A Little Extra Thankfulness

Lest I stand accused of oversentimentality, I thought I'd pay a little hommage to a few other things I'm thankful for this season.

My new Bandolino riding boots.  I love these even more than the day I bought them.  They're comfortable and cute and make my wardrobe feel slightly more current and pulled together.

Peppermint Mocha creamer.  It's a little latte in my cup every morning, and it makes me feel festive!

The DVR and treadmills with attached TVs.  Both things let me catch up on some non-kid friendly shows (hello, Gossip Girl) without feeling too guilty.

Running.  It's a healthy way to work off some frustration, and it's going to help me look cuter in my clothes!

Abbey really got into the turkey making

the sequined ones were her favorite to make

because even turkeys need a little bling

Gobble Gobble!

Being thankful is something I strive to do each day.  Like so many people, I can get caught up in thinking about what I don't have or what I want, both for myself and my family.  Yet, during quiet moments, when I actually reflect on my life, I marvel each time at how incredibly blessed and lucky I am.

I am surrounded by people I love and who love me back, even when I'm difficult to love.

Even in this economy, Ryan has a secure job that provides well for our family.

My husband makes me laugh every single day.  Even on the bad days.  And some of those laughs are the ones that I remember and appreciate the most.

My kids are perfect.

Sometimes they don't sleep and sometimes they don't listen and sometimes they take my patience and toss it back and forth like a fraying ball of yarn.

But, if I ever doubted there was a God out there, I don't anymore.

They are awe-inspiring little people, and I love them more each day, even when I think it's impossible to love them any more without literally bursting.

I'm not sure what I've done to deserve this life, but I am so grateful I'm living it.

I hope your "thankful things" are as special to you as mine are to me.

Happy Thanksgiving

xoxo

craft courtesy of our friends Michaelene and Jack

the feathers each have something for which Abbey is thankful

if you can't read her writing, that makes two of us

I know, though, that there's one for each of our family members, because she told me

and the yellow one kind of has a "w", because Jack wrote "world" on his!

Breakfast of Champions - Wordless Wednesday

Abbey made me "breakfast" last week

each item was carefully selected and brought to me separately

holy schnikes

no wonder Mommy goes for runs

that's a LOT of food

Going Platinum?

Visiting the Science Center recently with Stacy, Connor, and Madison gave Stacy and I the opportunity to see how we were going to fund our retirements. 

Let me back up for a second.  See, Stacy and I love getting the kids together. 

Madison and Abbey are only seven months apart, and that gap shrinks a bit each time they see each other.  Let's face it, there IS a pretty big difference between a one-year old and a three-month old, but not so much between say, a fifteen year old and a fourteen and three month year old.  We're pretty sure hopeful they'll be great friends one day.*  Connor is the cool older brother.

As of now, though, there's a lot more anticipation in their friendship than interaction when they're actually together.  They talk about each other before and after their playdates (Abbey spent fifteen minutes the other day learning and repeating Madison's middle name,) but during the playdates, there's not much conversation.

Then they found the Jam Room.

The Science Center has a room where the kids can play instruments (and also watch themselves on video monitors.)  All three kids really loved the Jam Room, even though they're probably a little young for it.  They were willing to share the drumsticks!  When the girls were done jamming, they were happy dancing around while Connor drummed.

Later, it was almost time to leave.  That was the point the kids decided they would get really into playing with each other.  They were so cute, running around and being silly together was so funny and sweet that we ended up staying a little while longer than anticipated.

they shared the drumsticks well, surprisingly 

he has the stance down cold 

the girls wanted to jam like Connor, but the guitar and bass were pretty heavy 

you better not expect me to be a groupie

*Ok, also we like getting the kids together because (most of the time) they play well, even if they're not necessarily playing together.  Even Dylan, because he's a happy little guy.  And that means that we get to hang out and chat, which always makes my day a little brighter.

Fashion Inspiration

Abbey is making her clothing preferences quite clear lately, even when they come out of left field.  Sometimes, though, there are days where I clearly see her inspiration.

cute, no?

outfit courtesy of Aunt Jane

The other day, Abbey was happily dressed.  At least, she was happily dressed until she saw Dylan rocking lined denim overalls.  She immediately demanded her own "overall".  She actually has two little denim jumpers, both of them at least two sizes too small.  However, she is stubborn, and I figured with a pair of tights and maybe some shorts, we'd be fine.  Unfortunately, the shorts never quite found their way into the ensemble, so the tights had to do.

he chose the horse to accessorize their dual overalls

Budget Crunch

Making the decision to stop working (outside of the home, at least) did come with the realization that we would have less money.  Thankfully, Ryan is great with a budget and a spreadsheet, and he has managed to keep things running pretty much at status quo around here.  Of course we try to be careful about what we buy and what we do with our money, but I wouldn't say we are generally too crunched for cash.

However, between some recent wardrobe updates (mostly for the kids and me) and our trip to East Lansing, we're basically at the end of our budget for the month at the beginning of the month.  For the first time, Ryan handed me some cash and said that it was what I had to work with until Thanksgiving.  And I'm not talking fat moneyroll kind of cash either.

I budgeted out our activities for the next couple of weeks, and we can still do some fun paid things and lots of free things, but it has meant that we stayed at home a little more than normal this past week.  That means finding some different things to do around the house, which isn't too challenging with Abbey's imagination!

"Mommy, it's time for your doctor's appointment," she told me one morning.

she proceded to "weigh" me by having me sit sideways on her little picnic table

she "measured" me by having me lie down on the floor

she looked in my eyes and my ears with Dylan's light up key chain

she then proceded to vaccinate me (or "give you a poke" as their nurse tells them)

several times

with a crayon

and band-aids each time

she's probably not the first person to have this idea

I should be vaccinated thoroughly by now

the very thrilled doctor/nurse/receptionist

our pediatrician uses one of those fancy little computers to keep track of information

she insisted on using one during our "appointment"

a final "little poke"

"don't worry Mommy; it's not too bad"

Dylan thinks we're a bit silly

maybe he's right, but we're silly together

and passing the time for free

Back in Time

Ryan and I left the kids with my parents for the night and went to the old alma mater for a night of fun and some football.  At least that was the plan - one that sounded great in theory but was a little more difficult in practice.

I'm not going to lie; I was a wreck a little apprehensive about leaving them for the night.  We've left Abbey at their house before (not frequently, but we've done it), and we knew she would have a blast with Grandma and Grandpa.  Who wouldn't?  They have toys and treats and enough love to blanket a developing nation with warm fuzzies.

I was worried about Dylan.  It's been well noted that he's not a great sleeper, and he's very attached to me.  I knew he would be loved and cared for over and above my expectations, but I was worried that it would be stressful for my parents and that they would disconnect their phone upon our return, never to babysit again!

Silly me.  Like countless mothers before me, I overestimated my importance and underestimated the connection between my kids and the other people in their lives who love them.  Everyone had a wonderful time, playing and acting silly and enjoying their time together.

The kids had fun, too.

Johnny Spirit!

this picture is for Eric in California, just so you know he's still around

the field

the cheerleaders

more cheerleaders!

you can see the team in the background, too

but I like watching the stunts and the tumbling, I can't help it!

the absolute best college mascot in the country

in my unbiased opinion, of course

and because college sports are like nothing else in the world,

check out the storm trooper

or whatever that guy is supposed to be

We also had an absolute blast watching an old favorite band, the Mega 80s.  I refrained from taking pictures at the bar, but I don't know why.  I have forgotten how much times have changed (since we're so ancient and all).  People were taking tons of pictures.  Of course, they had better phones than me; I would have had to resort to using my actual camera to get anything worth posting!

Despite the reservations I had about leaving, I'm ultimately so glad that we had the night away.  Ryan and I had the chance to talk over dinner, without getting up for milk or paper towels.  We slept in until 9:30, an hour I haven't seen for what seems like years.  In fact, it was so much fun we're already thinking about our next mini-vacation.

After Grandma and Grandpa have a little time to recover!

Respect the Turkey

I try to respect the turkey, really, I do.  For instance, the Chipmunks Christmas CD is still nestled snuggly in its case, despite Abbey's oohing and awwing at the Christmas decorations in the mall.  (To be honest, I hope we don't have a Chipmunk Christmas obsession this year; I need to find another kids CD that will keep both of us happy.)  Yet, I find myself looking forward to Christmas, mentally glossing over Thanksgiving.

I'm mentally decorating our dining room table and vowing to finally get a wreath for our door.

My Christmas list is taking shape, and I am excited to get moving on the shopping part.

Yet, I'm trying to hold back a little.  To keep the turkey in the forefront of my mind.  I have oodles to be thankful for this season, and a holiday devoted to those things is the perfect base for the Christmas season.  I tried to explain Thanksgiving to Abbey, but she has been dazzled by the Toys R Us catalog and the lure of quilted Pottery Barn stockings.  It's going to be tough to convince her to put those things aside for some pilgrim hats and tri-colored corn cobs.

She is enchanted by Christmas.  And since that childhood amazement is one of the things for which I am most thankful, how can I resist?

say goodbye to Halloween

a pre-schooler's candy store

she's drunk on dollhouses

we had to break it to her that Santa wasn't going to be able to fit the four-story one on his sleigh

(or in our teeny tiny house!)

Halloween - Take Five

I realize that I've drawn out this Halloween business for much longer than appropriate!  It felt a little like that this year with all of the different parties and opportunities for costume wearing.  Abbey had a bit of a Halloween hangover; it was a little difficult to convince her that Halloween was actually over! 

We spent our actual Halloween night at Grandma and Grandpa's house, joined by Grandma Sue, Grandpa Ray, Uncle Donnie, Aunt Jessica, and Honey Bear.  Dylan changed it up that night, becoming a little zebra instead of a dalmation.  Cuteness, for real!

our zebra and our magic fairy 

how cute is the zebra costume from the back? 

checking out the trick-or-treaters with Honey Bear

Honey Bear was later a bee 

Abbey was not so sure about the trick-or-treaters at first

she loves wearing costumes but isn't so sure about kids in masks 

once we were out of the house, she was off and running

literally running

I think she fell about three or four times in all of her excitement 

Dylan wasn't quite as excited

 

going up to a house with Daddy 

that's more like it

nice and snuggled in a blanket 

he slept for a while after we got back to Grandma and Grandpa's

Halloween - Take Four (an interlude)

Being patient is tough when you're two. 

It's tough when you're thirty-three as well, but trying to find more patience is something I struggle with daily.

I must have heard, "We're going to Grandma's now?" hopefully asked almost a hundred times before I finally packed up and went over to hang out with my parents a little early.  Even making cupcakes only distracted her for a few minutes, as did yogurt raisins (one of her favorite snacks.)

You can see the sunshine through the windows in these pictures, which is a little reminder that we were so lucky with our weather this year.  My cousins down south might mock us for needing jackets with our costumes, but I consider it a good year when it's dry and sunny!  Our fall has been lovely so far, and this week didn't disappoint at all.

Halloween - Take Three

Zoo Boo is one of my favorite parts of the Halloween season.  This is Abbey's third time, and it is so funny how much the experience has changed for her (and us) each year. 

The first one, she basically cried unless Ryan held her, while I pushed the stroller.  (Remembering that, we should have been prepared for Dylan's reaction to the event, since he is almost exactly the same age she was at her first attempt.)

Last year, she and Brendan wandered slowly around the path, interested in each other and being silly as much as the sights and happenings around them. 

This year, she was thrilled with everything, from the decorations to the costumes to the trick or treating, although her little voice is still shy and quiet with the strangers handing out candy.  (Which is good, right?  Shouldn't she be a little wary of taking things from adults dressed up like animals?)

Dylan, as was to be expected, enjoyed the stroller for a brief time, loved being carted around in the Ergo for a while, and then fell asleep, warm and heavy on my chest.

loving the line of carved jack o' lanterns 

one of the last times he was happy in the stroller for the rest of the night 

he happily enjoyed the sights from my arms

in front of the giant pumpkin 

hay maze

so many of my Halloween pictures are of her back, because she was too excited to slow down 

cheesy smile because she was too busy having fun to take pictures 

good thing we brought the Ergo

the universe was laughing at my attempt to look cute in boots with a little heel 

she was excited to go to the reptile house all night 

of course, that's pretty much the only thing you can see, animal-wise, during the Zoo Boo

these creatures are much more my speed 

the boys back at home

PS - Happy voting today!!

Halloween - Take Two

Abbey's second celebration was her dance class party.  They were encouraged to wear costumes and allowed to bring a treat to share with the class.  She wanted to bring rice krispie treats, so we did, complete with butterscotch and mini chocolate chips pressed into the top.  I think she wanted to bring the bowl of frosting, but no such luck.

I was actually a little worried, because she mentioned a few times that she was planning on flying while in dance class.  She told me "Miss Amanda will attach me to a special wire," which is what happens to Angelina Ballerina when she is a magic fairy in one of the books.  I tried to explain to Abbey that she would only be pretend flying, using her imagination.  She seemed to understand, but you never know with two-year olds!

Thankfully, she seemed content to show Miss Amanda her magic fairy wand and give her a hug, despite being a little unsure about the crazy blue wig that accompanied her "Thing One" costume from The Cat in the Hat.

very serious about getting her bag ready for class

she told me, "Mommy, I can't smile right now.  I'll smile when I'm done." 

ready to go

she had time to smile now 

their teacher was very smart about their treats

we brought the treats near the end of class, where they were allowed to have one thing in the room before taking the rest home

Abbey chose a heart-shaped sucker