- Goodness, here we are at the end of November and the doorstep of Advent. This Fall has been a whirlwind. A good one albeit, but a whirlwind nevertheless. I don't expect Spring to be any different, except maybe more whirlwind-ish. I just love November. It's magical. Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays and the Advent season immensely, but there is something magical about the anticipation that November brings. The one-of-a-kind sky (have you ever really looked at the November sky? There's just something so November-y about it.), the slanty light, the changing weather, the beautiful trees, the anticipatory waiting for holidays to come. This book sums it up pretty perfectly for me. Some day I'll purchase our own copy, but honestly I think I may love it more than the kids do, LOL.
- Thanksgiving break was nice. It was different this year, as I had inservice on Monday and Tuesday, but the kids had an awesome time at the sitter's and the rest of the week was a relaxing, enjoyable time with family and just hanging out around the house. On Saturday, I believe I wore my pajamas until 4pm. Then I changed into something equally pajama-ish to cut the boys' hair. And then I showered. And put my pajamas back on. Now that's the life! Speaking of clothes (sort of), I ordered some more "maternity" clothes this past week from Old Navy while they were having 50% off. I put maternity in quotes because none of them were actually specifically maternity items. I finally broke down and ordered some leggings (oh my word, no one told me how warm and comfortable leggings are, holy moly) and some dresses that I wouldn't wear non-pregnant because they'd look like too-short potato sacks on me, but they actually work great on me+baby belly with the leggings, so I think with what I ordered I may have just stretched my professional wardrobe up to baby-time (for the most part). Hopefully.
- I've set up a bunch of Christmas specials on the DVR. All the usuals (Charlie Brown, The Grinch, Rudolph, etc. etc.) Even though some of them have already recorded, I told the kids they need to spread them out and wait until closer to Christmas to watch them. We did watch Frosty and Frosty Returns yesterday. Oh my word, Frosty Returns is horrible. It is the epitome of low-budget, plot-less 1990's sequels. I deleted it as soon as it was over (and wish I would have deleted it five minutes in). For something new this year I am recording The Polar Express, which they've never seen. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen it either. I can't decide on Elf. That is one of those movies that I laugh so hard at every year, and could seriously watch it over and over and not tire of it, just not quite sure if I'm ready for the kids to watch it yet (at almost 9, almost 7 and 4.5). I am curious to hear others' thoughts on this, because IMHO, that one deserves the title "classic" (or at least modern-day classic) in my books, but I'm just having trouble gauging age-appropriateness (and I probably err on the side of caution more often in that department). Gemma gets to go see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever with her class at a local live theatre, so I have requested the book from the library to read (still debating whether to read to just her or all the kids). I remember my mom reading this book to us every year (it seems like, maybe it wasn't that often) and just loving it.
I am getting wordy. Here are some pictures from our first day of Thanksgiving break. It was cold (really the first COLD cold day of the season) so we had hot-chocolate after school, and Kolbe made us a turkey soup recipe (which interestingly enough had beef, not turkey in it. but it was delish never-the-less).
I have hit (and passed) the halfway point of this pregnancy. See aforementioned whirlwind.
Much to my dismay, the kids have inherited a ridiculously large collection of bottle caps. So ridiculously large that they have been ordered to keep them in the garage. I will say, they do keep them ridiculously entertained....
And here we are at Advent! I always love the Advent season. This year we will be using the book Welcome Baby Jesus at the breakfast table. I've used this book two or three times before, and it was actually sent home from school to all families this year so it was definitely meant to be. We will be using the same Jesse Tree as last year (which I loved, using a combo of the regular RSV and our Children's Bible) and while I haven't gone through our books and assigned one for each day like other years, we will definitely be doing a loose version of picture book a day again this year. With the growing our home library has slowly done each year, and the addition of six more Christmas hardcovers from St. Nicholas here in a week-and-a-half, I only ended up requesting about a dozen-and-a-half Christmas books from the library this year! So fun!! Our wreath candles I ordered last year still have another year in them (at least). No countdown/Advent activity chain this year. Hopefully the kids don't mutiny... What does Advent look like at your house? Richest blessings of the season to all, and as we were reminded in today's Gospel, stay awake! He is coming!! For more SQT click here. PAX!
