Giving Thanks

We celebrated Thanksgiving with family this year, and spent the day pondering all the things we are thankful for.

Today, I turn 31. And this is why it has been deemed "Black Friday." However, I am thankful that I am not turning 35 like Brian did just last Wednesday. Despite being 35, Brian is just thankful that my cake tasted better than it looked. He is also thankful that I don't bake very often.

Of course, Brian and I are most thankful for our two beautiful babies. And I think they are pretty thankful that they have each other (most of the time).

Todd is also thankful for his Uncle David. He's thankful that he has such good looking genes in his lineage. Looks like "The Curse" will live on. Mommy is not so thankful for this.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

There's Something About Honey

Just when I thought I couldn't get anymore unhip, uncool, and "parental"... I sink to a new level. I've spent the better part of the weekend trying to entertain a stuffed bear and make sure he feels included, loved, and part of our family. Sigh.

Meet Honey

Honey is the class pet at Hayley's school and this weekend we were the proud family that got to host Honey. Honey comes in a backpack with a journal in which we must write and illustrate our adventures with Honey. This journal is filled with photos of each of Hayley's classmates and their fun, exciting times with Honey. Each Thursday when I would pick Hayley up, I would see the glee on the chosen child's face as they ran to tell their mommy that THEY would be bringing Honey home for the weekend. Honey is truly a cherished class pet to all the children. Except Hayley. As I picked Hayley up on Thursday, Hayley ran to hug me. There was no mention of Honey until Hayley's teacher stopped me and informed me that Honey would be in our good care for the weekend. I got a little nervous... I wasn't prepared to entertain. When we arrived home, I asked Hayley if she would like to show Honey around. "No," she firmly replied. "Okay then, why don't you take some quiet time with Honey and you can show him the house after your nap." Hayley, Honey and I proceeded to Hayley's room where we read a book. As I began to leave the room, Hayley began to unravel, begging and pleading with me to "take Honey, jus take 'em." Clearly, Honey and Hayley were not bonded. I tried to talk Hayley into spending some naptime with Honey, but I know better. By now I'm well aware that if Hayley has her mind made up about something, she isn't going to be convinced otherwise, especially by me. This will change when she becomes a teenager, right? Uh, oh.

Friday I had some errands planned and asked Hayley to bring Honey with us. "No! Honey home." I picked Honey up and began to carry him with me towards the door when the meltdown ensued. "Nooooooo.... Honey HOME!!!!!!" And so, Honey and Chloe spent the day having a stare down. I'm pretty sure that Chloe isn't too fond of Honey either.

By Saturday, I managed to get Hayley to at least hold Honey so I could take some pictures. You see, I need these snapshots in order to journal (LIE) about all the fun Hayley and Honey had during our exciting weekend together.

And I still don't know why Hayley does not like Honey. She readily accepted Shamu into her fold. I can't let her near a stuffed animal at the store or she will insist it is "hers." Perhaps it's his wirey hair or his beedy little eyes, maybe Honey has a reputation and I'm just unaware. Poor Honey... I think he's ready to return to school.

Todd, Hayley, and Honey BEFORE Hayley threw Honey from the stroller

Hayley and Honey in the car... she was suddenly interested in trying to figure out how to roll down the window

Hayley, Honey and Todd... I'm pretty sure she's thinking about how fun it would be to find out if Honey could swim

Sea World

In the years since 9/11, it's been interesting to see "support our troops" become a buzz phrase. There are bumper stickers, magnets, tshirts, and all sorts of marketing gimicks galore. Most people and companies want to say they support our troops, but now, almost six years into what has become a somewhat unpopular war, it's become evidenced at least to me, that many political frustrations are being taken out on the people and their families who've given so much (if not everything) for our freedoms. I'll save my rants for another day because the point of this post is to express my admiration and thankfulness to a company who is putting their money where their mouth is in support of our troops. Anheuser-Busch has offered free admission to any of it's theme parks for active or reserve service members and three of their dependents. Brian, Hayley and I took the opportunity to take a trip to Orlando and visit Sea World this weekend and I was so incredibly impressed with the entire experience. We were greeted by Sea World ambassadors several times while in the park. They always asked if Brian was military (apparently he must have that "look") and each time the ambassadors were so gracious and thankful to all of us for "our" service.

Until it's your sibling, your spouse, your best friend, your parent... I just don't think that most Americans realize what military families are sacrificing until it closely affects their lives. And so for a huge corporation to forgo some potential profit to happily provide a day of enjoyment for those who have given so much... well, I just have a lot of admiration, respect and gratitude.
Hayley told us she was excited to see "sharks and dolphins"

She wasn't so sure about meeting a giant, stuffed Shamu

She got to pet a Clydesdale

She talked all day long about the sharks

But said they scared her (she clung to me after we exited the shark aquarium)

And Shamu hasn't left her side since we returned home! (Although we have had to convince her that Shamu does not need to go in the toilet for a drink of water)

Noooooooo!

He's 6 months!!!!! Isn't he too young for the whole beginning to walk thing????

Halloween 2008

I think I'm going to need a week to recover from all the Halloween festivities. On Thursday, Hayley had her Halloween celebration at preschool. The morning started with the Trunk or Treat parade for all the classes and I had volunteered my "trunk." I snapped these gems while we were waiting for the children to come out. Now I know why Sissy (Urban Cowboy) always wanted to find her a "real cowboy."


Finally, my cowgirl came by for a treat!

Hayley's 2 year old class

We then ventured inside for the actual Halloween party.

Earlier in the week, the children were each asked what they thought was in the pumpkin.

Hayley first decorated a cookie. This was her first experience with a cookie, or anything even close to an icing topped dessert. She didn't know what to do with it, so she face planted straight into the icing.

You can imagine her thrill when she was told she could EAT the entire cookie.

She then moved on to making slime.

Followed by some songs at circle time.

And then, what was supposed to be a "Mummy Wrap."

All the little "Sprouts!"

Halloween(Friday) morning we woke up for Hayley to help Daddy do some pumpkin carving.

And then we were off for a special Halloween Strollerfit class.

Followed by some Trick or Treating up and down Main Street.

Even Chloe got in on all the "cowdog" Halloween fun.

We then lit our Jack-O-Latern and settled in for a night of passing out candy.

Happy Halloween!