Black Friday

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True to our Thanksgiving Holiday tradition, we ventured into the depths of proverbial hell—the mall—on Black Friday. Our mission: Christmas photos.

And for the second year in a row, knock on wood, it was a hassle free morning;

The girls got to see Santa,

Mommy got the Christmas photos she wanted,

and Daddy just came along for the ride.

(Last year's photo adventure)

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Beginnings and Endings

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The beginning of goodbye and hello to new beginnings

A new beginning with the ghost of familial baggage still lurking in the corners of my mind. Wow - moms can really do a number on their offspring. How can I avoid being a cliche? How can I avoid becoming a caricature of myself to my own children?

Our Thanksgiving was simple, warm, and all that I could have asked for—just me and my immediate family.

Thanksgiving '08

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Thanksgiving at the Hart House was different this year. It was just the four of us. It was nice and simple and, most importantly, fun. We served Cornish Game hens and the girls each got their own bird to stuff.




Alex and Rachel helped Daddy make pies, and they helped Mommy make her traditional orange cranberry sauce. They had a great time and the food was yummy, especially the birds (email me for the recipe—it’s really delicious).

The four day holiday was GREAT. I got the taste of being a stay-at-home mom again and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. When Monday finally came, and it was time to go back to work and school, I wasn’t ready to go get back to the ‘real world.’

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Giving Thanks...

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Oh – what a difference a year makes. So many things change and so many things stay the same.

Last year we started a family Thanksgiving tradition of making our lists of the things we are thankful for. A lot of what was on my list last year remains on my list this year—and probably always will. But there have been some pretty big changes too.

This year my focus is still on my girls and Dave—with a greater appreciation of the time that we have together. Stealing extra time wherever we can to cuddle and laugh and play. Now that I’m working and the girls are in school, our time together is more precious than ever.

I also have a much greater appreciation for Dave and all that he’s done during the past five years to support our family—financially and emotionally (you know, that crazy wife of his. Oh, wait. That’s me.)

I was always clear about the challenges of being a stay-at-home-mom, but didn’t understand, until now, what it means to be a working parent. And one who wants to be involved, and not outsource childrearing duties. (How in the world can we possibly cram all that love into the fraction of time that we, now both working parents, spend with our kids?) And my appreciation is all that much greater because he never asks for recognition. Thanks Dave for all you’ve done and continue to do.

My 2008 list of things I’m grateful for:

* Options, 2nd chances, and (relatively) smooth transitions
* The freedom to choose my own path and change my mind along the way
* The support of my husband, especially when I change my mind along the way
* Bedtime cuddles with Rachel
* Early morning cuddles with Alex
* The Little Country Preschool
* Giggles with my girls
* Dave—who still does way more than his fair share
* The unconditional love of our dog, Ollie
* The strong, protective relationship between Rachel and Alex
* Rachel’s little girl voice and the way she says “Daddy Duuude”
* Alex’s ability to make friends with anyone and her independent, leader-type personality (this child is NOT a follower)
* That Rachel’s hearing impairment isn’t an impairment
* That we’ve faced so (relatively) few challenges with our kids
* That both our girls are bright, socially adept, kind little girls—but are also just tough enough
* A few, stolen, quiet minutes alone – more than that and I get a little antsy
* Babysitters
* 2nd paychecks

What are you thankful for?? I'd love to know....,

(Click here to see last year’s list)

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Dave, what are you thankful for?

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(A man of few words)

* My terrific family -- my beautiful wife, adorable daughters, and our trusty dog
* My job at SDSC -- it's been a pretty good gig for the past 12 years
* My home in Southern California and the fact that it survived the 2007 fires
* And a pretty great life all around. I have a lot to be thankful for!

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Rachel, what are you thankful for?

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(Unedited and unscripted)

* Balloons
* My family
* My teacher, Miss Melissa (Something inside me breathed a sigh of relief that she listed her family before her teacher. She LOVES her teacher and sometimes I find myself envious of the time they have together.)
* My house
* Lollipops
* Eating (we made these lists over dinner),
* And, all my other stuff!

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Alex, what are you thankful for?

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(Unedited and unscripted)

* My family
* My pets (Ollie of course, but she was also including our two little fishes)
* My food
* Pictures
* Santa
* Our plants (random)
* My teacher
* My new shoes
* Our house
* And, balloons!

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Hmmm.

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Somtimes I wonder...

"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"

... and then it hits me.

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Quote for the Day

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

~Gandhi~

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Out of the Mouths of Babes...,

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It's after bath, after 'the naked run,' and mommy is just finished getting the girls dressed for bed. Alex has picked out her book and, giggling, she calls out to Daddy in the next room...

"Daddy! Come read this book or you're FIRED!"

LOL!!

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