Monument Avenue 10K

Ok, so I know you are all anxiously awaiting Christmas pictures, but I started playing and just had to post this funny photo I made of myself crossing the finish line of the 10K I signed myself up for. April 2nd. I was looking forward to it. After weather got colder I had been running on a treadmill and then at Thanksgiving I took a little break. I am now back at it. It was even warm enough today to run in the neighborhood. I did not get to see too much of the neighborhood though. I have a lot of work to do before April.

The best Christmas Ever.....

Sing it like SpongeBob does on the Best Day Ever episode. Youtube for those of you who have the luxury of never having been accosted by SpongeBob. Wow! What a day!! It is 605pm and I am STILL in my pajamas. They are beautiful new pajamas that I got from Santa, but I have, indeed, worn them all day. Everyone loved their presents. Took tWo naps. Everyone is so happy! It snowed. Could not have had a better day! More to follow.....

Outta school again....

didn't get to go to school on Friday either. John and Ethan were thrilled. Emily was NOT happy. Poor thing. I tried to make up for it. Said we would have our own pajama party at home, but apparently it is NOT the same. Maybe they will get to have one in the spring.

We finally got our tree up. I have had my houses out for a while. We did a really good job of putting them up this year. We get a little bit better every year. John and John made me a nice table. I need to add some to it next year to cover up the cords. I love my houses. They are fun to put up. Fun to look at. The cat hasn't even tried to break any this year. The cat has officially earned a permanent spot in the Thompson family, albeit against John's will. He hasn't broken any of my houses and he hasn't knocked the tree over. Not like last year. He liked to lay in the middle of my houses. And he knocked the tree over about 5 times. I don't know why we got that cat in the first place. I caved. Shouldn't have. BUT I did. I, actually, tried to give him away for a while. I had no idea how many people don't like cats. So, that was unsuccessful and we are stuck with him. As far as cats go, though, he's a good one. He doesn't really mind being dressed in doll clothes. Pretty tolerant. He will do anything for a treat.

Most of the Christmas shopping is done. Feels good. I got started early and had time to think of some really good presents. They are going to be so excited! Can't wait!

We enjoyed the snow. It was the best kind of snow. Snow and then melt. At least on the streets. It looks pretty in the yard and the trees. Just don't like to drive on it. There is snow in the forecast for Christmas Day. ....except that I ordered sleds. As soon as they arrive, you can bet that there will not be snow in our area for years.

Well.....

I did put a Christmas theme up. I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. Shame on me! Been a little stressed. The end of my semester was a huge creshendo. BUT I'm all done. And I will make a long boring post tomorrow. The kids missed school due to snow already one day this week and now they will be out tomorrow too. John--WOOHOO!! Ethan--slightly disappointed because he has a math project due that he really worked hard on and he is anxious to get his well deserved pat on the back. Even did it in Power Point. Emily--devastated. tomorrow is the big Christmas dinner. They get to dress up and have a special lunch. They sit down and they are served by the teachers and other staff. AND it's her last year in elementary school and she has been CHEATED by the weather. "It can snow every other day of my life...just NOT tomorrow. .......or Friday." Friday is pajama day. Carol, you will be able to hear her screaming all the way out in Nevada if they have to miss Friday.

What the......Second Place????????

We just got home from our neighborhood trunk or treat and got second place for our display. That contest was totally rigged. Not one display there was better than ours. (If I do say so myself!) And, I can't offer proof of that because I....um....forgot my camera. But I'll tell you all about it. It was Emily's idea. And what a great idea! She thought we should have a haunted dinner. So, we used our two skeletons, black flowers, black candelabra, a torn, ratty looking tablecloth, and even a brain for their dinner. We found a brain mold and froze pink lemonade so it would look like a real brain for their dinner. It was a very romantic affair for two skeletons. We had purple and orange lights and dry ice. It could not have been more perfect. Well, they started before the sun set so you could really get the real affect of the lights, but it was still great. Who coulda beat that???? And so, there is our medal for second place. We will not rest until we get first place. We will spend the whole year planning. BUT--we will be ready and we will win first place in the Waterford Landing trunk or treat and we ShAlL rule the WORLD!!!!! Bahahahahah!!!!!!!! (Someone get my pills and straightjacket, I may need them soon.)

Pumpkin carving....

was not without its challenges. Sometimes those darn pumpkins just won't be carved the way we envision. Emily worked very hard to get her pumpkin just the way she wanted it. She carved and carved and, with a little help from Ethan, it turned out beautifully. When Emily was most frustrated with her pumpkin carving she drew a picture on the back of a dog that I just LoVe. And after Ethan helped her with her pumpkin she wrote a very lovely sentiment on her pumpkin that I'm sure she doesn't want anyone to see, but I had to have a picture of it. It just warms my heart when I can see them love each other. Ethan wanted to see Emily with her bonnet on this afternoon, so when she finally consented to put it on for him, he actually said "ahhh". Good times. Good times. Now it's John's turn to have a lovely moment. I'm gonna say.....don't hold your breath, he IS in the throes of puberty. He was not in the mood to carve tonight. Ethan was not in the mood to have his picture taken.

Emily's pumpkin is the cat. Ethan's pumpkin is the A&M thing. I actually dabbled with some paper mache pumpkins. It was really fun. Carving was a little precarious. I will have to make it a little thicker next time. Wondering how I can translate it into a Christmas project.

Little House on the Prairie

Emily has been reading these books for a while now. It really surprised me that a modern little girl would be interested in those books. I would think she would see them as dated. But she loves them. Even wants the whole set for her own. Not just to be borrowed from the library. You know, another piece of Emily trivia.....she won't watch the show on tv. We have seen it on a couple of times flipping through the channels and she absolutely won't watch it. Says it ruins the book. So, she is Laura Ingalls today at school for Halloween. John's mom made the costume for her. It's very cute! She even let me braid her hair today, which I could NoT believe. Really, I never get invited to fix her hair.

And Emily made those cupcakes all by herself. She is a very independent, assertive girl. Not afraid of a little extra work when she wants to get something done. I'm very proud of her.