Thanksgiving 2010

Who: Just the four of us!
What (we ate): Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and mini-apple pies. Yum, yum! And for Riley, baby dino chicken nuggets. And for Adrian, just green beans.
Where: G-ville. We spent the weekend hanging out at home, going to parks, going shopping, writing at Panera, and playing some basketball at Oak Hall.

The Highlights:

1. Going Black Friday shopping and out to Panera for breakfast with both kids! Since Shawn was up late Thanksgiving night, I decided to take both kids along to Kohl's at around 7am for some shopping and then a stop at Panera for Riley's "bagel and muffin" and my coffee. It was awesome. I am hoping to train Riley to be my shopping buddy!

2. Riley started telling me, "You stay here and don't touch anyfing!" When I asked her where she got that phrase from, she said Aladdin. Yes, that's right. She is quoting movies.

3. Shawn and I seriously made a meal for a dozen people, not 2.65. We are still eating leftovers! But everything we made was delicious. I was really proud we were able to make such a tasty feast! Good work, hun!! Oh, and I was pretty pumped to try my friend Natasha's apple pie recipe. Soooo good!

4. Adrian turned six months old on Sunday. Hard to believe our little man already has a half year under his belt. He is still smiling like crazy and now he is so active: rolling, scooting, and trying to crawl. He's awesome!

5. I am so thankful for my incredible family (in Virginia and beyond), my wonderful friends, the chance to pursue my passions (writing and teaching), my twin sister, my husband, and my babies. This year, I feel my life coming together. At one point, I realized I was in it, and by it I mean raising kids, pursuing a career, living day to day and trying to soak it all up. How fast it happens. I am grateful for the opportunities I have right now to live the life I have and be surrounded by the people in my life. I am thankful to be happy, tired and happy.

Holiday Report...

Tree is up in its stand.

700 lights are on.

All the ornaments we own, except for the cheesy ones Shawn vetoed, are on.

I am tired.

Especially since my deadline is two days away.

But I am happy to have spent the evening listening to Christmas music, feeding Adrian green beans, watching Riley's fascination with holiday decorations, and finishing the tree with Shawn after bedtimes for the little ones.

A great night.

More revisions and writing in the morning, when I can function again.

'Tis the season!

An Awesome Visit!

This past weekend, my dad came down to visit and lend a hand while Shawn was away with his cross country team (2nd place at State!! Wahoo!!). We had an awesome time! Saturday was packed with gymnastics, breakfast at Panera, furniture shopping (for my dad), Christmas pictures outside, a trip to the park, some cleaning, and lots of writing and editing. Today was full of Christmas decorations and outdoor work, a cross country team party, playtime outside, some errands, and a yummy chipped ham and cheese lunch (among other things...). My dad is awesome with Riley and Adrian, and it was so wonderful to spend time together this weekend. Thanks for all of your help, Daddio, inside and outside the house. Especially with the microwave! I am so glad you were able to come down to see us. It meant so much to me! We love you!!

The Day's Highlights...

1. Riley professed an urgent desire to "start the laundry" today. She compiled the dirty clothes from her room and Adrian's room, then dragged the bin to the garage. I started the water and added soap, and she took care of putting all of the clothes into the washer. How cool is that? Next week, we'll work on folding...
2. The lollipop graveyard. In our refrigerator, we have a bowl with a half dozen lollipops in it, open and stick-side up. Today, Riley spent about five minutes with a lollipop and then added it to the graveyard. She then asked to have another lollipop. Funniest thing ever.
3. Barbeque!! That's all I'm saying.
4. Date night. Pretty sure Shawn and I haven't been out sans kids for at least 5 months. So excited to head to the movies tonight!!

Happy Halloween!!

 

 

 

 

Pictures as promised...

Happenings...

It has been way too long since I posted, but so much has been going on. Here's the text-based recap. Pictures to follow...

1. Homecoming Week: which means CRAZINESS!! SGA was responsible for all activities, including a major prep rally, sweethearts, the dance, and games almost every day at school. The week was a blast, but I am exhausted. The highlight was probably school-wide musical chairs. It was so cool to see the students get so excited about playing and watch as the circle of 100 chairs was whittled down to one. Plus, it was my idea! :)

2. Second Thesis Submission: I turned in a beast of a story (well for me, anyways) on Monday. 43 pages. I had so much fun writing this one. I was playing around with voice and content, so we'll see how it goes. What's it about? Dinosaurs and breast milk...

3. Pre-Halloween: With Riley 2.5 now, holidays are so much fun to plan for and celebrate. This year, I decided to do something Halloweeny each weekend with her (and Adrian, too!). We painted a pumpkin and bought a costume together; we went to a farm for a hayride, pumpkin patch, and petting zoo with the King family; we made these spider cookies that were way too hard for her to make and almost way too hard for me to make, but fun and cute; we went to a trunk or treat and hayride at a local church (also with the King family!); and, of course, this coming weekend we are going trick-or-treating. I love having a reason to get all of my decorations out, too. I am hoping to get some good pictures of the kids in costumes this weekend, so I will be sure to post them!

4. Adrian has discovered his toes, and he is starting to sit-up a little bit more now. Hard to believe he is going to be five months old tomorrow. We think he is starting to teethe, but otherwise, he is still our super-smiley little guy! I love how he will look up at me and his whole face just lights up! Melts my heart every time. Riley wants to play with him more and more, and today she picked out his outfit. When he wakes up crying, she runs into his room to go talk to him. Cutest thing ever!

5. Or, the cutest thing ever might be cuddling with Riley before she goes to sleep at night. The other night, she spontaneously turned to me, gave me a kiss, and said, "I love you, Mommy." Of course, the next night, she brought her balloon sword into bed and started singing, "I poke Mommy in the face." Not sure about that one! Oh, and she told Shawn the other night to "Keep your hands to yourself." That was awesome!

Here's a list of her current likes and dislikes:

Likes: Cheese-its, the marshmallows from Lucky Charms, chicken nuggets, wearing socks, braids, rhyming , wearing her baby dino costume, sleeping in our bed, the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

Dislikes: Haunted houses (they had a little one at gymnastics that she was not a fan of), open doors in the house, going to bed/waking up.

I also just wanted to include a big shout-out to my brother Brendan. He's getting settled in the Big Apple with a sweet job and a cool Ikea-ized apartment with Libby. I am so proud of him! In my mind, he is always nine years old, and it is hard to believe he is on his own now, working and living in New York. I couldn't be happier for him. Libby is an awesome girl, and I am glad they found each other. I miss you, Brendino!!