Making HimsELF Comfy

After just two days on the job, Eric is already exhausted.  It's a lot of work keeping up with these two kids.  I'm glad he can recognize that.  Both kids were very excited to find Eric this morning.  I'm nervous just thinking about what kind of antics he'll come up with this year. 

It rained both Saturday and Sunday this weekend so we weren't able to go and get a tree.  I'm getting pretty anxious being that there are no decorations out.  Hopefully it stays dry for a few days so that we can go and pick one out.  We've had such great weather these past few weeks that it's hard to remember what's to come.....that is until this morning when we noticed the snow flurries in the air.  It's definitely coming! 

Who Needs Macy's?

Naperville puts on a day-after-Thanksgiving parade every year.  It's one of our favorite outings.  This year was much more enjoyable than last thanks to the mild weather.  We were so excited to randomly run into the Heller family and were lucky enough to find a little bit of room behind where they were sitting.  We also connected with a friend who recently moved here from Seattle.  There was a big crowd this year which I'm sure was in part due to the weather.  Last year we left the parade numb from head to toe.  This year it only got down to the mid-50's. 

In other news, guess who showed up at our house on Saturday morning?  Eric the Elf!  This is the first year that Talan can somewhat understand what he's doing here.  Eric had secretly taped an "Elf on the Shelf" TV special so we all headed down to the basement to watch it together first thing that morning.

Talan is definitely aware of who Eric is and what his job is.  He was fighting Kevin at bedtime last night so he had to say "I'm going to tell Eric if you don't go to sleep".  He got very upset, begged and pleaded and then finally agreed to go to sleep.  This morning when Kevin came in to get him, he sat up in bed, eyes wide, and said "Daddy, did you tell Eric?".  Here's to Eric!  Let's hope he brings the kids some joy and brings us some peace. 

Thankful

I am grateful for way too much to list here.  The short list is: my amazing husband, my fantastic kids, my parents, in-laws, brothers, friends, the roof over our head, the job Kevin has to provide for us....we are so very fortunate. 

We had a very relaxed Thanksgiving this year.  We were up until 1am the night before prepping food and then I was up by 6am and got right back to it.  At 8:30, some neighbors met us at our house.  We packed up Talan in a stroller and put Reese and their two girls on bikes and ran a 5K in the neighborhood (they sold out of the Turkey Trot entries).  After a great run, we came home and made beignets. 

Our friends stayed for about an hour.  They left and we went full force in the kitchen.  We ended up with this:
Oven Roasted Turkey:

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranates and Vanilla-Pecan Butter:

Mirliton Casserole:

Sourdough, Wild Mushroom, and Bacon Dressing:

Sweet & Yukon Gold Potato Gratin with Rosemary & Gruyère Crust:

The kids did a great job of setting the table:

We were expecting Reese and Talan to turn their noses up at everything we put on the table.  They surprised us and were really open to trying everything.  It took Talan a while to agree to it but Reese was actually great.  She ate more than she does at the average dinner sitting and made the 10 hours of effort we put into that meal seem worth it. 

After dinner it was on to dessert.  Our first batch of pumpkin cheesecakes ended up in the trash can (one large pie and six minis).  We made them the night before and then forgot to put them in the refrigerator.  Oh well.  I made new pies so by late night we were ready to dig into them. 

The request for breakfast the next morning?  "Pumpkin cheesecake and grapes, please".  I obliged.  You know, you're only a kid once.  And really?  How much better for you are a bunch of pancakes drenched in syrup?  So yes, my kids both had cheesecake for breakfast on Friday morning.  Awesomesauce.

She's Got Swag

I love her style.  So much personality! 

On this day we were headed to a Comfort Zone Camp volunteer reunion.  It was so great to see some of our Comfort Zone family.  They are already planning for two camps next year so we're looking forward to helping out again. 

Everytime

Reese's 2nd grade school pictures arrived yesterday.  I miss her curls but felt like I needed to give in to her request because they are, after all, her pictures.  And it's the one that will be in the yearbook so it's important that she's happy with them.  She loves the picture. 

We got some incredible news yesterday.  She auditioned for a solo, singing in a Christmas production put on by her dance studio.  She found out that she got the part.  The first show sold out so they've added a second show so she'll be singing twice to an audience of 250 people.  She chose to sing Taylor Swift's rendition of "Santa Baby".  I am so proud of her and so envious of how confident and brave she is.  I can't wait to see her on stage.  I'm sure I'll go through an entire box of kleenex. 

She's been sick for a couple of weeks with a cold but didn't want to miss her voice lesson last week.  Her latest song choice is a Britney Spear's song.  Her teacher recorded her so I thought I'd share.  You can hear that her voice is hoarse and that she had some trouble because she wasn't feeling 100% but it's cute none-the-less.

You Better Not Pout

Santa comes to the mall so early these days!  He arrived on November 1st.  I was tempted to tell the kids that it was because all of the kids are so bad these days that he doesn't need near as much time to make toys.  But I didn't. 

I despise the mall between Black Friday and the first of the year and try to avoid it like the plague.  Therefore, I thought I'd take advantage of having the kids home from school and get the annual Santa photo out of the way.  I'm so glad I did.  We didn't wait long....only long enough to spill one drink all over the floor and for me to repeat "don't touch that" somewhere around 57 times. 

Talan was very excited to spout off what he wants for Christmas.  A "big red truck" is at the top of the list.  On Reese's list, American Girl accessories dominated.  I think Santa was relieved when it was our turn.  We had petrified, screaming babies before and after us in line.  He looked less than amused. 

We ended up having a really great afternoon.  The kids were angels and I enjoyed every second of being with them. 

(Would it kill you to crack a smile Santa?)

Twilight Zone

I love our local movie theater.  There are big, comfy seats spread out so that each person has plenty of room and a great view.  And the best part?  There is a wait staff who is there so that you can order food and drinks off of a full menu.  I have been so spoiled that I won't even go see movies at the regular theater anymore. 

Another thing they often do is bring in the famous folks when a movie premieres.  That's how we got to meet Corey Feldman and Giuliana & Bill Rancic.  Once again, they didn't disappoint.  When I went with friends to see the premiere of the new Twilight movie, one of the actors who plays a werewolf (Paul) was there.  His name is Alex Meraz.  It was great to feed my celebrity obsession. 

Love For Leo

I met Shannon ("Carr") while living in Seattle.  We met at work and became close friends.  She was one of my two go-to people while living there.  Such an amazing friend and person.  She met Scott, who is just as wonderful, five years ago, they fell madly in love and got married and along came baby Leo (June of this year). 

The Walker family flew into town last night.  Unfortunately, Scott's grandfather passed away so they aren't here under good circumstances but so glad to have had the opportunity to see them while they are here.  They drove over from Chicago and had lunch with us this afternoon. 

Shannon has always been "Auntie Shan-Ann" to Reese.  She's been in her life from day one.  Literally day one.  She visited us in the hospital just a few hours after she was born.  I got to see Shannon last year when I went to Seattle for a visit but it has been over 4 years since she'd seen Reese and she'd never met Talan.  That said, I went and checked Reese out of school this afternoon so that she could have lunch with us.  After lunch I took her back and Talan and I got to spend another hour with Scott, Shannon, and Leo.  Leo is honest to God one of the most beautiful babies I've ever laid eyes on.  Check out those lashes!

Talan isn't the jealous type so I was able to hold and love on Leo quite a bit.  Such a little sweetheart! 

I'm bummed that I didn't get any pictures at lunch, while Reese was with us.  Hopefully it won't be so long between visits from here.  I love that family!

School House Rock!

Today I was able to join Reese and her class on a field trip to see a production of School House Rock.  Each time I am able to go and spend time in the classroom, I'm reminded of what a huge job the teachers have.  It's so loud and chaotic!  And the bus ride?  Wow.  The noise level was insane.  I scream and yell at the kids when they get too loud in the car because I need to concentrate on the road.  I can't imagine dealing with 50 loud kids and trying to drive them around in an extra large vehicle. 

The kids loved the show.  It was fun to hear some of the old songs I remember from way back when.  "Conjunction junction, what's your function?".  It was put on by the same company that runs a lot of the camps that Reese has been to, Christian Youth Theater, so it wasn't a major production.  It was actually almost painful at parts to sit through but the kids absolutely loved it.

We have another fun-filled action packed weekend starting tomorrow when one of my favorite people comes into town from Seattle; "Auntie Shan-Ann" (as Reese dubbed her when she was 2 years old).  Can't wait to hug her neck!

Squirrel Song

When Kevin and I volunteered at Comfort Zone Camp, we learned a couple of songs.  One of them was called "Brown Squirrel".  I was shocked to hear Talan singing the same song (only the brown squirrel was grey in his version) having learned it at school.  I had to get it on video to share with some of the CZC staff and volunteers.  So cute!

Lunch With My Little

Today was such a fun afternoon.  Talan's school had a "Thanksgiving Feast" and invited parents to attend.  I've been to school to have lunch with Reese several times but this was a first for Talan.  He was so excited to have me there.   

Notice the runner on the table that the kids made.  So cute.  Before we ate, the kids got up in front of the parents to sing some songs that they had learned. 

Most of them (Talan included) just stood there looking dazed and confused.  I think there might have been three kids singing out of the twenty that were standing up there. 

He must have thanked me 100 times for "coming to school to eat with me". 

These are his teachers, Mrs. Marlene and Mrs. Carol. 

He was the best little lunch date ever!

Gimme S'more Sunshine!

It's already Wednesday but I'm still reflecting back on a fantastic weekend.  The kids were out of school on Thursday and Friday so I thought I'd be going crazy by Saturday but surprisingly I wasn't.  The weather on Saturday was gorgeous.  It was sunny and around 60 degrees out.  Reese had her second basketball game.  She did great and had a blast. 

After the game we went straight to a local park where our neighborhood rented a spot with a fire pit and picnic tables.  Everyone brought snacks to share and they took us on hayrides through the park. 

Talan made his first ever s'more.  I was shocked but he wasn't super impressed.  He opted to ditch the chocolate and graham crackers and went straight for the marshmallows. 

After a fun afternoon in the park we once again packed up and headed out to a restaurant that was holding a fundraiser for the mother of one of Reese's classmates.  We stuffed ourselves with pizza and came home worn out.  Loving this unusual November weather and praying that we won't be made to pay for it later!

Having a Ball

Last week was the last football game.  We were feeling a bit relieved, ready to have our Saturday mornings back.  That feeling was short lived.  We realized that we'd just traded football/cheer for basketball.  Reese has only had two practices but she played in her first game on Saturday.

The girls were so nervous but did such a great job out there! 

The look on her face when she could get her hands on the ball was priceless. 

Fortunately they try to match up the kids who guard each other by size.  Even so, she was much smaller than the smallest girl on the other team.  But don't let her size fool you!

She played her little heart out!

Later that night Kevin and I prepared to attend the third annual Rally for Ryan.  It's always one of my favorite nights of the year.  Our friends and neighbors all come together in support of finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disease that has taken hold of a young boy that Reese goes to school with.  It's always an emotional night but I'm so hopeful for the family that doctors will find a cure.  Reese tried her best to snap a picture.  It's a terrible picture but I will share anyway.

On Sunday we went to the end of the year party for football and cheer.  I'll actually really miss rooting the boys on and watching the girls cheer every week.  They were undefeated this year - a big feat after only winning one game the year before.