Sunday, November 28, 2010

Beyond Thankful

It is hard for me to fathom that last year, at Thanksgiving, Parker was in Korea and all we had was a few pictures. We tried to keep with tradition and run the Drumstick Dash, Parker was going to sit in the jogging stroller. However, there was a 24 hours downpour that kept us inside. Trust me, I was disappointed, I love to run and it is a fun race. Later that night we traveled to Jim's family for our Thanksgiving dinner. Sadly, we did not get to see my family since I had to work the next day and my Mom was working Thanksgiving (ugh, heath care!) I told Jim that I wished our holiday was more of an "event", spend more time with family, shop the next day, put a tree up together. I can recall going to Chicago that weekend with my family to see the Windows and tree in Field's. It just made me sad to see families shopping and I was alone (yes, I did have friends to go with but I had to go early due to work on Friday)

Jim put the tree up while Parker napped and then Parker helped me decorate both trees. Surprisingly he did okay, after an hour he went into "all mine mode" (he just grabs and takes off). Jim spent his week off working on the basement (we're getting there) since we are hosting two holiday parties next month, and he wants as much as possible complete.

Sadly, I did not take any pictures at our Thanksgiving, and we had a Thanksgiving at a friends house on Monday and no pictures! (it was cute, they have two cats and Parker took Jim's hand to show him the cat, as if Jim has never seen one!)

Look how tiny he is next to the tree!

Ready for Thanksgiving in my football sweater. The sweater is a tribute to Jims family's refusal to turn off football during dinner.

the first tree he decorated, if you ask him how many he has he says "two" and holds up one finger!
Jim's work, almost done with the stone on the bar!
Back to normal this week, we are headed to the social security office to get Parker's number, let's hope it goes smooth!



Wednesday, November 17, 2010

In the Interest of time...

I feel like I have none....laundry, dishes, cook, workout, work, read, play...repeat each week. I am like a hamster on a wheel, I feel like I do not get anywhere. When I first stayed home it was exciting to run place to place, today I passed World Market* (I can spend hours in there) and thought what a hassle it would be to take Parker in and out. Maybe it is just his age but it can be an ordeal to do anything!

It was nice to get away for the past few days, Parker and I visited my parents. He had a great time visiting with his Grandparents, playing with vintage toys (yes, mine and my brother's) and annoying my parent's dog. Sadly, I arrived home to one roll of toilet paper in the whole house. 4 bathrooms, one roll...just saying. So the cycle of running to the grocery store and cleaning starts again. I cannot imagine how mother's with multiple kids do it.

Parker got to visit Aunt Nicole and Uncle Steve and tore their house apart the second he walked in...eating decorative rocks, grabbing at ornaments, dumping all of the fireplace matches on the ground...like a small tornado. Since Nicole had the house decorated, for the holidays, it prompted me to get some decor out. I figure the more I have done, the more time for baking cookies, watching Christmas movies, and drinking Baileys. Luckily, I have the majority of my shopping done.

Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks:

He keeps busy while I cook playing grocery store...really it works!
Sunday morning, perusing the toy adds


Aunt Nicole has some friends who ride, so Parker got to visit horses

He wanted nothing to do with the pony...he prefers the large horses

Running through the barn




Wordless Wednesday: What has Parker been up to?