Flashback Friday

Abby's First Thanksgiving

Because really, when you live in a house with a gigantic acrylic cheetah on the wall, where else would you take the family photo?!

November 24, 2005

P.S. I am thankful we don't have to celebrate Thanksgiving in Florida ever again!

A Final Thank You

I'm thankful for the lessons from my grandpa,
That I carry with me each day.
I'm thankful for the things he said,
And all he didn't say.

You lived your life how you left it,
With dignity and grace.
And when I look around me,
You've left more than just a trace.

You taught us how to love,
More than you'd ever show.
And for the rest of my life you'll be with me,
More than you could ever know.

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-Five.... The Grand Finale

Lauren: "I'm just thankful for Miss Lisa."

Abigail: "I'm thankful for playing this game." She is referring to The Game of Things we were playing at the neighbors'.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for Grandma's phone call this morning.  For the family who is with us in our hearts.  And for the family of friends next door; what a great Thanksgiving.... Thanks for inviting us to share it with you!

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-Four

Abigail: "I am thankful that Lauren and me are friends."

Lauren: "I'm thankful for these pajamies." She's sporting her new ballerina bye-tootsies.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for today. We went nowhere. We stayed tucked in our jammies.  I finished making my Christmas cards. Geoff was home for supper and we ate as a family.  Life is good.

Ten on Wednesday

I missed the boat on this one last night.  So here I am mixing it up, ten random thoughts on Wednesday.

1. I think I've finally solved the mystery of why my girls vomit every time they have any significant quantity of any cream-of-something soup.... monosodium glutamate (MSG).  I can thank Mrs. Hart for that clever insight. Now, the trick is finding some without it. The hunt is on.

2. Abby loves to sing.  Is she a good singer?  Jury's out.  But she is to me.

3. When we made the multi day drive from Florida to Minnesota in '07 our saving grace was Raffi.  We haven't listened to the CD since that summer, but the girls have now fallen in love with it again. {smile}

4. My goal is to finish my Christmas cards today. Good luck to me!

5. I was pooped on multiple times by a pack of migrating birds while cleaning out my car on Sunday.  Later I was informed this is good luck.  If that is the case, I'm about to be blessed!

6. I could have kicked myself when I finished making my scones Monday morning, realizing I added 1 Tbsp. of baking soda instead of 1Tbsp. of baking powder. This is not the first time this has happened.  What makes matters worse is I even set out the baking powder and still made the mistake. The good news is they burnt in the oven anyways while I was out at the bus stop with Abby.  It was good for a laugh.  And I can proudly announce they turned out just fine on day two.

7. Abby is finally sleeping with sheets on her bed. I've developed a terrible paranoia of middle-of-the-night vomiting, and rightfully so, it went on in our house for a month. So far she is on night three of clean sheets! {knock on wood}

8. What possessed me, I don't know, but I set the timer for five minutes this morning when Lauren was throwing her fit.  When it went off, she needed to be done or she lost all TV privileges for the rest of the day.  Needless-to-say she shut up when that bell rang. {yay for us all}

9. All of my clocks, with the exception of one, have needed their batteries changed within the last month. {hmmmmm}

10. Fingers crossed this holiday season is less stressful than the last. {merry christmas}

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-Three

Lauren: "Well, I'm thankful for my mom and dad. No, wait, the cookies."  At least we know where we rate. Hahaha.

Abigail: "Thankful that I miss my daddy.  I missed him and I wanted to give him a special treat.  Guess who is the best guy, who is my favorite that we live with.  Daddy."

Brooke: "I'm thankful another successful trip to the commissary is complete. My fellow patrons weren't bad tonight, but still my patience was thin. The silver lining: going to the commissary at night means a friendlier staff, and less misguided elderly shoppers.  I'm terrible, I know."

2010 Christmas Lists

Per the request of anxious grandparents, I have composed a Christmas list for Abby and Lauren.  I am posting it on the blog for one reason: it is easy access for anyone interested, and I can change it if necessary.

With that said, the girls haven't sat down and made formal lists.  We've tried not to do that with them, avoiding turning the holiday season into a celebration of greed.  I have spent time talking to them about it, and the following are ideas we've put together for their wish list.

Lauren

{Size 4T}

• Toy Story 3 Movie Theater and Story Projector (Barnes and Noble)
• A Buzz Lightyear
• Fred doll (from Scooby Doo)
• Curious George movie
• The red car at the BX
• A fishing poler
• Scooby Doo panties
• Black Express sweatshirt--no hood!

"And that's it."

{Fred, From Scooby Doo--by Lauren}

Abigail

{Size 5T}

• Charms for her Italian charm bracelet
• Dresses and tights (we usually shop at Old Navy and the Gap)
• Pink Express sweatshirt
• A fishing pole to fish with Papa
• Abby loves elephants!

Both Girls Like

• Any kind of art supplies: They would love their own tape, hole punches, fancy cutting scissors, stapler, etc.
• Books
• Puzzles and learning toys: http://www.mindware.com/
• Cooking
• Movies (though they have many, so check with me first)
• Playing in the snow
• Gymnastics
• Their families
• Playing Matchbox Cars
• Swimming