Thanksgiving 2015

 

 Long gone are the days when massive Thanksgiving dinners with many, many family members are there to enjoy the bounties of food. It seems like the older I get, the less time I spend with my extended family. Part of it is Alex's food allergies. When huge numbers of people are responsible for all the different foods that are served, it's impossible to guarantee food safety for him. Actually, it's impossible to feed the kid in those situations unless I bring all of his food from home...that I had to make myself. So making all the food myself is...well...easier. Part of it is also that my dad somehow made things much more enjoyable when it comes to family. When he passed away, going to see his side of the family (which was our place to go for Thanksgiving), seems almost empty. Sure, I still love my family. But this little Thanksgiving at home with just us and my mom was perfect for us. This is the second time I've made the whole dinner and it turned out lovely and quite tasty. Oh, and as for the beautiful house you see in the background? It is in the process of being upgraded. Lots and lots of mudding, sanding, and painting. Oh...and the entire house was turned upside down in the process. It was kind of crazy, but my mom helped me out and now I have a beautifully painted house. It was a nice Thanksgiving with good food.

Breaking the wishbone.

Abby's Big Day

So, first Alex has his big moment in the spotlight with a poster contest, then Abby goes on to win a contest of her own as well. It's crazy! What are the odds of two kids from the same family winning pretty big contests in the same year? Apparently, art is running strong in the family. I am pretty proud of miss Abby. She entered a coloring contest for the town Christmas festival. It was kind of crazy, but as much work and detail she put into it, I was kind of thinking she had a good chance to win. The winner receives a $25 cash prize, a plaque with their name on it, title of junior Mayor for the day, and to ride in the parade with the mayor and Santa Claus.

When I went to pick her up from school the day of the judging, she nonchalantly walked up to me and said, "I won the coloring contest, mommy." There was no excitement in her voice...just stated as though common knowledge. At first I thought she was joking, but then found out quickly that she was, indeed, the winner. Woo-hoo! Go Abby! She was nervous because she had to have the whole elementary watch her accept the certificate from the Mayor that day.

When the parade time came, she was a little nervous, but otherwise excited. It was funny, because when she sat down in the convertible, she practically disappeared because she's so small. I told her that she had to throw some chocolate to me when she drove past. She promised she would and threw some right at me...several times. After the parade, she stood up on stage with the mayor and the 5th grader who won the essay contest, and then accepted her award. It was a pretty awesome experience for a seven-year-old and we were super proud of her. What a day and what an honor!

Watching for sissy in the parade with her b-day present.

Abby with the Mayor

Evie's 3rd Birthday

I have a three-year-old! (again). This is the third and final time I will ever have a three-year-old birthday party. It's bitter-sweet, really. Evie has become quite the little girl. She's officially in the full-potty training swing and has really starting making progress. I've told her she can't go to school until she's a big girl and big girls use the potty. I think it might be working. It's her first birthday in underwear! I can see the diapers fading into the past, now.

We went extremely low-key this birthday. We had a very busy day planned because of the town Christmas event and Abby's ride in the big parade (but that's for another post). This year's cake choice was tough. Evie kept changing her mind. One minute it was "another Olaf cake" and the next minute it was simply "a pink cake". Finally, she decided on a lady bug cake. I think she really liked it.

It was just us, my mom (Grandma), and Aunt Mandy and her gang. Evie got some nice gifts and she enjoyed a house full of balloons. Then we went and watched the parade, caught some candy, and went out to eat at McDonalds. As for what Evie is up to these days, she's quite a pistol! She loves to play games during the days when the kids are at school and really enjoys being with them when they get home. We spend our days doing a lot of pretend play, walking to the post office/library, and going out to lunch on Thursday shopping days. She has a lot of spunk and can keep up with her siblings like crazy. She's super sweet, telling me how much she loves me more times than I can count in a day. I get kisses and hugs constantly and she always wants to help me with whatever she can. Having her with me during the day is wonderful. Sometimes I feel a bit stretched, but when she gives me that hug and kiss while saying, "I love you, mommy," all that stress just melts away.

Don't get me wrong, she had some whopper sized temper tantrums still, but that's okay. They really are getting fewer and far between. She knows all her colors and shapes, can say her ABC's and count two twenty (and above most days), and is starting to write her name. What a smart girl she is. So Happy 3rd birthday Evie! We love you so, so much!

Her actual birthday was midweek and she had super waffles for dinner. (all sugar)

Her balloon throne. Look how big she is!

She loves her big brother and big sister.

Grandma got the winner gift this year! Rainbow unicorn!

She loves Aunt Mandy.