thankful: 11/12

for alternative medicine or whatever works for you.  i had accupuncture today for my hands, and shoulders.  it's a long story but between the accupuncture and many, many massages it will get better. i found the process interesting but not magical.  i definitely feel better and hope that tomorrow will be even better.  but if this doesn't work it's off to a hand surgeon and i will be thankful for that too.

thankful

loving this idea.  and since my word for the year is gratitude i thought this would be the perfect time and place to share what i am grateful for today. 

1.  my daughter who sits through any meeting i drag her too.  and she gives me the perfect excuse to leave when things are getting drawn out.

2. my kids' report cards.  they came home today and we could not be more proud of them.

3. last night's thanksgiving dinner.  i have made a tradition of making a thanksgiving dinner before thanksgiving.  (and by making i mean stove top, boxed mashed potatoes, canned cranberries and a jar of gravy. hey, i'm not superwoman.  but i did roast a 3 pound turkey breast for 2 hours and i made a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, so that has to count for something.) that way when it is the real thanksgiving we, i, don't feel like i have to eat everything because we only get it once a year.  and there are leftovers too, which means turkey paninis for dinner tomorrow.

life and planning

this is a random post of things happening around here.

we are  . . .

still playing with legos.  i don't think they will every get old around here.  considering bobby still loves them we won't be getting rid of them anytime soon.  i just wish i could be this talented.  i can make a very tall tower.

being silly.  but is that a surprise?  we have parent teacher conferences this week and i can't wait to hear what his teachers have to say.  i've been told that he is quite the funny man in class.  i love that they appreciate that about him but are also ready to calm him down when needed.  

 

standing on our head.  i should really look into gymnastic class for her.  she loves twirling and tumbling and can almost do a handstand by herself.  don't worry grandmas, we are there to catch her, most of the time.

she also loves wearing her tap shoes around the house.  click, clack all day long. 

her teacher conference is this week too.  kind of funny.

 

getting ready for christmas.  bobby and i had some free time on sunday thanks to grandma and grandpa tom.  we couldn't decide on a movie, he wanted district 9, i wanted this is it and precious wasn't playing close to home.  so we had coffee and started planning our christmas.  we made lists, looked at gift ideas online and even, sort of, decided we want to have a little christmas party.  it feels good to be on our way to an organized holiday season.  we even decided on our christmas cards.  yah for that.

i'm still working on grandparent's day but i am also getting started on my december daily album.  this will be my third year making a daily album all about our christmas season.  i love pulling out these books every year and looking at all of things that we are involved with.  but the most special thing of all is taking a few minutes everyday to think about the everyday that makes this time so special.  i feel like because of this i enjoy and cherish the season even more.

think about taking a few moments each day during december to think about, write or photograph something that makes christmas special to you.  i think you will be surprised at what you can capture.  and if you want to be inspired look here.

have a good week.

a sick but happy halloween

yes we were sick.  who knows if it was the swine flu or not.  The kids missed a few days of school.  i didn't have time to be sick.  i was helping with the halloween carnival.  so i waited until friday afternoon to get it.  and i'm really trying to get over it but it's not going well.

so we had the carnival at school on friday and it was a success, even if we didn't win the raffle for the apple laptop.  the boys couldn't come until later because they were on 24 hour fever free watch.  but they made it in time for lunch and a few carnival games.  unfortunately this is the only picture i have of sofia in her costume.  she came down with a fever on saturday and was too sick to join in the festivities.

bobby worked so hard on those costumes and the kids loved them.  pretty cool, huh?

we went to kernville on friday afternoon.  we had been told that it was so much fun, really small town, community feel.  and it was.  unfortunately i was sick and then sofia got sick.  but the boys were able to go trick or treating and enjoy the night.  they got a lot of comments about their costumes.  we had a barbecue and passed out halloween candy.  it was pretty cool.  check out the cute pumpkins they carved.

sunday morning we came home because jordan had his last swim meet.  he was tired, getting over being sick and really not in the mood to swim, but he managed to win three trophies in the three races he was in.  this guys is a superstar.  the coach asked him to join the club team which would involve year round swimming.  he's thinking about it.  maybe after basketball.

so everyone went to school today.  i am trying to stay awake.  and i have another event this month.  i am chairing our annual grandparent's day at school.  the invitations went out last week and i have a committee meeting tomorrow to get organized.  looking forward to thanksgiving this year and of course i am thinking about christmas.  see there is no time to be sick.

hope everyone had a happy halloween.

if you don't like scary look away

Happy Halloween

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In case you didn't know

• she is now going by the name victoria. not sure why, but we are going with it. today when i picked her up from pre-school the teachers sang 'goodbye victoria.' she's taking it very seriously.
• she is an honorary member of our pto. she goes to every meeting and today she was helping us count tickets for the carnival. the ladies called her victoria too.
• she is allergic to praying mantises. we had one outside our front door for 4 days. the kids named him george. but sofia, hmm victoria, told us all she was allergic to it.
• she will be snow white for halloween. even if she tells you she will be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, SHE'S GOING TO BE SNOW WHITE!!  i already have the costume.
• she is addicted to the fresh beat band.  and we have every show on our dvr.
• we think she has a crush on thomas, a boy at school.  she talks about him all the time.  and he chases her on the playground.  it must be love.
  
• she's been getting out of bed in the middle of the night.  i wish i was awake enough to send her back to bed, but she usually ends up in ours.
• she can take a pretty good picture with my camera.  can't wait to give her her christmas present.
  
• she will most likely go to kindergarten next year.  so i am enjoying this time alone with her.
• she picked the perfect pumpkin at the patch the other day.  perfect.
• she always says thank you and i love you.  and when she's in trouble she remembers to tell me i am the bestest mom ever!  thanks lovey.

having fun here.  spending our time on the halloween carnival, book reports, spanish projects, homemade halloween costumes, taking the most amazing online class by my favorite life artist and swim meets, two medals last week, one was for first place. 

sorry i haven't been updating.  but i will try.  have a good weekend.

how did this happen

i know that we are behind on our travel update.  bobby started a post and just hasn't had a chance to finish it.  we will. 

but i wanted to post something today to celebrate sofia's birthday.  i truly cannot believe that she is 4.  this seems like such a momentous birthday.  she has moved out of the baby and toddler stages and is a full blown little girl.  we are celebrating her birthday at school with cupcakes and pep-che-crack, pepperoni, cheese and crackers.  (our friend the fraziers introduced us to that term.)  bobby took the day off and we are taking her to lunch.  and then our family is coming over for dinner and a pink party.  really looking forward to putting it all together.

i love this little girl.  she made my dream of having a little girl come true.  she is loved by her brothers, adored by her father and spoiled by her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  but i have a deep love for her.  she is my 'lovey'.  she takes care of me. she is my lunch mate.  she is my shopping partner.  the other day she said, mom i want to go to the mall.  i was so proud.  no really.

i wish her the happiest birthday a little girl could have.  may it be full of surprises and  PINK!