Family
Holiday Expectations
The other day I was disappointed because tickets to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer were sold out. Tragic, right? Then we didn’t go to the tree lighting ceremony or the Christmas parade because it was pouring down rain. Gasp! And I was thinking, “man, our kids are really missing out on all of the holiday fun this year.” I was on a slippery slope to wondering if my kids were going to need therapy because we weren’t maxed out on holly jolliness this year. Yes, looking back, I can see how that attitude was a bit pathetic. Here’s the kicker. My kids didn’t ask to go to see Rudolph or the parade.…
The Redeye
We spent 10 days celebrating Thanksgiving in Oregon. We saw clouds on approximately all 10 of those days. In Oregon’s defense, the sun did peek out once or twice. We drove 700 miles and had 4 Thanksgiving Dinners. Not to diminish the importance and joy of celebrating Thanksgiving with family, but one of my favorite dinners was our Friends Thanksgiving. Friendsgiving? I was thrilled that we could continue the tradition this year. It’s a great way to celebrate with those people that are not family by birth, but family by choice. Our dance card felt very full while we were there. It was a mad dash of visiting as many…
Thankful
Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for this year. Most of all, I’m thankful that I’m spending this Thanksgiving with with those I hold dear. I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing today, it fills your heart with happiness. I’ll be taking a couple of days to soak up all this family togetherness and I’ll be back soon. Share this:
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween all you Ghouls and Goblins! Tonight we will be celebrating Halloween with all of our neighbors. Our street does a community dinner followed by the main event – trick or treating, of course! Since this is our first Halloween in Georgia we are excited to celebrate here. We’ve had some fun this week getting in the Halloween spirit. We carved some pumpkins… Trust me, this was just a glamour picture. Once he figured out that you have to actually touch the slimy pumpkin to get the guts out, he let me do the dirty work. So nice of him. We ended up with a ghost and a scary…
Chatbooks
I think the chances are slim, but just in case I ever give you the impression that I’m the person that has detailed scrapbooks of every milestone in my children’s lives (ha!), let me set the record straight. That’s not me. Sadly, printed photos rarely make their way into our albums…or house. My poor children do not have finished baby books. I’m repressing A LOT of guilt about that one. Eventually, I’m going to have to make up information. “First tooth? Oh, that must have been October 14. Yes, I’m sure of it, son. I was there! I would know! The year? Uh….”…
A Week of Firsts
It’s not lost on me that many of my children’s “firsts” are my “lasts.” If I stop and think about it, it feels a little bittersweet. Therefore, it is perfectly logical for me to not focus on the fact that this is the last time I will escort one of my children to 4 year preschool (or Pre-K as they call it here). I’ll just distract myself with this picture of him being “too cool for school.” Right before we walked out of the house he said to me, “it’s pretty bright out there mom. I think I’m going to need my shades.” Yes, my boy, your future is very…
The Past Week
For all of our family on the West Coast, we are in our 3rd week of school. I know, I know. It’s crazy and somewhat normal feeling – now that I’ve surrendered to the reality of getting up at oh dark hundred to get my daughter to the bus stop. I equate the start of school with the beginning of fall, which doesn’t translate well when school starts in August. So far I’ve resisted the urge to buy pumpkins and mums. But once September rolls around, all bets are off! Although, I did buy this super cute mini mason jar candle from Bath and Body Works. The Bourbon Butterscotch scent…
5 Easy Ways to Celebrate the First Day of School
I don’t remember being super excited for school to start. Maybe I was early on – I hope so! I remember being nervous about getting to my classes on time and getting my locker open. I remember not being thrilled about the piles of homework. Since then, I have learned the power of the motto: “Fake it til you make it!” So while my kids are still young and take their cues from me, I want them to have the attitude that school is an AWESOME place to go. Where learning is fun and new experiences are to be embraced. And, thankfully, we’ve had really good school experience so far that…
Reusable Lunch Box Notes – Free Download
School started in our district this week. Say what? For a gal who is used to an after Labor Day start, this is an adjustment. And by adjustment, I mean mama doesn’t want to get up at the crack o’ dawn to get my daughter to the bus stop by 6:56 a.m. Lest I make this all about me, my daughter doesn’t really want to be up that early either. So, we are adjusting! The good news is that 2nd grade is off to a TERRIFIC start. With school comes school lunches. At this point, I prefer to pack my daughter’s lunch. I like to know exactly what she’s eating and what goes…
Feeling Beachy
We took some time this weekend to squeeze in one last hurrah before summer ends. My daughter starts 2nd grade in a week! A week, people! I’m not ready for that. So, no house projects to report on today. I need to get back in the swing of things soon! Anyway, we headed down to Tybee Island, Georgia. It was our first time there and we thoroughly enjoyed it. What’s not to love about this view? We collected sea shells! We learned how to boogie board. The kids and the hubby did a great job riding the waves. Me? Well, it’s possible I might have cracked the board. In my…
