The New Kid

Today was Jack's first day at his new school. How many different ways can I describe being a nervous wreck? Changing schools has been a very difficult and gut-wrenching decision for all of us, because we love the magnet school that Jack has been going to across town. And since we moved in September we've been wrestling with what to do, as we now have this excellent elementary school ACROSS THE STREET from our house. I took this photo from our front door so you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. It's a really solid, strong neighborhood school with great parent involvement and it's ACROSS THE STREET! So we made the decision to switch now, and Jack has really been a trooper. He was angry and unhappy at first, really hating the thought of leaving his two great buddies to be new all over again "just like in Kindergarten." But he is just like his dad, as he seems to have that ability to knuckle under and deal with whatever comes his way with hardly a complaint. It's a quality I greatly admire and wish I possessed in even a small increment. So after picking up Max from preschool today we drove past the playground on our way home. There was Jack at lunch recess! We pulled over and I jumped out to give him a big hug. He seemed very grateful to see us, comforted that we were just right there, that he could see our twinkle lights in the living room window. He didn't ask me to please get him out of there, he said things were fine, and he actually smiled. Wow, did that ever make me feel better.

First Thanksgiving

We had a great first Thanksgiving in our new home. Although a little smaller than usual, it was cozy, and silly, and really nice. Zöe hammed it up for everyone with singing and dancing on top of the coffee table. Jack and Max were gifted with "Shark Boy and Lava Girl," which they dug in a major way. Eric made a fabulous dinner, with the turkey on the grill. Yum!
My parents were fun, as always, with great stories and laughter.

Thanks to Eric's bravery in the face of the unknown, we had our first fire in the fireplace. After many, many years with no fire in the hearth I imagined a whole army of critters living in there. But it worked! And my dad gave Zöe her first slurp of fresh whipping cream straight from the dispenser. Everything was perfect. We have so much in our lives to be thankful for, but my biggest heaping of gratefulness goes to family. Our family here and our family away, both past and present: life would not be nearly as rich and plentiful without you. Thank you.

Getting Excited

I went out yesterday and bought all of the goodies I needed to make our Christmas card this year. I love, love, love making cards and I never really do it except at Christmastime. So gathering my supplies always gets me feeling really festive and in-the-mood for some good crafty holiday fun.
The weather here has been absolutely amazing this past week. The skies are crystal clear with sun and the air is crisp and cold. Max had a playdate with a preschool friend yesterday and we totally bundled up for the walk there. Needless to say after wrestling three kids into coats, hats and mittens we were kind of late. But the walk was marvelous and well worth the exertion it took to get out the door.

Run, Don't Walk

Recently my friend Joyce, who lives in Pittsburgh, sent me some photos of her amazingly beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments and garlands. She uses different fabrics mounted on card stock with finished edges of silver chenille pipecleaners and glitter. The effect is amazing, vintage and very unique. If I happen to get one for Christmas (hint hint) I'll post a picture to show exactly what I'm talking about. Anyway, Joyce displays her ornaments and garland on these really cool tinsel trees. I know they can be expensive, but I've really been wanting to buy one this year. I looked in many different places and couldn't find what I was looking for at all. Until today. Yay Target! I found these great 16" tinsel trees in five different colors in the DOLLAR SECTION. That's right, one dollar each. The adorable matching felt tree skirts, edged in satin ribbon, are also a mere dollar a piece. Remarkable!

More Pictures Than Words

I am seriously behind in posting any photos of our fall activities. Judging by the bulging toy isles in Target and the ever-encroaching holiday decorations everywhere we go, I decided to post everything right now before it's suddenly Christmas.

For Halloween this year we had a cute little witchy-poo, a Clone Trooper, and a red Bionicle. Max overcame his seriously bad costume phobia and trick-or-treated with the best of them. It seems his love of candy outweighs his fear of dress-up.





It probably didn't help him much that Eric and I actually dressed up this year to attend a costume party. I think it may have started things off on the wrong skeletal foot as far as Max was concerned. Looking at the picture it's not surprising, really. I was shooting for a witch and wound up looking like a punk-rock Prince Valiant. And Eric, well his costume really speaks for itself doesn't it? I could not stop laughing the entire evening.