I'm looking forward to the weekend! Things are revving up around here as we get closer and closer to Thanksgiving! Here's a little snapshot of things in our little corner of the world.
#1: Getting Ready For Winter
Last weekend, we finally had time and good weather to get some yard work done! There were soooo many leaves in the backyard! The awning still needed to come down and patio furniture needed to go away. We still need to do some toy pick up but we did get a lot accomplished..with a little help!
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| You can't see them in this pic, but Kate was wearing her princess shoes! |
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| Luke actually worked really hard! |
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| Kate, well, not so much! |
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| Everyone needs a break for fun! |
#2: Just Living In The Moment
I feel like we have been so busy for the last few weeks that some extra family time, by way of a professional day and Veterans Day, was a much needed break. Here's one of those moments....super sis reading to her siblings.:)
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| Snuggles on the couch |
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| A goofy Peter...he isn't sick. He just refuses to wear a shirt and stays huddled under a blanket to stay warm! |
#3: School Anyone?
In the last few weeks, Luke has had a huge cognitive leap. He is always asking us to read things to him, is writing letters just for fun, asking us to spell words so he can write them, and drawing lots and lots of pictures! He has also started playing school with Kate....which is incredibly cute!
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| Even raising her hand! Love it! |
#4: A Little Santa Stress
As a parent, I totally use the "you better be good or Santa won't bring you a toy" fear with my kiddos. Moms only have so much leverage and if I can get a little more this time a year then count me in! Luke was being an over-exuberant boy(again) the other day, and I began the 'be good spiel'. Big eyes and a thoughtful face...and a gazillion questions....let me know Luke "got it". Maybe a little too well....
Last night, I had gone to my mom's to do some book keeping for their business. When I came back, Luke was in tears. Turns out that Jon had bought poster board for the act he is organizing for our parish's variety show on Saturday and left it out on the family room counter. Luke has been obsessed with drawing lately(see #3)...so, you can guess where this is going. Jon wasn't super angry with Luke because he realized it was his mistake to leave the poster board within eyesight and reach of his little siblings. (Jon actually felt bad that Luke was so upset about it!)
But, Luke was still bordering on hysterical. So I hugged him and he spurt out, "Does this mean I won't get toys for Christmas?!?" Picture giant tears and the saddest puppy eyes you have ever seen!
I assured him that it was just a misunderstanding and Santa still had him on the nice list! Oh boy!
#5: Say Cheese
Thanks to my Dad taking a family pic at Julie's wedding 3 weeks ago, I was all ready to have Christmas cards made this year. Thanks to my friend, Laura, I got an awesome deal on Groupon for Christmas cards from Staples.($10 for 50 or $19 for 100!) I picked them up today and am very happy with them....especially for the price! There's 10 hours left if you want to get in on it....but only the deal for the 50 cards is available. The deal for 100 cards is sold out!
#6: Shopping!
I try to get all of my Christmas shopping done before the start of Advent.(which is coming up quick!) It's something I've been doing for several years. I feel like it gives me more peace and a little more time to focus on the spiritual side of Christmas...as well as family traditions and lots of baking. I want to try even more this year to enjoy being in all the moments this special season offers and not just look at things as being checked off a to-do list! That's the goal anyway!
I have done some online shopping, went to a vendor fair, ordered gift cards through a program our school runs every November, and I am happy to say that I am 70% done with my list! Mostly it's just our kids that are left and my godchildren....but I like to do some shopping in stores, too, so I have to save some things for black Friday shopping!
I have lots of ideas for Sarah, Jon, Luke and Kate. Mike, Ellie, and especially Andrew, (when he was 4 he asked for brown socks for Christmas!), are much more challenging to try and come up with something special...at least on our budget! I am praying and looking for inspiration...as well as having Sarah and Jon listening for any helpful hints the three toughie's might drop. I have to say that making the lists and trying to come up with surprises are fun for me! I love trying to make my kids feel special! I especially love when I'm successful at it!
#7: Gearing Up To Bake!
I am almost ready to start looking through my cookbooks and recipe box to come up with this year's menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas desserts as well as the list of different cookies to bake for friends and family that we give away as gifts. I love doing this! I love making special treats and I love having a reason to make lots of desserts! I'll let you know in the coming weeks what I come up with....multiple cheesecakes will definitely be on the menu!
I hope that thoughts of holiday plans have you getting excited...and not running for a paper bag to hyperventilate into!
Enjoy the weekend!
