Today

I am a proud mother today. Lori dragged the kids and I with her to deliver goodies to a couple of her teenage clients. (Lori is a social worker who works with troubled youth). We decided the kids could carol at their doors. I can't explain how I felt watching my kids shyly, yet smiling, sing their whole hearts out for these teens. Huddling together, clutching bags of chocolate covered pretzels and Christmas cards, they sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Jingle Bells." One of the homes had an abandoned shack/small barn next to it. Elly ran enthusiastically to sing to whomever might live there. Even as I am typing this, I am crying. I felt like shouting to the whole world, "These are my kids!!! They are good kids!!"

Cookie Friday Christmas Part II

Well, here are our attempts at edible ornament making. Actually, we turned the ornaments into two snowman and a cat (which you might not be able to tell because it has no discernable features). If I had a better camera, you would be able to tell that our Rice Krispie balls had the luster of already-been-chewed gum, and that the crushed candy canes look like bits of trash stuck to them. Now, they have taken a place on Gingerbread Row on our counter. It really looks like the scary part of town.

At least our snowmen cookies turned out. James, especially, loved these.

Cookie Friday Christmas Part I

They were going to be glorious.
I would add red food coloring to the melting marshmallows.
After the Rice Krispie treats cooled some, we would shape them into balls.
Then, we would roll them in crushed candy can.
Can't you see it? My vision? Our own edible Christmas ornaments.
They would practically glow and shimmer.

Things started out well -
Kids at the counter,
Katy bopping around,
Christmas music playing.
We laughed at the pink melting marshmallows.
They leaned in and watched as I crushed peppermints...


Stay tuned for Cookie Friday Christmas Part II to see what might possibly be the most disturbing Christmas treats I have ever seen. (I have to get batteries for the camera).

Tuesday

Today's Highlights

Katy telling her dad "no," and squishing up her nose and laughing

Lori bringing me the KFC 3.95$ meal (that is a lot of chicken)

not wanting to work out, doing it, and feeling better

the kids and their secret missions

thinking of the neighbors new adorable Peking Poo (sooo precious - a little 2lb fur ball)

everyone loving homemade bread

Big J laughing at me when I am grouchy

Today's non-highlight: Katy tossing the phone into the toilet. That's three phones and two remotes to date. She didn't exactly toss it into the toilet. I caught her swirling it in the water, like she was stirring soup. Oh, that baby.

Cookie Friday X and the Weekend

I had a guest cookie baking diva do cookies last Friday! Suzy, a.k.a. Nana! She made saltine smores. She told me she just whipped them up, and started explaining a process including boiling, baking once, then again, etc. I smiled and nodded. Some people's ideas of thrown together are different than others. Oh, well. I will be there one day. Anyway, they were great.

I threw Jack a Harry Potter birthday for his 35th. I think I may have erred too much on the side of kid party. I just got excited about all the different party ideas I read online, like gluing feathers to gold Christmas ornaments to make golden snitches. One day, I throw him a big adult party like I used to throw for him. Right now, all of our peers have small children, so, well, it doesn't really work out.

Katy, double fisting in the spaghetti tonight.

Final Jack post

jack and his girl

Good father. Good husband. Good son.
My life with Jack is pretty good.

I love you, Jack.

Big J #3

Jack as a teen.

Seriously hot.