This Tuesday Feels Like Monday

 The kids and I had six long days off for Thanksgiving break.  It was much needed for the kids but this morning as they woke up to prepare for heading back to the grind it seemed to be quite a struggle.  

The break was a mix of relaxation, Thanksgiving feasting with my parents, celebrating Matthew's 16th birthday and ended with a two day, one night trip to an indoor water park in the Poconos.  Now we are back to reality.  Back to work, school and an endless amount of laundry waiting to be finished.  Taco meat is cooking in the crock pot and the rest I'll prepare at dinner time.  

Let's talk about Thanksgiving.  I only had my parents this year.  No in-laws.  We always invite both sides but last year it was only my mother-in-law and sister-in-law since my parents were sick.  So, this year I wanted it to be just my parents.  Keep it small and simple.  It was a nice day of cooking while watching the parade followed by the dog show.  We filled our plates with turkey and all the trimmings and tried to fit some dessert.  After dinner we watched The Cowboys crush Washington with a Dolly Parton show in between.  Does anyone notice how amazing that woman looks for age 77?  How does she do it?  Well, aside from all the plastic.  Kudos to her!  

On Friday my oldest turned sixteen years old.  Sixteen?  It baffles me that we got to sixteen so quickly. He wanted to be part of the Black Friday experience and use a gift card that was given to him a long time ago.  The stores weren't as crowded as they used to be and he picked Arby's for lunch.  We went home and gave him his gifts.  One was a watch he had wanted that tracks his steps and does many other things.  

Our town was having a tree lighting ceremony that night and my daughter performed with her dance studio.  My husband invited his mom and sister to come watch and then head back to our house for cake.  

Saturday was a rest day and Sunday we dropped the dog off at a dog resort before heading north to the Poconos.  Matthew had once mentioned wanting to go to a water park and we decided to surprise him with a trip to an indoor one.  We heard this was the best one in the Poconos, located inside Camelback Resort.  It was a lot of fun and I highly recommend.  

Aside from a few moments of bickering and arguing, which is what it seems to be whenever we go anywhere, it was a good vacation.  We all needed it.  On the way home we picked up the dog who seemed excited to see us but very tired at the same time.  

The rest of the week will be busy but I'll try to give another update soon!  

And Just Like That He's 16

 It amazes me how we went from this:

To this:

In the blink of an eye.  

16 seems like a scary time (for mom) as he's preparing to take his driving permit test.  I can't imagine having a child on the road.  I'm confident he will do well but it's the others on the road that concerns me.  

I so badly miss the tiny baby, the toddler and the little boy.  But I enjoy the young man he is now and look forward to seeing what his future will be.  He's a God loving, level-headed, smart boy who has come out of that shyness and has a lot of friends.  He seems to be a good friend too, always helping them when they endure a breakup or need someone to listen to for any other reason.  He has a sense of humor and is talented.  I'm so thankful that God picked me to be his mother.

He still deals with migraines that sometimes makes it hard to get out of bed.  He is looking forward to getting back to his seasonal job at the ski resort.  

I'm not going to lie, he can often have an attitude.  The teen years are remarkably hard.  I do believe that if I keep pushing through, constantly reminding him of how he should behave, that we will come out of this phase alright.  

Brooke's 1st Birthday

 Yesterday we celebrated Brooke's 1st birthday.   We treat our dogs birthday like the kids birthday, sort of.  

I made her a peanut butter and banana pupcake, recipe found on Pinterest.   She didn't waste time devouring it.  

Then topped it off with Frosty Paws dog ice cream.  

And big human sis helped open her presents.  She didn't understand what was going on but enjoyed the treats.  

She completed the night by chewing on her new bone.  

It was a good day for our husky pup.  

November Days

My daughter's chalk writing at the end of our driveway with leaves from the neighbor's tree covering the grass.  We are a few weeks into fall but sometimes summer still peaks through.  Temperatures as high as the 70's have graced us several times lately.  Is that normal for this time of year?  We turned our clocks back last Sunday and as much as I enjoyed that extra hour of sleep it's been disappointing that by five o'clock it's pitch black outside.  

The days are so busy.  I dislike rushing around but I also enjoy it at the same time.  Does that make sense?  I struggle to figure out what to make for dinner each night.  Pinterest used to be by go to but I'm having trouble finding new recipes, or anything that would be appealing to both of my kids.  They are so picky and what one likes the other doesn't.  

Last Sunday after church the kids asked if I could take them to the playground of their elementary school.  They reminisced on those good old days and wished for those moments back.  I'm not going to lie, I wish for it back too.  Their younger innocence, an easier schedule, not worrying about fitting in or having too many responsibilities.  Neither are enjoying the middle and high school years.  My two just seem to not want to grow up.  I love that they are holding onto their childhood but that immaturity holds them back from the friends they had that now are rushing to grow up.  

This week is observation week at dance.  I get to pop in for ten minutes of each class to see how much the girl has grown and matured as a dancer.  She's the small one in the black sweatshirt and dance shorts.  

And this week also brought us amazing news as yesterday was election day.  A long time ago my husband felt the calling to run for school board.  He teamed up with four others and they all won.  He stood in front of the polls for thirteen hours and his joints are paying for it today.  Regardless of what the outcome would have been, I'm proud of him.  I really stink at showing it because of fears that I have but I truly am proud of him.  He's hard-working and dedicated, ready to serve as God has called him to do.  Now let's clean up the schools.  

Brooke's Day Out

 Today we went to the next county, where my parents live, and met them at a park they enjoy going to.  I thought it was a good idea to bring the dog.  She's not used to going places and being in the car for very long.  She's still filled with puppy energy and was uncontrollable when we first arrived.  She had her sights set on the ducks but they were out of her reach.  

Look at how cute my parents are.  

My mother still has good moments but it's become very clear that she's entering that final stage of Alzheimer's.   So, these moments with her are precious.  

After spending a few hours at the park we headed home.  On the way we stopped at a pet store.  Another first for Brooke.  

I'm sure she will sleep good tonight.   Thankfully we have an extra hour.  Don't forget to turn your clocks back!

Halloween Recap Into November

 Halloween has now come and gone!  Before I get into it here are pictures of some of my cute decorations.  

I've noticed this year there has been so much more outdoor decorating than previous years.  Large skeletons and an assortment of blow up characters.  We don't do anything outside of our house for Halloween but I might change that next year.  

I got this idea on Pinterest.  Orange soda and a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a plastic cup that I turned into a Jack-O-Lantern with a Sharpie.  The kids enjoyed it after school.  

The kids both dressed up as clowns this year.  My son said this will be his last year trick-or-treating.  Since he's just a few weeks away from turning 16 he's already hit the cut off but that did not stop him from enjoying an extra year.  They aren't too picky when it comes to age around here and I don't understand the need to stop.  If a teenager wants to trick-or-treat let them.  They aren't hurting anyone by doing so.  I'm sure my daughter will want to go a few more years.  It's amazing how quickly these years go by.  I'll miss this tradition when it comes to an end.  My daughter's friend Addy also joined us and that made her very happy.  

She did her own makeup.  So cute!

Now we are in November and what a cold and windy start it is.  My car is in the shop so I drove my husband to work so I could have the car.  On the way home as I was skimming the radio there was one station playing Christmas music.  Normally I would scoff at the idea of Christmas music being played THIS early but I decided to listen.  There is just so much joy in the season and with the things going on lately I could really use some joy.  The kids have an early dismissal and then I have a parent-teacher conference for my daughter.  Tomorrow there is no school for elementary and middle school so my daughter will have off and then on Friday both kids have off and so do I.  November's calendar is filled with the usual after school events, a dance show for my daughter and lots of doctor appointments.  It will end with Thanksgiving and my son's 16th birthday.  

I wish you a November filled with blessings!