Happy Thanksgiving!
What a whirlwind!
I thought a long weekend was supposed to recharge and energize you.
However, our long weekend depleted me of any energy and left me yearning for the normalcy and schedule of the weekdays!
The festivities started on Wednesday. I had the day off and spent the entire morning listening to Christmas music and cleaning my house. That afternoon, Andy and I went to our first school concert. We arrived a generous 15 minutes before hand only to find ourselves standing in the back!
This parenting a school age child is really difficult! There is just SO much they don't tell you! How was I supposed to know I should camp out at school the night before a Thanksgiving concert?
The kids were pretty cute. The commons was filled with a combined "awwww" as 80+ kindergartners marched in dressed as pilgrims and Indians. For some reason, my heart just leapt from my chest as I saw her scanning the audience for us. I think it was my reassurance for the day that she does love us and depends so much on our support.
Don't worry kiddo! I'm here! I'm the crazy mom on the side with her large SLR camera, waving fanatically at you.
There were a couple of group songs and each class got to sing their own song.
It actually was pretty cute and no matter how tone deaf a child is...I really think the voice of singing kindergartners is angelic!
After the concert there was a "community snack". Andy and I sat around, awkwardly, with the other parents, watching our kids eat turkey cookies and popcorn.
I also learned that when your child has an afternoon concert, you don't make her take the bus home after. You just take her home with you. Again...how was I supposed to know?! But seriously...is she not the cutest, most precious pilgrim EVER?
The next day was Thanksgiving. We've really made it our tradition to start the day with a run. And let's be honest friends...it was NOT a great run for me. If I can just digress for one minute and talk about how hard it is for me to get back into the swing of running. I mean, it's really a horrible time of year for running outside and I just HATE my treadmill. I ran 1.5 miles the other day and just stopped. For the most part, I still get that high after a run...but there is seldom one ounce of me that wants to lace up my shoes and get out there. When does that change? How do I get that back? I NEED it back!! I miss my prepregnancy body SO much. And I'm starving all the time and just am not committing to working out as much as I should -- but seriously, it's 8:46 at night and this is the first time I have sat down all night. Really...where is the time??
Digression over. It was my first 5K post Oliver and while it wasn't great, it felt great when it was over. And look at that group...they even make running in freezing cold weather seem like a great idea. I love these peeps - my Framily.
I mean...they run AND they drink.
In a bar.
On Thanksgiving.
Good friends rock!
But enough with the shinanigans...it was time to get to our family. After getting locked out of our house (long story) we finally got to our destination.
Thanksgiving was at Andy's cousins this year in Muskego. Yay! We alternate years, Muskego and Neenah. Did I mention how nice and close Muskego is to us? :) There were 36 of us...I think...I think I counted that right and I just don't feel like recounting again!
I have to say: It seems like Oliver really liked his first Thanksgiving...I mean. He was carried around all day. Passed from person to person. He slept most of the day and didn't really eat that much. But of course he wanted to eat right when we were sitting down to eat!
And of course during the day Sara and I had to plan our route for BlackFriday Thursday shopping. It's our 3rd year...so it's officially tradition. We started at Wal-Mart around 7:30 and I can't even begin to explain our experience.
First, we shop at the New Berlin Wal-Mart and it. was. dead. Next year this Wal-Mart will be closed and we'll have to mingle with all the other crazies :-( Wah-wah...Anyway - we got what we needed and checked out. No lines. No stampedes. No crazies. Just some shopping on Thanksgiving.
So we went to Target. Again...pretty dead. We picked up what we needed...what we wanted...and what I didn't need or want, but it was on sale and so I needed to get it! Again...we walked right up to the register, checked out and off we went.
We ended up going to Kohl's because it was so darn early and Shirley was working. Kohl's was dead too! We talked with Shirley for awhile, I bought more things I didn't need and off we went...I was home by 10:45! Can I just say that I bought the best pair of pajamas ever at Kohl's? I wish I would have bought 10 more pair.
Am I done with Christmas shopping? No...but I'm getting pretty close!
Friday we went to get our Christmas tree...but that's another post for another day.
Saturday we went and got Oliver's 3 month pictures taken...and then headed to Cedarburg for our 2nd Thanksgiving. This time with my side of the family.
The fun thing about this Thanksgiving? No one wanted turkey again...so we had prime rib. Delish!
And really - I'm done with 2 kids. I don't want anymore...but I truly look at this picture and imagine it to be my 4 children. How great is that?
Tis the season for family pictures too! We basically have doubled our family picture quantity in 2 days! Poor Oliver...I think he was done with pictures for the day.
Are you getting tired of reading yet? I mean...I'm almost getting tired of typing! But we are finally to Sunday!
And although it's not really related to Thanksgiving, I need to mention that on Sunday my mom and I took Eleanor to see the Lion King.
My mom and I had both seen it already, so I really spent a lot of time watching Eleanor watch the Lion King. Nothing was more spectacular than watching Eleanor watch the first song! "Mom! It's an elephant!" She got a little restless at the end...but truth be told, I was getting a little restless at the end. But man oh man, I sure enjoyed my time with her sitting on my lap, watching some showtunes. She hasn't quite exhibited the same lust for showtunes that I have, even at that age, but I think there is still hope!
I mean, she loves drama and she loves singing...so she should naturally love Broadway, right?
After the performance we headed back to our house for our own Thanksgiving!
I challenge that leftover Thanksgiving food is even better than first day Thanksgiving food. So, I wanted to make a meal with all the trimmin's for us to enjoy! And let me tell you Monday for dinner and today for lunch...those leftovers were fantastic! And this is the first year I bought and prepared my own turkey. Last year I prepared my own turkey - but I called my dad and have him walk me through it step by step and he bought the turkey for me. This year, I found my own recipe and proceeded on my own. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and said it was good...but I thought it was a little dry.
Sunday night the whirlwind was over. Oliver fussed and cried until about 10:15 and then finally settled down -- it was a lot of excitement for him and makes me a little nervous for Christmas. Eleanor was upstairs in bed around 7 PM and proclaimed to Andy that she just gets really tired when she stays up so late...little did she know it was about 1 hour before she normally goes to bed.
It was crazy - but it was wonderful. I recognize every day how lucky I am. But I'm especially appreciative around this time of year. I have the most amazing and beautiful family. I'm beyond blessed with my TWO adorable and fantastic kiddos. SO lucky! I'm married to my best friend and the one person that I truly feel like myself around. I can't believe I have only known Andy for 3 years (holy crap, I've known Andy for 3 years!)...our relationship just has the feel that only years of nurturing can provide...and yet every day is a new adventure with him. I just love learning more about US. I have the most amazing extended family. My parents, Andy's parents, Nic's parents. My siblings, Andy's siblings, Nic's siblings. And my Framily. These amazing friends that are truly my family. Some of them I see far less than I would like to, but I still know they are there and can pick up the phone at any time and it feels like we never left off. And my health...and the health of all the aforementioned individuals. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for my health...and their health.
So Thankful.
So Blessed.
And SO ready for the Christmas Season!
I thought a long weekend was supposed to recharge and energize you.
However, our long weekend depleted me of any energy and left me yearning for the normalcy and schedule of the weekdays!
The festivities started on Wednesday. I had the day off and spent the entire morning listening to Christmas music and cleaning my house. That afternoon, Andy and I went to our first school concert. We arrived a generous 15 minutes before hand only to find ourselves standing in the back!
This parenting a school age child is really difficult! There is just SO much they don't tell you! How was I supposed to know I should camp out at school the night before a Thanksgiving concert?
The kids were pretty cute. The commons was filled with a combined "awwww" as 80+ kindergartners marched in dressed as pilgrims and Indians. For some reason, my heart just leapt from my chest as I saw her scanning the audience for us. I think it was my reassurance for the day that she does love us and depends so much on our support.
Don't worry kiddo! I'm here! I'm the crazy mom on the side with her large SLR camera, waving fanatically at you.
There were a couple of group songs and each class got to sing their own song.
It actually was pretty cute and no matter how tone deaf a child is...I really think the voice of singing kindergartners is angelic!
I also learned that when your child has an afternoon concert, you don't make her take the bus home after. You just take her home with you. Again...how was I supposed to know?! But seriously...is she not the cutest, most precious pilgrim EVER?
The next day was Thanksgiving. We've really made it our tradition to start the day with a run. And let's be honest friends...it was NOT a great run for me. If I can just digress for one minute and talk about how hard it is for me to get back into the swing of running. I mean, it's really a horrible time of year for running outside and I just HATE my treadmill. I ran 1.5 miles the other day and just stopped. For the most part, I still get that high after a run...but there is seldom one ounce of me that wants to lace up my shoes and get out there. When does that change? How do I get that back? I NEED it back!! I miss my prepregnancy body SO much. And I'm starving all the time and just am not committing to working out as much as I should -- but seriously, it's 8:46 at night and this is the first time I have sat down all night. Really...where is the time??
In a bar.
On Thanksgiving.
Good friends rock!
Thanksgiving was at Andy's cousins this year in Muskego. Yay! We alternate years, Muskego and Neenah. Did I mention how nice and close Muskego is to us? :) There were 36 of us...I think...I think I counted that right and I just don't feel like recounting again!
 |
| Trying to capture a smile...it's like trying to photograph the Lochness Monster |
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| Love the turkey tie! |
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| Sportin' Uncle Scott's hat! |
And of course during the day Sara and I had to plan our route for Black
First, we shop at the New Berlin Wal-Mart and it. was. dead. Next year this Wal-Mart will be closed and we'll have to mingle with all the other crazies :-( Wah-wah...Anyway - we got what we needed and checked out. No lines. No stampedes. No crazies. Just some shopping on Thanksgiving.
So we went to Target. Again...pretty dead. We picked up what we needed...what we wanted...and what I didn't need or want, but it was on sale and so I needed to get it! Again...we walked right up to the register, checked out and off we went.
We ended up going to Kohl's because it was so darn early and Shirley was working. Kohl's was dead too! We talked with Shirley for awhile, I bought more things I didn't need and off we went...I was home by 10:45! Can I just say that I bought the best pair of pajamas ever at Kohl's? I wish I would have bought 10 more pair.
Am I done with Christmas shopping? No...but I'm getting pretty close!
Friday we went to get our Christmas tree...but that's another post for another day.
Saturday we went and got Oliver's 3 month pictures taken...and then headed to Cedarburg for our 2nd Thanksgiving. This time with my side of the family.
And really - I'm done with 2 kids. I don't want anymore...but I truly look at this picture and imagine it to be my 4 children. How great is that?
Are you getting tired of reading yet? I mean...I'm almost getting tired of typing! But we are finally to Sunday!
And although it's not really related to Thanksgiving, I need to mention that on Sunday my mom and I took Eleanor to see the Lion King.
After the performance we headed back to our house for our own Thanksgiving!
Sunday night the whirlwind was over. Oliver fussed and cried until about 10:15 and then finally settled down -- it was a lot of excitement for him and makes me a little nervous for Christmas. Eleanor was upstairs in bed around 7 PM and proclaimed to Andy that she just gets really tired when she stays up so late...little did she know it was about 1 hour before she normally goes to bed.
It was crazy - but it was wonderful. I recognize every day how lucky I am. But I'm especially appreciative around this time of year. I have the most amazing and beautiful family. I'm beyond blessed with my TWO adorable and fantastic kiddos. SO lucky! I'm married to my best friend and the one person that I truly feel like myself around. I can't believe I have only known Andy for 3 years (holy crap, I've known Andy for 3 years!)...our relationship just has the feel that only years of nurturing can provide...and yet every day is a new adventure with him. I just love learning more about US. I have the most amazing extended family. My parents, Andy's parents, Nic's parents. My siblings, Andy's siblings, Nic's siblings. And my Framily. These amazing friends that are truly my family. Some of them I see far less than I would like to, but I still know they are there and can pick up the phone at any time and it feels like we never left off. And my health...and the health of all the aforementioned individuals. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for my health...and their health.
So Thankful.
So Blessed.
And SO ready for the Christmas Season!
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