Best Gift

Kennedy read me the book The Giving Tree last night.  I soaked up every second of that sweet little voice sounding out the words she wasn't sure of, and speeding through the ones she knew. Thanks for the early Christmas gift little girl.

Merry and Bright

How??

How is it possible that these two kids are these two kids??  I take a picture every year of the kids in a Santa hat....where has the time gone?

A Silent Night for Peef

Saturday night we braved the weather and went to Pizza Luce for dinner then to Stages to see A Silent Night for Peef.  Despite my white knuckles on the dashboard during the drive there, it was a very fun evening.  The kids are getting quite theatre savvy and have been able to go to a show almost every month this fall.  I love to watch them, watch the performance. Their eyes are transfixed on all the happenings on the stage and their minds are transported to a whole new place.     

Tree Lighting

We went downtown last night for the annual tree lighting festival.  Such a cute event with hot cocoa, caroling, sleigh rides, cookies and Santa. 

December 1st....almost....

It's that time of year again in our house.  The elf house has been decorated.  Elf traps have been set.  Both kids have written notes to the elves asking them various questions about their sneaky existence in our home during the month of December. 

Kennedy went to bed wearing her elf hat so the guests would feel more at ease upon their arrival.

Easton is asleep with his flashlight just in case he wakes up to the pitter patter of tiny little feet or sees any pointy ears.

They will be thrilled to wake to several clues, that indeed, the magic of the season is here.

Thanksgiving 2011

We hosted.

We cheered (Packers).

We prepared (both kids made place cards for the table). 

We cooked.

We carved.

We ate (lots).

We enjoyed.

We thanked.

hee hee

I'm not really a re-posting kind of girl. The sole purpose of my blog is to document our lives so that we can look back and remember, and, to share photos with family and friends. But, I saw this today and it reminded me so much of myself that I have had an inner-giggle ever since.  At least I can poke fun at myself, right?

My kids are already talking about their Santa lists. I blame this on Target and Nickelodeon (to name a few) with their uber early Christmas hype. Don't get me wrong, I love the holiday season... but, next up is Thanksgiving and I am planning on thoroughly enjoying it before I start decking the halls. I did happen upon a really neat effort called Operation Christmas Child. So, I decided the kids and I would donate a shoe box full of items for a needy child across the world. Both kids have been really thoughtful about the process and realizing how impactful being kind to a stranger can be. Easton can barely fathom that some kids don't have any toys, "or a phone Mommy" and Kennedy wants to meet the little girl that gets her shoe box and "be friends with her". So, as we inch closer to a holiday in which we recognize the gifts we have been given, my hope is that our family stops, if even for a moment, and shows gratitude by leaving a tiny fingerprint on someone else's life.

Operation Christmas Child Link

Cowboy Easton

I went to get Easton out of quiet time today and when I went in to his room he had fallen asleep in the middle of a big pile of toys and wearing a dragon tail. The little man wears himself out. Check out his earlier antics as a ninja cowboy...of course he needed a nap to recharge. Catching him asleep like that reminds me that he's still so little. I love that he loves to wear costumes and dress up in-character and I love that after a nap like today's, he wants to snuggle with me.

B-r-e-a-t-h-e

I was just thinking the other day how simple things have gotten with one child in school all day and the other one in preschool 3 days a week.  Then, reality slapped me in the face and I woke up. 

Rather, I have one child in school all day and by 7 p.m. every night she's an emotional wreck because she can't possibly hold things together for one more minute.

And, another child who inadvertently tests my patience every few minutes.  I'm blaming it partly on boredom (his, not mine).  When he has a little friend around he's as good as gold.  But, when left to his own devices...the little dude can be trouble.  What I had originally thought of as quiet independent play today was actually East throwing all of his toys ALL over the house.  This picture doesn't begin to capture the magnitude of the disaster.

The good news is he gave an unprompted apology and cleaned everything up by himself (not willingly).  Plus, I'm headed out with the ladies for dinner and that's about to make things all better.

Look at that face, guilty as charged.



A girl, her scooter and a little road rash

One minute she is an obedient, rule-following, cautious child...and the next...she is jumping wheelies on her scooter, face planting and then right back at it. One of the things I find so endearing about my girl is that she is all of these things mixed in to one.

Our weekend started off with bingo night at Kennedy's school.  She won a prize which was super exciting for her, but, led to a meltdown by her very tired and non-prize-winning little brother.

Saturday we met Mike and Charlie at the zoo.  Weather was fantastic so we had a picnic and caught up with all the outdoor animals.

Saturday night we went to Bar La Grassa to celebrate 5 years of post transplant health for mom.  A yearly reminder of love and luck.  I love that we have had 5 more years with her.  She hasn't stopped for a minute these past 5 years and fills her time with fulfilling and worthwhile endeavors.  The luck part of it...well....we (she) were dealt a full house in a game of poker, or bought the winning lottery ticket or maybe someone shoved a four leaf clover in her pocket at some point.  However it happened, we were gifted.  Maybe it was that fortune cookie from Que Viet that she got, "Long Life is in Store for You."  Salud Mamacita!



Happy Halloween!

Charlie was at his house for trick or treating but I just HAD to post this darling picture of him in his costume.

Come and knock on our door....

We've been waiting for you...
Where the kisses are hers and hers and his,
three's company too.

Chrissy

Larry

Jack and Janet were home sick (they were missed!)

As always the party included many drinks, many eats, much fun and lots of costume creativity.

 

Nacho Libre also made a late night appearance!  Happy Halloween!