turkey for me and turkey for you

Well, another Turkey Day weekend has come and gone and no one overdosed on tryptophan. Although its safe to say we won't be eating a lot of poultry this week at our house.

As usual, my Mom and Robby outdid themselves with a cornucopia of deliciousness with the rest of us contributing a few sides and desserts. Here she is with her long time friend Betty in the kitchen...

Betty made a scrumptious green bean casserole - you know the one I'm talking about - and get a load of this gigantic sack-o-onions. I told Betty I was putting it on the blog, I just couldn't believe the hugeness.

Our plates runneth over with tasty kibbles.....

....and sweet morsels of goodness.

And the kids, when asked what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving, replied "our family and friends."

Amen to that.

a day in the life of a 1st grader

This morning I had the opportunity for a rare glimpse into Dylan's 1st Grade classroom. Its American Education Week, and parents were invited to spend an hour in the class helping to run stations and then join their child in the cafeteria for lunch.

So interesting to see how their day runs and what they kids are expected to do. So many observations and a few surprises too.

First, wow are the kids expected to do a lot in a very short amount of time! Even with me helping Dylan cut out his turkey legs and pilgrims, we barely got his Thanksgiving placemat done before the bell rang and we have to move onto the next station. The next station was Jenga Math - what a great idea! I think I'll be writing his math facts up to 18 on our Jenga game pieces at home and letting him build a tower.

Second, I need to set up a desk for Dylan at home and teach him how to keep things organized because WOW, everything is just crammed inside his desk and good Lord how does he ever find anything?

Also, lots of the little boys were pretty loud and jumping all over the place and Dylan wasn't one of them. However, these same boys seemed to get their projects done much faster than Dylan, who takes his time and probably isn't assertive enough when it comes to asking for his turn. We're working with Dylan on focus and his ability to get his work done faster. This is an area that's been a struggle for a while now, and we're trying some things in the classroom and at home (visual timers, etc.) to motivate him to move along a little quicker. But to watch him among his peers and notice how courteous, patient and what a good listener he is warmed my heart.

And then there was lunch. Wow. The only word to describe it is chaos. In kindergarten last year, the kids only attended half day and ate a small snack with the teachers always nearby to assist them. What a big difference it is when they switch to first grade. The kids are lead from the classroom to the bathroom, where they are to wash hands en masse and then get back in line to go into the cafeteria. They then get in another line to buy their lunch, or they sit down to eat the lunch brought from home. Dylan and I got in line to buy lunch, and the choices were turkey, tacos, pizza, yogurt, bagels plus an assortment of sides - beans, apples, fruit cocktail, taco toppings. The line moves pretty fast so they have to make their choice quickly, punch in their student ID number so their lunch account is debited, carry their tray to the other side of the cafeteria to get napkins, fork, spoon and straw, and then find a seat. All of this is done without any teacher assistance. So its goes from almost complete hand holding in kindergarten, to full-on freedom in first grade. And they don't have very long to eat either. Lots has to happen in that 25 minutes. I think it usually goes pretty well and the kids are used to it by now, but it was so very interesting to watch all the action first-hand.

I'm sure things were extra crazy there today having all the parents there, but it was just nutty. And to make matters worse, the little boy on the other side of me was crying his eyes out because his mom didn't show up. And the little girl across from us came back from the bathroom soaking wet after a toilet accident, and was inconsolable too. Poor things. A few of us moms tried to include them and make them feel better, but I wondered what would have happened if we weren't there? There just wasn't much teacher supervision. I think the kids are supposed to raise their hands if they need help and an adult helper will come over to them. But the poor little wet girl had her hand raised forever and no one saw her until I realized she had her head down and was crying.

Dylan ate his whole lunch and part of mine, and made jokes with his friend sitting next to us. He had several boys ask him to sit next to them at lunch, and I hope its always that way.

So just a glimpse into his everyday school world. I remember when Dylan was a baby, thinking how strange it would be for him to one day have his own world that I wasn't a part of....his own friends....his own responsibilities...managing his own time and making choices.

And I know this is just the beginning of watching him explore and flourish, but I was very proud of what I saw today.

go Lightning!

The torrential five day downpours last week resulted in Dylan's soccer tournament being cancelled this past weekend. I honestly can't say I cried any tears over that one. They were scheduled to play three games spread out over an entire day and I just don't know how we would have kept Logan occupied and happy all of that time. Honestly, I think 6 year old boys top out after 2 games tops but hey, I'm not in charge of the soccer club.

At any rate, with news of the cancellation, we joined Dylan's team, The Lightning, at a local pizza joint Saturday so the coaches could give the boys their trophies. After which I promptly came home and took 4 Motrin, because the acoustics of having 8 six year old boys (plus siblings) in a pizza parlor was oh, I don't know, almost deafening!

And exactly three minutes after this photo was taken, Dylan's trophy fell on the floor and the head broke right off. Super glue saved the day and we ended another soccer season on a high note.

good for the heart and soul

I have a secret. If you ever, truly need to rejuvenate your mind and spirit don't waste your money at a spa. Collect five wonderful girlfriends, pack a suitcase full of un-mom clothes that make you feel hip and head to a swanky, trendy hotel for three days of kid-free, schedule-free bliss.

This past weekend, the ladies I still refer to as my "new mom friends" and I did just that. These ladies I befriended at the new moms support group at the hospital when Dylan was born. We all bonded over becoming first time moms at the same time. Weeks of talking about breastfeeding, colic, and whether or not to return to work brought us close, and led to bonding over playdates, dinner parties and watching our kids grows into toddlers, preschoolers and school agers. We all communicate online every single day and I honestly don't think I would have survived the catapult into mommyhood without the support, humor and camaraderie of this incredibly smart, talented and vivacious group of like-minded moms.

We do an annual girls weekend and we've rented houses and hotel room, locally, to celebrate ourselves and our friendship. Two of my friends in this group have moved from here to Atlanta, so we decided to bring the party down south this year.


We arrived last Friday the 6th which also happened to be my 38th birthday. Checked into the W Hotel in Buckhead and let the good times roll for two nights and three days.

We all had makeovers at the MAC counter Saturday before heading out on the town.

This is more make up than I've worn in the last 15 years combined. It was fun to be glamorous for an evening and learn some tips. My usual routine is some Chapstick and a little mascara, so this was quite an upgrade.

one last time

Last week, Mom and I took the kids to one of our favorite farms for one last spin thru the fall festival before it closed down until next year. We'll see you next September Cox Farms!

Muhhahahahahaha!

This summer, Dylan had his sights set on being Indiana Jones and never changed his mind once - no doubt this was inspired by playing hours of Wii Lego Indiana Jones. He loved his fake scruffy beard too. Logan had a few costume ideas of his own, and was heavily persuaded to go with something we already had in the dress-up bin. He wore his astronaut costume proudly (although the hat part was a no-go) and now that I think about it, the costume was appropriate since his massive amounts of candy loot will surely send him blasting off to outerspace.

We had a fantastic Halloween night, the best ever, according to Dylan. My neighbor Paige and I took the kids around the neighborhood and Logan was a total professional.

He and Dylan gleefully ran from house to house exclaiming "Happy Halloween!" at the top of their lungs, Logan holding his handmade loot bag by his teeth, deciding that candy is better than presents and therefore Halloween trumps Christmas (I think they'll change their tune on Christmas morning). We had a dramatic moment when Dylan realized he had dropped his whip somewhere along the path but we backtracked and found it, saving the evening.

A few houses along our way went all out, with extensive haunted garages and ghoulish graveyards. I'd love to do this one year. We have a strobe light and a few props we put out every year and it adds so much fun to the night. Monk Andrew bought some dry ice and created a spooky cauldron effect setting up on our front porch to hand out candy, drink his magic potions, and scare the heck out of unsuspecting trick-or-treaters with a giant inflatable spider rigged to a fishing pole, suspended and hidden to pounce upon them as they reached for the candy bowl.

I guess all the excitement gave Dylan a little Halloween gas, because as I'm trying to capture Andrew and his gruesome drink, Dylan accidentally slipped one out while on our neighbor John's lap. Turn up your volume. Classic!

Another neighborhood family hosts an annual pre-trick-or-treat pizza/beer and juice box bash, and this year, with Halloween falling on Saturday, we ventured back over for some post evening bonfire and movie madness. This morning, Logan demonstrated the tongue staining power of high fructose corn syrup.

Croom Fall Fest 2009

We always know its fall when the annual Croom Fall Fest rolls around. The party takes place at the Harrison family farm, and believe you me, we've had many a party there throughout the years; fall and all other times of the year. Yes, that farm has seen some times.

I honestly can't even remember when the annual fall party tradition began....long before I was a wife and a mom. Back when you could roll up to a party with nothing more than a 12 pack and a sweatshirt. Back before you could take pictures throughout the party on your Blackberry and post them to Facebook in real time. Back before we cared about having a huge spread of food...when a bag of Funyuns was more than enough. And though the party has transformed from a drunken kegfest to a family friendly cookout with a smidge of beer on the side and maybe some hot apple cider with or without rum, we still enjoy it and look forward to seeing some of my oldest and dearest friends every fall. In fact, three fourths of my wedding party was there yesterday now that I think about it!

freezing our pumpkins off

Yesterday, Mom and I braved the atypical October 40 degree weather and accompanied Logan's preschool on his very first field trip. It was not choice weather for a field trip; we all wore a good four layers or so. But, at least we were dry. Shortly after we left, the downpour arrived and its not going to stop raining for the next four days. Soggy pumpkins indeed. And not very good picture taking weather. My hands were too frozen to remove from my pockets very often.

Oh well, it was nice to spend time with his class, and especially nice for Super Grandma to join us! Afterwards, we were off to the warmth of Red Robin and a big, fat cheeseburger.

Logan's preschool experience so far has been excellent. His teachers are so nice, creative and sweet, he just adores them and loves going to school. And his class is very small, with 8 total kids. He is going to a church based preschool, which is a new experience for us. I'm really happy with it, and feel fortunate he got one of their much sought after spots. He's so proud of the projects he brings home from school, and he will get to perform in a little "Praise and Celebration" ceremony next week in the santuary. I'm sure it will be totally adorable.

apples of my eye

I just got done enjoying quite possibly the most delectable dessert I've ever made, and the best part, I made it with the apples we picked ourselves today. We woke up today to absolutely perfect fall weather, grabbed our neighbors Paige and John, and headed west to a fantastic local apple orchard. There were beautiful apples everywhere you looked and we picked our share, and afterwards enjoyed a lovely picnic among the apple trees. I decided to try to make Apple Bread Pudding with Warm Vanilla Sauce tonight because I was just feeling, well, a little adventurous I suppose. Plus, how else are we going to use all of these gorgeous apples? Scrumptious dessert, I totally recommend it. And a great way to spend the day with two little apple eating monkeys who like to run wild and frolic in the outdoors.