Black Friday and Hearth and Home

I debated whether or not to go shopping on Black Friday this year.  There were a few small things that appealed to me, but I wasn't in the market for anything major.  Most years, I just go when I wake up.  Usually, I am a bit excited and wake up early and get there just as the first wave of people are leaving.  Since I have never been in the market for the most popular items (electronics) this method serves me well.  My mother and I always enjoyed going out together, probably because our tradition was to go to McDonalds after hitting up Walmart.  Anyway, this year, I didn't go until after we all had breakfast and were ready for the day.  It was about 9.  I went to JC Penney in search of an $8 personal blender--I was not surprised that none were available.  I did get the kids some nice $4 shirts though.  Then, on to Target.  I bought the Ninja, some scooters for the girls, some games, and a few other things.  I left everything in the car and went home to get the kids to go to Hearth and Home at St Mary's City, a tradition we began last year.

When I got home, I realized the Ninja did not contain the personal sized blender I was hoping for, so I returned it.  I was the only person actually making a return on Black Friday.  The girls saw the scooters in the back of the van.  I told them they were to donate to kids without toys.  They all said that wasn't necessary because Santa brings everyone toys.  It is hard to teach Christmas compassion when they throw the Santa Logic at you.  I saw some different scooters on Amazon for a comparable price, so I may get those for the girls and have them drop the ones I already bought in a Toys for Tots box.  We usually get Toys for Tots gifts, so this should work out.

After the return, it was on to Hearth and Home.  I don't know why this event is not more popular.  We love it there.  They have people in character dress discussing what life was like when Maryland was first settled.  There are games for the kids to play and other activities, including people cooking the way they would have in the 1600s.  Jack's favorite exhibit is The Dove, a recreated 1634 trade ship.  There are several buildings rebuilt where their predecessors once stood.  I like seeing the printing press (also a very impressive recreation) and the Smith's Ordinary, a hotel where 12 people would have slept in a single room, many sharing mattresses--a Hampton Inn it is not.  There is a church, a Woodland Indian  area and lots of other things to see.  It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed being outside and walking from place to place.  Unfortunately, it appears that all my pictures are focused on the children, as opposed to the beautiful recreations and atmosphere.

Making spice bags.

on the Maryland Dove

Kara and Anna on the Doves beds.  

Playing a ring toss game.

Making Rosemary sprigs "candy"

Inside the Ordinary

In the Woodland Indians area.

Anna calls this picture "the one where Kara is an angel."

Another game, in the (way) distance is the church.

Last game--bowling.  They played this one for quite a while, patiently taking turns.

A Thanksgiving Stroll Down Memory Lane

This Thanksgiving, I spent a lot of time thinking of past Thanksgivings.  Particularly those I've had since meeting Thomas.  I imagine this nostalgia stems from spending my first Thanksgiving apart from him since we met in 2001.  Of the 12 Thanksgivings we've had, some have definitely been more memorable than others.  Join me on my stroll down memory lane.

1.  2001.  I went to Massachusetts to visit my sister.  I drove from Lexington to DC, where I took the fast train to Providence (a fun adventure in and of itself).  I had only known Thomas for a few months, but I missed him terribly.  The day before I left, we watched a meteor shower on the hood of my car.  We were pretty solid friends by then.  He was stuck at school by himself and I felt bad for him.   I left my sister's house ahead of schedule on Thanksgiving day.  We ate t.v. dinners by the light of the t.v.

2.  2002.  My sister, brother-in-law and nephew stopped by Lexington, VA on their way to Florida.  It was great to see them, but they left something behind--a terrible stomach virus.  I was excited to cook our first Thanksgiving dinner.  I ended up eating it by myself...for about 5 days.  For some reason, I got really angry at Thomas for being sick.  I was so sick of eating turkey, he was just so sick.  For a couple of years the smell of turkey made him nauseous (and me unreasonably mad).

3.  2003.  We were in Winter Haven with my family.  All my siblings were there with their families.  I have very little memory of that actual day.  Why?  Because we were married the day after and that is where my focus was.

4.  2004.  Thomas and I were enrolled at the Naval Justice School going through the Navy's basic lawyer class.  We went to New Hampshire and spent Thanksgiving with my Aunt and Uncle and their family.  We had a great time spending time with relatives we don't often see.

5.  2005.  Spent with my family in Florida.  I don't have any specific memories of this one.  I am sure it was good, as my mother was an excellent cook.  I always enjoyed helping her, especially on Thanksgiving morning, when the two of us, along with my sister if she was home, would get up early to get started.  In our house, the women enjoyed the cooking, the eating and then watching the men clean up.

6.  2006.  We hosted my family in Jacksonville.  It was my first Thanksgiving cooking for a lot of people and I was nervous!  Thomas did the potatoes, which started the tradition of him always being in charge of that item.  The meal turned out perfect!

7.  2007.  This was an interesting one.  Jack and Anna had been born on October 3, prematurely.  My mother came up to Virginia over her Thanksgiving break to help us.  We hadn't planned on doing a Thanksgiving dinner (sleep deprivation!) but at the last minute we threw one together.  We essentially ate in shifts.  Two would eat, one would tend the babies.  It turned into a pretty memorable Thanksgiving.  As a side-note, the very first time we took the kids out in public (other than doctor's visits) was on black Friday that year.  It marked about 8 weeks since they were born.  We waited until 11AM and hit the mall, which was completely empty.  The deals, and the people, had all left the building.

8.  2008.  I was pregnant with Kara.  Unfortunately, I can't remember much.  We were still in Norfolk.  Maybe Thomas will read this and help me out?

9.  2009.  Spent in TN.  Just Thomas and me and the kids.  It was a nice quiet Thanksgiving.  At least I assume it was, again, no specific memories.  Although, I am sure the potatoes were superb.

10. 2010.  Our first Thanksgiving in MD.  Another quiet holiday with just the 5 of us.

11.  2011.  We hosted our second big Thanksgiving.  Well, big for me anyway--13 people. I made a list of what time to use which of the houses 3 ovens and had a blast planning the dinner.  Thomas did potatoes in the crockpot for the first time and they were fantastic.  Our good friends from Florida came up to spend Thanksgiving with us and helped us establish a new tradition, or what I hope will be one, of going to St Mary's City's Hearth and Home on Black Friday.  It was a very special day.

12. 2012.  Just me, Jennifer, and the kids.  I made a pared-down meal.  Since Thomas wasn't here, there were no potatoes.  I turned on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, just like we always do and it hit me that it was our first Thanksgiving apart.  It was a sad moment.  [As a side-note, my high school band marched in the parade in 1993, which was another very memorable Thanksgiving, but that's a story for another day.] We were invited by some of our kind friends to spend Thanksgiving with them, but it was our first Thanksgiving in our new house and I wanted to make the dinner, even if it was just a small one.  The kids and I joined some good friends (the Darrows) and all their guests for dessert and games.  We had a great time, the only thing missing was Thomas.

That concludes my 12 years of Thanksgivings.  We have a few traditions:  like Thomas making the potatoes and turning on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, Thomas and I count down our favorite Thanksgiving Friends' episodes and watch them in order from least to most favorite.  We did the ranking years ago; Thomas made his list, ranking each season and I did the same, then we averaged the two lists to get our order.  That index card has made it through lots of moves.  I can't remember exactly when we made it, but I know it predates the babies. 

I went through my Shutterfly photos, which go back to 2006 and I don't have a single Thanksgiving picture!  So, another pictureless post for me.  I'll make it up in the next one

When I grow up, I'm going to be a...

Today after preschool I took the kids to the library.  We can easily spend 1-2 hours there.  They play with the toys, bring me books to read, and use the computers.  It is a favorite place for all of us.  Since we spend a fair amount of time there, we have become acquainted with several of the librarians, particularly the children's librarians.  The kids are always excited to see Ms. Catherine, who seems to remember everything they tell her and always greets them happily.  Today, they were telling her about Halloween and Florida and lots of other random things.  Anna mentioned she was going to be a doctor when she grows up (she has been using the baby first aid kit to give her dolls, and me, check-ups which has sparked her interest in "medicine.").  Of course, Ms. Catherine then asked Jack.  He responded, "a policeman".  On to Kara.  Her response?  "I'm going to be someone who gets cupcakes and a flower."  We both agreed that everyone should have a job where they get cupcakes and a flower.

If you are wondering what her response stems from, when we were in Florida we went to a high school football game where the daughter of my one good friends is in the band.   Anna was fascinated by the cheerleaders and decided that when she is bigger, she wants to be a cheerleader.  Jack was interested in everything and nothing at the same time (I think he mostly liked climbing the bleachers and eating ice cream).  After the half-time show someone left cupcakes and a flower in each of the dancers' seats.  Kara decided then and there that when she grows up, she wants to do something that will earn her cupcakes and flowers.  Everyone has to have a goal, right?

Picture Summary

Our last night in our old house.  We camped on air mattresses.

Kara  go sick on our drive to Florida.  We stopped in South Carolina for the night and I tried to get a sad, sick picture.  But, when she saw the camera, she had to smile. 

Jack and Anna turned 5 at the most Magical place on earth! They wore their "happy birthday" buttons and enjoyed all the attention they got.

Birthday cake with their Florida cousins.

This Animal Kingdom worker tried to teach them about conservation. Jack told her about the cat that "the man in the van came to take away because we didn't take good care of him."  A completely false story that lead to a very embarrassing moment!!!

A happier encounter at Animal Kingdom.  

Kim and I took pictures of some of the food at Epcot's Food and Wine Festival so we could text (her) or e-mail (me) to our absent husbands. Maybe not the nicest wifely thing to do.

Kara and Grandpa Lou

Jack at one of the parks.  This was probably the plainest. It only had about 3 structures and a train. No piped in music, butterfly garden, water features, sand pits, etc, like some of the others we went too.

Our last night in Florida and we spent it in a tent. The kids enjoyed the pool, pony rides, moonlight movie, roasting marshmallows,  making shadow puppets and telling scary stories.  Basically, they enjoyed everything.

Anna's new room.  She has 3 pink walls and 1 purple.  Kara has 3 purple and 1 pink.  Jack has a blue room with an orange stripe (he calls it his "Finding Nemo" room).

For Halloween, Anna was a purple flower, Kara a glitter fairy, and Jack Jango Fett.

Our newly mounted tv.

What I faced in my room.  I think I have cleared out a couple of those boxes. But, there are so many more to go. It feels endless!

Where to Begin???

So much has happened in the past 6 weeks, I don't even know where to start!  I am sure I could write at least 10 posts to cover that time-frame, but who has time for that???  So, here are the highlights:

*Best friend since childhood, Jennifer, came up from Florida to assist with all the following:
*Closed on old house sans Thomas
*Drove to Florida, where we spent 3.5 weeks
*Kara threw up in car, from that point forward Anna cried/whined anytime Kara coughed
*Celebrated Jack and Anna's fifth birthday by going to Hollywood Studios, spending a night at Art of Animation and then going to Magic Kingdom with my good friends Marta and Elizabeth
*Had a second celebration with my sister, who shares a birthday with the twins (my dad and brother were in attendance).
*Met up with some friends from Maryland and went to Hollywood Studios again (coolest Marylanders "playdate" ever?)
*Took the kids, by myself, to Animal Kingdom and had a blast
*Went to Epcot's Food and Wine (well, food and more food) Festival with my sister--ate way too much and had a fantastic day
*Spent lots of quality time with my father
*Got to peruse my sister's weekly menu and invite myself and the 3 kids over for dinner often
*Got to enjoy seeing my kids play with their cousins
*Took the kids to lots of awesome parks and a children's museum.  Seriously, my hometown has the best parks I have ever seen.  Where were they when I was growing up?
*Went to my high school's homecoming and watched Elizabeth's marching band performance
*Went camping at Disney's Fort Wilderness
*Drove back to Maryland
*Closed on the new house, sans Thomas.  Hand got tired of all that signing as Agent in Fact
*Stayed in an apartment at Solomon's Island while the house's interior was painted
*Was kicked out because of Hurricane Sandy
*Fretted endlessly about Sandy and the basement sump pump
*Bought a generator that my friends' husbands Josh Darrow and Tony Aina were kind enough to help me set up and teach me to use
*Weathered the storm seamlessly, no generator necessary
*Had our stuff delivered and started unpacking
*Fought with utility companies (still no phone or tv--but, at least there is internet!)
*Went to trunk or treat at church
*Went to Fall Festival parties at preschool
*Went trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood.  Super excited by how nice everyone is and by the number of young kids
*Missed Thomas throughout all of the above

It has definitely been an eventful month.  I am sure I missed something significant in the above narrative. Thankfully, Jennifer is here and we had the help of friends to weather the storm (literally and figuratively).  My home teachers (Josh and Matt) even mounted a t.v. on the wall for us!  As always, I am so thankful for family and friends.  I loved spending time in Florida, but it is exciting to get settled into our new house.

I am lacking the ambition required to download and sort through pictures.  Next time, maybe I will do a photo summary of the above.  Maybe.