My favorite time of the year is upon us. Fall. I love it! I love everything about it! The changing of the leaves, the crispness in the air, the need to always carry a jacket or sweatshirt, and most of all it means Thanksgiving is just around the corner!
I LOVE Thanksgiving! It is, from my point of view, the best holiday of all! It is turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, etc, etc, etc!!! Oh glorious food from the Gods! How I love each and every one of you!! Can you tell I like food?! Oh yeah, food and I have a great love affair! I love to eat it and it loves to be my constant companion. I think my left thigh is still holding onto a serving of mashed potatoes from 1992!
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite because it is a holiday gathering that is not about presents, it's about FAMILY!! Being thankful for the family you have, the family you've gained, and for the ability to gather and enjoy one another's company.
It's a laid-back festivity. You don't have to dress up. Growing up, we usually did, but me, now, no way! I'm lucky to be showered and out of pajamas by the time the food hits the table! It's a meal that's all about gluttony! You almost feel like a caveman with a turkey leg in your hand, "Ungabunga, me love this fooood! Marrumm-umm-umm.....It good....Marrumm-umm-umm.....Me needs more!!"
And every year you set a time to eat, or a time for everyone to be at your gathering spot, but your meal is not typically ready. No, usually the meal will run an hour or so late, at least mine typically go this way! But, if anyone complains, you're gettin' a Smack-Down, WWE style! Seriously, this is a cardinal sin! Don't complain about eating a meal you will soon have the pleasure to fill yourself full of! Snack on anything you can find, and wait patiently because the pay off is a meal, a feast, that is so decadent it only happens once a year!
I have been a married woman for many years now and have grown a great fondness for cooking. It's something that I have found I do well and something I put a lot of heart into. So, Thanksgiving has always seemed my perfect venue. It's a time for my family to enjoy being together and a time to eat a meal that was prepared out of love and gratefulness for those whom I will sit down with at the table.
Don't get me wrong, the Thanksgiving meal is a huge undertaking, but it just seems so worth it! To place a feast upon the table, to look at it with pride for all of your hard work, and to then watch with pleasure as the ones you love the most enjoy the fruits of your labor. It is my Tour de France, my World Cup, my Olympic event!
And never in my wildest dreams did I think, growing up, that I would find pleasure in toiling over a meal from the wee hours of the morning til it's presentation later that afternoon. In fact, I would say being a domesticated woman was more of my antithesis, back then. It was NEVER something I thought I would find pride in! No, I was going to go out and climb the professional ladder! Shatter the Glass Ceiling! Make a NAME for myself!
Funny that what I have found years later are the names I enjoy most are Mom, Wife, Friend.
How about you? Do you find you gain more satisfaction in your domestic role than you ever thought you would? Have certain domestic tasks become sources of pride for you? Or is there some event in your life you look forward to more than any other because it gives you the chance to show off your skills? Let me know. I'd like to hear!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Can You Explain The Word Can't? I Don't Think I Know That One...
*****Pictures have been added, enjoy!!!
Are weekends a whirlwind of activities for you? Man, sometimes I get back to work and am still feeling dizzy from the previous two days!
This weekend was, of course, no exception. Halloween was Friday night. And I must say I had three very cute Trick-or-Treaters, a Power Ranger, a Farmer, and a chubby little Pumpkin!
They had such a fun time going from house to house. Grant and Wyatt stayed in the wagon for the most part, oh where Griffin's water bottle apparently turned over and soaked their little bottoms! Though, neither one of them complained. I mean not a peep! It wasn't until I picked Wy Wy up out of the wagon to burp him after he finished his bottle, that I noticed he was soaked! Poor thing!!!! Good for us that it was a really pleasant evening. A bit cool, but definitely not cold. But, we did cut our candy hunting short since Griffin's boots were hurting his feet, Grant wanted me to hold him, while holding Wy Wy, and Wyatt was just plain starving! But, again, no one was really complaining that much. They just wanted to go home when we got close. They saw the mother ship and it was calling them back!!
Oh, he is SO cute!
Wy Wy says, "I want to eat!" Griffin says, "First you have to let Mom take all these silly pictures." Grant says, "muhmmpfhh....mo cahn-d."
Wy Wy says, "Get me outta here!" Griffin says, "No more pictures!!" Grant says, "I got a little room left in my right cheek, More candy, please!!"
Ahh, now we're all happy!!!
I had to throw these in here so you could see how I have recycled these looks from one to the next. Griffin as a farmer, and Grant as a Pumpkin (Griffin was the Pumpkin too, but I don't have a digital pic of him in it.) But, pretty cute, huh?!? They sure do look alike!
And did everyone know that Griffin will be 6 on Tuesday?!? New age for him, new elected official for our country.....
So, with that said, Griffin has suffered without a birthday party for two years now! I know, I am one un-loving mother, aren't I?!?
Well, this year, I decided I did want to do something but not anything too over the top! I can't stand to hear about people who go out and spend lavish amounts of money on a party for a child because "Oh, he deserved a party, it was his birthday!" If you're not with me, check out this article on MSNMoney.
Excuse me, what?!?! I get a birthday every year, and I usually have to work on mine! Psshhhhaaaww! I know. It's inconceivable! Working on your birthday?!?! But, it happens and guess what? The world keeps on turning. No devastating natural disaster cripples the city because there was no party for me. And no reporters come knocking on my door asking me, "Why was there no party on your birthday? Have your parents forgotten that your birthday demands a party and presents from all?"
Though, I do believe that you should be treated special on your birthday by the people who love you, as I documented in a previous post. So, I do agree with that. But a party just really isn't necessary in my mind. Especially when kids these days already have WAYYYY too much!!! But, of course, they are fun to go to for Griffin, and he had been without for two whole years!
So, I decided to go ahead and have a true birthday party. Something that involved other kids, not just Mom and Dad. And, since Griffin is at the age where sleep-overs are just starting, I figured I would have a sleep-over party. Complete with the usual fan-fare pizza, soda, games, movies, and other assorted goodies!
I was later told by several RSVP'ing Mothers that I was brave! I had no idea that hosting a sleep-over signified bravery! Who knew! Watch out Superheroes, there's a new Fear Fighting Force in town, SuperMom! I'll take on your 5 year old, OVER NIGHT, and he won't get the best of me! Any fit he throws I will handle with my Spatula of Re-Direction, helping him to forget what is so upsetting by interesting him in something else. And, any restlessness he exhibits at bedtime will be calmed by my Book of Reason, eliminating his desire to call you in the middle of the night by explaining that the party will still be going strong in the morning! Sleep is just an intermission!!
Oh, my powers are amazing! My powers are miraculous!!! My powers can be EXHAUSTING!! But, if you never test your limits how will you ever know what you are or aren't capable of?
And, really, how hard is it to entertain a group of 4-6 year old boys? Give 'em a truck, a trunk full of dress-up attire, food and drink, and they're good to go! Boys are easy! Or at least these boys were!
We ate pizza, played games, they won prizes, we opened presents, they played outside, they played inside, they played with all the opened presents, they ate brownies, they drank sodas, they laid-out their sleeping bags and put their jammies on, they watched a movie, and for a brief moment they even slept! When they woke up they were laughing and replaying the events of the night before. And were back up and horsing-around in the wee hours of the dawn.
It was a morning of doughnuts and chocolate milk and playing, again, with the new toys . But all while dressed up as different characters, Spiderman, a home depot guy, Darth-Vader with a toy leaf blower, a construction man, and whatever else they decided to switch out as upon finding something even more cool in the dress-up trunk. And then, it was time to go home. It was over so quickly!
How hard was that?!?! They practically did all of the entertaining! We had to do the refereeing, at times. And there was some reasoning and redirection that took place but not enough to make the whole thing scary. Not enough to make it so I wouldn't do it again. Enough, though, to make me grateful for the friends Griffin has. And enough to make me feel like my party efforts were worth it when the boys left with great big smiles on their faces.
Yep, a very worthwhile effort on my part I will have to say. I'd do it again, for sure! Just let this SuperMom re-charge her powers, she's not as young as she used to be, you know???!!!
Thank You Jen Jen and Jason!
Thank You Kyle!
Thank You Colton! (Grant says Thank You too! Since he has taken this toy over!!)
WOW!!!
Thank You Mom and Dad!!
Thank You Nanna and Poppa!!
And Sunday, oh my! I had to teach Live BIG, and we had a birthday party for Kyle, one of Griffin's best buds. So, there was a lot going on Sunday, too. But, everything went great!
My class was a hit! The kids were so well behaved, and I had some GREAT parent volunteers! Man, you just cannot tell people enough how great they are when they've never seen the other side of the coin. I said, "Oh gosh, thanks soooooo much for your help today! You really were such great helpers, you just don't know!" And the couple was like, "Oh it was nothing. You did it all, we just helped." Umhmm, yeah, you're right, but you HELPED, and I mean, HELPED, and did more than I could have asked! You were engaged and willing participants in all that we did! You get an A+, a Gold Star, Your names in lights as the BEST PARENT HELPERS ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET! Seriously, I know the difference, and you win for being the best helpers I have ever had! So in case this couple will ever stumble upon my blog, Thanks!
And, how could a birthday party be any better for a boy turning 5 than to have all of your friends attend a costume wearing party where the Red Power Ranger was in attendance?!? Huh?! Yeah, good thing we had Griffin's party before this one, b/c our party was small potatoes compared to this one! Red Power Ranger came with his own assistant who got all the kids playing games and certifying them as "superheroes"! Oh yeah, it was a knockout party, and now with all these certified superheroes I got some younger competition! But, fear not, citizens of our great town, for a certified superhero is bound to live on your block!
Well, if you have a minute, post a Happy Birthday Comment to Griff! I know he'd love to "hear" from you! He hasn't gained my super sonic hearing yet, unless you send messages that sound like an ice cream truck! That's a sound he can hear from two cities over, I swear!!!
Are weekends a whirlwind of activities for you? Man, sometimes I get back to work and am still feeling dizzy from the previous two days!
This weekend was, of course, no exception. Halloween was Friday night. And I must say I had three very cute Trick-or-Treaters, a Power Ranger, a Farmer, and a chubby little Pumpkin!
They had such a fun time going from house to house. Grant and Wyatt stayed in the wagon for the most part, oh where Griffin's water bottle apparently turned over and soaked their little bottoms! Though, neither one of them complained. I mean not a peep! It wasn't until I picked Wy Wy up out of the wagon to burp him after he finished his bottle, that I noticed he was soaked! Poor thing!!!! Good for us that it was a really pleasant evening. A bit cool, but definitely not cold. But, we did cut our candy hunting short since Griffin's boots were hurting his feet, Grant wanted me to hold him, while holding Wy Wy, and Wyatt was just plain starving! But, again, no one was really complaining that much. They just wanted to go home when we got close. They saw the mother ship and it was calling them back!!
Here's Grant out in the Wagon by himself. He was ready to go WAY before the other two!
Oh, he is SO cute!
You like my sucker Wy Wy?
Wy Wy says, "I want to eat!" Griffin says, "First you have to let Mom take all these silly pictures." Grant says, "muhmmpfhh....mo cahn-d."
Wy Wy says, "Get me outta here!" Griffin says, "No more pictures!!" Grant says, "I got a little room left in my right cheek, More candy, please!!"
Ahh, now we're all happy!!!
I had to throw these in here so you could see how I have recycled these looks from one to the next. Griffin as a farmer, and Grant as a Pumpkin (Griffin was the Pumpkin too, but I don't have a digital pic of him in it.) But, pretty cute, huh?!? They sure do look alike!
And did everyone know that Griffin will be 6 on Tuesday?!? New age for him, new elected official for our country.....
So, with that said, Griffin has suffered without a birthday party for two years now! I know, I am one un-loving mother, aren't I?!?
Well, this year, I decided I did want to do something but not anything too over the top! I can't stand to hear about people who go out and spend lavish amounts of money on a party for a child because "Oh, he deserved a party, it was his birthday!" If you're not with me, check out this article on MSNMoney.
Excuse me, what?!?! I get a birthday every year, and I usually have to work on mine! Psshhhhaaaww! I know. It's inconceivable! Working on your birthday?!?! But, it happens and guess what? The world keeps on turning. No devastating natural disaster cripples the city because there was no party for me. And no reporters come knocking on my door asking me, "Why was there no party on your birthday? Have your parents forgotten that your birthday demands a party and presents from all?"
Though, I do believe that you should be treated special on your birthday by the people who love you, as I documented in a previous post. So, I do agree with that. But a party just really isn't necessary in my mind. Especially when kids these days already have WAYYYY too much!!! But, of course, they are fun to go to for Griffin, and he had been without for two whole years!
So, I decided to go ahead and have a true birthday party. Something that involved other kids, not just Mom and Dad. And, since Griffin is at the age where sleep-overs are just starting, I figured I would have a sleep-over party. Complete with the usual fan-fare pizza, soda, games, movies, and other assorted goodies!
I was later told by several RSVP'ing Mothers that I was brave! I had no idea that hosting a sleep-over signified bravery! Who knew! Watch out Superheroes, there's a new Fear Fighting Force in town, SuperMom! I'll take on your 5 year old, OVER NIGHT, and he won't get the best of me! Any fit he throws I will handle with my Spatula of Re-Direction, helping him to forget what is so upsetting by interesting him in something else. And, any restlessness he exhibits at bedtime will be calmed by my Book of Reason, eliminating his desire to call you in the middle of the night by explaining that the party will still be going strong in the morning! Sleep is just an intermission!!
Oh, my powers are amazing! My powers are miraculous!!! My powers can be EXHAUSTING!! But, if you never test your limits how will you ever know what you are or aren't capable of?
And, really, how hard is it to entertain a group of 4-6 year old boys? Give 'em a truck, a trunk full of dress-up attire, food and drink, and they're good to go! Boys are easy! Or at least these boys were!
We ate pizza, played games, they won prizes, we opened presents, they played outside, they played inside, they played with all the opened presents, they ate brownies, they drank sodas, they laid-out their sleeping bags and put their jammies on, they watched a movie, and for a brief moment they even slept! When they woke up they were laughing and replaying the events of the night before. And were back up and horsing-around in the wee hours of the dawn.
It was a morning of doughnuts and chocolate milk and playing, again, with the new toys . But all while dressed up as different characters, Spiderman, a home depot guy, Darth-Vader with a toy leaf blower, a construction man, and whatever else they decided to switch out as upon finding something even more cool in the dress-up trunk. And then, it was time to go home. It was over so quickly!
How hard was that?!?! They practically did all of the entertaining! We had to do the refereeing, at times. And there was some reasoning and redirection that took place but not enough to make the whole thing scary. Not enough to make it so I wouldn't do it again. Enough, though, to make me grateful for the friends Griffin has. And enough to make me feel like my party efforts were worth it when the boys left with great big smiles on their faces.
Yep, a very worthwhile effort on my part I will have to say. I'd do it again, for sure! Just let this SuperMom re-charge her powers, she's not as young as she used to be, you know???!!!
Thank You Paul!
Thank You Matthew!
Thank You Jen Jen and Jason!
Thank You Kyle!
Thank You Colton! (Grant says Thank You too! Since he has taken this toy over!!)
WOW!!!
Thank You Mom and Dad!!
Thank You Nanna and Poppa!!
And Sunday, oh my! I had to teach Live BIG, and we had a birthday party for Kyle, one of Griffin's best buds. So, there was a lot going on Sunday, too. But, everything went great!
My class was a hit! The kids were so well behaved, and I had some GREAT parent volunteers! Man, you just cannot tell people enough how great they are when they've never seen the other side of the coin. I said, "Oh gosh, thanks soooooo much for your help today! You really were such great helpers, you just don't know!" And the couple was like, "Oh it was nothing. You did it all, we just helped." Umhmm, yeah, you're right, but you HELPED, and I mean, HELPED, and did more than I could have asked! You were engaged and willing participants in all that we did! You get an A+, a Gold Star, Your names in lights as the BEST PARENT HELPERS ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET! Seriously, I know the difference, and you win for being the best helpers I have ever had! So in case this couple will ever stumble upon my blog, Thanks!
And, how could a birthday party be any better for a boy turning 5 than to have all of your friends attend a costume wearing party where the Red Power Ranger was in attendance?!? Huh?! Yeah, good thing we had Griffin's party before this one, b/c our party was small potatoes compared to this one! Red Power Ranger came with his own assistant who got all the kids playing games and certifying them as "superheroes"! Oh yeah, it was a knockout party, and now with all these certified superheroes I got some younger competition! But, fear not, citizens of our great town, for a certified superhero is bound to live on your block!
Well, if you have a minute, post a Happy Birthday Comment to Griff! I know he'd love to "hear" from you! He hasn't gained my super sonic hearing yet, unless you send messages that sound like an ice cream truck! That's a sound he can hear from two cities over, I swear!!!
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