Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Last Wednesday, we drove the usual five hour trek to southern Illinois to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with J's side of the family.  We had clear weather with just a couple of hiccups due to bridge construction.  The whole family was able to spend Thanksgiving together.  It was especially wonderful due to the fact that J's brother had just recently returned from a six months overseas deployment.  So much to be thankful for.  Here are some highlights:


Making up their own virtual worlds

Cousin Love (they are 21 months apart)

Horsin' Around (they are 9 months apart)

The Newest Cousin to Love (She and C are 22 months apart)

As you can see fun abounded and overflowed.  After the cousins left to visit their other grandparents, we went to an Indian Art Show / Market Days at Cahokia Mounds.  Both MaGa and Pop (the girls' grandparents) have (and continue to) conducted archaeological digs there.  I love how the girls are so comfortable there and already have a sense and appreciation of history.

How was your holiday?



Thursday, November 24, 2011

Count Your Blessings

From Our Family to Yours...

Happy Thanksgiving!


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I Pity The Fool

Universal Studios - 1986 (not the real Mr. T)

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Be Thankful For: Free Thanksgiving Printables

Below are some goodies that I have found across the interwebs.  Print them out to decorate your home, entertain your kiddos and generally celebrate your blessings.

Today's Fabulous Finds: Thanksgiving Subway Art

ThirtyHandmadeDays: Thanksgiving Placement for kids- (cover it with contact paper)

Anything But Perfect: Coloring Page and More!

Homespun With Love: Gratitude Cards (I am thankful for..)

Kiki Creates: Mr. & Mrs. Turkey Potato Head (with tons of fun outfits, etc!)






Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

At the Half

I love my half birthdays.  Yes, I said my HALF birthday.  I don't get any presents but I do get a song.  My mother calls me up and will sing to me "Happy Half Birthday to you.  Happy Half Birthday to you.  Happy Half Birthday dear Angie.  Happy Half Birthday to you!"  Sometimes she forgets it is our half birthday and so my siblings and I have to call her to remind her to sing to us.  We are silly that way.

Today is not my half birthday.  (It is next month in case you are curious).  Today is C's.  She is 2 1/2.  I try to continue my mother's tradition and sing to my girl's on their respective half birthdays.  When they are little like C they just look at me strangely and then inquire about cake and presents, not quite getting the sentimentality of the little song.

Although I like my own half birthday, I do not like it when my children reach theirs.  I have never had any experiences with the "Terrible Twos," but rather the "Terrible Two and a Halves."  It never fails.  They reach their half birthday and they become a little less fun to be around and more trouble and cantankerous.  Take today for example, I can not just pick something out for C to wear gladly.  No.  She has to pick it out herself and if the shirt that she wants is in the wash?  Watch out.

My biggest frustration and hers is when C is trying to tell me something and I don't understand her.  This. Drives. Me. Crazy.  So many times she will just cry and scream at me instead of trying to tell me what she needs, wants, etc.  This behavior ultimately gets her a one way ticket to time out land.  She does pretty good in time out, meaning she stays put and is much better when she is "released."  I just wish I didn't have to put her in it as many times as I have to sometimes.

Parenting is hard, yo.

Free Child Admission at Morton Arboretum!


From now until December 31, 2011,  Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL is offering free admission for one child with a paid adult.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Three Little Piggies




Bought matching pjs for the girls...didn't realize that my niece had bought the same ones for her baby!  Hence a pajama party was born.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Holding Hands

I remember when I was about 10 or 12 and we were visiting my grandparents that lived in Southern Illinois.  We didn't get to see them all that much because we lived in the Chicago suburbs.  We usually went there, though, during the summer for one of the many annual picnics that their little town held.  While we were at the picnic, my Granny held my hand as we walked around the park.  I distinctly remembering telling my older sister that "Granny wanted to hold my hand" and that I thought that was weird since I was clearly too old to have my hand held.  My sister replied that Granny just misses us and was showing her love through holding my hand.  I don't know why this memory has stuck, but there it is.

C is still at the age where she needs to hold my hand.  Sometimes she doesn't want to and so then I have to carry her, but for the most part she will reach out and take my hand.  She will do this especially when she is walking down stairs or needs assistance with something.  Miss M is now seven.  She is getting closer to the age that I was in the memory described above.  Nevertheless, when she gets out of school, she still reaches for my hand as we walk to the car.  This small act never fails to make me smile.  In the back of my mind I know that her wanting to do so will soon come to an end.  I don't know why but it saddens me in however a small way.  Don't get me wrong, I want my kids to grow up and fly out of the nest, if you will.  It is just that I can see what is on the horizon and I would like it to just slow down for a bit.

Perhaps this is what Granny was doing as well as she reached for my hand on that summer day.  I can only pray that she will continue to "hold" my girls hands as they navigate through life.  I know she is certainly still holding mine.


Wednesday, November 2, 2011