We had such a nice Thanksgiving, and it was just the five of us. I made a 25 pound turkey, that we ate leftovers from for 4 days. After dinner, we put up out Christmas tree and decorated it together. It was a lovely, peaceful, fairly quiet evening, and it was a nice change for us. I managed to capture some moments...
I actually made gravy...it wasn't actual gravy...
Ready to eat!
Why, yes...that IS milk in those crystal wine glasses...they felt so special! (And to my delight,
none were broken!)
I never saw these two look so much alike before...genes are an amazing thing!
Traditional pumpkin roll dessert...I made two. They were gone by Black Friday!
Thanksgiving love
On the couch, waiting to decorate the tree
Luis with my prized angel ornaments...he handled them with care!
Lily admiring our tree from a different angle
Where there isn't snow, we improvise! Pine needle angels!
Cutest Rudolph I have ever seen!
Proud decorators
Luis added the star
All in all, it was a great day. I was missing my family in NY, but it won't be long until we are there for Christmas. The kids still have no idea, and thankfully, Josh is not interested in reading this blog, so the secret should be safe. Only 2 weeks until we load up the car and head North. I am really looking forward to being home for Christmas. Mom, I'll be home soon!
Sometimes it seems like just yesterday that we threw a ball in the backyard, weeded the garden, walked to the bottom of the gulley. I can still see you sitting with me at the kitchen table, helping me make sense of algebra, or putting together the radio you fixed. Just the other day I held the flashlight while you worked on the car, I danced on your shoes, I heard you belly laugh telling Grandpa's fish story, and singing us the story of Bessie from Pike...I remember acting like it was so awful when I would walking in on you and Mom kissing in the kitchen...but really, it was beautiful. And I'm sorry for being embarrassed of you when my friends were around because the truth is, when they all disappeared, you were always right there. Thanks for letting me hold your hand in church when the message went straight to my heart, convicting me of my bad choices. Thank you for all the times your cheered for me, believed in me, prayed for me. What would I have become without your gentleness, your compassionate heart, your loving hands? I'm glad I will never know.
I blinked and I was grown. I blinked again and you were gone. But all the millions of seconds in between were simply perfect. No, not perfect in the literal sense, but perfect nonetheless. I don't wish for you to be back, because I know this place can't even compare with where you are. I do wish, though, I could visit with you for just a moment or two. Are your hands still big? Do you still have that twinkle in your eye? Can I still feel the prickles when I kiss your cheek? Even without words, just to lay my head on your shoulder once more would be enough. One day, Dad, one day. Miss you more than I can explain. Love you more than words can express. Though we are apart for a time, you are forever in my thoughts, just a memory away. Love you.
What a day filled with laughs and cake and presents and PINK! Today was the first birthday that Lily realized it was actually her birthday. She has been counting down for two weeks now, and this morning she walked into our bedroom, where I was sound asleep and she whispered, "Mama, I think I saw..." Immediately I was WIDE AWAKE. Ever since we were broken into last week, I am a little more jumpy than usual. So as I hung on every word, waiting for her to finish her sentence, the worst images were going through my mind....what did she see? Someone outside the window? Or worse yet, someone inside the house?? Visions of the Texas chainsaw movie part 2 thousand was being written in the recesses of my imagination. "I.....think....I....saw...my....BIRTHDAY CAKE!!"
Whew...what a relief...time to stop watching so many episodes of Law and Order Criminal Intent at lunchtime.
So, being that I was wide awake, my heart having it's own little cardio work out, I told Lily to climb in bed with me and we started talking about her big day. Her big brown eyes were wide with excitement. I could almost see her thoughts bouncing around in her sweet little head. She informed me that she was now a big girl because she was 4. I agreed. Then she asked if she was going to go to school now that she was 4. "Not until next year." I replied. I am always amazed at how much kids understand and remember.
So, we got up, had some breakfast, and headed out to the store for some last minute decorations. Lily had requested quesadillas for dinner (YAY for easy birthday dinner requests!!) so there wasn't much to do to get ready. Josh and I had stayed out until 10:30 last night buying the cake and presents, so that was done, too. The day went by quickly and soon the boys were home, followed by Luis. It was SHOW TIME! Here are some pictures of the day. Except for a meltdown while hitting the piñata, I think Lily and the boys had a great time. I still can't believe my little Lily is 4. Luis keeps telling me, "Believe it"...haha...things still don't always translate the way I wish they would!
She was so excited to turn 4!
Lily had been playing with this piñata all day long...she had him galloping all over the living room. When it came time to break him I thought she might refuse, but I overheard her talking to him as she carried him outside. "I'm sorry, donkey, but I have to hit you", she said. So I asked Lily, "Why do you have to hit him?" She looked at me and said, " 'Cause I want that candy!"
Such a good Dad...he sacrificed his air gun hose to hold up the piñata!
This is Josh pretending that he is too old for all this piñata stuff...until it was time to get the candy, and he ended up with the most!
Back in June, I bought a "playcation" package that consisted of 4 tickets each to the Greenville Drive, the Greenville Zoo, The Children's Museum of Greenville and one of the waterparks in Greenville. Well, we went to the ball park the first night I bought the tickets, but the summer has gotten away from us and now I am scrambling to use these tickets before they expire on September 2. So, this past Monday, after waking up to a blue sky, I woke up the kids and told them we were heading to the zoo. They were excited, and I was too. I love going to the zoo. We brought a picnic lunch and ate it at the park just outside the zoo, which happened to have some of the coolest playground equipment I think I have ever seen. Here's some pictures of the day (missing Luis who had to work)
