A Happy Hello from Gabe

Hi Guys! I can't wait to see everyone at the Christmas party. Until then I'll be smiling, cruising, sticking out my tongue, and making silly sounds by rubbing my hand over my mouth and saying "Ah." See you soon!

Happy Thanksgiving (Weekend)

So another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas seems to be approaching rather quickly. My dad and Ida came to our place for the holiday dinner, and Brian cooked a wonderful feast. The turkey was delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed the visit. I was particularly impressed with Ida's apple pie, not only because it was tasty (it was), but because of her creativity with the crust:


(While it could be a "T" for "Thanksgiving" it was really for "Thomas," who certainly appreciated it.)

Today we switched from DSL to RoadRunner and digital cable. We'll be switching to cell phones only, starting next week, too. I finally have my mom's old laptop set up for wireless Internet, which is great, as I'm sitting in a nice big cozy living room chair right now.

We had to make a trip out this morning for some computer accessories in order to set up a home network (don't ask), so Brian and Thomas dropped Gabe and I off at Target for some Black Friday shopping while they went to Best Buy. I only grabbed a few things for Thomas, but they were seasonal, and I was afraid if I waited, they wouldn't be available when I go shopping in two weeks. I did manage to sneak in some festive wintry towels and washcloths too. So cute!

It was nice to spend a little down time at home after, though we had to go back out for the kids' Christmas portraits in the afternoon. We always go to JCPenney because they have been wonderful in the past, but I must say I was pretty disappointed this time. The photographer really didn't give the kids the time of day they deserved, in order to make sure they were both smiling. It seemed way too rushed. That's what we usually love about the place; they don't let you leave until they get that perfect shot. There were only a few photos taken, and I thought only one was worth considering, so that one will go on this year's cards. They also didn't ask us what background we wanted, and when I wanted to try a different background after the first, they didn't have anything remotely close to what I wanted, and that was really just a simple blue (they used to have a HUGE selection). I don't know what happened. The service was just such a downer after so many previously spectacular and memorable visits. I suppose it doesn't help that I prefer to be behind the camera. I just want to use the studio for their backgrounds and lights. Oh well. The one picture is pretty cute, so it's no big deal. Hopefully next time will be better. (We joined the portrait club in the summer; otherwise I would reconsider switching to a different studio.)

Nevertheless, the cards should still be pretty nice. Many of you will see them soon!

Tom & Gabe

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Two local radio stations started playing Christmas music around the clock last week, and we have been listening. It makes good background music for holiday knitting; I've been playing knit catch-up all week and managed to complete three pairs of socks and two mini sweater ornaments rather quickly.

I had Tuesday off, so Thomas and I went to Michaels, and I let him pick out some yarn for his first socks-made-by-Mommy. He was so excited; it was really cute. I figured by the time the socks were done the excitement would have worn off, but he was actually really happy to wear them and didn't want to take them off. I told him we have to wash them, and he asked if he could wear them again as soon as they were done.

We went to the store for him late yesterday afternoon because of all that reading he has been doing, and we let him pick out any chapter book. He picked out a four-pack of Magic Tree House books, and we were really glad we didn't buy just one as he had read two of them by 11:00 this morning. We quickly realized we really need to start making regular trips to the library! (Hmmm, maybe I could pick up a knitting book or two as well... )

You Know You're a Mom When

...Your lunch consists of a Lean Cuisine and a packet of Transformers fruit snacks.

...You look down at 11 AM and realize that you've been working all morning with a big splotch of oatmeal right in the middle of your shirt (today).

...You can't dig your chapstick out of your purse without at least 6 stickers flying out.

...You take a cheerio shower every morning.

...You can't get a song called "Grape Jelly Cure" out of your head and repeatedly catch yourself almost singing out loud, "You take a windshield wiper from a rusty old car, five scoops of jelly from the grape jelly jar, four long whiskers from a polk-a-dotted cat, and you stir them all together withe a baseball bat" at work (today).

...You miss your third blogiversary completely, but it's okay because you know you had much better things to do...

Halloween, Part II

Thomas makes such a handsome Robin Hood, doesn't he?
Gabe makes a pretty cute monkey too.

I'm so overwhelmed with love.