Our Five Ring Circus: November 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Trimming the Tree

Last night, we put the finishing touches on our Christmas tree.

We enlisted the help of two adorable, pajama-clad elves.

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We followed our tree-decorating tradition. Grant unwrapped the ornaments and handed them to the kids. The kids, in turn, handed them to me, so I could put them on the tree. They had a great time rediscovering their favorite ornaments. Every ornament on our tree is special, and has it's own story!

After the ornaments were hung, Dylan put the star on the tree, with some help from his daddy.

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Then, we wrapped up the tree with gold ribbon. And adjusted the ribbon many times throughout the night.

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The elves were very pleased with their little tree (even though daddy is wishing for a 7 1/2 foot pre-lit tree for next year)!

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Monday, November 29, 2010

'Tis The Season

We had a jam-packed weekend, enjoying the start of the Christmas season!

Thanksgiving was not at all what we expected, but I realize it could have been much worse. Thankfully, my dad did not have a stroke and they discovered his clogged arteries in time.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Eve, and I think we started a new tradition. I had the kids bathed and in their pajamas by the time Grant got home from work. We changed into our pajamas, and enjoyed a dinner of appetizers and leftover birthday cake, while watching Thanksgiving shows. It was a great start to the holiday season.

Thanksgiving started off well, but Grant ended up spending hours in the ER with my dad, while the kids and I sat at home, worrying. We missed dinner with Grant's family, and dinner with my entire family was canceled. My sister was hosting dinner for her in-laws, and didn't want us to miss dinner, so they waited to eat until we could join them.

I didn't have much of an appetite after the scare we'd had, and our stress level was high. The mood was light when we started dinner, as my sister threw rolls to each person at the table, but Grant and my brother-in-law got into a very heated discussion about football. That light mood quickly ended. New rule: No football talk is allowed at family dinners, especially when one person is a Patriots fan and the other a Steelers fan!

Dylan devoured his Thanksgiving dinner, while Lexie enjoyed a buttered roll. That's my girl!

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After dinner, my nephew and my sister started a food fight. Their fancy bar was quickly covered in broccoli, celery, and carrots. Never a dull moment!

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We had to stop at Grant's Nannie's house for dessert, so we could see his family. On the way over, Lexie threw up all over herself. Thank goodness for the blanket covering her lap, that caught the mess! Eating doritos and ice cream, chugging an apple juice, and then racing around the house=an upset stomach and a big mess. That's the first time I've had to deal with that. We finished the drive with our heads hanging out the windows. Doritos are now completely ruined for me...I will never forget that smell!

The kids had fun visiting with out of town relatives, posing for pictures, and playing superheroes.

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We headed home, feeling completely drained. We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving, but my dad was okay, and that's what mattered the most!

We spent the day with my parents on Friday, since we didn't get to spend time with them on Thanksgiving. My dad has to take it easy until he has surgery to clear his arteries, and isn't able to do much. After my mom and I braved a shopping trip to Walmart, we had a quiet after-Thanksgiving dinner, eating all the food my mom had cooked for Thanksgiving.

On Saturday, we spent the afternoon decorating the house for Christmas. We finished decorating indoors, but still have to decorate outside.

That night, we went to a Christmas parade, and it was FREEZING. We met some friends there, and Dylan and Lexie were happy to have company during the parade.

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They were so excited to see Santa arrive on a fire truck!

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They climbed the spaceship in the park, while waiting for Santa to light up the town.

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Lexie and Jack were so excited to see Santa climb off the truck!

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It was a cold, but fun night!

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Yesterday afternoon, we visited Grant's family, and watched the football game. The kids played happily for a bit, before things got tense.

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Luckily, the Steelers pulled off a win in overtime! Phew!

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We came home, and set up the tree. Tonight, we're going to decorate it! The holiday season is in full swing!

Friday, November 26, 2010

The Unofficial Thanksgiving Post

We were really looking forward to Thanksgiving, but it didn't turn out to be a very good day. To be honest, I'm still recovering from the stress!

We were having a great morning, watching the parade on TV, when the phone rang. It was my mom, and she told us that my dad needed to go to the hospital. He was really dizzy and his fingers felt numb.

I immediately began crying, because I've been so worried about his health lately. My wonderful husband threw on clothes and rushed off to take my dad to the ER. They made it in record time.

Grant was amazing, and stayed with my dad the entire time. I stayed home with the kids, because they were both in tears. It was agony waiting for updates.

We ended up missing dinner with Grant's family, and just had dinner with my sister and her family. My dad was released from the hospital before dinner, but just wanted to go home to rest.

They found out that his carotid arteries are completely blocked. A piece broke off and traveled to his brain, which is why he was dizzy and numb. The only thing that saved him from having a stroke was the fact that he took aspirin as soon as he started feeling ill.

Thank God for that.

He has an appointment with a specialist next week, and will have to get his arteries cleared. No strenuous activity or work until he gets this taken care of!

While our Thanksgiving was not the best, I am so thankful that my dad did not have a stroke.

The official Thanksgiving post, complete with pictures, will come soon!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thankful Bits

As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm counting my blessings! I am so thankful for my incredible family and my wonderful friends. I love Grant, Dylan, and Lexie more than words can say. I am so thankful to have amazing people in my life!

I am especially thankful for my two little blessings that make me laugh and smile every single day. Sometimes my heart feels like it's going to explode with love for them!

Here's why:

~My little yogi loves to steal my "exercise blankie" if I don't put it away before she wakes up from her nap. She is my mini-me!

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~My little man loves his sister SO much!

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~I've been finding kiss marks all over the bathroom mirror. I asked Lexie if she was the one kissing the mirror. She said, "Yes, I've been kissing the treadmill, too." She wasn't lying. I have yet to wipe them off.

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~Lexie loves to help me clean. She wanted to use the swiffer one day. "Mommy, can I have a wrapper for this thing?" I put a pad on the swiffer, and took a section off so it was easier for her to maneuver. She beamed. "Thank you for making a Lexie size!"

~Dylan had a hard time falling asleep the other night. He called out to us, "I'm getting bored!"

~Lexie refers to her bottom as her buttski or her doopah. I think it's the cutest thing when she falls on her bum, and says, "I fell on my buttski!" or "Oops, I hurt my doopah!!!"

~Dylan thinks it's so cool that we're going to attend two Thanksgiving dinners. As we were waiting for the bus today, he said, "I'm going to eat so much turkey that I'll have a turkey headache!" Tonight, he told Grant, "I'm going to eat so much turkey that I'm going to be turkey sick!"

I am so thankful.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Birthday Boy

Dear Dylan,

You were born on a Monday morning. I went into the hospital the evening before, right after a Steelers victory. The early morning sun shone through the window of the hospital room as you came into the world. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I can assure you that love at first sight is real. I loved you the moment I saw you.

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Fast forward 6 years. It is a Monday morning. The sun is shining through our living room window. We celebrated a Steelers victory yesterday. Today is your birthday.

Last night, I watched the clock tick toward midnight. As the clock struck twelve, I wrapped my arms around you and whispered a happy birthday in your ear. I could see a grin cross your face, and you whispered back, "Thank you! I love you, mommy!"

I find it so hard to believe that 6 years have passed since I first held you. I want to remind you to enjoy each and every moment. The days...and years... go by so quickly.

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You are an amazing little boy. I have never encountered another boy that is as sweet, loving, caring, and compassionate as you are. You have the ability to charm every single person that you meet. You are loved by so many people! There is just something so special about you, and everybody seems to notice. I am so proud of you!

You have grown up so much this year. You are so smart, mature, and responsible. You are wise beyond your years. I credit a lot of that to starting Kindergarten! You absolutely love school, and look forward to going everyday. Your favorite part of your school day is going to the library to pick out a new book to read that night. I am amazed at your ability to read, write, and build Legos. Your mind is always working, and you are able to conquer difficult tasks.

You have become so independent since starting Kindergarten. It's very hard to let you grow up, but I am happy that your family is still the most important thing in your life. Dylan, we will always love you, support you, and be here for you. You are the best big brother and best son that anybody could ask for. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

On this day, I pray that you live a long, happy, healthy, safe, successful life with all of your loved ones. I pray that you hold on tight to all the qualities that make you so special. I pray that you grow up to be a loving man and a great daddy. I pray that you remain close to me, daddy, Lexie, and all of your loved ones.

You are loved, buddy. You always will be. I don't think you could even comprehend how much I love you. You are my baby boy forever.

I love you, Dylan. Happy 6th Birthday!!!

Love always & forever,

Mommy



Here is how we celebrated your 6th birthday today:

You woke up to a living room filled with balloons. They were everywhere! You smiled, and spun around in the middle of them!

You had breakfast with your sister, while watching the show of your choice: Spongebob Squarepants.

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You played for a few hours before it was time to go to school. You always ride the bus, but you asked me to drive you to school today. You were so excited!

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I took a snack into your classroom to celebrate your birthday. You and your classmates enjoyed juice and gogurt, and your classmates sang "Happy Birthday" to you! They thought you were awesome because you handed out Silly Bandz rings!

As soon as you got home, you showed Lexie the turkey you made in school. It says that you are thankful for your sister. I know she thinks you are the coolest big brother (she's not smiling because she just woke up).

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We let you choose a restaurant for your birthday dinner. You picked a restaurant that had recently been remodeled. It turned out to be a great choice! You ate shrimp and french fries, colored a turkey picture, and even got to spin the birthday wheel. You won a cool toy! We got to sit by the fireplace and Christmas tree...you chose the table, and it was a good one!

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As soon as we got home, we gave you your birthday presents! Lexie gave you Star Wars figures and a Leapster game, and Daddy and I gave you Star Wars Lego sets! You were so thrilled with everything!!!

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We had cake after that. We had to sing happy birthday to our baby boy...make that big boy!

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Daddy built the 579 piece Lego set for you before bed. It was your favorite Star Wars Lego set-Slave 1! You were exhausted by the time you crawled into bed, but wanted to try out your new Leapster game!

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I think you had a great birthday, buddy!!!

Happy Birthday, little man!!! Love you to the moon and back a million times!