Happy Thanksgiving!

So thankful to have my sweet family and friends at my Thanksgiving table this year!! I am counting my blessings! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Monday Blues

It’s Monday, it’s cold, and nobody felt like going to work/school today. Z was so whiney and sad when we were leaving the house. I could tell he just didn’t want to leave home. These are the kind of days that are really hard for me. I think it’s a combination of all the fun we had this weekend and the fact he’s been getting in trouble a bit at school these days. I’m sure it’s just a phase, but we’re on it, and I’ll update on how that’s all going periodically.

Friday, I had a meeting, so I did a drop-in at the school and spent a few hours shopping getting things done. It was very enjoyable, but I was so glad to pick up my babies.

We did our (new) normal routine of going to the gym Saturday morning. The first few times we took Lu she wasn’t so sure about child watch at the Y, but now she loves it. She doesn’t even cry when we drop her off anymore.

Z’s swim teacher gets him from child watch for his swim lesson about 30 minutes in. He is doing really well with swim lessons. We’re going to stick with it through the winter, so hopefully by this summer, he’ll be much more comfortable in the pool. Notice, I’m not saying he’ll be a swimmer by next summer, baby steps.

We decided to venture out afterward this time, mainly because Nick needed a haircut. His place is right next to the new Winn Dixie, so I took the kids there and we shopped. It was super nice! I felt like we were cheating on Publix, but between the free flowers, all the samples, and the great selection, I didn’t even feel bad about it!

We were pooped when we got home, ate, took naps, and then Nick went to some men’s gathering and me, mom, and the kids went to Carrabba’s. They did great there! They both ate well and behaved for the most part. Z mostly colored and Lu played with her menu/colored too. Z’s coloring skills have improved dramatically in the past few months. I know that sounds crazy, but I was seriously concerned there for a bit (I mean, really I worry about everything).

Z rolled up his artwork and made a “telescope” (which is a whole lot better than making it into a sword like we usually do….

We were feeling good, and I rarely ever get alone time with my mom, so we thought we’d push our luck and head to Nordstrom Rack afterward. I love that place! Have I mentioned that before? Z was cold, but instead of putting on his jacket, he bundled up in my scarf, hilarious.

Miss thang found some (way too big) boot(s) (she only wanted one) that she didn’t want to leave but we compromised and Nunna bought her some in her size.

She is accumulating quite the shoe collection…

Sunday, we did nothing, which was wonderful.

We ordered pizza and worked on the tree a little more, also wonderful.

Z was all about the icicles, very concerned about making sure we had enough icicles.

Yes, that would be Z hugging the tree…

Then we ended the night with some Mario 3D World, the absolute coolest new game! Playing video games with Z has totally ramped up the level of fun! He’s really good too, I think we may have a little gamer on our hands.

Family Togetherness

This past weekend, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, we had some nice family time. First, I took both of my kids for their check-ups, in retrospect not the best decision on my part, but it’s done, so I can check it off the list. Z had his eyes and ears checked, and thankfully he passed both. He’s just under 3 and a half feet tall and 38 pounds. Lu was just shy of 23 pounds and about 32 3/4 inches tall. Both were in the 75th percentile for height and ~50th for weight. The doctor said Z’s BMI was smack in the middle of the curve, so take that mom and dad (who always say he’s too skinny).

We went over a lot of stuff and for the most part they were acting like heatherns (yes, that is a word, just ask anybody from Sylacauga). It kinda made the whole topic of discipline a little awkward. Then came the shots. Who in their right mind would agree to let their four year-old get his kindergarten boosters (when he doesn’t even start kindergarten for almost two years) when the poor baby was all excited about going to the doctor, almost started crying when he got the flu mist and has thighs that have exactly NO fat on them?!?! Purely rhetorical question, but the great news is that he is done with shots for a very long time, and he had no idea what they were doing, he just said that lady hurt me!

Lu only had her flu shot (thank the Lord, because it was all I could take dealing with all of that!). In the end, they were both crying and hugging me, and half-naked, and nobody brought them suckers or popsicles even though I mentioned suckers and popsicles no less than 30 times…. I need a vacation….

The last two times I took Z with me to Lu’s checkups, he was sick 2 days later, so this time, I doused them both with anti-bac gel constantly and gave them a bath (yes together, probably never again at least not for a while) right when we got home. As it was mostly a splashfest, there were brief moments of love and togetherness during and after the communal bathtime.

Everyone had great naps that afternoon, and it was all fine and well by the time we got to Nunna and Jido’s. Then, Baba arrived, and the love was really flowing.

Saturday, we went to the gym in the morning, took naps again, and I had my office party at our house in the evening. Lu insisted on wearing her new rain boots, with her dress.

Z had the best time. We hardly heard from him or Jude for playing video games.

Until Jude left, then the “Ninja Power Ranger” came out and showed us some of his moves. I didn’t get any pictures, but he was really showing out for everyone. Hilarious!

My office is mostly Auburn fans, and everyone arrived for the last part of the game. It was super tense, and when the catch of the century was made, we all screamed so loud, poor Z got frightened. After that clencher of a game, a big dinner, homemade desserts, dirty santa, and gift swaps, we were all worn out. It was a great night! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful office staff, and I look forward to getting together with them for the holidays every year! It’s so special!

Nick made sure to catch the outtakes along with the website worthy shots.

By Sunday, we were pooped! It was rainy and overcast, and we were excited to not have to go anywhere. I don’t know how, but I convinced Nick to get the Christmas decorations out. We all had so much fun putting them up, and Z is so excited (at one point, he actually hugged the tree)!

Of course, the rainboots made another appearance.

We had to save some decorating for Uncle Faris, as it has become a tradition for him to help us trim the tree, and put up some of the lights, but it was just enough to satisfy me. Something about the weather, and probably all the blogs I read like this one that got me in the mood. Incidentally, what did I do before I discovered the wonderful world of food and fashion and family blogs?? I learn so much from them!

Pow! Zap!

Z is on a Batman kick lately {he still loves Star Wars, but Batman is creeping up on the list fast}. First, he wakes up in the morning and insists we call him Batman, then Nick is to be called Robin (also known as “my brother Robin”). His batman pajamas double as his “invisible suit,” our car is the “batmovile,” Lu is wonder woman (don’t know where that fits in), and I’m batgirl. I think the love originated with his new Lego Batman game for his DS. He’s been insisting we call him batman and the other day he said, “it’s hard, hard to be batman.” He’s also been coughing a lot lately (all of us have), and after a particularly long spell, he declared “I think Batman’s not feeling too well.”

We’ve even been letting him watch the old school episodes of Batman, since they are on Amazon Instant Video.

Meanwhile Lu is just along for the ride. She still follows him around a lot, and when he’s not around she says his name and goes over to his little PB chair. They have been playing together more but also fighting more. Believe me, it’s not just him messing with her she does a lot of the messing too!

They went to a Gymboree B’day party this weekend and both had a blast. We were more than a little worn out after it, but it was so great for them! See little sis is always one step behind…

She’s also right there with the big boys when cousin Jude comes to play. I don’t think they liked it too much, but a choice they did not have. They better get used to it too because Missy is not to be left out!

Note she is wearing shoes over her footed pajamas for several reasons but the main one being that the love for shoes is still strong in this girl. She also loves her jackets and coats. I’m thinking accessories are going to be her thing.

Halloween

This Halloween we had an extra cute Minnie Mouse (costume courtesy of Nana)

and an extra tough and villanous Darth Vader (costume courtesy of Aunt Talia).

The kids got to wear their costumes at school and Z was so excited, he busted into his classroom and announced “I’m darth vader!” Lu’s costume was a huge hit, especially with herself! She loved it!

Thursday night, we got home early, ate, got dressed and headed out to try and beat the rain. Z loved trick or treating and felt extra brave in his mask. He was hamming it up big time, to the point where several houses rewarded him with extra treats.

At this point, he was heckling some teenagers…

We ended the night at Nunna and Jido’s house where we counted candy, got more, and just generally got spoiled…

It was a fun night! I’m sure you will be seeing one or both of these costumes again in the future too…