A Trip Down Memory Lane

Today Xander and his friends got together to go roller skating. This was Xander's first time EVER on roller skates! He made me promise not to take pictures or video. I almost peed my pants laughing so hard with tears streaming down my face at the trip and falls and SPLITS that accompanied this learning. I wasn't necessarily laughing at him I was also remembering my learning how to skate and how many falls it took to get it right! He wanted to give up at first, but thankfully his friends encouraged him on and his "sticktoittiveness" and desire to get it right lead him forward and sometimes to his knees, but he persevered and GOT IT in the end!

Oh that was a great giggle, cry and trip down memory lane! I can still remember Friday nights at "Skateland" as a teenager. The wind whipping through my feathered hair as I went around in circles as fast as I could in SKIN TIGHT jeans. The boys, the loud music, the friends, the songs dedicated, the hopes that I would get picked for boys choice, backwards, slow dance, couples only...so many memories both happy and embarrassing. It was fun to revisit those feelings today at the rink, but I am SO glad I am not a teenager again!

1. great friends to create memories with

2. Alyssa having a fun play date too

3. All of Christmas put away and GONE until next year...

Favorite Boston places and faces

Last supper

Tonight for our last dinner together before Grandma Barbara and Uncle Michael go back to sunny California we had a delicious last supper. I made baked ziti, salad and "circle bread." I am always hesitant to make bread since sometimes it turns out and other times well.... but tonight it was DELICIOUS! Yum! We call it circle bread since after you roll it out you cut it as you would biscuits, dip one end in butter (margarine for those who are butter impaired), stack it in rows sideways in a bundt pan and it comes out looking like a rosette and tasting wonderful! So glad to be able to share a great dinner with a great family!

1. chinese food for lunch

2. snow falling

3. my bread being a success

Christmas 2009

What a great day we had with Grandma Barbara and Uncle Michael here to celebrate Christmas. The kids loved all of their gift and the top prize goes to their brand new ATV.

At first I was worried because Xander didn't seem too interested in it. He said, "Mom I told you that you didn't have to spend all that money on an atv. I feel bad." I told him to let us worry about how much money we spend and that he should just have fun. And fun was had by all!

Even Grandma Barbara got in on the action!

The next in line was their snowboards.

They have been asking for these for a very long time.

They realized that it takes a lot of work to get back up the hill with one foot still attached, but loved it still.

It was warm enough to take a walk in the woods and enjoy the sunshine and temperature over 32 degrees. A real heat wave for us lately. I loved having a white Christmas and family to celebrate and enjoy it with.

Lola is lovin' having all these extra people to play with and get love from!

1. Christmas will not come for another 364 more days! Hallelujah

2. my new "real" camera

3. the endless picture possibilities yet to come

Breath of Heaven

Here is my favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit! It is our tradition to play this every year on Christmas Eve. It has the church's nativity video and Amy Grant's song Breath of Heaven. Hit play, sit back and feel the true spirit of Christmas. You won't be disappointed.

Little things

Paul picked up this Charlie Brown Christmas tree a few weeks back. He just LOVES it! When he first got it every time he would walk into the room he would smile and express joy over having it. He even tried to convince the kids that we didn't have to put up the "other" tree and we could just use this one. Thankfully we have both. I love the little things in life that bring great joy! It feels good!

The Christmas Spirit

After I finished all of my running around today trying to find stocking stuffers, return items not necessary and helping a friend I came across this video The Christmas Spirit . This is what Christmas is REALLY about. I love it!

Let it snow.....

More snow! The kids are elated because there is no school today. They have been happily playing outside in the snow. They come in for awhile, put their snow clothes in the dryer, drink some hot chocolate and then they are off again! It is killing Lola! She got spade on Monday and isn't allowed to run and jump in the snow. We are supposed to keep her calm for 10 days. That'll be interesting since she is already bouncing off the walls.

Alyssa built Paul the snowman and his sidekick Lola. I think they are adorable! Can you see the resemblance in the cheeks? I'm just sayin'....! :-)

1. white chocolate chip cookies mmmmm.....

2. kids being old enough to be outside on their own

3. snowmen/dogs

Lola's first snow

We got our first "real" snow storm last night. The 2 dustings in October don't count. I always LOVE the first snow- so white and pristine. Our little part of the world wrapped in a white blanket. The crunch underfoot, the excitement in the air. The joy of shoveling the snow- well from the kids that is.

So I really do like snow it is just the 50th snow when the streets are mushy and black and dirty that I don't like it.

Lola as well as the kids loved it! She had a blast running around and digging and eating it. She only took a few bites of breakfast and wanted to go back out and play! Good that makes this whole winter thing a lot easier!

1. the smell of pancakes in the other room

2. a fun start to the day

3. SNOW!

O' Christmas Tree

We finally got a chance to decorate the tree. We had it up for a few days to get lola used to it. We decided not to put on the glass ornaments and tons of old fashioned silver bells so that the tree would jingle when she went hunting for an ornament. Works like a charnm! Only one cinnamon applesauce ornament has bit the dust so far.

It is so nice to see Xander feeling better and having fun in the pictures! He is finally getting back to his old self! Hurray!

Okay so the last two days of November came and went and we were once again in the ER and at the hospital overnight. So today as well as those other days I am grateful for HEALTH INSURANCE and that Xander is feeling better and on the mend!

Here is the scoop:

So all last week Xander was "off" but I thought it was due to all the meds he was on. Then on Sunday 11/29 he started throwing up. I had thought it might be that the antibiotics were just bothering his stomach. I called the doctor in the early afternoon and we decided to put the clindamycin on hold. Later, around 6, he was still throwing up and his hands did this strange thing- it looked like he had cerebryl palsey(sp) he couldn't open them right away and they were numb and tingly. SO I called the doctor again...they said to take him to the ER and get fluids because this was probably an electrolyte imbalance. At the ER They put in an iv, did blood work and gave him anti-nausea meds. We had the same doctors as the first time last Sunday. They wanted to admit him since it was so close to all the other issues he had the prior week. At least this time it only took 2 tries to get the iv in. We finally got up to his room around 12:45 a.m. and slept as well as on can sleep in a hospital. Monday morning he started a fever and still felt lousy, but he was keeping things down. The doctors believe it was a stomach bug in conjunction with MONO. They did a rapid test and it came back positive, but another test was negative at first, but I guess it takes a few days to completely register. We were discharged Monday night, but in true Xander style, as of late, he broke out in a fine rash all over his back. They think the rash is viral.

So here we are now on Wednesday and he is getting a little more energy everyday. He has started to argue a bit with me and insult his sister which are both, unfortunately, signs of him feeling better. He went back to the doctor for a check up and his rash has spread and is much darker, but they think it is either viral or from the antibiotics. So in January we will go to an allergist to try and desensitize him from all of these allergies to antibiotics. But for now he is taking it easy and will possibly return to school on Friday... One day at a time is my motto lately.

SO that is why I AM THANKFUL FOR DOCTORS AND ESPECIALLY HEALTH INSURANCE!!!!

I am thankful for FREE SHIPPING! Today I went on several sites and got everything shipped for FREE! I like FREE! Off for more cyber shopping......

Today I am thankful for leftovers-

which make my most favorite sandwich

Mmmmmmm!

Today I am thankful for

Today I am grateful for a clean kitchen. Tomorrow it is ALL OVER! Enjoying the calm before the storm. Although I am looking forward to the storm because it will be filled with family!

Today I am grateful for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins- making them, eating them and sharing them!