Thanksgiving 2012

I love everything about Thanksgiving.  It's so nice to have a day to concentrate on all that we are thankful for, and just enjoy good food and being together.  No presents, nothing fancy, just tradition and togetherness.

Reagan made this turkey in art.  I LOOOOVE it!

Reagan loves to help me bake.  Last week she said, "Mom, I know what your favorite hobby is, baking with your kids!".  She is so right!  I'm not the best baker; I can't make anything fancy or too complicated, but I love to make special treats with the kids.  It's one of those things that they still love to do, and I know we will remember these moments forever!    

This book and the recipe in it for cranberry bread have become a Thanksgiving tradition.  

On Wednesday, Collin and Reagan had a half day of school.  Collin's class had a feast and Reagan's class had a party (the difference is important to them).  They helped me bake for the special day.  We made pumpkin bread for Collin's class and corn muffins for Reagan's class.

This afternoon, we went to Grandma Susan's house for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast.

Collin, Reagan and I made turkey cupcakes.

I also made pecan pie and whipped sweet potatoes with caramelized apples.

We had a great time at Grandma's and it was nice to see everyone.

When we came home, we read the notes in our Thankful Box.  We have so very much to be thankful for!  I am thinking of using clear contact paper to turn the notes into placemats.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Plymouth Field Trip

I chaperoned Collin's field trip to Plymouth yesterday.  There were so many chaperones that I was only responsible for Collin and one other boy.  It was cold, but at least it wasn't raining.  We had a great time.

Our first stop was Plymouth Rock.

We were also able to see the replica of the Mayflower, but we did not get to go on board.  I'm hoping to return to Plymouth next summer.

Then we got back on the bus and went to Plimoth Plantation (there is an explanation there as to why it is spelled this way but I don't remember; I should look it up).  

Rather than stay together as a class, each group was able to explore on their own.

We began with the Wampanoag village.  Collin impressed me so much with his knowledge of how a wetu is built.

This particular wetu is called a Nush Wetu.  I think "nush" means three and it references the number of smoke holes in the wetu.  This is the winter home and we were told that it can be as warm as 85 degrees inside because of the way it is built!  We also learned that "wampum" is not money.  Actually, Collin knew this already, but I did not.  Native Americans had no need for money or bartering because they got everything they needed from the land.

This is the inside of the wetu where we learned all that I just mentioned.

Then we went to the English village.  Collin immediately spotted the meetinghouse.  This is a view of the village from the top of the meetinghouse.

This is the top floor of the meetinghouse.  

I didn't take a lot of pictures because I brought my camera but forgot my SD card so all of the pictures are from my cell phone.  

We didn't have a lot of time to interact with the characters, so I am looking forward to going back when we can take our time!

How cool is this turkey made out of hay?  There were kids climbing all over it and through it; this did not sit well with Collin because there was a sign that said, "Do Not Climb" right next to it.

Overall it was a very nice day.  I'm so happy that I was able to go and thankful that Kate was able to stay with Grandma; they had a great day too!

Tyler's Sophomore Year Football Season

Another football season has come and gone.  I thought I would scan these newspaper articles and save them here rather than letting them get yellow over time in a drawer or album.  

You can click on the articles to enlarge them and make them easier to read.  Look for the arrows where Tyler's name is mentioned.

We are so proud of you, Tyler.

Chair Socks

I was reading Mini Manor Blog, a design/decorating blog, (you can stop laughing now) when I came across the idea for chair socks.  They are so cute!  I love them!  AND, they are now dressing two chairs and protecting our wood floors.

Simple things make me happy.

She Walks!

For the last two months we have been saying that Kate will be walking any time now.  Over this time, she has taken a step here and there but she never really followed through with actual walking until this weekend.  Yesterday was the first day that she took multiple steps several times throughout the day.

I didn't walk around all day with a camera around my neck, so I didn't get to capture the best moments of her taking steps.  I did manage to grab the camera once and of course Kate was crying; oh well, it will have to do!

I am officially saying that she walks now, even though she still prefers to crawl.

Just for the fun of comparison, Tyler walked at 11 months, Reagan started walking three days before her first birthday, and Collin and Katelyn both started walking at 14 months.

The Thankful Box

 This is our Thankful Box.  I found this box in the basement and just stuck on some stickers from our collection.

Next to the box, I have placed a plastic cup with strips of paper and pens.  Whenever anyone feels thankful, they grab a strip of paper and a pen, write what they are thankful for, and place it in the box.  The plan is for all of us to read them on Thanksgiving day.

Inspiration struck immediately and I am happy to say that there are already quite a few pieces of paper inside the box.

Let Me Out