Friday, November 30, 2007

Day 302

A little shopping before school...

We had a few minutes before we needed to leave for school this morning (which is rare) so C decided to whip out one of the zillion catalogs that come in the mail this time of the year and do a little shopping.
Decisions, decisions.

And as always, my sweet boy never forgets to show me those eyes.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Day 301

Play time...

Today several kids from C's class met at the park for a little r & r after school today. One of the moms brought some holiday oreos with specially colored filling. Can you guess what the special color was?
C also enjoyed the holiday treats.
Gotta love tire swings! These kids are all so little a whopping five of them could ride at a time.
Impromptu class picture. C wanted a picture with one of his buds and the next thing you know, the group kept growing. They even posed themselves! Now you know, if we had asked them to do this, not a one would've wanted to!

Having a quick swing before it was time to leave.

Day 300

Clear as a bell...

The meds kicked in yesterday and we were good to go this morning! Thank goodness, M was getting really tired of being home. It's one thing when it's vacation, but something totally different when you are the only one home with mommy and no friends are around to chat with. Boooooring.
So this afternoon I took a few of my girl's big blue eyes...no red anywhere. Yippee!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Day 299

Caution, rising water...

I had planned on doing something totally different this evening when C came downstairs in one of his favorite pajama sets. I couldn't help but giggle when I saw how high the bottoms were on his legs. Did the weather man predict a flood this evening? Ha-ha-ha!
While I am deep in denial, he continues to grow up. :( C'mon, look at that innocent little face. Can you see why denial is so easy?

Monday, November 26, 2007

Day 298

And the saga continues...

Yes folks, the pink eye is still around after almost a week. Poor M just wants to go back to school, this has been miserable for her. We went back to the doctor today and found out that even with administering the drops religiously and going so far as to wake her up in the middle of the night to maintain the every 6 hour dosing, a secondary infection has developed. So we have a stronger antibiotic and a steroid drop and we hope that this will be gone by Wednesday. If not, then it is off to the ophthalmologist.

Day 297

Sunday session...

I had big plans to shoot this family outdoors, but the weather was just not going to cooperate with me so we did the session in-studio instead.

These poor guys did not want their pictures taken, but they relaxed once they realized this wouldn't be as painful as they expected!

Day 295 & 296

Enjoying the season weather...
Did we shop? NO WAY! Did we veg out? YOU BET! We all just lazed in front of the tv and enjoyed the fireplace both Friday & Saturday and it was WONDERFUL! The only unfortunate thing about it is that I had to reschedule a session due to the bad weather, but hopefully next weekend will be a teensy bit warmer and a whole lot drier.

Day 295

Thanksgiving spread...

But first, what post about granny's house would be complete without a picture of Abby? She is growing so fast just like puppies do. Poor little thing was shivering outside so M tucked her in snug as a bug in her coat (which is obviously too small, I guess Abby isn't the only one growing).
Yummy, Honey Baked Ham!
Am I the only one who looooooves canned cranberry sauce? If so then the more for me!
Ahhh, God bless Thanksgiving; the only day when calories don't count...am I right?

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Day 294

She's gonna blow!...

This was so funny, T had to break out the video camera. Neither of us could keep a straight face watching our little Boo try to blow up this balloon. Look at those cheeks, they about tripled in size! All she needs is a trumpet and she could be the next Dizzy Gillespie!
Such intensity and determination! I will have to come back and post the video once I get the software figured out. It was hilarious.

Pink Eye Update

From bad to worse. By the time she went to bed last night, the pink eye had spread from her left eye to her right. When she woke up this morning, her right eye was much worse. Swollen nearly shut and very irritated. As the day wore on, both her eyelid and under eye had turned a purplish red color. The thought of not going to Granny's for Thanksgiving made her really sad so we called and she asked me to tell Granny that she promised to stay away from everyone. Is that the most heartbreaking thing you have ever heard? Of course, Granny and Chippy couldn't say no, could anyone? So we have been watching the clock and keeping up with her drops and hopefully her eye will have improved by tomorrow. If you could say a little prayer for her, I know she would appreciate it.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Day 293

Riddle me this...What do you get when you combine M's favorite color with the ninth letter of the alphabet?


Need a hint? We picked up some drops, a new movie and a salted pretzel from target since she won't be going anywhere anytime soon. And what can lift the spirits like John Travolta in drag? Possibly watching Christopher Walken sing & dance? Or maybe teen heartthrob, Zach Efron?
Give up? PINK EYE! What a way to start Thanksgiving break. Daddy took the call from the nurse to come and get her and I took her to the doctor's office and confirmed it, pink eye. The irony? Today the school gave out the perfect attendance award for the last nine weeks and tomorrow will cost her the award for the next nine and it's only a half day! Poor kid! Let's hope the drops do their thing and she is good as new for Turkey Day at Chippy's.

Day 291 & 292

No pics...

After getting off the plane Sunday afternoon, we went over to pick the kids up and wouldn't you know it, Brenda had dinner AND apple dumplins (***drool***) ready for us. They spoil me. I don't know what to say. How many times can a person say, "thank you"? One more time can't hurt so THANK YOU!!!!

On Monday I proofed ALL day and into the night to try to get caught up before my backlog got even more out of control. I definitely made progress. Only one more session, three soccer games and a wedding left to proof...no problem, right?

Day 290

Here's to you, Nana...

Saturday night several of us went out to dinner to hear our cousin/niece/sister sing. We felt it fitting since most of us opted not to go to the luncheon arranged for after the burial, each for our own reasons, to have dinner together at the Kowloon. It's been a long time since I have seen a real smile from Steve. I know Nana, from where ever she is, enjoyed seeing it too. And Max, the new kid, the in-law. Poor fella!
Kit. This has devastated her. Some of us were close to Nana and others (though not at this table) pretended to be, but there was no denying Kit's relationship with her. And Alysha never got the chance to know her like we did. I am so glad that she was here tonight. The missing member of out little group growing up and I am glad she isn't missing any more.
Ahhh, Uncle Al, or "Ow" as M used to call him. It had been 30 years since he had been to this restaurant and as arguably one of Nana's favorite in-laws, I am glad we convinced him to come tonight.
Me and Colleen. The whackjobs. How I miss her now that we are too old to spend summers "modelling" or arguing or swimming in the lake. The cabin has been sold and we are both parents now. Peeking over my shoulder is Auntie Chris. We stayed with she and Uncle Ow. I don't know when we will get the chance to be together like this again, but for Nana, it was a must to do it one more time for her. Here's to you, Nana. We all loved you and are finding it hard to believe you are really gone. Miss you.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Day 289

Landing...
Just a quick one of some city in Massachusetts as we landed. This begins the weekend I have dreaded for many years. "She'll outlive us all." That's what I used to say about her and somewhere inside me I really thought it was true. Sadly, it wasn't.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Day 288

Lunch sack...
I promise he isn't an only child! I just spend so much more time with him because he is home so much more often than the girls are. Even when the girls are here, there's homework to be done, showers, phone calls and girl stuff. Moving on...
I bought C a lunch kit from Gymboree to match his backpack and wouldn't you know it, the first week of school one of the teeth on the zipper breaks off. T was able to fix it, but everyday it was a struggle to get the thing zipped. Well, while T was gone it broke again and I was not about to mess with it so we got some simple white lunch sacks and everyday C writes his name on it for practice. In less than a week of doing this, he can write his last name on his own too.
He even says, "Mommy, it's time for me to write my name on my lunch." He's growing up so fast and learning new things everyday. While I am so proud of him, it hurts too. He is my baby, my little man, and it kills me to know that next year he will be in "real school" and gone all day.

He was desperate to wear this white long-sleeved button-up shirt yesterday but with temperatures in the mid to upper eighties, I thought it not a great idea. The temperatures dropped overnight and he was able to wear it today instead. That face, it melts my heart.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Day 287

Kickball...

Tonight was C's first kickball game and with the time change, it was almost dark before it even started. The Y had the field lights on which were great but also attracted all the skeeters (which C is allergic too)...oops. Another very prepared parent thought to bring mosquito repellent and let me use some on C. He was one of the only kids who could hold this stretch without falling over!
Go for it big guy!
Safe on 1st! Although once there, he has to be reminded to run to second when the next player kicks!
After a quick pep-talk from the coach and a little cheer, the night was over. He had a blast and can't wait for the next practice.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Day 286

Passing...

My "nana" passed away today and I am not quite sure how I feel about it. It came as no shock, she had been in bad shape for a while and I know she was more than ready to go but she and I hadn't spoken in more time than I would like. Her daughter, my biological mother, had been spinning her webs again and this time sucked my grandmother and my relationship with her into them. I know I share the blame as I refused to leave well enough alone and know that I didn't put my trust in Him. I decided that I needed to be the one to set the record straight and it was a mistake. I played right into my mother's hands and paid a high price for it. I only hope that He has revealed all of the truths she was too frightened (or stubborn) to accept. So T & I will travel to her service to pay our last respects and say a final goodbye. Rest in peace, Nana.

This picture was taken of her by my youngest daughter about 2 years ago on her birthday, but it is one of the very few recent ones I have.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Day 285

Rock formation...

Ever wonder how they are formed? Here's a theory...ha-ha!
Me & C went out back for a little while and played in the rocks on the jogging trail. I'm diggin the socks! He wouldn't go barefoot and he didn't want shoes on either.

Making the pile bigger...bigger...bigger!



Like my flower? Can you see it? He's a budding artist, isn't he?

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Day 284

Nature...

While the boys I was photographing were changing their clothes, I grabbed a couple snaps of some of the nature around me.
Nothing complicated, quite the opposite. Simple. Perfect. Made by God. It's fitting for a Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Day 283

Nutcracker market...

I had a cancellation this Saturday afternoon so I decided to make lemonade from my lemons. As it happens, a couple of girlfriends were on their way to the annual Nutcracker Market and turned around to come back for me. I have great friends. And since two of us were husband and kidless, we talked the third of us into going out and having dinner and then watching a little McDreamy & McSteamy. I'd say we had a pretty great day! Here is a quick snap of very expensive pasta sauce that smelled heavenly. I can't wait to taste it!

Friday, November 9, 2007

Day 282

Grateful...

With T out of town and several full sessions this weekend, I am so thankful that my parents were able to take the kids for me. Sometimes (ok, most of the time) I don't know what I would do without them. Not only did they take the kids (and the dog!), they took me out to dinner too...I am one lucky daughter. Thank you so much to the greatest parents in the world! After I got home, I straightened up and dusted and then set up for tomorrow so no time for a pic...sorry!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Day 281

A special message...

Just a quick snap tonight so the kids could let a certain someone know how they were feeling. I think it speaks for itself...

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Day 280

Red Riding Hood...

M looked so tiny sitting there waiting for the bus this morning that I had to grab the camera. This is cropped in because it was taken from the front doorway. Been a while since she looked small again.
I walked over to her after she noticed me on the porch. Such beautiful eyes on such a beautiful girl!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Day 279

Bubbles...

Another evening out front with L. She wanted to blow some bubbles last night but the mosquitoes were horrible.
A lovely cold front came in making the weather pure perfection...

so it was no trouble to spend some time out front blowing bubbles. Besides, I needed a pic for today and there aren't many of her!