Thanksgiving 2010

So I gotta admit... being pregnant during the holidays has it's up's and down's... but overall, I think it has a lot more benefits than people realize. First, I can eat a lot and you can't tell any difference in my stomach area. Second, I can nap and it is deemed very "necessary." And third, everyone keeps telling me "Go sit down and rest! You don't need to be helping!" It's quite nice, I must say.

With all of that being said, my Thanksgiving this year was probably the most relaxed Thanksgiving ever. I didn't cook one thing, yet ate delicious home-cooked food to my heart's content; I didn't host anyone, yet got to spend the day with both sets of parents and lots of extended family as well; and I didn't have to clean up one thing... pretty darn relaxing, eh? My parents drove over on Thanksgiving morning to Tampa and we ate breakfast and watched part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then we all packed up and headed to Bradenton to spend the day at Brian's parents house with lots of other family members. The day was filled with snacking (for both people and doggies), playing games, eating, playing football, eating some more, watching football, and lots of fun.

We are so grateful to have such an incredible family and we hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well! Now... onto Christmas!!!

Payton's Thanksgiving Program

You all have heard me rave about Payton's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Scaglione. She is just the best. Seriously. I don't know how she wrangles all of those kids on a daily basis and actually teaches them valuable lessons every single day.
Yesterday was his Thanksgiving program, and let me tell you... Mrs. Scaglione didn't disappoint! The kids were all dressed in their handmade costumes (which they each got to paint) and the room was decorated with all sorts of wonderful handmade Thanksgiving decor. Each of the kids had a speaking part in the program which told a little history about Thanksgiving as well as some funny commentary about turkeys. Then they all sang about 10 songs in unison about various Thanksgiving topics from Indians to pilgrams to turkeys trying to escape becoming the Thanksgiving meal. It was SO cute!!!

I took so many videos that I ran out of memory card during the performance. Payton is the one in the back row with the big "S" on the front of his costume. His Indian name was "Slithering Snake." Here is one of my favorite videos: Here is a link to another video of Payton singing that was too large to post on this blog. But it's SO cute if you have a moment to watch it!

My mom was able to come into town for the program, which was so special. Payton loved having his Nana there to show her all the songs and lines he had learned. After the program, they had a Thanksgiving feast which included these adorable pilgram hat cookies (did I also mention we have the most outstanding homeroom mom that has her own cookie business?) pumpkin cupcakes and of course Thanksgiving staples like Chick-fil-A nuggets, cinnamon apple sauce, and juice boxes.
It really was the most adorable performance Payton has been a part of. I am so excited for more programs like this now that he is in school. I heard I need to bring a whole box of tissues for the Mother's Day performance... oh boy!!!

Little of This &That...

I have some random photos I wanted to share with everyone that don't really fall into any particular category, so excuse the "brain dump" as my friend Jen calls it...

It has finally cooled down enough at night for us to start using our fire pit again. Brian's inner caveman comes out and he gets so excited to get a big 'ol fire burning. Even better when you add good friends, s'mores and some ice cold beer (NA for me of course). Here are some cute photos from last night...

This was just too funny to share. I came back from walking Rohy the other day and Payton was hard at work on this poster. He wouldn't let me see it until he had used half a roll of tape to secure it to his bedroom door. In case you can't read it, this is what it says, "You are now entering the room of love." Oh boy... is this a sign of what's to come in his teenage years? God help me... 

One more random thought... why does the first sight of this red paper cup bring me SO much joy??? It's like it heralds in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I've discovered a new drink this fall: Tall decaf latte with one pump of peppermint syrup. It is so good, you have to try it. It's dangerous living across the street from Starbucks this time of year...

Preparing for Thanksgiving

Is it really going to be Thanksgiving in 12 days? I feel like the first day of Kindergarten was just a couple weeks ago. I guess that’s why I have that infamous quote from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” posted on the top of my blog. Because if you don’t stop every once and a while and take in all of the goodness and blessings in your life, it could easily pass by without you even noticing.

With that being said, don’t let the “Marketing Giants of the Retail World” convince you that Thanksgiving isn’t a real holiday and that you should just skip forward to Christmas. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to teach your kids about the history of our country and talk to them about the intangible things they are truly grateful for. This may take a little explaining of course, as I know my little one would initially probably say he’s thankful for his Wii.

Our family has so much to be thankful for this year. We will be spending the holiday with both sets of our parents (plus more extended family), which is special for us, but even more incredible for Payton. We have our miracle baby on the way in less than 3 months. We have so many wonderful friends that love and support us, and we have our faith in God which grounds us each and every day and is the glue that holds us together. We are truly grateful.

Of course with as much as I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving (and believe me, I can almost taste the pie, turkey and cranberry sauce) I am not putting my head in the sand and ignoring the fact that Christmas will be here before I know it.

I started designing our Christmas card this week. I got the idea from another blog I follow where the family is highlighting a bunch of their family “adventures” from the year instead of a staged family portrait. I hope it comes out as good as I envision it in my head. I’m using Shutterfly this year for our card. They have so many great designs – many of which I would love to use next year when our Christmas card budget is a bit bigger. They even have Thanksgiving cards if you're feeling ambitious. I’ve included a few links below where you can view their templates.

• Holiday cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/
• Photo cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery
• Christmas photo cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-station ... hoto-cards
• Thanksgiving cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-station ... ving-cards

I think you may be as surprised as I was when you see just how many options there are and how so many of them look like the expensive custom cards that cost twice or three times as much. Plus, as my sis-in-law pointed out, with so many options, it’s rare that you will receive 10 of the same card design you choose.

Also, I printed off this adorable “Countdown to Thanksgiving” calendar on the Family Fun web site. It’s really cute and gives great ideas to start discussions about being thankful.

Okay, I’m off to bake some pumpkin bread! Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkins, Trick-or-Treating & More...

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. From decorating, to pumpkin carving to trick-or-treating, we really enjoyed the fun of it all.
Friday after school Payton had a "Mario Halloween Playdate" with his pal Lilly. She dressed up as another Super Mario Bros character named "Princess Peach" for Halloween. So we had to get them together for some costumed fun before the big day. We met up at the Village by our house and let them get ice cream and then play by the fountain. Of course they had a blast.

I wish I had pictures to post of the two "scary" events we did last weekend. Friday night, the rec center by Payton's school put on a Halloween Haunted House. Payton was so excited to go! We walked up there after dinner and met some of his classmates and neighbors. I think he was expecting it to be like the Haunted Mansion at Disney, but it turned out to be more like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. I didn't go in, but Brian said it was a lot of blood and gore and people grabbing at you. NO THANK YOU! Not my style. When Payton came out, I asked, "Was it fun!?!" He said, "NO! IT WAS NOT FUN!" I think he was a little mad that it turned out to be so scary. Fortunately, there were no nightmares that evening.

On Saturday night, we went with some friends to a local "Haunted Hayride." It was much more tame and not scary at all, but since it was through the woods and it was completely dark out, it was just scary enough for Payton.
Yesterday, we had fun carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating. Payton was thrilled when Brian let him use the pumpkin carving tools to help him carve his "Chicago Bear eating a Brett Favre Packer" pumpkin. It turned out pretty darn funny actually.

 

 Payton is old enough now that the act of getting free candy from neighbors has taken on a whole new level of fun. He ran from house to house last night with some other neighbor friends of his. He was so proud of his "loot" at the end of the route.

 

We had a great Halloween, now on to Thanksgiving! Anyone have any cute Thanksgiving crafts or recipes they want to share???