The Second Day of Christmas

As I've mentioned before, we are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, spreading out the celebrating. Next year we are considering even spreading out family gifts--letting Wombles give his gifts on one day, Pixie hers on another, etc. For this year, J and I have planned little gifts or activities to take us through 12th night. This year the split between activity and treat is about 50/50. There will be days with a new baby when activities are not feasible, but I like the idea of the emphasis being on doing something together. Some of the 12 Days of Christmas have particular significance.

Today, for example, is Boxing Day, which has a couple of different historical traditions. Among others, one of these is giving to the poor or less fortunate. December 26th is also the feast day of St. Stephen, one of the original deacons of the early church who was charged with caring for the widows and orphans. So, for the kids' treat today, they each got a certain amount of money to spend in the World Vision Gift Catalog. We had a couple of print copies for them to look through. It was good to discuss the different options available and how they could benefit others. The kids had the choice of spending the money independently or pooling their money together. J walked them through it and helped (Wombles and Bud can't read the text yet, much less do the math to figure out how to combine their budgets). Pixie had definite ideas of her own, and ended up pooling with her brothers to give some very cool gifts to people in other parts of the world. While I think we both like the idea of getting out and serving in our own community on this day, this was perfect for this year (when we can't plan anything definitive; thanks, Cuatro) and will likely become a tradition.

Tonight at family worship we sang Christmas carols and then prayed for the gifts the kids gave and the people who would be receiving them. The needs in the world are so great. It is a comfort to know that when Jesus walked the earth, he didn't just care for people's spirits abstracted from their bodies...he took care of their bodies and hearts and needs in order that they might know him more fully. And we are thankful.

And looking forward to the third day of Christmas!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This was our first year EVER celebrating Christmas at home...primarily thanks to Cuatro, who still hasn't shown up but could come along any time. Considering that this was our 13th married Christmas (our first was on our honeymoon) that seems like quite a while. And our children had never woken up on Christmas morning in their own house! Since we don't have a fireplace, there was some consternation over where to hang the stockings. :)

The change from Advent Purple to Christmas Green!

Yesterday was fun...very relaxed and laid back. We woke up and did stockings at the table...I LOVE doing stockings. The fun little presents and surprises are a delightful part of the day. J and I felt like Christmas gifts could be done at that point...something to ponder for next year.

Then the kids played while we relaxed and moved towards breakfast, which was a true combination of our family traditions. Monkey bread, Sally eggs, and sausage. MMmmm!

Then the children each got their gift from us. This would be our family equivalent of a Santa gift from my childhood...we don't usually do that on Christmas morning, saving it for Epiphany instead (for one thing, we're usually home by then from Christmas travels!), but this year is a little different for lots of reasons. It was one of those extremely gratifying moments as a parent...for example, Pixie said she felt like she might cry, she was so happy.

That made me happy, since I found her gift at a great deal last June and have been hiding it in the garage ever since!!

Another tradition we've taken from J's family is to do one gift opening at a time. One person opens the first gift; then, that person goes to the tree, takes a gift tey are giving someone, and hands it to that person. It is fun and relational. For example, Bud gave Pixie something she had been asking for for months. This was the response:



Also, some time in October (I think) Pixie told me what she wanted to gift to J. It was her vision, and she loved handing him the present and was giddy waiting for him to open it. And when he did:



The whole day stretched out in a relaxed manner, with us all cozy inside as it was cloudy, wet, and "cold" all day (in contrast to 70s and sunny on Christmas Eve...one of MY favorite Christmas presents!!).

Here was another of my favorites: A Christmas sweater outfit! This was for Cuatro, but I got to open it, and try it on Cuatro as best I could.


Wombles got his own baby. And wrapped him in a "blanket." This totally cracked me up:



Our very own "Father Christmas" :


Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Christmas Jammies!

J's parents give the three Christmas Jammies every year. So tonight, when we got home (LATE) from our Lessons and Carols service at church, there were cookies and a present apiece.

They had been very worked up about getting to open these gifts, and I was a little concerned that jammies might not be what they had in mind.

However, they all started shrieking and screaming and generally bouncing off the walls over their new pajamas. It was great fun to watch.

Then the trouble was getting them to calm down enough to go to bed.

And, yes, Pixie and Molly have matching gowns on.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Orange Smiles

Last week, I taught the kids how to do orange smiles. Don't ask me how it's never happened before now. I think it's mainly that we eat Satsumas and not Navel oranges...but I figure, if I'm going to keep them home from the school cafeteria, I might as well introduce them to cafeteria foods and behavior.

You know, "socialization." It's very important.




Actually, come to think of it, our local elementary school doesn't technically have a cafeteria. You have to pack your own lunch (or order take-out from restaurants, which is also available). Oops.



I wonder if I can get a take-back? naaah.

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

I love my Mimi.

She is awesome. Today is her Birthday.

She is one mean card player. I'm trying to learn her tricks. I also got the bookworm bug from her.

And probably my dislike for cold weather.

And my mouth.

THE SHAPE OF IT! No one else has to take responsibility for what comes out of my mouth.

Although she is pretty sassy.

Last year, we got to celebrate with her at her house. There was cake...



and the Giant Kumquat Fight.




My brother D was even throwing them down from the roof.

And Wombles (aka fruit bat) had all the citrus he wanted.



I can't wait for the next Kumquat War! And I look forward to celebrating Mimi's birthday with her in person again.

I couldn't find a picture of Pixie and Mimi from last year, so I'm pulling out two of my all-time favorites. Mimi entertained me at this age on this beach, too.





We love you, Mimi!!

Almost There...

Does anyone else remember the scene from the end of the first (ii.e., Episode IV) Star Wars where one of the X-Wing fighter pilots is about to launch his rocket or whatever at the death star and says, "Almost there....Aaaalmost there....." Right before a tie-fighter blows up his ship?

No? Just me?

His intonation is indelibly marked on my brain for some reason. I hear it every time I think, "Almost there," which is pretty often these days.

I'm talking about CUATRO!

We are pretty excited, and I think not knowing the gender is really amping up the excitement. DO we have a little [insert girl name here] or a little [insert boy name here]??? Yes, I think we have a boy name.

At least for today.

And no, it isn't "Cuatro Luke Darth Vader," in spite of what Wombles will try to tell you.

Cuatro really could arrive any time, although I think my due date is the 28th and I've never had an early bird. Of course, after 2 ultrasounds at 12 and 19 weeks my due date was changed to the 18th. That's hogwash, but as a result I'm going in tomorrow for a non-stress test and to check fluid levels . To quote the Guff, "Whatev." My conversation with the NP on Tuesday went well, I think, considering that she seemed a little high-strung and I kept saying "39 weeks" while she was wont to say "41."

But if it makes everybody feel better, sure, I'll go sit in a recliner without the kids for a little while tomorrow. Heh heh heh. Sorry, J.

And either way....

Almost There...

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Catching raindrops instead of snowflakes

Snow isn't really an option here. I mean, it's technically possible, I admit. Here are other things that are technically possible:

(1) Wombles to never "go" in his pants again
(2) Me to keep up with laundry

So today, as it rains and rains and rains, I am thinking a couple of things.

(1) I knew I should have taken the kids shopping and to the beach yesterday;
(2) With 5 days of rain forecast, I am preparing to further explore the reaches of insanity.

This morning J called from work with a suggestion compliments of Ruby Jeanne, who works with him and has raised four boys (FOUR. Two of them twins): Just let them go outside anyway.

I had just about come to this conclusion myself, in spite of my aversion to all messes that can possibly be avoided. There are so many that can't be avoided (like my spilling apple cider on the floor this morning; check) that I really really want to hold the line when I can.

But today, in spite of the little bits of grass and mud and water and sticks that would inevitably become semi-permanent house guests as a result, The Three got duded out in rain gear and went outside to play. I'm sorry to say that Pixie and Bud mostly just got to play in the mud and mist before they got too cold and came in (directly to shower and tub, which they thought was a warm and yummy treat. EVERYONE'S HAPPY!!).

But Wombles stayed out. Wombles stayed out for as long as I would let him. He was just as excited to be out in the rain as I used to be about being out in the snow.

While we've had a rainy fall, it's still not so normal as to lose its mystique. And getting to go out and play in it is fun when you are three, whether you live in Wheaton:


Or SB.


And if one grinning boy wets his pants underneath his raincoat, you can barely even tell.

Where There's a Will, I Want a Way Out

Alternative title to this post: Potty-training I.

I live in Faith that there will be a II, a III, and even a "Postscript."

Today is the one week anniversary of when it all went down.

First: the back story.

We've known for some time that Wombles has the capablitiy--like over Thanksgiving, when he whispered in church to J that he had to go potty. And J said he had to wait (we had very little confidence, after all) because I was reading and J didn't want to miss it. So Wombles held out for 5-10 minutes, and then when J took him out he went. Success!

The next few weeks were frustrating (as had been the weeks before), as I was pretty sure he knew what was going on but when I would ask, "Wombles, why didn't you go in the potty?" He would laugh and say, "I didn't WANT to!"

Pull. my. hair. out.

Here's a shot J took 8 days ago:


We were so excited. Maybe there was progress! That was Thursday.

Then last Friday, I decided to get serious. Our pediatrician had recommended putting him on the potty every hour. Are you serious? Because my interrupting his play would become more inconvenient that him interrupting his own play. Really? What about inconveniencing and interrupting me? I'm teaching, you know! But we basically have a four-day school week and save Fridays for field trips, art projects, etc. Or, that's what we try to save them for. Obviously I'm blogging right now while Bud looks at a book on Sabertooth tigers and Pixie works on her writing assignment.

Anyway, Friday was flexible, so at approximately 8:30am I put Wombles on the potty.

At approximately 8:37 he called me into the bathroom to "show me something."

He had climbed OFF of the potty and pooped on the floor. And I'm pretty sure he thought it was funny.

And a great sense of calm came over me...like I was having an out-of-body experience.

That was in Wombles' best interest, I assure you.

After cleaning it up, at approximately 8:49, my friend M. stopped by. I told her the story. She immediately started praying for me.

Thank you, M. And thank you, Jesus.

And then we chatted about the whole scenario. For some reason I had not seriously been thinking about this as a strong-will issue. We are taking a new tack.

I'll keep you updated...for better or for worse.

H

PS While I was writing this, Wombles peed on the floor in the front room. True.

Advent v. Christmas

I'm not really pitting the two against each other, of course. That I want them BOTH is the problem.

You've probably picked up on that this year, with my blogging about wanting to get all Christmas prep done before Advent so that we could actually celebrate...Advent. It has made for a peaceful and intentional time.

And I want Christmas as a season, too. Not a day, and not four weeks of getting ready for it (that is, spiritually speaking, Advent). I want ALL TWELVE DAYS OF IT.

And then a party at Epiphany.

Is that too much to ask? Mwahahaha.

On last Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we decorated our tree. I plan to post on the whole tree-procurement/trimming festivities soon. But I wanted to share two quotes from the lunch table on Sunday that I found deeply gratifying:

Wombles: "It's Christmas!"
--No, not yet.
"Yes it is! We have a CHRISTMAS TREE!!!"

And also:

Pixie: "We got our tree up early this year."
No, not that early. It's December 13th.
Pixie: "Well, it's only just the third week of Advent!"

I may never have us trim the tree on Christmas Eve (which I think would be very nice). But I'm more than a little pleased that the three wees are gaining a sense of the rhythm of the year, and are not collapsing all of December into "Christmas." This is our first year of a "go" at real intentionality, and I hope we can figure out what things work/how to make it a more worshipful time as things evolve and we experiment.

We've added fun things too, like "The Elf on the Shelf," which Uncle D. and Auntie M. gave the kids for Christmas last year. Our tradition is slightly modified--it would have to be after the adoption of "Christmas Goody-Goody" as a classic around here--but the kids LOVE waking up each morning and hunting for the Elf. They take it very seriously, making sure they don't start looking until everyone is ready for the hunt.



Here's a peek at my pinking-shears finished Advent purple (as well as Sunday morning cinnamon rolls and sausage, of course):


It would be fun to have the purple out all week long, but as the kitchen table is also the school table it doesn't work. So the Advent wreath lives on top of the item formerly-known-as-the-tea- cabinet (now the school locker/cubbies) during the week.

Bud really wanted me to take this picture:


I assure you, he does not really know how to use the lighter. Nor is he allowed to tinker with it in order to find out. But he really, really wanted to pretend to light the candles, and so he did that for a while.

So much to tell you! Adventures in potty-training, the quest for the tree, and How a Control Freak Survived Three Small Children Trimming the Tree (one day out of my autobiography).

Also, I'm taking a poll: How do you feel about Christmas cards? What do you do? I'm planning a new tack this year, slightly modified from my basic tradition since 2005. More later.

But it's taken me three days to get this up, so I'm off for now. On the agenda this evening? Among other things, TALKING ABOUT BABY NAMES.

And having a chocolate chip cookie.
H

Christmas Music

Something really fun this year has been Pixie's piano playing. She started last January, and it's been fun this fall to hear her progress and start playing chords and songs that sound like music (progressing from exercises).



Here she is practicing before bed this week. I have been LOVING hearing her practice for the past few weeks, as her teacher has been incorporating more and more Christmas music. Pixie will be able to lead us all in carols come Christmastime proper! And lots of them!


Also, her teacher sent up parts to duets for me to play with her. So sweet.


Can't believe my Pixie is big enough to entertain us on the piano.

In other Christmas music news, a friend recently shared this:

Trace Bundy/ O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Amen!

And, for a bit more of that amazing guitar work:

Carol of the Bells

Off to buy some acoustic guitar Christmas music,
H

Bright, Sunshiny Day

Shorts and a T-shirt. Chaise on the patio. Kids in Quiet time/naps. Seventy-Five degrees. My awesome sister on the phone.

Bliss.

I just love it.

Don't be hatin'. I'm nine months pregnant and as big as a house. I need my moment (hour) in the sun!

And, it was good to get all pumped up like that before I went off to my doctor's appointment this afternoon, only to find out that after all the contractions I've been having this week there has been no. progress. whatsoever. OK, then. OK.

I SAID O.K.

As far as J and I are concerned, the due date controversy of '10 has been settled. And it's not the 18th anymore.

Mom, you just might make it out here in time!

And we might have the names settled on, too! I mean, by the time the baby comes. YOU NEVER KNOW.

Almost getting ready to think about looking forward to being in labor,
H

Dinner Party

It is not everyday that I get to go to a dinner party--the kind where you dress up, and the table is smashingly beautiful with sparkling glasses and silver.

It is not always a given, either, that I get to go to a dinner party where everyone there is someone I really enjoy.

Or where the food is cooked by the hostess and wonderful to taste and to look at.

But such a party where I am one of the honorees? Unbelievable!

I had so much fun last night. There were nine ladies there and we had a wonderful time. At least, I did. We laughed and traded labor stories and baby names. All of us moms, we talked about how we had seen God in our children during the past few months. We dined on M.'s delectable cooking, including the best roasted vegetables ever. We cooed over the two youngest guests in attendance:




And S. and I were blessed by being with these friends of ours for an evening. We're due within about two weeks of one another.


She's having a girl--her third. Her soon-to-be-middle daughter and Bud were quite a pair this summer (but was it just a summer romance??). We still don't know whether Cuatro is a girl or boy--but plan to find out soon! ...when s/he arrives. No, we're not opening the envelope until I put it in the baby book.

There's a portable crib set up. I've started to pack my labor bag. Last night, as I spent between 3-4:30am in false labor, I started wondering what else needed to go in the bag (although I know it's too early for the real thing). I was really, really hoping I would not have to call M. (who had just thrown the big party) in the middle of the night to come and sleep at our house while J. and I went to the hospital.

Why can't my children come at civilized times? Maybe this time around! You never know!

Seriously.

This is my highway.

This was my highway today.

I got the kids up early from their nap/quiet time so that we could get down to Pixie's ophthalmology appointment in Ventura (approx. 40 minutes away). We "sluked in" (as Wombles would say) just in the nick of time, and I woke up Wombles from his car nap run in-- only to find out that her doctor wasn't in that office today. For some reason our appointment had been scheduled at another of their offices...another 25 minutes down the road. But they could still see us! Great.

We found the new office with only very slight confusion. After checking in, someone from behind the desk started discussing our "problem" in a loud voice across a crowded room--I won't go into the nitty gritty, but basically Pixie could not see the doc. As I was trying to figure out what she was talking about (and why we might not have been let in on this prior to our excursion), the boys started going wild. I turned around in time to hear Wombles announce to everyone and no-one in particular, "I am NOT going to behave myself ANY MORE!"

And boy, did he mean it!

It makes me laugh, now, but at the time I was just exasperated. We went outside. I called the kids' primary care office. Turns out, the reasons I had been given were off--but the result was the same. It would have been nice for to be let in on it, though. The good news is that Pixie can now see an ophthalmologist in the town where we live, an option that was not available when we moved here. The bad news is that I'm afraid the same thing is going to happen with her other doctor in LA--you know, the one I've been working on getting an appointment with since last July? And she finally has one next week? I just close my eyes at this point. We'll find out soon enough.

It is God's mercy that I can smile as I recall stage 3 of our trip, a little errand-running into Target. Hey, when we're near a big box store, we have to seize the opportunity--plus I'd told a friend I'd return a sweater for her. The boys yelled and delightedly kicked each other the whole time. I was that woman--the one with two out-of-control kids (plus a well-mannered one) and another hoodlum on the way. Best to just grin at people when in that situation!

And wish that I were not nine months pregnant, so that I could have a Red Dirt Girl when I got home. Instead, chocolate--but it's not quite the same thing.

I hope your day was less stressful--but I don't hope it was less interesting!

Off to have a kalamata olive,

And to fold the laundry I never got to last night,
H

Day #30--Things Accomplished (and not)

Well, I made it to day 30 of the 30-Day challenge! Whoo-hoo! I could hit "Publish" now, and I think it would count! :)


It has been a busy 30 days at the Cov household. We've gotten though almost all of the Christmas shopping--you may remember that my goal was to be done before Advent began (last Sunday). I have 2.5 gifts left. Without a deadline, I'm letting them hang around. Need to get on that. It's nice to not have the pressure, though--I've never tried this before, and I'm thinking it's worthwhile. I hadn't realized that the effort to make Advent peaceful would not get rid of the stress and rush, but just move it up a bit--which is what happened. Still, I'm glad it's done.

I've added a liturgical element to our schooldays for Advent, and Pixie and Bud seem really into it. (Thanks, Beth!).

After thinking and gearing towards it all fall, we finally got our church home group started tonight. We're hosting, and having dinner together beforehand. I'm so glad, and excited to see where God leads us together as a group for the next few weeks and in the coming year.

I wrapped up my last day of teaching Spanish for the fall term today...bittersweet. I enjoy it, and the students invigorate me at least as often as they exasperate me :0). I am getting to the point where standing and teaching for several hours isn't the most comfy, though, and it's probably good to go ahead and stop while I still love it. Reminds me of why we bought that drafting chair for me to use when I was teaching and Pixie was on the way. I won't be going back until things have settled down a bit with Cuatro.

Which reminds me, Cuatro and I have made it to month 9. My doctor thinks he/she is fine to come out any old time (I'm not ready--have not accomplished cleaning out that dresser and refilling it with baby clothes).

So, a month of things accomplished! But not this:



It's not the same pile I showed you on day #1, but you get the idea. There's also a load in the washing machine, an another in the dryer--so once again, I'm off.

I'm adding a box of "Tide" to my Christmas wish list,
H

Day #29--S.A.D.

Not that I am particularly sad, mind you. I'm talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder. And computer links that direct you to tips that can help you overcome that little problem. You know, when it's only 62 and mostly sunny in Santa Barbara in the Bleak Midwinter. Good grief.



I am feeling remarkably good, pregnancy-wise, for someone who is as far along as the ultrasound says I am (37.5 weeks). Which means that really, I'm probably only as far along as I think I am (36).

Tomorrow is my last day of Spanish. Sad, and yet not sad. I'll be back in there in a couple of months. Next week is the last week of the College's semester. NOT SAD! Whatever music J is playing right now? Sad.

Me, in our house with Southern exposure and sunny days? Not S.A.D.

Me, thinking about Cuatro's arrival, and the fact that no crib is set up, no clothes are washed and set out, and no boy name settled on? A little overwhelmed. I think it might be exciting and invigorating if I weren't quite so sleepy. I'll get to it...and soon.

Come on, Cuatro!...but not just yet.

I ate lunch outside at the picnic table today,
H

Day #28--Something That Stresses You Out

I am straight up stealing today's topic from my sister's 30-day list. She has a pretty good one for today--getting robbed, which she was this morning. I'm so sorry, Guff, and so glad you're OK!

And a little confused that no-one noticed someone(s) walking out of your apartment with arms and L.L. Bean bags loaded with electronic equipment. I think you should put up huge, neon REWARD signs all over your apartment complex and see what happens. At least the perps might be a little afraid (something your darling dogs don't seem to have accomplished).

I just said, "perps."

Anyway, so glad my sister is OK and doesn't have to sleep one more night in the apartment. Congratulations on your new house tomorrow!

As stressful as robbers and other maleantes may be, they are not what is setting off my personal stressometer today.

Those of you who know my personal phobias, get ready with your jokes:



I know, I'm paranoid. However, we got this message warning today from public safety:

"The Public Safety Department has been made aware of a mountain lion sighting that occurred within the last week. When the occupant of a home at [XXXX] Coyote Drive opened his kitchen door to an outdoor patio, he came face to face with what he described as a "very large" mountain lion. When the animal saw the neighbor it casually walked through the front yard and down the driveway.

Mountain lion encounters of this type are not common but they do happen on occasion in our community. The California Department of Fish and Game has prepared an excellent brochure called Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country. It can be viewed at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/docs/lionbrochure.pdf . Please take a few minutes and read the brochure. I appreciate this contribution of your time to enhance your personal safety."

How close is Coyote Drive? I can see houses on Coyote from our back yard. When Coyote Drive residents were evacuated during the Jesusita Fire, we could hear and understand what the police car loudspeakers were communicating (and think, so why aren't they over here??). It is close.

So, it's not just paranoia anymore, folks! I have JUSTIFICATION for my bizarre behavior! Looks like I'll have to go around carrying rocks again.

I love the "causally walked through the front yard..."

Someone send me a stun gun,
H

Day #27--Music

We had music at Thanksgiving. It was great. Boppy led the kids (and grown-ups) in singing with his guitar, and it is wonderful.

At some point, Pixie--at least, I think it was Pixie and not Bud--lobbied for me to get out my flute and play along. This was both exciting and embarrassing.

Exciting because I've just started to pull it out again over the past year--and embarrassing because, having done so, I know just how pitchy I currently am, and how shot my embouchure is. Ew! Fuzzy sounds! Low endurance!

But exciting won, and it was really fun. Even when I terrorized "Jingle Bells" within an inch of its life.

And then M got on the piano, and there were trios and duets. So FUN!

Side note to my mother: Yes, I will admit that as much as I wanted to play the drums, the flute was really a more practical choice for me. "Something with a melody" means I can play and enjoy it even by myself. I can flip open the hymnal to look for a friendly key signature, or turn on the iPod and play along with something. Also, there's no way I would have hauled a drums set through all of our moves and apartments, which I could do with the flute, even though it lay dormant for many years.

Today is the first day of Advent. I took a lo--oooong nap this afternoon. After I emerged from our room, I found that J had been playing his trumpet for the kids. A quick google search (after discovering that I couldn't transpose "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" on the fly) and we have four or five pieces to work on together this season. I am so excited! Carol of the Bells, anyone?

Tonight J and I have taken a few minutes to jam. It's been very fun. Reminds me a little of...pre-child days. Only now there are children enjoying the music with us!...or tolerating it, depending on how we're doing. But mostly enjoying, I think.

We've had hot cider, and there are white lights on the porch...an Advent wreath on the table...and warm coziness. The weather has even cooperated and cooled off a bit, making coziness seem really yummy. J is reading aloud. Happy Advent!

Day #26--Shuffle

For once, my sister and mother and I will all be in sync. Sort of. Even though I'm a day late, I'll chalk it up to being on Left Coast Time and fashionably on time and all that. Plus, I don't have time to think through a blog post--not today--LOOK AT THIS:



And THAT is counting today. Last night J and I did a lot of Christmas present wrapping. We're not done, but we're well on our way. And I still have six gifts I get to buy today--it's mostly a matter of committing. And an advent wreath and an elf to pull out, on top of normal Saturday work things. Before all of that, our traditional Saturday morning breakfast (J usually does Sundays). Ah, I love the the hedonism of weekends! (reference? anyone?)

Anyway, here are the first ten songs to come up when I put our iPod on shuffle:

1. Trip Through Your Wires U2
2. I've Got to Use My Imagination Gladys Night and the Pips
3. Common as the Rain David Wilcox
4. Bound By a Spell C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair
5. A Man After God's Own Heart Timothy J. Keller
6. The First Noel Canadian Brass
7. Christ, Our Life Timothy J. Keller
8. Nevada Sky The Basics
9. Alternative Girlfriend Barenaked Ladies
10. Deck the Halls Canadian Brass

At least, that's pretty much it. I have to confess I was trying to figure out what came after "Gladys Knight and the P" and I lost that list and had to start over...I don't know that I've ever set the iPod to shuffle...and the next three lists all began with chapters from children's books, which I refused to use to start off. But this is close enough.

Day #25--Thanksgiving, Part 2

Today, I wanted to share a few photos from our day yesterday. It was great!

For some reason, we have almost no photos of the grown-ups. I assure you, we were there, too!

Here's one of the kid tables.


The day was full of friends...



And food... (Look! Adults! Don't blink)


And illustrations of things we're grateful for (Here is Pixie's place)...


And poetry recitations...



And music...



...And the saddest little French Silk Pie. EVER.


I have no pictures, but it was also full of the best. turkey. EVER. J put that 23-lb. baby in the smoker at 2:15am, underneath the ham (which basted it nicely) and stuffed with yummy things like apples and onions and I don't know what else. It was amazing.

And for supper, we had Happy Thanksgiving AGAIN! YUM!

And I have three more Christmas presents to chase down. By tomorrow. What's your count?

Day #24--Happy Thanksgiving, Part I

We had a great day, and I hope y'all did, too. There was good food, fun music, family, friends-like-family, crayons, messes, stresses, candles, singing, and yumminess. I hope to post some photos and tales tomorrow...there's yet a bit of clean-up to do. :)

'Sta Manana!


PS This isn't where we live, but it looks a lot like it. And is much more Thanksgiving appropriate than SB. Any guesses...? ;)

Day #23--Adventures in the Kitchen

Caramel Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake.

Caramel Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake.

Caramel Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake.

Say it three times, really fast.

Now:

“Let me ask you a question. Everyone at this table. Did he just say the word pumpkin to me?”
(Tracy Jordan, 30 Rock pilot episode)

But I digress.

Today, in order to get a jump start on tomorrow, for which I am actually doing very little cooking, I went ahead and made a Caramel Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake. No one else at our Thanksgiving likes pumpkin pie, but it seems like there should be something pumpkin-y on the table.

(Did he just say the word pumpkin to me?")

I also made a crust for the French Silk pie I'll be attempting tomorrow. Hope that works out.

Back to the CPGC. I have a few extra tips for you, should you wish to try it. For example, when the recipe calls for softened cream cheese, it actually means softened...not just that you wish it was softened because you're pretty sure your microwave is on the cusp of melting it. Softened does not mean that you can stick a finger in it. You can actually do that to un-softened cream cheese. Should you rush the softening process, you'll likely end up with this:


A big glob of cream cheese thwapping around the side of the bowl as it mixes. And two pounds of thwapping is a lot. However, as my friend M. explained just last week, something about mechanical something speeding up chemical something (science smart paid attention in science .)

So I knew from that little lesson about ice melting (which she gave to our daughters) that if I just let 'er rip it would eventually soften. Which it did.


However, this is not what it is supposed to look like when it comes out of the oven:


This is what Brinsons back in the day would have called a "3-pointer."

Does that look like any cheesecake you've ever seen? This vision means cheesecake batter all over the bottom of the oven and smokiness drifting through the house. Ech. Apparently I was overzealous about the "light and fluffy" part of "beat until light and fluffy," and made a POOFY Caramel Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake.

(Did he just say the word pumpkin to me??!?")

I really must recommend watching the first half of the 30 Rock pilot if you haven't seen it. If for no other reason, it'll open worlds of funny quotables packed with meaning:

"Isn't he...crazy?"
"I am a Jedi!" and
"Nor should it be," come to mind.

The pumpkin question, on the other hand, is random...if subtle.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Day #22--Recreation

Tonight, after the kids went to bed, J challenged his parents to a foosball game. That is, he and his mom vs. his dad and yours truly.

It was epic, and hilarious, and competitive...in a weird sort of way.

Let's just say that own-goals ruled the night, along with J's quote: "It's... good to have goals."

Also, he made up the word "spinzies."

We laughed and laughed and laughed.

Pixie got up to get some water and had all of her suspicions confirmed re: what grown-ups do after kids go to bed.

And now I am off to bed. I have a cold. Boo. I also had a doctor's appointment today, but not for the cold--we have only 4 or 5 weeks left until Cuatro arrives!

And 4 or 5 days until Advent. Depending on how you count. Help. I need help.

I want to quote Pioneer Woman here, but I'm not sure which sign-off to steal:

I want my mommy,

or

Goodbye forever,
H

Day #21--Two-minute Drill

As football season is winding toward a close--for those of us who don't have January bowl games to look forward to--some of us may find our attention drawn to other sorts of contests.

Perhaps you remember my challenge from back on Day #2. Well, having gone through all of those brussels sprouts, and having not been able to find them at Trader Joe's for a while, I happened upon them again last week.


And unlike J., I bought TWO stalks! One for having when we feel like it, and one for Thanksgiving. Mmm--mmm good. And I'll think of some other vegetable for the children to eat. It is a holiday, after all.

Except for Wombles. He likes brussels sprouts, and artichokes, and asparagus.

Anyway, it was great fun breaking off all of the sprouts. And then we were left with the two stalks. As J went to go put them in the green bin, he paused and asked, "How much fun do you think the boys would have playing with these?"

We decided to leave them out, wondering how long it would take them to decide to use them as some kind of medieval weapon.

The next morning, one of the kids saw them out the sliding glass door and asked what they were. "Brussels Sprout stalks."

Later, when it was time for them to go outside for recess, I set my stopwatch. I wanted to know just how long, exactly, it would take someone to find them and use them as a club or sword or something.

The answer: Just less than two minutes.

Wombles was the first to capitalize on new technology. Suddenly, Bud's Nerf gun didn't seem quite the thing.



So then Bud, of course, went and found the other one.


They were able to parry for a short while before Pixie saw what was going on and capitalized on the opportunity to write, stage and direct a new script. She was the princess in the tower (naturally).



Bud was her defender, and Wombles was the "bad guy."


As executive producer, I eventually stepped in and reworked it so there were two knights fighting against another enemy... and things went very well for our heroes (not so well for the dragons).

If only we could say the same for our gridiron heroes!