read this blog.)
So that's what we did last night. After dinner and bath time, I summoned the children to the dining room and gave them their instructions, and then I stood there, camera in hand, flash on (it was dark, I had no choice) and photographed the excitement. (Of course, my kids had no idea why they were excited, they just went along with it. I gave them some pre-Halloween candy as a think you.)
So here we go.
First, I counted the number of comments. There were 10 this time. Easy enough for Alex to write out on the 10 pieces of paper I gave him. And while he numbered, Julia folded.
(Making sure he didn't skip a number.)
(shaking the pumpkin)
(great job shaking the pumpkin, Julia!)
(take my picture, mom!)
(remember, Julia, only ONE piece of paper...)
(and we have a winner!)
(she passes the secret winning slip of paper to her brother...)
(he unfolds it in a painfully slow manner...and then...the winner is...number....!!!!)
(is...? stupid flash. I can't even read it...)
(let's move in a bit closer...and the winner is...................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
It's number 10! And that would be...Emily, the Cereal Fairy!
Congratulations, Emily! Please send me an email with your shipping address and I'll get that cookbook out to you as soon as possible!
And to all who participated - thank you so much - I loved all the different costume ideas and the stories that accomanied them!!
Let's do this again some time, shall we?
Naturally I congratulate Emily on her win; however I have scoured all the photographic evidence and I do not see the number three.
Fortunately I implicitly believe in Alex and Julia's integrity and sense of fair play, so I shall refrain from suing the butler off you!
Posted by: Jen - The Alien Spouse | October 27, 2008 at 11:12 PM
what is a "think you"? curious minds wish to know and learn. (smile)
Posted by: Ralph | October 28, 2008 at 03:12 PM
A "think you" is a positive reinforcement technique employed by some parents to implant a reminder in their kids' memories that if they go along with Mommy's silliness without complaining or whining, they will be rewarded with sugar. (snarl) And P.S. Both kids wonder when Uncle Ralph's going to stop being an old fuddy duddy and come down for a visit.
Posted by: Jayne | October 28, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Oh, yes, Uncle Ralph DOES need to visit!! SO THERE! A HA!!
Posted by: just1beth | October 28, 2008 at 05:39 PM