This Is What Happens

This is what happens when you let a five year old stay up as late as he wants for eight days straight over Thanksgiving break!

He won't want to go to sleep the Sunday night before he has to go back to school.

I had it all planned out too. He got a bath early around 7:30 p.m.  We read two books, and we talked about them.  Then we said prayers and dimmed the lights.  I knew it was going to be a long night when he didn't fall asleep right away.  Then the pleas started. "Mommy can I sleep in your bed pleeeaaassseee?" That with a little extra big pleading eyes with a side of long black eyelashes.  When that didn't work, there was a tummy ache and some other complaints about him laying in bed "for like forever!" OMG talk about an epic fail!

I'm sooo glad I won't have to deal with the wrath of him tomorrow morning when he has to wake up and actually go to school! The Hubs will have to deal with that awesome personality.  I'm so thankful he's a patient man.  So thankful!

Things are quiet and peaceful back at our house as my mom is spending this week at my sister's.  I'm missing her already.  I really am.  And you know what I discovered? I really love a full house with lots of people.  During Thanksgiving week, we had up to four family members staying at our house.   It was awesome! There was always lots of food, laughter, conversation, and good company...all the right ingredients for family and love.

I'm really dreading going back to work tomorrow, and it's not because I don't like my job because I do.  I really think it's because I'll miss sleeping in and the freedom that comes with no schedules...you know, doing what you want when you want. I'll just have to look at the bright side...three more weeks to go, and then I'll have two weeks off.

Have a great week!

Traditions And The Day After

What are your holiday traditions? When do you put up your Christmas tree? Who does the holiday decorating? Is one person sort of forced to do it alone? Or do you decorate together making it a family affair?

On this the day after Thanksgiving, and because my mom is in town, the girls spent the day together...shopping and then eating lunch. I don't think I've ever been shopping on Black Friday, and I don't ever see the need to do that again. We visited a couple of stores that had great deals, but made sure to stay out of the stores with very long lines. No waiting for us today!

Back at home it was time to continue our family tradition. We typically put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving. And I'm using the term "we" very loosely as The Hubs is the one who always initiates this...bless his heart. If it weren't for him, who knows when our tree would go up.

And because mom's in town, she got "recruited" to help with the tree. I don't think she minded at all. Once the tree's up, then the lights are strung. 

I'm always in charge of dressing up the mantel and banister.

And Buddy Roller's job is to hang the ornaments and be the cutest little elf ever!

And after all that work, it's time for dessert complements of my aunt who makes the best cheesecake. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

So...when do you take down your Christmas tree? We do it on the first day of the new year. I know someone who didn't take down their tree until April! I'm not saying who. My lips are sealed.

Three Signs It's Thanksgiving

I am especially thankful this Thanksgiving.  For the first time in forever, my mom, sister and I are all under the same roof celebrating this holiday.  And let me tell you, that is truly special.

Here are three tell tale signs it's Thanksgiving at my house.  First, there's FAMILY and that means lots of photo opps!

Second, we play GAMES. Jenga is one of our faves. It's quick, easy, and provides a lot of entertainment.

Third...FOOD.  And lots of it. Just take a look at all the leftovers in the fridge.  It's packed full. We have food for days.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your family!

How I Spent My Day

We are loving the time we have with my mom this week, and I'm really thankful to have this week free from alarm clocks, schedules and deadlines.

But first things first. We have to get our work done.  Buddy Roller did his school work of reading and journaling. Today's book...My Heart Is Like A Zoo. It's a really cool book, you should check it out.

Next stop...a trip to the mall. Why not? We have to get out and stretch our legs, right?  And the weather in the A-T-L was mild and B-E-A-utiful in the 60's.  No coat needed, just a long sleeve tee and a cozy scarf. Don't you just love days like this?  We took our time, too, just browsing from store to store, and then we had lunch.  There was no hustle and bustle today.

And no trip to the mall is complete without a stop at the Lego store.

Or....a stop for some frozen yogurt with gummy bears and worms, plus M&Ms right?

Back at home it was folding loads of laundry with some help from mom.  And just because she's in town, The Hubs and I are heading out for a date tonight.  We've talked about seeing a movie and then going somewhere for yummy dessert. Who knows what we'll end up doing!  We haven't done this in a while...it's so strange to be able to have some time for just the two of us.

I could really get used to my mom being here.

Seriously.

Being a Teacher's Son

Now that I'm off from work for a whole week, I've had a little more free time with Buddy Roller, and we've been reading and writing a bit more than we normally do. First he reads a book of his choice, next he tells me what happened in the story from beginning to end, and then he writes about the story in his journal.  Today's book was Maybe A Bear Ate It! 

Today we also worked on telling the time by reading a clock, and we worked on counting coins and dollars. Grandma also gave a hand in the counting of the money.

Being the son of a teacher has its perks...I think.  But just ask any of my students and they'll tell you a different story. I once shared with my kids that I had Buddy Roller write 30 sentences about good behavior at school when he had made a poor choice. They thought I had been a little too hard on him and had commented that the worst thing about having a mom as a teacher is...having a mom who teaches language arts!

How It Should Be On Sundays

One of the things I've been missing most in my life since moving away from my mom is Sunday dinner. I've missed how it should be every Sunday...a full house, with my mom and sister cooking and contributing to the feast. Talking. Laughing. Family together.  What could be better than that?

And today, I got to be in the middle of the preparation for Sunday dinner with both my mom and sister. It was priceless as we tried to prepare many dishes while maneuvering our way in my very small kitchen.

We prepared several dishes. There was my mom's famous fried chicken, my sister's Cajun chicken, garden salad, garlic zucchini with Parmesan cheese, my honey Teriyaki jerk salmon, a big pot of rice and peas, and of course dessert...pumpkin pie and double chocolate marshmallow cookies.

But it was less about the food...even though everything was delicious.

It was more about family.  Even Buddy Roller was enjoying quality time with his Uncle Rich! This day was special.  It's what I've been missing.

And it's how it ought to be...every Sunday.

My Indian Made Me Proud

For weeks, Buddy Roller has been practicing for Turkey Tunes...an annual tradition at his school for almost three decades. The kindergarten students dress up as either Indians or Pilgrims and entertain their teachers and parents, singing about Thanksgiving traditions and presenting pictures they drew showing what they are thankful for. 

It was flat out adorable!

My little Indian made me so proud!

He sang.

He performed.

And when it was time for him to get up on stage in front of the microphone and speak, he shared what he was thankful for...his healthy body. He spoke clearly and loudly, and my heart swelled with pride. 

I am so thankful for him and my family. I'm thankful that my mom is in town for the next two weeks, and I'm even more thankful for the rest my body will get this week. 

And you know what else I'm thankful for?  I'm so glad I can turn my alarm clock off for the next eight days. 

So thankful!