Yes, it is 26 degrees!

Good morning. My, it is cold this morning. There is a heavy frost on the ground. The grass looks blue. I had a good day working on all the Christmas decoaration. I fussed with the garland on the staircase for quite a while trying to get it spaced right. I didn't do a good job last year. This should make it easier next year.

Boys came home with a decent load of homework. John even brought home a huge difficult word search that I was very annoyed with. Ridiculous busy work is not the purpose of homework. Kyle had a tummy ache last night which seemed to have cleared up this morning. John still has his cough, but is is better.

Scott went to the Cavs game last night. They won in overtime. He had a good time, but couldn't fall asleep until about 4am! I wish him well at work today.

Back to the routine....

We all had a hard time waking up this morning! What a nice break we all had. Thank you!!! Kyle had a great day with his "real teacher" today. This was the first day back from her maternity leave. She is supposed to be fabulous! Scott worked from home all day. I took a nap and went shopping for Christmas decorations. I found a few things, but not a lot. The boys managed to finish all their "make-up" Kumon and went to Kumon. All 4 us went to the rec center around 5:30....Kyle had hapkido, John worked out in the DEN, Scott and I walked the track. Afterwards we all went to dinner at TGI Friday's. We hadn't been there in a while. They have a new section on their dinner menu called Smaller Portions....just perfect! I had a salmon and pasta, Scott had a chicken parmasean, John had ribs, and Kyle had chicken fingers. After the boys went to bed, I watched two episodes of Heroes and played Super Mario Galaxy! I am determined to get caught up with my kids!

Christmas is coming!

John awoke this morning with a stuffy nose and a cough, but it seemed to get better throughout the day. I hope it is gone tomorrow. Scott and I slept in..yeah! Scott went to the office for a few hours. I started getting out some of the Christmas decorations. Logan came over and played with the boys, which helped a lot with electronics "detox". Many, many games of tag and hide and seek were had. When Scott came home, all the boys headed out to put Christmas lights up. It was a warm 42today. All the neighbors were out. I made tacos with Nana's torillas tonight. They were quite the hit! Oh, lots and lots of Kumon math was also done today in an effort to make up what we didn't do in Texas!!! Early bedtimes for the young men and I hope Housewives is a good one.

T-Day, Revisited

What fun we had!

Everyone arrived safely, sleep overs were frequent, friendships were renewed - memories were made!

Things overheard - "You want to play with me?" ~ "Do we need to set the timer?" ~ "I'm eight!" ~ "You want to read a book to me?" ~ "Where is John?" ~ "Anyone seen
Thomas-Kyle?" ~ "Did you eat your dinner?" ~ "You want to get the mashed potatoes WHERE!" ~ "Where's Shane - it's 4am - shopping??" ~ "Nene, can I have a turn when you're finished?" ~ "How about cookies for dessert? Ya want 'em cooked?!" ~ "Are you gonna make that Jello salad tonight?" ~ "Anyone seen John? Anyone seen Shane? Thomas-Kyle gonna sleepover tonight?" ~ "Would you eat a biscuit?!"

There's a ton more, I'm sure! Feel free to jump in here folks!

To the moon, to the moon!

Made it back to Ohio!

We had an easy morning at Nana's packing and last minute playing with cousins. Absolutely no traffic on the way to the airport and no lines. We waited in the admiral's club for our flight. We even landed early. There were traces of snow on the ground here at the house and man is it cold! The dogs were thrilled to see us and I was glad to see them too. I took lots of video with my new camcorder. I can't wait to figure out how to upload them to the internet to share. My friend Kim called and asked me to go shopping with her tonight. I didn't find any huge deals, but I did pick up a few things (mainly my Santa goodies!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a fantastic fun day! It was cold, but just enough to feel like Thanksgiving. The Clecklers arrived at Nana's around 11 and King and Cathy arrived around noon. Scott's turkey was yummy and served around 3. HUGE meal was had by all! Games, computer biz and football followed the meal. Fun! Still full. Going to bed.

Perfect Weather!

The sun was shining, the high in the 50s!! It was just one of those brisk fall days that I love so much. I did a little work this morning at the school, then came home just in time to catch the UPS man for a wine delivery! Kyle started his second session of Kidzart today. He really seems to enjoy it. John is attending his 3rd of 4 classes so he can participate in the D.E.N. at the rec center. He is excited to be a big kid. He is also attending a boy scout troop meeting later on this evening to evaluate if they are the ones he wants to cross over to. I have been busy picking up the house and talking on the phone!!! Fun, fun!

I bought a camcorder yesterday. I played with it a little bit, but I am anxious for a family gathering to really check it out! So far, it seems fabulous!

Getting my feet back under me!

What a crazy week! The big EY party I hosted on Wednesday was a success, but it totally wears me out. I also worked at the school book fair all day Thursday and Friday. I just love watching the kids shop for books!! As a result the laundry is behind and I still have many things that still need to be put away. Trying to get caught up and get Scott ready for his trip the NYC tonight.

Had big fun on a Holiday home tour in Bay Village yesterday with Kim. I looooove looking through other people's homes! We also went to a local craft fair where I bought a nice piece beveled glass for the kithen sink window. I also found a priceless gift for Charlotte! Can't wait to give it to her.

Overcast, cold and rainy this weekend, but the colors in the trees still facinate me. The yellows are just striking now.

Back to the house chores!!!

Miss all!!!

It's Wednesday!

Well - I'm so excited, the Cleckler's came last night, and Shane spent hours working on our master bathroom - but the tile work is totally done and it looks AMAZING!

I'll have photos soon, but I'm thrilled. The tile was not easy to work with, and the man has a very full plate with all his commitments - but...he still did "Nana duty" with a glad heart.

Hopefully, the baseboards and reinstallation of the toilet can happen between now and Sunday...sweet!

Mika - will be thinking about you this evening with your dinner party - I know you will be so proud of yourself once it's all said and done...be sure to give a report.

Huge hugs to all -

How Very Cool!

Good Morning All!

How very cool! I'd love to contribute -

It's really my fav time of year in North Texas - very cool mornings - and sunny barely warm days. Our time changed thsi morning, and it will finally be fully light when I leave for work in the mornings. Friday, I noticed it much too dark at 7:40 for children to be walking to school, etc - glad for the light.

We continue at the natatorium most days - just feels good to be doing something healthy for ourselves - unfortunately keeping that commitment long-term always seems to be a battle for us - I'm sure this is not the last you've heard on this subject from me...

We're getting all geared up for Thanksgiving visit - can't hardly wait!

I'm off to Costco this morning to order cake/etc for one more reception this week. Shannon Craft, our special events coordinator has accepted a position with the Dallas Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. So - here I go for one more cake, one more bowl of punch, one more snacky thing! Yes, I could make it so much easier on myself if I just picked up the phone and called Brookshires! (Just love that darned Costco cake too much for my own good!)

Better hush and get busy - got too much to get done today!

Big hugs and much love to all -

Here are all the kids going out trick or treating!

It's me :-)

This is our last day :-( Everyone is bummed (actually, Thomas is in denile about us leaving. I think we could abandon him here and he would be fine with that. He considers these boys brothers rather than cousins.) Now that I am side tracked and talking about Thomas I have to tell you that he was so cute to watch when he saw NeeNee at the airport. He couldn't make eye contact because he knew he would start to cry if he did. In the past he just held on to her tightly and let out a few tears. I guess manhood is starting to creep up on him ;-)

She had a stuffed animal in her pocket for both kids which Charlotte has hung onto the ENTIRE trip. Pink Kitty is her name and she is our new best toy. (The new polly pocket set comes in second.) She is the perfect size for Charlie's little hand. It was a hard adjustment at first here for her. It is louder and the two power puffs are quick and like to bark ;-) But NeeNee took time with her and showed her how to pet and 'be' with them and that helped. But I have to say that the most help with adjusting here was Cousin John. She took to him immediately. (Nana and I were talking about this and it seems even as a little baby she did. So, the connection continues!) He plays with her so sweetly and takes time with her. Love it!

We have had so much fun and we aren't done yet!

They landed at 2 am Monday night/Tues am!!! Oh my. Flight was delayed.

Tuesday - Kyle went to school late so he could see his buddy. The toys were immediately pulled off the shelves! A day of rest and getting used to Neenee's dogs was needed. Kara and Shane enjoyed a nice bike ride/walk around the hood.

Wednesday - The Clecklers and I were at the zoo when it opened. We had simply perfect fall weather!! The zoo was practically deserted and ours to enjoy! Scott came home about 3, and we started the preparation for trick or treat! I set up the airblown Scooby and the fog machine. We prepared the dining room table with 22 bags of candy!!!!! a small fortune! I made a spaghetti dinner and off we went. The "hood" was packed with kids! So amazing. Scott stayed home and manned the door while I toured the kids around. FUN!

Thursday- John and Kyle stayed home from school....so naughty I know. Scott also stayed home from work. We all went to Costco, then to Brio for lunch. We then dropped Scott off at home and the rest of us enjoyed the Great Lakes Science Center. I had a PTA mtg that night.

Today - Kara and Shane had a date day. They had lunch at the Cheescake Factory and shopped at Crocker Park. I had some very sweet time with T and Charlotte. The three of us scootered to Kyle's school and the electronics have been in full swing ever since! Shane and Scott played basketball this afternoon and Kara and I went to JoAnn Fabrics and Tuesday morning this evening! Let the scrapbooking begin!

And......we still have tomorrow!