Tis' Thanksgiving Day!

Tis the day of Thanksgiving,
and what do your hear?
Not the prancing and pawing
of eight tiny reindeer.

Pots are a’clanging,
timers are beeping,
some family is chatting,
but some are still sleeping.

Clash, go the silverware,
bang, go the plates.
More family is coming,
we cannot be late!

Tis the day of Thanksgiving
and what do you smell?
Turkey and potatoes,
does that ring a bell?

What other scents do
you sniff through your nose?
Pies, breads, and veggies,
can’t forget those!

Add stuffing and berries,
and drinks all around.
We know for sure
good times will be found.

Tis the day of Thanksgiving
and what do we see?
The Macy’s day parade
live on the tv.

Busy hands are spotted
setting the table,
still others preparing
what they are able.

Apple turkeys and friends
are headed our way
to help decorate the table
a bit later today.

Tis the day of Thanksgiving
and what do we say?
Blessings to all,
on this Thanksgiving Day!

The Giant Sand Box

Earlier today, we were brainstorming ideas on how to entertain the little girls while visiting the grandparents.

Daddy got this “brilliant” plan. Send the girls out the backyard to the golf course and let them play in the sand traps. Uh huh.

Imagine this…..It’s a beautiful sunny day. The weather is warm but with a slight breeze. You take advantage of the day and head outdoors to play a little golf.

When you hit a drive, you mistakenly hit your ball into a sand trap.

Rats.

You approach the sand trap and see this…..

Two little girls, wearing bike helmets (to deflect golf balls), surrounded by toys, and enjoying the giant sand box.

What would you do?

****and no, we did not do this. But it’s funny to think about, isn’t it?

Adventures....

The other day, we pulled up our boots, cracked the whip, and set forth on an adventure to Grandma and Grandpa’s house….ten hours away.

Oh my.

All the way there, we were asked, “What state are we in now?”

For ten long hours.

Yes, I am thrilled about the prospects of driving home.

After spending one day just chilin’, we opted to venture out into the great outdoors. The great outdoors meaning…Colonial Williamsburg.

Ah, the sights…of Christmas coming….





…the sights of Colonial days….






….the sights of saved parents…..





…the sights of important people signs…




…and the sight of one obnoxious teenage boy ruining yet another picture….and in a church, no less!



Heaven help me....

How NOT to Start Your Day

I was resting peacefully in bed at 5:30 this morning…..when a short person approached my bed. I figured she wanted to get in my bed with her sister (who HAS to take over daddy’s spot when he is out of town).


But no.

She said those words we all dread…..

“I think I’m going to frow up.”

And you are standing there talking to me??? Why? Get to the bathroom…..after all, you passed one to get to my room.

After no such “frow up” episode, I put her back to bed (with a bucket) and started my day.

An hour later, I got her up for school.

Whereupon, she had tummy issues. Not major ones, but enough to find the need to be home from school.

Yay me.

Daddy is out of the country so I needed to find a substitute…..within 45 minutes of starting school.

And then it hit me. I had an ace in my pocket. And in my own house.

Katie was home from college for the day to visit the dermatologist.

Yay! She can stay with Abby.

When I woke her up though, she was less than thrilled with the prospect of staying home with a kid who was “frowing up”. Can’t say I blame her.

Plus, it interfered with her nap and homework time.

But off to school I went anyhow. Came home during Katie’s doctor appointment to stay with Abby and found a very happy, bouncy, child.

Hmmm. Guess there was no virus after all. Perhaps too much drainage from the yucky nose.

Returned to school, finished the day, and came home to one big girl and one little girl playing outside on the driveway with chalk.

Spent the afternoon watching her play, bounce around, and be silly. Sick, you say? I think not.

But what did I hear after I put her in bed?

Mommy, my tummy hurts.

Oh no it does not!

Dear Santa....

Dear Santa,

I thought I'd start composing my Christmas list now. I realize I am not a child so there is no need to remind me of my advanced age. I already know that, thanks anyhow.

This Christmas, I'd like one of two things, please. Yep, that's it. Only one thing.


I'd like either new genes or new jeans.

New genes would be preferable. Ones that don't allow the fat to accumulate.

Advanced age teamed with no time to do anything but work full time, make three meals a day, supervise showers, check homework, corral kids, read stories, listen to needs of others, and so much more has prompted me to add this to my list.

That's not too much to ask, is it? After all, you are Santa and can do anything. If you can't, the elves can.

At least, that's what my kids tell me.

New jeans would be okay too. But new genes would be the ultimate gift.

I will be anxiously awaiting Christmas morning to see what is under my tree!

Oh, and there is no need to gift wrap it. It's okay, really.

(I'm being helpful and saving you time by not wrapping. Brownie points for me!)

See you in a few weeks!

Love, Kristin

An Ode to Socks

Socks, oh socks, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways….

You keep the tootsies warm.

You add color to our wardrobe.

Hmmmm. Guess that’s it.

Socks, oh socks, how do I dislike thee? Let me count the ways….

You disappear into the depths of rooms and toys to never be seen or heard from again.

You leave your partner once in the washing machine.

You never get clean no matter how many times you are washed.

Hmmmm. Guess that’s it.

Socks, oh socks, how do my girls like thee? Let me count the ways….

You are fought over daily. Seriously.

You have a special resting place on the steps.

You are reused without washing….see above.

Yes, you are so special that it does not matter if you are clean or not. You are just grabbed and worn again…all from the magic sock pile.

But oh dear socks, that will not be happening any more. You see, when I was told today by a certain little girl that she just grabbed socks from the sock pile, the little light went on in my brain.

(There is a light there, I promise. Sometimes it seems dim but other times, it shines brightly.)

Lovely socks, prepare to live a new life. A life free from being tossed in a pile on the steps and free from dirty piggy toes.

Dear socks, in exchange for my saving you from the dreaded yet magical sock pile, I have a favor to ask.

Please try to not murder your partner when in the washing machine or dryer.

I’m sure we can reconcile any differences you may have.

Alive and Kicking.....

Yes, I've been away for a long time.

Yes, I've dropped the ball.

No, I am not dead.

I have no excuses for my absence.

Well, maybe one.

LIFE.

Life with two teenagers and two little ones plus a full time job is putting me over the edge. Toss in a daddy who just left for a three week trip to China as well as other issues, and maybe you'll understand.

Maybe.

I hope to catch up on my blog reading and posting soon. I hope.

But I fear my blogging days may be screeching to a halt.

As much as I enjoy writing, the time seems to get away from me.

Out the door at 7, home at 4:30, homework, check email, make lunches, get snacks for the next day, choose clothes, start dinner, eat, showers, stories, collapse.

Sigh.

I will do my best to catch you up soon. Until then, I will leave you with a Halloween picture of my two princesses



who just two days before went to school for costume day dressed as a devil and an angel......

So who was the devil and who was the angel???