Seven Quick Takes: November

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
    
5.  I have hit (and passed) the halfway point of this pregnancy.  See aforementioned whirlwind.
   
6. 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....
    
7. 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!
   

Journal: December, Advent, Winter

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny!  But do not be deceived.  When the sun started peeking out yesterday around noon, I realized it was the first time we had seen it since sometime last Wednesday.  So much rain on Thanksgiving and a bit of ice over the weekend as well.  If temperatures had dipped just a bit more south things could have gotten pretty nasty.  Thankfully though, all was well and I believe my pansies even survived!  I have put a few potted plants in the window well to see if they will weather the Winter.  I'm not counting on anything, but it will be a fun little experiment never-the-less.

Around the house: We got our Christmas decorations up over the course of Saturday and Sunday and the Advent wreath is on the table.  Listening to the beautiful voices of the Benedictines of Mary currently.  Christmas shopping is mostly done, now I have some wrapping in my future.  The kids are excited for the Feast of St. Nicholas this weekend!

 

The kiddos: We had a fun-ish break last week.  Two of the kids (who shall remain unnamed) were incredibly a bit grumpy for way too much of the week; and then Gemma was a little under-the-weather on Monday, Kolbe followed on Thursdsay (and had to miss out on going to grandma and grandpa's) and I felt a little down on Friday.  But Clem and Aaron seemed to escape unscathed and everyone else seems to be completely recovered for the most part.  We did make it to the local science museum one day, and took a trip to the zoo to hit the indoor exhibits on Sunday because we were stir.crazy.  We also managed to get a good (enough) family picture Thanksgiving morning to include in Christmas cards.

In the kitchen:  

This week:

meatloaf, twice baked potatoes and steamed green beans

crispy chicken salads

pesto chicken, parmesan rice and steamed broccoli

creamy tomato tortellini

that's all I got so far.    

Learning: We got started with our Jesse tree this morning, and are on Day 3 of our Picture Book a Day.  I love Advent!!  Gemma read The Elves and the Shoemaker in her reading book at school (I really am very pleased with their reading selections this year) so I checked a different version (Galdone) out from the library and it was fun comparing the two.  Kolbe will be reading Gingerbread Baby at school this week, which has been a longtime favorite at home, so we have checked out several other versions of The Gingerbread Man, including The Library Gingerbread Man which was adorable by the way, and will be enjoying those plus a few other Jan Brett titles as well this week.

Reading: I just finished Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer and took away some pretty great things from it.  Now I am getting ready to begin Fire Within.  I am hoping this will be a deeply beneficial read. Keeping up with the usuals as well.

Watching: New season of Survivorman. Gold Rush. Booze Traveler.  The Curse of Oak Island.  We are an exciting bunch, those are the latest things we semi-keep tabs on.

Bringing me joy: Peace.  Read a great quote about peace here.  Searching for it and maintaining it can be difficult for me.  But then I catch glimpses of it here and there.  Praise God.

Thinking about: The above.  Gratitude.  Prayer.  Salvation.  The saints.  Virtues and vices. 

Pictures to share:  

A chilly day for the zoo but we sure had fun.

 All my turkeys.

Journal: December?!

TODAY

Out my window:  Sunny and warmish.  We had such a really cold snap a couple weeks ago (like, it got down to single digits one night), it froze all the leaves that were still on the trees and now they aren't dropping.  Hoping for no significant ice in the near future...  Looks like it's cooling down some again tomorrow for the week.

Clothing myself in: Jeans and a new red hoodie from Old Navy with a gray tank under it.  Old Navy, Maurices and a little bit of Target here and there.  That is what you will find in my closet, folks. 

Around the house: Over the course of the holiday weekend we've gotten our indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations up.  It makes me smile.  I am always ready to take decorations down come the Epiphany, but oh how I like them when we first get them up.  We're starting to have items that the kids remember and ask about each year and I just love that we are developing those traditions.  Although if someone asks me to wind the snowman music box one more time...

The baby/toddler: Cute.  Hilarious.  Tenacious.  Loves to climb on the counter and "help" while I am cooking (sigh).  Has napped for about 10 minutes the past two days and fallen asleep on Aaron's lap before 7pm (sigh).  He has soooo many words and sentences, but not necessarily more sounds, so he is getting a little harder to understand...

 

The kiddos:  My sister and I took her and my kids to the local science museum over the Thanksgiving break and OH MY we had fun.  We were there for almost 4 hours and the only reason we left was because they were closing.  I foresee going back again sometime in the next 4-6 months (or sooner!!)

In the kitchen: Spaghetti, Honey Chicken, Meatloaf and Bean Enchilada casserole are on the menu this week.  Yesterday I made some roasted brussels sprouts and broccoli and it was so.freaking.good., so I think I will be doing a repeat of that soon.  Maybe some broccoli salad?  I made some for Thanksgiving and already want more.  We've been making fried potatoes with relative frequently of late as well.  Yummo.

Crafting: blah.

Been chipping away at the Christmas shopping.  Probably 80% there. 

Up next: wrapping.  blah. 

Learning:  meh.  Science museum?

Reading: I have our Advent Picture Book a Day selections all ready to go, and am super excited about those.  Started The Family Under the Bridge with Gemma and am reading (and loving) My Sisters The Saints myself.

Watching: Had to break out Elf while we put the tree up last night after kids were in bed.  Keeping up with Gold Rush Alaska, and have caught a few episodes of Eat: The Story of Food which was really cool.  Have DVR'd a few things (Up, the second Ice Age movie and Horton Hears a Who) for the kids to potentially watch.

Bringing me joy: Advent.  The coming holidays.  Christmas decorations.  Clem, in all his cute glory.  Afternoon with my sis (et al) at the science museum, it really was so great.  My super great hubby.  The kids, even when they make my eyeballs want to pop out of my skull.

Thinking about: 

Pictures to share:  

Clem likes to color.

 Turkeys

 

Found him sleeping like this one night when we went to tuck him in.

Journal: Here come the holidays

TODAY

Out my window:  Grey and cloudy.  Cold cold cold.  It is beginning to feel and look like winter outside, big time.  The fescue is beginning to go dormant, earlier this year than it has years previous.  

Clothing myself in:  New purple sweater from Old Navy, dark skinny jeans, purple and navy striped socks and the Tahitian pearls Aaron got me for Christmas when we were first married.  I have been steadily adding to my wardrobe here and there lately (I ordered a new coat this week!) and it has been nice.  Old Navy seems to have increased their quality in the past year or so (IMHO), maybe to fill the niche that Gap has left (because to me, Gap seems more like what Express used to be, and now Old Navy seems more like what Gap was, and I haven't even been into an Express for years...anyone else seeing this?) But anyways, Old Navy carries talls, which I find very appealing due to the longer torsos and and sleeves so it is nice to have new clothes that fit well.  

I am also debating about boots but just can't decide.  Is it considered stylish (enough) to wear Sperrys with skinny jeans?  (Sarah?)  

Around the house: We have had a couple fires (in the fireplace) recently and that has been sooooo cozy.  There are some nice things about winter.  ;-)

 

The baby/toddler: He is so cute.  Definitely strong-willed and tricky at times, but I am really enjoying his emergence from babyhood to toddlerhood.  A lot.  More so than I remember savoring it with the older two.  Maybe because he's walking earlier than they did?  Because he's the third?  I don't know.  But it is so fun watching him toddling around, playing and discovering things.  Naps have been better lately.

 

The kiddos: Have been playing together lately, like, reallllly well.  With their toys.  And each other.  It is unlike anything I have ever seen from them, and it has been so, so, sososososososo nice.  

Kolbe's speech really seems to be improving, and he continues to progress with his sounds that he works on each week.  I like his speech teacher and am so grateful he is able to receive services.

Gemma has the week off school this week and I'm really looking forward to that.  It should be a nice week, I am definitely looking forward to the mornings being a little more chill (figuratively, not literally). 

In the kitchen: I have a big (5x) batch of Cream of Mushroom Soup cooling in the fridge, needed to restock the freezer.  Making chicken tostadas tomorrow and Beef and Noodles Tuesday.  Aaron is planning to run the smoker later in the week (Friday?).  Rest of the week we will be fooding it Thanksgiving style.  Oh boy...  I am planning to bring Broccoli Salad to my inlaws' get-together.

Crafting: Our new stove has a double oven, and thus two handles on the front so my towels were too long to hang on the top handle (they got int he way of the lower handle/opening the oven).  I looked around, but all the bar towels (which would fit) came in five-packs where at least three of the colors would not have matched.  And I didn't want white.  So one night I decided to just cut some of my old (they were actually pretty new) towels off and hem them to the right length and it worked out really well.  One of those things that I am nerding-out about wayyyyy too much. 

Learning:  I have a stack of Thanksgiving books from the library for this week, and we will make our annual Turkey craft.  We will be taking a hiatus from Letter-of-the-Week until after the holidays so we can focus on Advent and such.  I am looking forward to this immensely. 

Reading: I read Sarah's Key this week.  It was good (I read it in like four days) but very sobering.  I learned a lot about occupied France during WWII that I did not know.  Now I have The Light Between Oceans on hold at the library.  It's been awhile since I've read any fiction, so it's nice to get my nose back in some good books.  

Watching:  The usuals.  We caught just the tail-end of a new Bill Cosby stand-up last night.  Apparently he is coming out with his first stand-up act in three decades.  He is so. stinkin'. funny.

Bringing me joy: The coming holidays, especially Advent.  Watching the kids play.  Cooking. Aaron, he is such a wonderful husband.  My Church (the universal one).  Gemma's school.    

Thinking about: The many things for which I am grateful.  Cliche I know, but grateful I am.  The coming holidays.  They kind of stress me out too.  Blogging more.  Being a more loving parent. 

Pictures to share:  

Playing Pirates.  This is about a month old, I need to dump some more current pictures off my camera soon.

Journal (11th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: Feels like late Fall.  A bit chilly but lovely really.  I am mourning the loss of the leaves from the trees until next Spring. Just not a huge fan of winter, for multitudinous reasons.  But alas, it is upon us.

Clothing myself in: Black sweats, one of these cami/tanks that are oh so comfy and great for nursing, and a college sweatshirt.  Comfy.

Around the house:  Thinking about Feast of St. Nicholas and Christmas gifts and have done a bit of shopping (online and in stores).  Keeping things very simple (especially with our children) this year.  Along that vein, anyone have any recommendations for a good wooden block set, preferably colored?  I'm looking at a few but wondered if anyone had a set they liked that they could recommend?

Started decorating for Christmas.  It seems so early, this early Thanksgiving really threw me for a loop.  On the brighter side, this gives us more time to enjoy our decorations.  I figure if I'm going to put forth the effort, then I want to be able to enjoy them for more than a week or two.

 

The baby: Has started sucking his thumb.  I am still unsure how I feel about this.  I had purposely not introduced a binkie with him.  Gemma and Kolbe both took binkies and getting rid of them was definitely a process.  Although probably easier than getting rid of a thumb.  But he will soothe himself with it sometimes which is super cool.  Like I said, I am not sure how to feel about a thumb-sucker.  I am trying not to encourage or discourage it, but have found myself doing both.  Mixed messages much?

 

The kiddos:  Recent conversations with the kids:

Gemma: Kolbe, what's your favorite animal?

Kolbe: BLUUUUUUUUE!!!!!

Gemma: NO! I said, animal!!

Kolbe: (in his typical monotone inflection) Oh. A'mal tatters. (animal crackers)

When we were talking about what we were thankful for I had to explain a little more to Kolbe just exactly what 'being thankful' meant, so I said, "thankful is something we are really glad that we have at our house...so Kolbe, that are you thankful for?"  To which he responded, "Oh. Ha'ween tandy." (Halloween Candy, for those of you who don't speak 'Kolbe')

He's a man of few words, but man does he crack me up sometimes.  ;-D

In the kitchen:  Chicken Alfredo; Meatloaf with Quinoa and Kale Salad; (extended) family birthday dinner.

Crafting:  I finished a HUGE amount of photo organization last weekend, namely getting all our albums caught up, labeled, organized etc., and also made up a book on Shutterfly that I will order in December when I have five years of monthly pictures.

Got some sports-ball print fleece at Joanns on Black Friday for a super good deal and am going to "make" a blanket for Kolbe's bed for him for Christmas.  And by "make", I believe I will wash it, cut it to the right length (I purposely bought too much, not wanting to have not enough) and call it good.  I am a little iffy about sewing on fleece as it stretches funny (in  my experience), and I don't want to do a tied one.  Since fleece doesn't fray I figure I'm good taking the lazy way out.  Any advice?

Working a lot lately on our Advent plans.  Hoping to blog about them soon.

Learning: We had fun with this handprint turkey craft this week.  Lots of cutting, and messy (but washable) paint.  But fun for sure.  Have I mentioned I am a sucker for handprint art?

Bringing me joy: Listening to Handel's "Messiah". Thanksgiving and time with family.  My hubby having some time off work.  The huge kick my kids get out of seeing Christmas lights, especially our neighbor's across the street.  Just the coming holiday season in general...seeing things through the joyous eyes of my children helps me stop and appreciate the simple things.  A working wash machine.  Preparing for Advent...hands-down my favorite liturgical season.  A sweet (professional) picture of our three. 

Thinking about: Christmas gifts.  Advent.  See above.

And our Christmas letter.  Anyone want to write it for me??

Pictures to share: 

My sister took a nice "up and down" photo of us on Thanksgiving, and then I said, "OK let's take one the other way," meaning landscape instead of portrait.  Aaron thought I meant he and I should switch places.  Hence the over-the-top cheesy weirdly posed picture.  Think I should frame it (haha)?  See the side bar for the "real" one.

Journal (10th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: It feels like Fall.  It's nice.  Highs in the 50s or 60s, lows in the 30s or 40s, slanty light, trees are past peak.  The kids played this afternoon at the park with one of the neighbor kids and we all had a nice time outdoors, albeit a bit chilly.

Clothing myself in: jammies

Around the house: I wiped the kitchen cabinets down with Murphy's Oil Soap today.  Good stuff, good stuff.  Takes away all the grime (we don't have cabinet pulls, so the wood gets really grimy) and leaves the house smelling so fresh.

 

The baby:  Is noticing his surroundings so much more.  He is starting to take an interest in toys and rattles and such, and loves sitting in the bouncy chair and "playing" with the big kids.  He is so entertained by them, it's wonderful.  Even though most some days I feel like I am losing my mind, I feel like I've really hit my groove with three. 

 

The kiddos:  Aaron set up the train set for the kids (they got it for Christmas last year and I packed it away because it kind of drove me crazy).  They are much better ages for it now and have been having a lot of fun with it.

Kolbe....I think we have FINALLY turned the corner with this potty process.  I started putting him in regular underwear (not training pants, not pull-ups) this week around the house (no pants, just underwear)....and he GOT it!!!  Several days now he has had no accidents, AND he's been telling me when he has to go, going back to the potty, pulling his undies down and doing his business all on his own.  I'm not calling it yet, but we are soooooo close.  YAY!!!!!!  And while I'm talking about Kolbe, he is so funny, he wakes up at LEAST once during the night hollering for his "tudders" (covers).  He kicks them off and is somehow incapable of re-"tuddering" himself so he just yells "tudders mammy, tudders mammy" until I come in, and after I cover him he says "shanks mommy" in this sleepy little grateful voice.  It would be kind of annoying if it weren't so darn cute.

Gemma has it in her head that a kitten is going to come to our house and knock on or meow at the door and she will rescue it and keep it as her pet in a cage that daddy will bring home from his office (??) and I will give her a milk bowl for it and we'll get the kitty milk from the store for it and she will take care of it and when it grows up to be a cat she will let it go and get a new kitten (kid you not, she said that).  She has been through her plan with me no less than 100 times.  I finally snapped and said (rather crossly), "GEMMA, we are NOT getting a kitten."  It didn't even phase her.  She has big plans, I tell you.

In the kitchen:  Lazy Sunday Casserole; Pizza with red sauce, meat, mushrooms and bell peppers; Thanksgiving feasting

Crafting:  I designed a little photo collage in powerpoint to have printed for our Christmas cards.  If anyone hears about Walgreens doing 4x6 free prints like they did last year around this time, please let me know!!  I am very pleased with how the collage turned out.

Learning: Read a handful of books about pilgrims and Indians this week and made paper plate pilgrims.  We mixed our own "face color" which was fun for the kids.  Also made these paper Indians with watercolors and crayons.

Bringing me joy: The thought of my hubby having some time off this coming week for the holiday.  He rarely has time off work, so when he is home from work on a regular work day it is a real treat!!!!

Thinking about: How far removed we are from the whole "first time parent" scene.  This is neither good nor bad, and I am by no means claiming to be any sort of expert when it comes to parenting.  It has just dawned on us of late that we're not really "newbies" anymore. 

Pictures to share: 

First fire of the year on a cold Sunday last week.  With hot chocolate and some stories, it was quite cozy.

Journal (9th edition)

TODAY

Out my window: Warm for November.  Very, very warm.

Clothing myself in: the usual.

Around the house: We turned the air conditioner on last night.  On November 9.  Yes, we had our last 80 degree day of the season yesterday...for like the 10th time.  Seriously.  As we were walking to the park in our short sleeves that I had to tackle the basement tubs to get for the kids, GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH, it dawned on me that I have gotten this wistful feeling of, "oh, this is the last time I'll take my babies to the park in warm weather until next spring," no less than five times in the past month.  Silly weather.

 

The baby: Had his 4 month well-child visit.  He weighed 13 lbs 14 oz., was 25.5 inches, and peed buckets all over the scale after they weighed him.

I switched him to disposables for nighttime and this has been a convenient good switch.  Still liking our cloth during the day.  A bunch. 

This morning I woke up around 5:30 to Aaron saying, "honey, why is the baby upside down?"  Sure enough, there he was, laying between us laughing and cooing with his feet kicking the headboard.  Still not quite sure how that happened.

 

The kiddos:  Bedtime has been pretty early this week as we adjust to the time-change.  The older two had been on a pretty good 8-8 schedule, but since the time change it's been more like 7:30-7:30 give or take, and I kind of like it and am tempted to keep it this way.  I'm not a huge fan of the earlier mornings, but the early bedtimes have been nice and once we're doing the school thing next year we're really not going to have a choice.  If we're out and about it's tough to get them in bed on time, but since we lead such exciting social lives it's not too much a problem.  I'm sure the coming holidays will throw us for a loop as usual, but alas...  Enough sleep talk.

Kolbe has been really into helping me lately.  Unloading the dishwasher, sorting laundry, putting laundry in/out of washer/dryer, folding laundry, dusting...whatever it is I am doing, he will leave his play and be right by my side like velcro, wanting to help.  It is cute sometimes, frustrating sometimes and helpful sometimes.  Oh that he would always be this eager to do chores. ;-)

In the kitchen:  Stuffed Green Peppers; Chicken Enchiladas; Shepherds Pie, inspired by my MIL and an episode of Symon's Suppers; Chile Rellenos

Crafting:  I have been working on pictures...I like to print about 20 or so a month to keep in albums for the kids to look at.  I was pretty well caught up before Clem was born, and I am ready to get caught back up.  I have everything from July-October printed (except for July), some are written on, they are each in their own envelope, just need to be put in order and in albums.  Hoping to tackle this sometime in November and be caught up, at least temporarily.  Also debating about what to use my free Shutterfly Photobook for. Hmmm.....

Learning: Worked on some turkey crafts from DLTK.  Gemma did especially well with the lowercase alphabet one that's three down from the top.  Both kids have recently gotten into the show Blue's Clues. 

Bringing me joy:  Fall walks wearing the baby and watching the kids on their trikes.  My family.  Time in the evenings with my hubby after the kids are in bed.  Watching the kids play together.  The simple things in life.

Thinking about: My life as a wife and mother.  It is something that brings me so much deep joy in my heart - maybe not always happiness per se - but true joy, that I really can't even put it into words.  The other day my friend Erin wrote this post, and it got me to thinking about my relationship with Aaron and how grateful I am for him, for us, for our family.  Then I read this post and as usual Simcha was spot-on.  There is so much craziness out there (and sometimes in our house!)...whether it's politics, extended-family drama, or any number of things, I am so glad that at the end of the day, each and every day, I am married to my best friend, and that in being married to him I am not only serving and loving him, but serving and loving Him.  Wow.  My life is nothing like what I thought it would be 10 years ago, and if things had gone according to "my plan", well, let's just say it's a good, amazing thing really that God is in control. 

Pictures to share: 

Kolbe picking Clem's nose for him.  Yep, that's how we roll folks.  At least he had the manners to use a tissue!

Mamas and babies...we were all pregnant at roughly the same time, and now four beautiful babes (3 boys and a girl)!  God is so good!!!

Turkey week

Besides our regular letter of the week activities for "K" week, we had some fun Thanksgiving activities as well.  We checked out several Thanksgiving books from the library, and Gemma had fun learning about the pilgrims and Indians.  Our favorite book by far though was Turkey Trouble.  I really liked this book.  A whole bunch.  Enough to buy our own copy, but not for $900 as it is listed on Amazon.  Really?  Why do people do this?  Is there anyone out there that would pay that for any book?!!!  I mean, I realize it may be out of print and everything, but seriously?  I have stumbled upon this more than once and I really just don't get it, but I digress.  Gemma and Kolbe both got quite a kick out of "Turkey Trouble" as well, and we read it multiple times throughout the week.  The pictures were so clever and adorable and the repetitive text was cute and fun.

We made this turkey craft and they turned out so cute!  Even Kolbe got in on the painting and I helped him make a turkey of his own.  Gemma made a turkey for herself and one for each set of Grandparents.

Gemma's Turkey

Kolbe's Turkey

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!