Thankful

We are on our way to Virginia for Thanksgiving with the Waldvogels! Thought I would share this drawing from Fletcher’s school. Perhaps it is time to get him some new fish?

“I am thankful for my fish that died”

“Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.”

“Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.” ~ Linus

But everyone should jump into a pile of leaves from time to time. Is there really any greater pleasure? The cool, crisp, crinkly leaves, the loamy scent of the earth, the freedom of flying through the air and spinning and falling without a care. Around here this is a bit of a rare pleasure. Live Oaks drop their leaves in the Spring . . . and somehow that just isn’t the same. But this weekend the air was cool and there were leaves on the ground at the park. And the kids took full advantage! Well . . . most of them did. Fletcher refused to play in the leaves because he was wearing his favorite shirt and “wouldn’t want to get messy!”

urrrrp!

Fletcher’s new favorite thing is fake burping. So lovely. He walks around the house all day long saying:

Urp!

Urrrp!

Urrrrrrrrrrrrp!

It dries me crazy. He came down the stairs this morning going urp, urp, urp and I made a comment about it being his favorite word. He smiled and jumped into my lap, threw his arms around my neck and said “No it isn’t. Mommy is my favorite word!”

Can you see the grin on my face? That boy has totally got my number.

I’m glad I’m not a turkey (Tofurkey!)

Oh I’m glad I’m not a turkey, a turkey, a turkey
Oh I’m glad I’m not a turkey on Thanksgiving Day.
They stuff you!
And bake you!
And then they all taste you!
Oh I’m glad I’m not a turkey
On Thanksgiving Day!

building forts

The weather was too beautiful to stay inside this afternoon, so the kids and I headed to the park. While I was pushing Lola on the swings, the boys collected fallen branches and made this amazing hideout! I, of course, forgot my camera. Fortunately Molly loaned me her iphone to snap this shot – I definitely think I need one of those!

my ballerina

Lola Gray’s ballet school puts on a version of The Nutcracker every year, but since she is technically in the “pre-ballet” class they are not participating in the performance. Instead, they have invited the families to come into class for a few minutes each week so the children start to get used to performing for an audience. Class is on Mondays and Wednesdays while I am teaching, and I hate that I haven’t been able to go watch her dance! But today, Raymond took the video camera so at least I got a glimpse! In December they are planning a party and I think a longer show for the parents, so hopefully there will be more vidoe coming soon. Is it just me, or does my girl have some talent? : )

sending notes to Iraq

One of Fletcher’s best buddies at school is Connor. Connor’s father is in Iraq right now, so his mother came to school this week and had the kids make a banner and cards to send to the unit. I hope this sweet card from Fletcher brightens someone’s day.

National Homemade Bread Day

Did you know that November 17th is National Homemade Bread Day? It’s ok, neither did I until about halfway through the day. But it isn’t like I need much of an excuse to make bread! While I was at it, I also made playdough for Lola Gray and her friend Isa. Love this recipe using Kool-Aid to color and scent the dough! Today we made pink, blue and green.

I signed up to take playdough to Lola’s preschool for the month of December, so I’m thinking about making it peppermint scented and full of sparkly glitter. Sounds perfect for the holidays, doesn’t it?

making cookies

Potato chip cookies

I’ve been missing my Grandmother Kathleen like crazy lately. I’m not really sure why, perhaps it it because I will be going home for Thanksgiving in a few weeks and for the first time, she won’t be there. Whatever the reason, she keeps popping up lately . . .

I had a dream about her last week.

A few days later Lola picked a book for me to read to her and Fletcher at bedtime, one we hadn’t read in ages, one that Kathleen gave her for Christmas in 2006. It is inscribed to Lola Gray with love from Great Grandmother Epperson. I read them the inscription and Fletcher started to cry. So did I.

A day or so after that, I accidentally hit play on the answering machine, and there was my Grandmother’s voice in a message saved ages ago. It was like I had been hit in the chest.

Then,  yesterday, in one of the dozen or so recipe emails to which I subscribe, there was a recipe for Potato Chip Cookies. My Grandmother made potato chip cookies. In fact, I thought she had made up the recipe because I had never heard of anyone else making them!

I really miss her.

So today I’m making Potato Chip Cookies in her memory.