Thanksgiving 2013

We had grand plans for Thanksgiving this year and while we hit the highlights we were slightly sidelined by a stomach virus/food poisoning that hit Little Man really hard on Thanksgiving Eve.  Papa Bear and I had little to no sleep but as we heard the littles start stirring in their excitement to see MeeMom and Mommom we felt that stomach flu or not, we had to give it a shot.  So at the very last minute we threw everything into the car including a pale and tired Little Man and made it to Delaware by 9am.  It was the first of many Thanksgiving Miracles that we hit no traffic and didn't forget anything since I had stopped preparing for the trip after Little Man threw up for the 5th time.  We played and enjoyed ourselves at MeeMom's house, Uncle Mark showed up and we ate the first of many Thanksgiving meals on the same plates we used to eat fancy dinners from when we were kids.  Football was on, the kids were playing and occupied and it was perfect (except for the still puking Little Man).  Then I took Sweet Pea and we headed over to my Aunt's house to say hi to as many relatives as possible in 30 minutes.  After that quick stop we went to the Kutz home for the Green Family Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful to see Mommom and see my cousins and aunts and uncles.  Again, it was almost perfect except for the fact that Little Man stayed back with my mom because he just couldn't get off the couch.  After more food, Chanukah celebration and dessert, we went back to my mom's for leftovers and some more playtime.  Then we got on the road and reached our house around 10:00 with all the kids sound asleep.  For the last Thanksgiving miracle, Little Man has stopped throwing up and everyone slept in until after 8am. 

This year I am thankful for a husband who can see how important an event is to me and can throw everything into high gear to make it there, a mom who will give up a family event to stay with my sick child, kids who enjoy a holiday that is all about eating and family, a mommom that brings a family together in a way no one else can and kids who sleep in when it really matters.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Happy Chaunkah!

Heroes in the Neighborhood

We were watching the Eagles game on tv together and saw a firetruck turn down the street adjacent to our house.  The boys quickly put their shoes on and we ran outside just in time to see the truck turn the lights off and turn back around.  The firefighters saw the small crowd that had gathered and stopped the truck to give out fire hats to the kids.  They were doing some planning and there are two houses on a gravel road behind our house and it seems that the closest fire hydrant to those houses are on our street.  The boys got to listen as they made a game plan to get water to the houses in the woods if there ever was a need.  Then a call came in and the firefighters were off and running, sirens going.  Peanut was full of questions and Little Man was in awe. 

Tiger Cubs - Raingutter Regatta

Little Man has his first Raingutter Rigatta today.  He and Papa Bear worked on the boat together, building it, sanding it, painting it, perfecting it.  Today was the big race.  Little Man didn't win, but pulled himself together despite his disappointment. 

Reading Reading Everywhere

Little Man has really hit his stride in reading and goes through books like water.  I have a hard time figuring out how to deal with it sometimes because there is something inherently wrong with telling him to stop reading.  But if I let him, he would have a book at the breakfast table, while playing a game (because I take too long on my turn), etc.  So the other day I told him that he could read where ever and when ever he wanted and he had a book in his had for the 2 hours before school and another 2 after school.  What can I say, sometimes you just have to let the rules slide for reading especially since I have a book with me at all times and tend to do the same thing if the kids aren't paying attention. 

Reading during breakfast

Reading on our head

Sweet Pea wanted in on the action...I think she is ready for her big girl bed!