Thanksgiving

Warning: the picture is not indicative of the kids behavior on Thanksgiving. They were angels.

Holiday traditions are important to me. I didn't realize that until the traditions I had, started to change. I want my kids to have those traditions to cherish but we've yet to really get a definite routine for the holidays.
This year we spent our Thanksgiving at my in-laws (Anne & John) in Quincy. It was wonderful. It was just the 6 of us but it was perfect. The kids really had some time to bond with their grandparents. Anne had dinner at noon so the kids wouldn't be too squirmy. After dinner they watched a video and the adults chatted. We had dessert and then everyone (except Brooke and Anne) took a nap. It was very relaxed and fun. Just what you want a holiday to be.
I'd love this to be a holiday tradition because I really enjoy my in-laws and look forward to our time together. There is always something going on, some political debate, some family fracas, some hot issue to discuss with them. John & I have been trying to talk them into moving to Marshfield and they are starting to think about it. It would be great to be able to spontaneously have dinner without worrying about the driving, etc.
When we lived in Marblehead I loved having my grandmother close by. I remember walking from high school to her house all the time just to chat and have a snack. It was cool knowing you had a little home away from home that you could just go to to hang out. It's always easier talking to your grandmother than your mother, I don't know why but I know my kids will feel the same way.














In other news - Brooke is able to write all of the letters of the alphabet. Out of the blue! One day she came home and could do it! Amazing!

Thanksgiving

I was going to write this long list of things I'm thankful for and I got almost all the way through it but it started to deteriorate into making sure everyone got included and that became boring so I'll spare you. I love my kids, my family, my house and all but the one thing I'm most thankful for is my husband.
He puts up with my ups and downs, my highs and lows, my laughing and crying, my illness and lunacy. He's given up on trying to "fix" some of my things that are unfixable. He's fixed a few of the things we all thought were unfixable. He gave me two baby girls whom I adore, he helped me establish a life many can only dream of. He's fun and cute, tall and handsome, silly and serious and most of all, constantly trying, be it with me, the kids or work.
This year most of all I'm thankful for John.

Derek is a parent

My brother, Derek, and his wife, Mariah, are proud parents! Of puppy #1 - Jasper.

I have to admit the dog is awfully cute.

They are getting another golden puppy sometime soon. Here's hoping they are well behaved little fur balls!

Timshel!

I have "discovered" John Steinbeck.
I absolutely love his work. I can NOT get enough of it. I recently finished East of Eden and wanted to cry when I was done because it was so good I wished it would go on forever (and it's long in reality).
I've read, in the past couple of months, Cannery row, Sweet Thursday and Winter of our discontent. ST is a sequel to CR. CR is a classic and a fun read. It's quaint and comical but it has an underlying theme which runs throughout Steinbecks novels; right vs. wrong and good vs. evil. He takes this theme and creates these unbelievable characters that you feel you know from the first sentence.
East of Eden is described as his epic novel. It took him 11 years to write it and spans 3 generations, 2 wars and the entire country. It was later made into a movie with James Dean (in fact the only Dean movie that had been released when he died). I read that the movie only covers about a third of the novel. I am going to say that this is my favorite book ever. And I read A LOT.
Winter of our discontent is about family life in a small town. It's about how life takes turns that you don't expect, how you handle those turns and what happens if you take the high road versus the low road. Also a great read.
There are a few more of his books that I haven't read. Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath I've read but a long time ago and I don't remember them so I'm going to pick them up again.
I hope this has inspired one of you to try one of these books - I think you'll thank me!

Cute things

The kids and I had a good weekend overall. John was still recovering from his bout with death (read: a cold) but was a trooper and went grocery shopping and stuff. We went to a kids fair and were able to do some Christmas shopping and some animal petting all at the same time. What a deal?
We watched movies and played with puzzles and read books. We didn't watch too much tv so I was happy. I didn't feel like I wanted to poke myself in the eye in order to get out of playing at any point so that was good.
The rain didn't really bother us. We went outside when there was a break in the weather. The kids napped their little butts off. 3 hours each day (could explain the lack of a need to poke my eye out).
My mother came on Sunday and swooped us all off to lunch and a toy store. Each child got to pick out two toys (negotiated from one by Brooke). Of course, Brooke's #1 toy had a part B but who's counting?
Last night when we were taking the bath Lexi had an "accident". I had to quickly get the kids out and in to the shower, remove all the tub toys, rinse the tub, clean up the kids and get them in their pjs all while trying not to retch. Brooke got her pjs on herself and I told her to get started brushing teeth while I dressed Lexi. As I said this I knew it wouldn't work because usually I do the toothpaste for her because in the past it's been a toothpaste waterfall if she gets to do it. I just decided to give it a shot because at this point I was a little stressed (with the poop and all). Once Lexi was dressed, and sternly warned about poop in the tub, I brought her in the bathroom and Brooke had not only put the paste on her toothbrush but had gotten Lexi's ready too AND moved her stool up for her.
This was huge.
I'm telling you I almost burst out in tears. Just the fact that I didn't have to do those two things made my night. Brooke could have asked me for a pony and gotten it. Thank god she didn't. She just wanted to go downstairs and watch Go Diego Go with Daddy.
Coming soon: Lexi's potty training

The week from hell

This has been a ridiculous week. Let's start with the the stress over moving my father's stuff - we had planned to help them but when we discovered that it was $500 for the truck we decided we didn't want the furniture (couch and two club chairs) that bad. I told his wife this and she wasn't too happy. Anyway, it's all been worked out now but that was stressful.
In the midst of this I was in the closet changing and thought I should check out the "rear view" since I hadn't in a while and I like to keep an eye on the ever increasing sag that is known as my butt. Sadistic, yes, but once in awhile it surprises me and the light is in the right place or something and it looks pretty good back there, anyway, I digress.
I'm looking in the mirror and think, What the hell did I do? I had a big black spot on my back. I figured I had a cut or, heaven forbid a really gross pimple of some kind. I contorted to touch it and lo and behold - it moved. AAARRRGGGHHH. Running, screaming (inside so as not to wake the kids), half naked down to the basement where John is sleeping away. Now really screaming "What is that? What is that?"
"Huh, what? snort Wha?"
"That on my back - what is it?"
He pulls it off, "It's a tick."
"Oh fantastic."
So, being that he is the bug guy, he had his local entemologist check it out and it is, in fact, a deer tick. They can give you lyme disease which can present as arthritis symptoms. Ironic really. So who knows. I have to wait a few weeks to find out if I get flu like symptoms.
Soooooo, life goes on. I'm itchy and can't sleep all night worrying about ticks and moving and relatives who hate me. I get up at 3:30am and watch a show then get ready for work (no tics!). I'm driving serenely down the road at 5:15am (in the dark) and "AAARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH!"
A f*ing deer in the middle of the road. Just standing there. Then runs away. Goddamn deer.
I clinched up so hard I actually hurt my ankle. I sat there breathing for a minute and then went to work. Unbelieveable.
Then yesterday Brooke was too sick to go to school so we stayed home together which was actually pretty fun. John picked Lexi up from school and someone had ralphed so we're watching her for symptoms but she's hardy now that she's all tubed up.
So that's my week. It's Thursday by the way, I'm sure there is much more fun ahead. When daylight saving time happens does cocktail hour move back too? 4pm anyone?
p.s. If you haven't seen the Halloween skunks check it out here:
http://vallier.shutterfly.com/action/