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Friday, November 30, 2018

Thankful - Day 30

I am thankful for...
 
this crazy wonderful life of mine but most of all..  I'm thankful for you! 
 
I'm thankful for the people who I get to spend my days with, the people who go on adventures on the whim of a website's suggestion, the people who never tire of my Christmas lovin', the people who push me to be better, the people who stop over just because, the people who encourage me when doubt creeps in, the people who sit and dream with me.
 
 











 
I am thankful for each and every one of you for shaping me into the person I am today.  You all have brought meaning, perspective, and balance into my life.  I cherish you all and thank God for crossing our paths, for no matter how long.
 
 

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Thankful - Day 29

I am thankful for...

 
the simple holiday decorations, the inside jokes, passed down over the years that bring a smile to your face when your kids give you the most questionable of looks.
 
And the answer is YES!  That is an unopened tin of "limited edition" Oreos from 2000!

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Thankful - Day 28

I am thankful for...

the digital age we live in to easily look back on days, weeks, holidays past.
 
 

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Thankful - Day 27

I am thankful for...
 
 
..."fancy dinners" (aka special nights when Momma is too tired to cook, splurges on take out, moves the furniture in the living room so we can eat and watch an overdue library movie... all on a school night.)

Monday, November 26, 2018

Thankful - Day 26

I am thankful for...
 
 
...children who still ask me to have lunch at school with them.


Sunday, November 25, 2018

Thankful - Day 25

I am thankful for...
 
... art, one of my favorite forms of mental escape.
 
 

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Thankful - Day 24

I am thankful for...
 
 
...laughter.  Squeals of delight in the morning.  The excitement of holiday magic.

Friday, November 23, 2018

Thankful - Day 23

I am thankful for....
 
 
...small businesses that help keep families together, keep communities old school, and keep traditions alive!


(checking for squirrels)


Thursday, November 22, 2018

Thankful - Day 22

I am thankful for...
 
lazy holidays at home...
 
 
...that give us a chance to create memories inside our walls that will keep the kids coming back home long after they are grown.

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Thankful - Day 21

I am thankful for...
 
social media - especially when a simple Facebook post reveals that we all have been contaminated by the stomach bug plague, giving us time to prep before the worst hits!


Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Thankful - Day 20

I am thankful for....
 
 

the internet, the creation of the 'Only in Your State' website, and a body physically able to attempt these hikes I'm reading about!

Monday, November 19, 2018

Thankful - Day 19

I am thankful for...
 
 
...sibling teamwork and camaraderie - if only for creating Mario Kart carts out of cardboard boxes from Dad's latest job.
 

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Birthday Memories

Turning '11' isn't a big milestone by the parenting books. 
 
But something about it.... '11'...  seems so grown up, so mature.
 
Maybe its because at '11' you are officially old enough to take babysitting classes and be responsible to take care of someone else's life.
 
'11' is also officially a tweenager.  You long for parties and games and carefree fun but yet your heart knows there is more out there than streamers and cake.  You want to be surrounded by friends and laughter and presents, but you're beginning to understand that time is fleeting and should be spent wisely. 
 
'11' is the beginning of a difficult transition and a big step in growing up.  It is my job to show you that you can have the best of both worlds, especially on your birthday!
 
We kicked festivities off the weekend before the big day by using a gift certificate to SkyZone from last year's birthday.  

 
An hour of jumping fun followed by bagels, cream cheese, and pastries at Panera with a bunch of girl chat about favorite cereals, movies, and school was the perfect beginning
 
 
When the actual birthday weekend rolled around, celebrations continued with a family dinner at home complete with all Bree's favorites.
 
 
Stuffed crust pizza from Little Caesars, breadsticks from Tano's....
 
 
...iron skillet apple pie for dessert....

 
... AND off to the movie theatres to see 'The Grinch' where a bunch of other cousins just so happened to be as well!
 
 
Early the next morning, we were off to hit the town but first a birthday haircut and styling!
 
(the Birthday Girl, the Mom, the Grandma, and the Sister starting the day off right)
 
We stopped at a local bakery to grab a (large) sugary bite to eat and Bubble Tea - the latest and greatest fad according to Bree.
 
 

 
Our next (but technically third) stop of the day was Kohls where Bree was given free reign to spend my extra Kohls Cash.  After searching through all the clothes and finding an awesome pajama set with matching doll jammies, we ended up walking out with a pair of fluffy earmuffs for the wintery days ahead.  Then we hit the mall where Bree FINALLY... 6 years later... got to use her Build A Bear gift card.


 
Meet Frosting Snowflake - a cotton candy smelling bunny.

 
Up next was Barnes and Nobles where Bree decided on a cookbook of her very own and a complete works of Grimm's Fairy Tales book.

 
On the way home, we had to visit Panera bread again.  Bree loves Broccoli Cheddar soup and they do make the best.  Plus, us adults may have needed a caffeinated beverage to help make it through the rest of the day because celebrations still weren't done!  We stopped at home to show Dad her birthday loot before being whisked off to Walmart for more shopping....
 
 
...and dropped back off to Grandma for the best birthday dinner at the best restaurant around.
 

 
At the end of the day, the kids were in the kitchen and I overheard Bree telling Holly and Jake about everything.  All the stops, what its like to make your own stuffed animal, giving ideas what they can do for their birthdays.  Then Bree suddenly stops and comes to me in the living room and says "Wow..... I got to eat out for all three meals today!"
 
"Did you like it though?" I questioned her.
 
"It was really fun, Mom.  Thank you."
 
Smiles, compliments, signs of appreciation, and time spent together.
 
Birthday.  Win.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Thankful - Day 17

I am thankful for...
 
 
...air mattresses and movie nights in the living room.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Thankful - Day 16

I am thankful for...
 
 
...  my job.  It may be a small library with an even smaller budget, but broadening the minds of children beyond their cell phones is so worth it.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Thankful - Day 15

I am thankful for...
 
 
...the safety and security of our home my side of the bed brings when the nights are scary.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Thankful - Day 14

I am thankful for...

 
...game nights.  No matter what we are playing.