Thankful Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I am most thankful for these two little turkeys that God has trusted Chris and I to raise! Our lives have been enriched so much by their presence and each passing day brings new joys! 

I am also very grateful for a loving husband who gives of his time so generously. He is a devoted, doting dad and a caring, supportive husband. I thank God for our families and friends who love us unconditionally and add so much laughter to our life! I appreciate our health even more now as a parent and continue to pray that God protects us all from serious illness and harm. There are so many other blessings (too many to name right now), but my heart is overwhelmed with how lucky I am and how much I have to be thankful for!   

 For Thanksgiving, Chris flew back to Indiana to be with his family and spend some time with this grandmother who was recovering from a stroke and broken shoulder.  We missed him tremendously, but knew that he was surrounded by family and enjoying good fellowship (even if they did have to spend Thanksgiving day in a hospital wing).

 I took both kids over to my parents' house on Wednesday and got to spend some time with Mommaw and Poppaw and my brother and his family.  Kelly was able to join us (unfortunately, Joel had to work at the Grove Park Inn job that he had just gotten).  Later on Thursday, Dad's side of the family came over as well (Jeannie, Rodger, Melissa, Dylan, Brooke, Renee, Cal, Andrew, April, Brad, and Caroline). We had quite a house-full! That's part of the reason why Dad (Papa) decided to cook 2 turkeys this year instead of just one! He let Mom (Grandmama) have the year off and went about doing his research and cooking them to perfection (one in a brine and the other with special herbs and seasonings rubbed on). Both were delicious!

The kids enjoyed playing with all of Grandmama's toys while lunch was being prepared! 

 Here's Brad giving Liam a "hole" to putt at and a few pointers as he practices his golf swing. Edward and Melissa managed to snag some stove space to put the finishing touches on their items. Edward and Amanda had a dessert-bake off (Twix dessert bars vs. pumpkin cheesecake).  It ended up being a tie, as Edward's dessert got better and better as it "aged" for the day. Everyone enjoyed all the turkey and fixings! And we also loved spending time with each other. Of course, there was a little time spent looking through Black Friday (and Thursday) ads, as Edward, Amanda, and I made our list of things to buy.  We hit Wal-mart at just the right time (around 7:30 for their 8 pm opening) and were able to get all kinds of good deals. It was definitely a fun day/evening to say the least!

First Day of CPA

 Well, my "vacation" is just about over. I have really enjoyed every minute of being home with my kids, but there is also a piece of me that misses my students and teacher friends back at Pleasant Knoll. So, since I start back work officially on Thursday, we thought it best to try and start getting back into the habit of getting the kids ready for daycare. Today was our first trial run. Riley walked right into his class and started playing immediately without a moment of hesitation.  Maggie wasn't quite as confident as you might can tell from her photo above, but she didn't cry either. Chris and I got her unpacked and put her in a swing while Miss Haley fed some of the other babies. I realized on my drive over that I had forgotten one of the most important items needed for today---Maggie's bottles!! Luckily, I had plenty of time to go home and get them.  Ms. Sharon (Maggie's main teacher) was there when I got back and said she was doing well. I thought about both kids frequently throughout the day and almost picked up the phone to call and check on them, but after I got finished at the dentist my entire left side of my face was numb from getting a filling and talking felt rather weird. So I did a few loads of laundry and picked up around the house before getting the kids. Ms Sharon said Maggie had a good day and that she enjoyed being held! She took 2 short 15-20 minute naps and 1 hour nap in the afternoon (which isn't very much for her, but figure it's because she's having to adjust to a new place with new sounds and distractions). She ate both of her bottles and was generally in a good mood. I went to go pick up Riley and he didn't want to leave! I guess that's a good sign! It's nice to know that my kids are having fun and being cared for and loved on when I'm not around.

Maggie Pie Turns Five (Months that is) and Superhero Tripp Soars to Six

 Our sweet girl is almost half a year old! My, my, my...time flies when you're having fun! "Maggie is such a good baby"... I hear it all the time (at the Y, at church, from friends and family) and I have to agree! She only really cries when she has to get her nose wiped or she's really hungry/tired.  Other than that, she LOVES watching everything around her (especially her older brother and the cool cartoons he watches on TV, although we try to limit her exposure as much as possible). She is very content most of the time to lay on her play mat and bat her hands at the whale and other toys dangling above her. Her hand-eye coordination is really improving! She can easily reach out and grab objects now (and of course, puts them straight into her mouth!).

 A few weeks ago, our darling little one had to get a helmet to help shape her cute little head. I decorated it with a few scrapbook stickers. The front, as you can see, has her name and the back has little "flair" buttons as I like to call them. The stickers say things like "Good Hair Day," "If the Tiara Fits Where It", and "Super Star." Besides having a small flat spot from laying on her back for most of her life, the therapists at Cranial Technologies in Charlotte believe it's possible that Maggie's head was stuck in utero in Tabitha's pelvis.  So, they suggested some neck exercises and a DOC Band helmet to be worn 23 hours a day for the next 6-9 weeks. The helmet doesn't seem to bother Maggie at all. She still sleeps with her hands up by her head and taps her head with her hands when she eats.  We think she looks just as cute as ever, with or without her helmet! Here she is spending some bonding time with her brother. They got to take a bath together for the first time last week.  Maggie loved all the dozens of toys that Riley had floating in the bath. It's going to be such a joy to watch these two grow up together!

 Calling all Superheros!! Tripp-tastic has turned six! Here we are at Tripp's birthday this past weekend down in Charleston. Maggie was dressed as WonderWoman. Tripp recycled his Halloween costume and became Spiderman again. Edward (who I really think gets more excited about these themed-parties than his sons) turned himself into the Incredible Hulk. It took Liam a few minutes to recover from the shock of seeing his dad painted green. Riley and I were Superman and Chris was "Bo Weevil" (a superhero of his own creative imagination)! Kelly and Joel also earned some major creativity points with their Incredibles costumes. We had a great time celebrating this new milestone with everyone!

We spent Saturday night at Edward and Amanda's and then met Carson and her two precious girls (Camryn and Reagan) at the aquarium. The highlight of the afternoon was watching a 15 minute Polar Express movie in 4D. Riley is absolutely glued to the screen every minute and gets a big kick out of the real bubbles and "snow" that were falling all around him. His favorite animals to see were the sharks and jellyfish. He also enjoyed his outdoor picnic on the lawn with his "butter and jelly" sandwich.

Ahh, these are the times that make a mom's heart happy!

Some more Remarkable "Riley-isms"

Here are just a few more unique phrases that Riley has entertained us with lately:

• While potty training, I have learned that when Riley needs to go to the potty instead of asking he always announces: "I pooing, Mommy!".  This means his underwear is still dry, but I better get him to a potty fast!  Once on the "big" or "little" potty, Riley typically has a few seconds delay and then we'll hear..."I doing it! I doing it!" and see a big smile spread across his face! He really has done a great job with this in general and I'm truly proud of my big boy!
• While eating supper the other night, Riley got some food on his face and promptly asked for a napkin to wipe his "chinny chop"! It's amazing what he remembers! I'm pretty sure Chris has used that phrase a time or two and Riley recalls it at the funniest times.
• While shopping at Dollar Tree for some craft items, Riley is going up and down the aisles telling everyone, "This place is really nice!".  My goodness, I don't know what he'd say if I actually took him to a high-end shopping establishment! 
• While eating breakfast one morning, Chris was holding Maggie and remarked that she is a happy baby. Riley replies, without missing a beat, "She sure is!"
• While taking a bath this week, Riley let out a little "farkle" (Chris' word, I prefer "toot") in the bath water.  Riley noticed the bubbles and tried to do it again. Upon succeeding, he smiles at Chris and says, "That's rarious (hilarious)!"
• While reading a book that same night before bed, Riley sees an angel in the Toddler Bible. He says, "That's silly, that guy is pretend butterfly."  
• While playing with just about any microphone, Riley's favorite phrase to yell is "Mickey Clubhouse". Not sure why that's the phrase he uses all the time, but it's pretty funny watching him do it! 

Happy Halloween, Mateys!

Yesterday (Wednesday), we celebrated Maggie's 1st and Riley's 3rd Halloween! We had a great time getting dressed up in our pirate gear and roaming the streets in search of candy treasure! Riley managed to find the most (go figure!). Maggie was our little Tinkerbell (her pirate costume didn't quite work out as planned). She did great the whole 20-30 minutes we were outside, even though it was rather chilly.  

Riley and Maggie's buddies, Delaney and Blake, came for a quick visit around 6 pm to get our party started. We love their homemade Lego costumes!

Riley was especially excited to say "Trick or Treat" and "Happy Halloween" to everyone he met! He managed to say "thank you" most of the time, but was busy trying to persuade us to let him eat his candy right away.

We carved a pumpkin Wednesday night as well. Riley refused to get his hands dirty with the "goo" on the inside, but he did say it smelled good. He picked the shape of the eyes and a nose and helped me carve the 2-toothed smile as well.  Pete the Pirate was also created to go along with our pirate theme.

 Once back at the house, Riley dove right into his first treat of the night--a Tootsie Roll lollipop. As you can see from Maggie's face, she was quite envious!  

                                                                                                                                      She sure did look cute all dressed up in her little black dress and fairy wings!  One of my favorite things about staying home for these 6 weeks is that I'm  actually able to create some of the cute ideas I see on Pinterest. Here is a Halloween Ghosts painting that we can use to decorate with each year and it's a sweet reminder of my two precious "ghouls" and how fast they grow! 

Fall Fun List of Things To Do

So it's been about 2 weeks since I began my maternity leave and I have to admit...I'm LOVING IT! The kids and I have gotten into a routine of going to the YMCA (or "Y" as Riley calls it) about 3 times a week in the mornings around 9 until 10:30 (so Mommy can get a shower too and be ready for the day). I've had a great time trying new classes and trying my best to get back in shape. We head home and fix lunch and then it's time for both kids to nap. During naptime, I've tried to set realistic goals about deep cleaning one room each week and then doing other things like catching up on my blog, updating Maggie's scrapbook, clipping coupons, and researching freezer meals (my new favorite way to cook!). On Thursdays, we go to the Fort Mill Library for Toddler Time which Riley thoroughly enjoys! We did this some over the summer and Chris continued it while he was home as well.  Riley loves participating in the songs, dances, finger plays, storytime, and craft. In the afternoons, we usually eat a snack and Riley gets to watch one show on TV. Then I try to do a special activity with the kids.  I finally had the time to look through all the cute ideas on Pinterest and was able to compile a list of some of the activities I thought would be fun to try. So...here's the list. I'm going to work hard to keep updating it with dates and pictures (if possible) to keep a record of these precious moments that I have the luxury of being able to enjoy right now with my darling family!

Our Fall Fun List of Things to Do

·         Have a picnic in the park 10/26/12 ...we played and ate at Elisha Walter park in Fort Mill

·         Go to a pumpkin patch-10/14/12 with Nan and Pap

•  Decorate pumpkins using Mr. Potato Head Pirate and Paint

·         Collect leaves for leaf art project (suncatcher, rubbings, etc.)

·         Tire tracks art with toy vehicles and paint 10/19/12

·         Egg Carton Caterpillar 10/24/12 after reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar we made a caterpillar and a butterfly

·         Attend Toddler Time at Library each Thursday from 10-10:30 10/25/12 Riley and Maggie got to wear their costumes as they listened to monster-themed stories and sang songs 

·         Make a paint (or hair gel) gallon bag to draw on

·         Learn letters using computer games

·         Make an A-Z Letter Art book (see Pinterest)

·         Experiment with baking soda and colored vinegar water 10/17/12 on front porch

·         Create multi-color crayon discs

·         Blow giant bubbles with wand or cut-off water bottles 10/12/12 with Mom and Dad

·         Shaken Ball Art (need marbles or golf ball)

·         Write a thank you note to the mailman

·         Visit a nursing home-take cookies or another small gift

·         Build a tent

·         Put colored ice cubes in bath

·         Make homemade Play-doh

·         Make a marshmallow shooter

·         Wash the car together

·         Play Dress Up

·         Play Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders

·         Write letter to grandparents and great-grandparents 11/8/12 we mailed a "hug" to Nan and Pap, about a week earlier we mailed a get well soon bandaid card to Great Grandma Condra who was in the hospital recovering from a stroke and broken arm

·         Get a head start on Christmas crafts

·         Make an Ice Sun Catcher-fill a pie pan with leaves and other small objects, freeze, and then hang outside and let it melt

·         Do a Mummy Wrap out of tissue paper-10/18/12 with Blake and Delaney

·         Microwave a bar of Ivory soap to make a soap cloud

·         Design a picture using colored Elmer’s glue 11/6/12, Riley got help writing his name

·         Make an A-Z book by taking pictures of everyday objects/activities 11/04/12 

·         Blow glow-in-the-dark bubbles 10/08/12 kind of a dud...bubbles didn't glow

·         Design plates with Sharpie markers and bake to lock in artwork

·         Visit museum and/or children’s museum

·         Go see a fire station 10/26/12 with the 2nd Graders from Pleasant Knoll Elementary on their Community Field Trip