Family Fun & holing up to avoid the crowds...
Thanksgiving went pretty well. In fact, there was like no drama. With eight adults and three children, one usually gets a huge amount of craziness, but we all chatted and there was little fighting. It was nice. I even hot everyone to do a "Thankful Leaf" for a new tradition my daughter and I decided to try. (I will explain in a minute). My Uncle Otis came down, which was different because we rarely see him anymore. It was just a really good day, even though we had a sick child. If I could have done any one thing differently, I would have magically poofed away whatever had my niece running a temp so that she could have had more fun and my brother and SIL could have been able to worry less.
Okay, the Thankful Leaf/Thankful Tree project. My daughter and I were having a long talk about all the things we take for granted. Not just family and friends (which is a big one), but little things like the awe of the first snowfall and the sudden moment of quiet that can sometimes engulf the house. So, we talked about some of the things we're thankful for and decided it would be nice to make sure we do that every year. So, we decided to make a Thankful Tree. Each year when we do Thanksgiving, the people that come to Thanksgiving will add a leaf, complete with their name, the year, and one or more things they are thankful for. We started this year with the outline of a maple leaf, sectioned it off into six pieces, and had people decorate it and fill it in with 6 things. Sometime this week, they will be laminated and put into a box for next year. We will also be creating a big tree to put them on. Next year, the leaves may be something smaller, with only 1 or 2 spaces for things... encouraging each person to think of something other than what they did last year, so as to add to each person's thankful list. As kids get old enough to participate, more leaves will be added to the tree. Yeah, I know it's kind of cheesy, but our families have had a rough couple of years and I thought it couldn't hurt to be reminded that we all have things that are good in our lives. Sometimes the cheesiest things are those most likely to come to mind at the times they're most needed to bring a smile or help us get though something tough. Beides, the kids will have a ball. lol I'll try to remember to post photos of our craft once the new computer arrives.
Hubby went out yesterday... not just to go to work. He actually went to a couple of stores. It was so funny to see his face when he got home from buying 2 pairs of new dress pants for work. He usually spends like $40+ per pair, and he was able to find two pair for only $30 total. He was geeked. Me too, for that matter. He went and paid a bill for me, plus dropped off rent, so I didn't have to go out in all that craziness. My after Thanksgiving shopping took place online, where the idiots are hidden from me and definately not annoying me or cutting me off on the road or in parking lots. I know that some people may think that's harsh, but I cannot help myself. The day after Thanksgiving crowd once made me cry because I was so excited about Christmas (I love this time of year, when it doesn't depress me... lol) and all these throngs of people felt that the best way to show thier Christmas spirit was to crowd, push, argue, and yell at anyone not moving a billion mph. *shrug* So, I shop online. No tax and free shipping added to the great deals doesn't hurt either.
In non-holiday related news, I think Celesta will be walking by Christmas, or shortly there after. She's been standing next to the furniture for months (like since she was 4-4 1/2 months old) and now she's begun cruising along it. She's only 8 months old. I wish she'd slow down. lol
Well, babies are crying all around me, so I guess I should go attend to one. I think my daughter and niece feed off each other, especially when they first wake up.
Okay, the Thankful Leaf/Thankful Tree project. My daughter and I were having a long talk about all the things we take for granted. Not just family and friends (which is a big one), but little things like the awe of the first snowfall and the sudden moment of quiet that can sometimes engulf the house. So, we talked about some of the things we're thankful for and decided it would be nice to make sure we do that every year. So, we decided to make a Thankful Tree. Each year when we do Thanksgiving, the people that come to Thanksgiving will add a leaf, complete with their name, the year, and one or more things they are thankful for. We started this year with the outline of a maple leaf, sectioned it off into six pieces, and had people decorate it and fill it in with 6 things. Sometime this week, they will be laminated and put into a box for next year. We will also be creating a big tree to put them on. Next year, the leaves may be something smaller, with only 1 or 2 spaces for things... encouraging each person to think of something other than what they did last year, so as to add to each person's thankful list. As kids get old enough to participate, more leaves will be added to the tree. Yeah, I know it's kind of cheesy, but our families have had a rough couple of years and I thought it couldn't hurt to be reminded that we all have things that are good in our lives. Sometimes the cheesiest things are those most likely to come to mind at the times they're most needed to bring a smile or help us get though something tough. Beides, the kids will have a ball. lol I'll try to remember to post photos of our craft once the new computer arrives.
Hubby went out yesterday... not just to go to work. He actually went to a couple of stores. It was so funny to see his face when he got home from buying 2 pairs of new dress pants for work. He usually spends like $40+ per pair, and he was able to find two pair for only $30 total. He was geeked. Me too, for that matter. He went and paid a bill for me, plus dropped off rent, so I didn't have to go out in all that craziness. My after Thanksgiving shopping took place online, where the idiots are hidden from me and definately not annoying me or cutting me off on the road or in parking lots. I know that some people may think that's harsh, but I cannot help myself. The day after Thanksgiving crowd once made me cry because I was so excited about Christmas (I love this time of year, when it doesn't depress me... lol) and all these throngs of people felt that the best way to show thier Christmas spirit was to crowd, push, argue, and yell at anyone not moving a billion mph. *shrug* So, I shop online. No tax and free shipping added to the great deals doesn't hurt either.
In non-holiday related news, I think Celesta will be walking by Christmas, or shortly there after. She's been standing next to the furniture for months (like since she was 4-4 1/2 months old) and now she's begun cruising along it. She's only 8 months old. I wish she'd slow down. lol
Well, babies are crying all around me, so I guess I should go attend to one. I think my daughter and niece feed off each other, especially when they first wake up.