The couple days before Thanksgiving I prepped and made most of the dishes I was in charge of and that helped to make this one of the smoothest Thanksgivings we've hosted. The other biggie is that along with frying the turkey, my wonderful husband made the pumpkin bread pudding dessert and potato gratin dishes. He was working in the kitchen the night before while I was top stitching my reversible Thanksgiving/Christmas placemats. I wouldn't be me if I weren't doing something at the last minute *smirk*.
After sleeping in on Friday and eating chocolate chip pancakes, we hit a bunch of stores to get some Christmas shopping started. I've never shopped on 'black friday' and for a first experience it was very mellow. Busy. Indeed! But all we ran into was friendly people and some very good deals. Now we are almost done with shopping!
Then we walked around our little downtown just before dusk in a beautiful snow storm. Delightfully looking at Christmas lights and ringing the bell in front of our Capitol building.
Tonight at dinner my son says, "I love Mommy and Daddy and sister and God and Jesus and all the angels."
Daily I hear, "Is it Christmas today." So I'm making a paper chain with him tomorrow and we'll cut the links off until Christmas. Mental note for next year, need some sort of advent countdown!
Oh, and today I actually had to say, "Please do not lick the snow off of the truck." Of course followed by the obligatory (on his part - being 4 and all) "whhhhhhhyyyyyyyy." "Ah, because it's gross!"
Way back in February I mentioned that I put some snow balls in my freezer. When we were kids we'd get them out on the Fourth of July for a summer snow ball fight. This year since we were moving all our stuff was going into storage for a couple weeks we had to celebrate this tradition a bit early! I took out the snowballs and boy did my little guy have a blast with them.
The movers were actually there moving out all the big furniture so we went out and played. It bugs me that I didn't really pay attention to the fact that the fridge shelves and drawers were in the background of the pictures needing to be hosed off and packed but I can't go back and move them now :)!!!
We dumped, threw, stepped on and played with the snowballs until they melted all away!
BTW did you see the latest give away contest from the girls at 5 minutes for mom? They are giving away a
Insignia® 37" Flat-Panel LCD HDTV courtesy of Best Buy! Holy cow, what will those girls give away next...if you want a chance to win click on the link to their site and leave a comment and link on your blog!!!!
My son and I were listening to the radio and acting giddy while we were stuck in some traffic this afternoon. It was snowing and a few songs into our giddy spree "White Christmas" came one - one of my all time favorites - so the giddiness was taken up another notch (and the volume). In between verses I decided that even though it would be close to 5 o'clock by the time we got home we needed some snow play!
I like being the executive at my job so I can veto the semi intense dinner I had planned for one that came out of the freezer as soon as we walked in the door. Hurriedly and full of excitement we bundled up and got out he door. He even put on his hat all by his "delf"!
He's pointing saying "Dat way!!! Play! Kiks!" Boy was it fun and I had another opportunity to be grateful for the snowsuit I found on sale last year that was too big and only worn a few times. It now fits perfectly when it's really needed!!
After about an hour of playing with some friends down the street we headed home for some ovaltine, Christmas music, and to add the finishing touches to dinner.
I just LOVE this time of year, truly the most wonderful!!
