Hello!
It has been a wonderful, full, relaxing, fun, family week. This morning I turned to Scott and said, "Can't we just have 2 more days of vacation?" I'm really not ready to go back to the school/work schedule!
After taking a break from blogging this week I have lots to share!
Here's a rundown of the past week all beginning with Conner's 13th birthday last Sunday!
Yes, we have a teenager in the house! It's pretty surreal to think about. And yet, here we are! I put together a 15 second Flipagram slideshow on his birthday. It's pretty cute to see his little face grow up right before your eyes. Check it out HERE.
There wasn't much that he wanted for his birthday . . . Laffy Taffy, a few small lego sets, a personalized towel. But I wanted to make this birthday extra special because he was entering the teen years and that is a pretty big milestone. So I took an idea from my mother-in-law's friend and introduced "13 days of 13". For the 13 days leading up to his birthday he woke up to a small gift or activity just for him.
Some of the gifts included: a book he really wanted to read, lens cleaning wipes for his glasses, 3 different Lego Hero Factory sets, green duct tape, a big tub of Laffy Taffy, a Big Bang Theory t-shirt, a trip to laser tag, a box of twinkies to bring to school & share with his lunch friends, and a birthday date to see Catching Fire.
On his actual birthday we gave him a new bike. Because he had long out-grown his old one. In fact, Anna is currently riding his old bike.
He loved it.
The rest of the day (other than church) was spent chillin'. This photo below is quintessential chillin' for Conner. Wearing his favorite shirt and shorts. Nestled in with his favorite blanket and pillow which have been around for about 10 years. Messing around with some app on his iPod touch.
13 years. They really do grow up!
The beginning of the week was nice because most of our regular activities had been cancelled. No piano lessons. No instrument ensemble. No scouts. No religion class. This helped free up some time so I could prepare for Thanksgiving.
The day before Thanksgiving I . . . set out the china, went to Pilates class, and triple checked my recipes with the pantry and set everything out.
Anna's class had a thanksgiving feast, Conner had an eye doctor appointment (new glasses coming up soon), and I spent the evening chopping onions & celery, baking an apple pie, making crescent rolls, and preparing a 2nd batch of rolls for baking in the morning
Thanksgiving morning Scott organized a Turkey Bowl for dads and their kids at 8am. It turned out great!
As you can see, Anna participated for the first time this year and she loved it. Before the game she asked me if I was going to play. Ha! Sorry, honey -- but mom does not play sports.
But I do come to cheer and take pictures.
HERE is a little video of the game.
We spent the rest of the day at home setting the table
eating shrimp cocktail
shaking up some butter
and finally enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal together.
(We took this photo before the food made it's way to the table. Because once it's hot and ready it is time to eat! -- no time for pictures. Do you like my post-it notes on the serving dishes?)
A few minutes into the meal Payton said, "It's so quiet." Then he had a great idea, "Can we play the game Would You Rather?" And so began a back and forth game of important, thought-provoking questions like, Would you rather jump into a pool of marshamallows or a pool of Jell-O? and Would you rather kiss all the girls in your primary class or be thrown into a pit of scorpions? and Would you rather sit through a 3 hour ballet or spend 3 hours shopping with mom?
Other thanksgiving notes:
*We watched Punkin Chunkin, a Thanksgiving tradition
*I introduced the kids to pomegranites. After some initial hesitation they liked it, but we ended up staining at least 2 shirts.
*The kids jumped on the trampoline for the first time in a month or so and came back in with filthy feet, hands, and clothes. Time for a re-bath.
*This was probably the latest we have ever had Thanksgiving dinner - 4pm. We usally shoot for 1 or 2pm. But when I woke up in the morning I didn't feel like being in a big rush to get things going.
*The bacon-wrapped green bean bundles were a hit for the 2nd year in a row.
*Note to self: Next year make a half-batch of stuffing. I'm the only one who eats it.
