Another great day

Friday morning, Ben called to say they were going to be at mom and dad's at 4:30. We packed up and went too. We had a blast seeing them. The kids were excited and busy, playful and happy. They rode scooters, colored, built with blocks, played in the tent and tromped around outside. Saturday morning Ben and I were remembering the awesome swing that used to hang from a branch on the huge oak in the backyard. Before you knew it, the men were on a mission to build a swing on an even higher branch. And they did it! It is an amazing swing and we all had a blast swinging around. fun fun day.

ps the pictures are perfect reverse order...

T dinner

We had a delightful thanksgiving day dinner at the farm with J's family. The food was outstanding and the company was delightful as always. H was a bit beyond disaster tired. He almost fell asleep at the dinner table in my lap with his head down on the table with fried chicken in his hand. I helped him put the chicken down and turned him around and held him like a sweet baby and he slept. He woke up when I switched to get my flu shot. That's right a flu shot at the dinner table right next to the desserts. Strange, yes; convenient, super yes. Ek has a great group of girl cousins to play with and tended toward Grace who is several years older but adorable and sweet. We went down to Doug's to see their new puppies, show cows, show hogs, chickens and cat. H and L would not get down, H mistaked the puppy for a lion, but Ek played and played and even let the dogs chase her without crying, I think she may have even been smiling. There is great hope. When we were headed back up their driveway, Ek and Grace were ahead of us just talking and talking, I enjoyed watching them. It is always nice to see our family there. I look forward to Christmas Eve.

Thanksgiving Play

I managed to have 3 (three) thanksgiving dinners without preparing a single dish. I am very thankful for my mother in law who gives me the gift of time to play by loving to cook and feed us. So I took her up on the offer to play, and well, as these pictures show-- color. Susanne picked up a huge roll of butcher paper for me. I rolled it from door to door in my hallway and opened up a new box of crayons. It was fun. H started with a family portrait that had at least 10 people in it. Ek began with a jack in the box that was actually a henry in a box. L was asleep. We ended with lifesize portraits of the three of us, Ek was standing on my head and they gave me a huge nose. It was a nice afternoon. Thankful for the opportunity to play during thanksgiving week.

Wanted: new scooter, preferably pink

Yesterday I backed my car up to a terrible crunch. Ek's pink scooter. bummer. As if I'm not spending enough right now on Christmas. I offered for her to earn a new one. She showed out today, I have a new understanding of her abilites, unfortate for her, very fortunate for me. She pushed the buggie at the store, unloaded groceries, put groceries away, loaded the dishwasher, cleaned trash from the car, and on and on. Capable girl that one is. And dressed to a T while doing them.

Big hoops

Yesterday Hu and Bl came over to play, I sure love it when they unexpectantly show up at our door. Hu had a friend with him, Cl. The boys took off into the yard to play soccer while the girls headed to the trampoline. The boys quickly moved to the basketball court where Hu and H played against Cl. It was a hoot. Hu's friend Cl was so hard on H in a friendly boy competive almost big brother kind of way. H was dribbling and Cl was saying "You're not moving H, drive to the goal, drive to the goal." Several minutes later the boys were proudly bragging of H's progress. H kept a calm happy grin on his face. His cheeks were red and he was playing so hard, asking for passes and taking shots. Cl even was blocking down some of his shots and H kept taking them. I was so impressed with H trying to play ball with two 12 year olds. Way to go H. Oh- the picture- I wanted one so bad but didn't want to embarass anyone, so I ran up to L's room and took it through the window, I know you can't see anything, but I wanted proof.

Warm up break

We warmed up yesterday from our chilly misty bike ride with some hot chocolate. My front tire had been busted and flat for several weeks and now that it was fixed, I had to get out. The kids were so happy to get out and make the trip down the neighborhood. And very happy to warm back up with a little bit of hot chocolate with their marshmellows.

We are so happy to be home together for these several days before thanksgiving. We have mostly played at home, caught up on laundry, tidied the house, colored, snuggled and played outside- soccer, basketball and bikes. It has been so nice.

School kids

I put new pictures in my kitchen counter frame today, the kids school pictures. Amazing- I love all 3 pictures. I think they really are their natural sweet faces. And when I am in the kitchen and they are not sitting at the counter with me, chances are good they are at their school-- so here I can see their sweet faces where they are.