Class Photo Time

Stole this idea from Stimey...and because, let's face it, I love showing off my kids.

I think these class photos really capture their school attitude.  It's also so cool my kids get to go to school right on the beach.

Keegan, who tolerates but refuses to enjoy any part of school.  Really, he was just fed up with the photographer and how long he took with the class photo.  Enough with the smiling already.

Donovan might not want to admit it, but he does enjoy school.  This weekend he read me his little assignments, so cute, and even said he missed school a bit, mostly recess with his brother.  The get along best when it's two agaist the world, in the backyard they'd rather annoy each other. 

He's still figuring out how to "smile for the camera." 

But then again, so am I. 

This was the morning of the SV Turkey Trot. 32deg, and the turkey beat me by a nose (my husband's joke).

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Happy Thanksgiving

I kind of slacked on my gratitude posts and activities, and one day, someday, I may do the nablomepo thingy, but just not this year I guess. I did want to say what I am thankful for, since this year may end on a much better note than I imagined a few months ago.

It goes without saying, even though I'm saying it, that I am so thankful for my family. My two wonderful boys who make me laugh and smile so much. My husband who is such a great daddy and wonderful person. My parents who I know will always be there for us and who take my kids to garage sales even while complaining we have too much stuff. Here are a few other things I am so thankful for.

1. My health...I'm attempting to run/jog/walk three miles tomorrow having barely even used my Wii fit, and I'm grateful that at my advanced maternal age I know I can walk even if I can't run.


2. Our jobs...we are definitely underemployed, but that far beats unemployed.


3. The fact that I don't have to cook the whole thanksgiving dinner, but still get to make a few dishes. We're joining friends for the feast and I'm bringing green beans and an apple pie.


4. My first even toaster oven, is that too superficial?


5. The place I live, where we can go to the beach, the mountains or the city all within an hour of our place and get real, healthy food from a variety of sources, including or own garden.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all, may your turkey or tofurkey be moist this year.

Thanksgiving Redux

Okay, I wanted to post my thanksgiving menu too, which was written up by me and decorated by my son. My personal contribution was to decorate the main table (I was planning to credit the kids if it looked too goofy) and add the pecans to the pie. Okay, I also schlepped food too and from the shop outside, braving the 40 degree Utah weather, turned the slippery turkey over and chopped up the turkey neck and giblets.

We had a really pleasant thanksgiving. There were four generations with family members who've had a somewhat rocky past, so it was really wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves and the good food. And the new little pool cues we bought the day before, as well as the rousing game of steal the baseball cap, kept the kids occupied.

Appetizers

Cream-cheese with cranberry-pepper jelly with crackers

Mini beef wellingtons.

The Main Spread

Roast turkey

Gravy

Stuffing

Mashed potatoes

Sweet potato casserole with streusal topping

Cranberry Relish

Cranberry Sauce with Apples

Ratatouille

Butter rolls and Orange rolls (with orange frosting)

And for Dessert

Mystery pecan pie (cream cheese is the mystery, and it's amazing)

Pumpkin pie

Cream cheese brownies

I'm really thankful the kids are getting to know their cousins far and wide. No snow, but oodles of fun with grandma this week. And that I got to watch D savor 3 of those rolls. Other than that I think they only at "fuzzing" and of course a little dessert.

Here's how I occupied them while we were all getting ready. I had no idea K was so symmetrical. I had grabbed a couple stacks of photos so they could choose, and K chose one of his little brother. These are gifts for grandma's birthday on Sunday.

How to Play Pool

We're at Grandma's for Thanksgiving and wanna know the best part of Grandmas, according to my kids? Besides getting spoiled by Grandma, of course, it's the pool table! This has been a grandchildren favorite for eons and mine are jumping on the bandwagon. So here's a little how-to guide.

1. Grab a couple sticks, whack the balls until Dad tells you how to hold the sticks.
   
2. Climb up on table to shoot until Mom makes you get down.
   
3. Drag a chair in and attempt to get one ball in "the right way" while your little brother uses his stick to sweep the rest of the balls in.
   
4. Fill up the triangle. Explain the white one is the "hitting ball." It's okay to use your hand to explain as long as you tell mommy "I'm just showing him, it's just an example" while you use the white ball to hit the yellow ball in the "goal." Miss.

They eventually both give up and just use the sticks for swords.

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My husband just found this note from our last visit, when I was recording some of the silly things my kids say. They idolize their teenage cousin Colin, who is a sweet kid, a great pool player and a long-haired dude who dresses only in black.

Why is Colin so good at pool?

Because he knows all about pool. Because that's his job, picking up popcorn in the movie theatre and saying "too loud" when he can't hear it [the movie] and playing pool.