Four Days of Thanks

We enjoy our nice quiet four day Thanksgiving weekend around here.  We cook.  We get rid of some leaves.  We do some house projects.  We do some on-line shopping.  We stay in our PJ's all day.  We hang out with each other and relax and play and really just enjoy having some time together.  We had a nice Thanksgiving weekend.

We discussed things we're thankful for.  Dexter is thankful for Daddy, and also for space ships.  Erin is thankful for her entire family, Buddy included.  I am mostly thankful for chocolate and pumpkin pie.  And olives.  And I can't remember what Daddy is thankful for.  Me, I am sure...  Dexter did discuss what he is NOT thankful for - namely, Erin crying and generally being a big old pain in the butt sometimes.  Which, me, too.  Me, too, Dex.

The kids had cranberry sauce and olives and pickles for dinner.  And pie.  Lots of pie.  We decided that next year we should skip the turkey entirely and just make sides.  We warmed up mashed potatoes in the crock pot, made stuffing on the stove, and made corn bread in the morning.  Oh, and gravy from a jar.  So we didn't have the last 30 minute mad cramming of stuff in to the oven.  I just tossed the green bean casserole in after the turkey came out.  I made chocolate pie on Tuesday night, and pumpkin pie on Wednesday afternoon with the help of the kids (awesome at licking beaters and eating brown sugar, those two).  John made potatoes Wed night while I was sleeping, as I went to bed at 7:30.  So Thursday was good.  The kids never left their PJ's - they played outside in them after dinner, with no coats, because the weather was so perfect.

Friday I took the kids to Longwood to take some Christmas pictures for our family calendar.  It was us and about half the population of the world, I think.  That place is too crowded this time of year for my taste.  Saturday I went in to Newark to ride some bikes (and buy one!  Should be here Wednesday) while John and the kids put up the Christmas lights.  Sunday I finally sat the kids down for a few minutes to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade.  They were enthralled.  I suppose we should watch some more of it some time.

Now we're back to school, and play group, and PT, and swim team practice, and all that other stuff.  Missing our little four day weekend.  We should do that more often.

Apparently wearing fuzzy PJ's and moose slippers all days makes this little girl tired...

Happy PJ'd kids after Thanksgiving dinner in our back yard

Fast skeleton.  She is OBSESSED with these PJ's.  She has two pair and she'd wear them every day if they stayed clean.

Cool wreath in the Bird House tree house, and child who looks at least 12 years old.

Dex was a trooper and totally game for taking pictures at every tree we saw.  Erin...  a little less so.

Now looks to be like 32 years old.  STOP GROWING, KID.

Still chases the water.  Still giggles when doing so.  I do believe he is faster than the water now.

Still watches the bubbles.  They still make her giggle.

This week's shower...

Dex was actually really displeased with his wet head.

Saturday snuggling.  About the only time he lets her do this is when he is too distracted by the video on his IPad to care.

On Sunday Dexter emptied his piggy bank and went to the local dollar store, where he purchased two presents for Erin, one present for Daddy, and four presents for himself.  Which he is anticipating forgetting about by the time Christmas rolls around.  He was SO EXCITED to be shopping and paying for things with his own money.  So cute.

The Wall of Thanksgiving, courtesy of the children

Dex drew the Thanksgiving story.  Here is the Mayflower, with a picture of a ship now just for comparison.

Here's the Mayflower sailing across the ocean

Here's the Mayflower landing in Mass.  The brown dots getting off the boat are Pilgrims.  The orange dots are Indians.

It was apparently a very hard and snowy winter for both brown and orange dots alike.

And here's a picture of the Pilgrim's houses, with a table and a Thanksgiving feast in the middle.

I am thankful for my dad because he likes to play with me.  I am thankful for space ships (and the people who build them) because I like space.  I am thankful for my teacher because she always teaches the class the right thing.  I am thankful for a lot of things.

Erin is a little turkey.  That's pretty accurate.

Erin colored this one all on her own.  She really did an excellent job.

For the first time ever, John put up the Christmas lights all on his own.  With special "assistance" from the children, who mostly just fought over the rocking chair.

Sunday afternoon project was to put up Erin's custom wall decals.  Can you see the light purple horse head over her name?  It's pretty cool.

They sent this extra little pink pony, so we happily used it.

Here's the horse head

And here's the big jumping horse

And the curtains and shades John installed on Thursday.

John also worked on Erin's old room, repairing the terrible looking walls.

Give him a week or so and I think it will look like an entirely new, still blue room.  Ready for Christmas company.

Going Green

At the end of the week John finished painting Erin's closet, and Saturday morning was "install the closet organizer" day in the green room.  Saturday afternoon we moved Erin's closet over to her new room.  Sunday morning we removed the big bed from the green room and squeezed it in to the office, and built Erin's new bed.  John said that all marriages should include building IKEA furniture together to determine marriage compatibility.  Damn IKEA.  We love to hate them.  So.  THAT was easy...

After nap and some chocolate chip cookies we explored furniture arrangement options and set things up in a manageable fashion.  We clipped some black-out curtains to the window (still waiting for the fancy blinds to arrive, and we need to buy a curtain rod for the curtains, so we're improvising for now), bolted the book shelf to the wall, put the books back on the shelf, and called it good.

I'm not sure who was more excited about Erin's move to her new room and her new bed - Dexter, or Erin.  Dexter was VERY excited for Erin to be sleeping in her new bed.  He came in to sing her Snuggle Puppy and tuck her in to bed.

So we'll see how she does.  I didn't put a bed rail up, so we'll see if she actually stays in bed.  She's got some animals in there with her, but not ALL of them.  So there's actually room in bed for her.  Maybe she will stay in.  But I expect, some time in the middle of the night, we'll hear her crying.  Either because she wakes up and has no idea where she is, or because she fell out of bed.  We'd best go to bed early.  Like, right now early.  It's 8:20.  It might be bed time for the adults.  It might be a looooooong night.

Can you find Erin in there?

Had to test out the "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" song.  This bed works pretty well for it.

Stay in bed, munchkin!  Welcome to your new room!

When I Grow Up

When I grow up, Erin says, I want to be a pirate.  Pirates say ARGH and they steal stuff, and that's what I want to do.

She's got lofty goals, this girl.

Today was picture day at Erin's school.  I told her last night she could pick her FAVORITE FAVORITE shirt to wear for picture day.  I was thinking it would be something kind of random - Thomas the Train, or maybe her ketchup shirt.  I want to wear a Halloween shirt, she says.  Ohhhhhh kay?  So she picked a glow-in-the-dark Halloween shirt with monsters and goblins on it.  Good luck with that one, Mr. Picture Man.  And sorry, class picture, if we ruined the photo for you.  But, hey - this is her day of pictures, not mine.  Dex got to pick his favorite shirt for picture day, too, a couple months ago - he picked a tee shirt with the universe on it.  Awesome.

Erin has been intent on making pie.  Pie, pie, all the pie.  To date she has assisted in the creation of three apple pies and one AMAZING TREMENDOUS SO VERY GOOD pumpkin pie.  Here's the recipe.  I recommend using a graham cracker crust.  Oh.  Em.  Gee.  After nap today she is helping me make pumpkin cookies.  She's a good helper.  She mostly helps at licking the beaters and eating the apple peels.

Never-before-heard praise of the dog, by John Norman this morning:  It warms my heart to see the dog lying in front of Erin's door, because he heard her coughing last night.  That dog.  He's awfully annoying, but he does love his kids.

Finally, the reason we're really not in any hurry to move her to a big girl bed.  This is how she slept for a good year (somehow, on Sunday, John got her to move her pillow and she is sleeping long-ways now.  It was a miracle, and I don't know how he did it.  I need to be gone all day more often).

Things That Required a Snuggle This Week

Erin's self-chosen outfit the other day.  It was...  something.

When Erin is upset she needs, and asks for, a snuggle.  Here's the things that required a snuggle this week:

1)  She spilled water on her when we were eating lunch at the pizza place on Wednesday.  That required a snuggle.

2)  She could not keep her hair behind her ears during nap time.  That required a snuggle.

3)  Her enormous wall of animals fell down on top of her in her crib.  At 3:30 in the morning.  That required a snuggle.  John was pleased...

Things that DIDN'T require a snuggle:

FLU SHOT

She was a trooper today.  Shy, would not speak to the doctor or the nurse (which works awesome when they are doing a vision test).  But she didn't make a PEEP when she got her flu shot.  Dexter, on the other hand, FREAKED OUT at the mere mention of having to get a shot instead of the mist (all out of the mist, no idea when they will get more).  It took some serious convincing, and a big old snuggle, and me covering his eyes.  But we got it done.  With a fair amount of shrieking.

Erin is just shy of 32 pounds, which is 50th-ish percentile.  And she is 3'4" tall, which is like 99 BILLIONTH percentile.  But we knew that.  She still requires a light switch extender to turn the light on in the bathroom - just ordered one today from Amazon.

Finally, for all you family members who supported Dexter's Fun Run - he came home raving about an awesome assembly at school on Wednesday.  THANK YOU for helping the PTA do awesome things like this at school.  Here's a little more about it:

Penn London Elementary School recently hosted picture book author and illustrator Lee Harper. Students in Kindergarten were involved in helping Mr. Harper draw and disguise turkey so that he will not be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. Students in 1st and 2nd grade are now experienced Turkey and Woolbur illustrators thanks to Mr. Harper’s guided illustrating lessons. Mrs. Palovitch, the school librarian, prepared students for Mr. Harper’s visit by reading many of his books to students during library visits. Penn London thanks our PTA for funding this educational and interactive assembly.  To learn more about Mr. Harper, please visit his website: www.leeharperart.com

Here's the pictures Dexter drew:

Woolbur the sheep

Penguin carrying a staff with a jewel on top

Turkey dressed up as a pizza delivery guy

On Being Three

Dear Erin,

Almost a month ago you turned three years old.  And I am just now getting around to writing to you about your three-year-old self.  I apologize, my Fair Hill baby.  I am afraid your birthday is always going to be a hectic affair for me.  And I am most grateful that you have wonderful grandparents and aunts who will come hang out with you for your birthday, when I am unable to do so.

Aunt Jeanne came down the weekend before your birthday and we had fun taking her to Dansko to buy some shoes, and to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm for a day of fun.  Aunt Jeanne helped us put up Halloween decorations on Sunday morning.  And then Sunday afternoon we all went to Nichol Park for a little birthday party for you, with your Godzilla Princess birthday cake.  When I told you what a Godzilla actually was, you said "No, Mama, I don't want a monster on my cake.  Just a princess."  So we settled for a picture of a kid stomping on a sand castle.  And, strangely enough, you have not called yourself Godzilla Princess since that day.  Anyway - Grandma and Grandpa joined us at the park for cake and bike riding, and then we headed home for dinner and presents.  Grandma and Grandpa went to Longwood with us on Monday, and then out to lunch.  And Grandma joined your preschool class at Lytles Pumpkin Patch on your birthday, for a very special preschool field trip that included a hay ride and picking your own pumpkin.

Aunt Maria arrived on your birthday and stayed for almost a week, with Wylie Bird in tow.  It's always a fun time for both you and your brother when Wylie comes to visit.  He is a fan favorite.  Nonna and Grandpa and Aunt Christy all arrived on Friday to celebrate your birthday some more.  You helped them decorate an awesome rocket ship cake for your birthday.  You took them to Fair Hill for a morning to play in the corn box, and to the pumpkin patch again on Sunday morning to bring home some more pumpkins and go for another hay ride.  I think you had a lovely birthday celebration.  And this whole age concept is tough for you.  Every night you take three drinks, because you are three.  And every night you ask me "Am I still three?"  Yes, my dear.  You are still three.

I just looked back at 2014 to see what I wrote about you for your second birthday.  Aaaaand - I sucked last year, too.  Nothing.  I wrote nothing.  I am sorry, little one.

I have a hard time picturing you as anything other than your strong-willed, independent self.  Who, ironically, also LOVES helping with things around the house.  So long as it is your idea.  So I am not sure how much you have changed over the course of a year.  You are talking a ton, but you always did that.  You are walking and running and jumping, but you always did that.  You are trying to do everything your big brother does, but you always did that.

Jumping in to leaves.  That's a new skill for you.

On that note - I finally noticed today that you are no longer sucking your thumb while I read you books before bed.  I asked you if you still sucked your thumb.  Nope.  Not any more.  I asked why.  Because Dexter doesn't suck his thumb, so I didn't want to suck mine.  Oh, the power of peer pressure.  We also talked today about kids at play group who take your toys, so you don't like those kids.  And a friend who throws toys and screams, so you don't like that kid any more, either.  And we chatted about how you have learned so many awesome things from your big brother, and your brother has taught you how to (mostly) make good choices - no toy throwing, no hitting, no stealing toys.  And those friends you do not like don't HAVE big brothers to teach them those things.  So they might need a little extra help from their friends to teach them.  It's amazing to me that we can HAVE these conversations.  And that I feel like you understand.  And even MORE amazing to me that you

can express how you are feeling, and tell me what is wrong, and tell me WHY you are feeling a certain way.  Last month you told me you had an ear ache.  I was floored.  Three year olds (you weren't even three yet, but close) can notice those things?  And can TELL ME?  Amazing!  It was amazing.  I know you learn a lot of things from Dexter, and know a lot more about emotions and how to express emotions the right way, because we talk about that so much with Dexter.  So I expect you are ahead of the eight ball there, when it comes to emotions and empathy and knowing what is right and wrong.  But your brother - he's not really capable of telling me how his body is feeling.  I don't think HE knows how his body is feeling.  So for you to know, and to be able to tell me those things - it really was an incredible thing.

A week or so after you turned three you stopped wearing a diaper, and started peeing on the potty.  Like most things in your life, you have done awesome with this, so long as it's on your own terms.  If I ask you to go potty, inevitably nothing will come out.  But you know your body, and you know when you have to pee.  So when it's your idea, all is well.  M&M's help, too.  You've had remarkably few accidents, and I pretty much have forgotten to even worry about you having any accidents.  Well done, kiddo.

Next on the horizon is moving you to a big girl bed.  I would happily keep you smooshed in your crib forever (you sleep sideways instead of long-ways, so space is really not a issue.  There's an entire half of a crib that is totally empty - we could rent it out to another baby) but you have asked for a big kid bed.  Which is no problem.  Except that we have always intended on moving you to the green room when you have a big kid bed, so you have more space.  When I first floated that idea, you were not so psyched.  But after a few days you have warmed up to it.  So we're slowly working on a big kid room and a big kid bed for you.  Maybe over Thanksgiving we will make the move.  We need to install a closet organizer in there first.  And get some new blinds.  And curtains.  But everything else is ready, it's just a matter of moving you over.

What else have you been doing?  School.  You love school.  We had teacher conferences last week, and your teacher said you're great.  You play well with all the kids.  You play with all the toys.  You've got a couple boys who you play great with on the playground.  You will do the crafty stuff, but you don't really like getting messy.  And you like showing your friends how to do things the right way.  Need to know how to sit criss-cross-applesauce?  Just look at Erin.  She'll set a good example.

TOOOOOTALLY not setting a good example at the school Halloween parade

You thoroughly enjoyed Halloween, although many of my pictures would not have you believe that.  We did oodles of Halloween activities, and you wore three different costumes.  I think the issue is that you don't like people LOOKING at you, and making a fuss, and saying how cute you are.  You get a little shy, and your shy looks really grumpy.  You finally settled on a dragon costume for Halloween night, and wore it well with a tutu.  Which we didn't really pay attention to, because you wear tutus all the time.  But apparently people thought it was pretty darn cute to see a dragon wearing a tutu.  Good choice that day, hon.  Well done.  (You totally pick your own clothes every day.  And man, do you come up with some interesting outfits)

In the spirit of "you're a big kid now!" we finally turned your car seat around so you face forward.  And then, when you got mad and started kicking my seat, I promptly turned it backwards again.  You are forward again now, but I do reserve the right to turn you around any time I so choose.  It almost happened again yesterday.  Watch yourself, girlfriend.  You have been warned.

Also in the "big kid" spirit, you've lost the booster seat at the table.  Oh, it still is sitting on the floor, ready to be called in to service at a moment's notice.  But so far, so good - you've been booster free for several days.

You go to the doctor on Friday for your three year well visit, so we can see how ridiculously huge you have actually become.  I've already pulled most of the 3T clothing out of your drawers and given it away, and have re-stocked with 4T.

You have an irrational fear of skunks (you have never seen one, but have smelled one, once).  It now has turned in to a bit of a phobia of groundhogs.  Who knows why, don't ask.  You made me sell a pair of Halloween PJ's that have a spider on them, because they were "too scary."  And yet you walk around the house with our enormous fuzzy black spider we use to decorate for Halloween.  You love your stuffed horses, but the real thing is still a little too scary for you.  You are afraid to go upstairs by yourself if it is dark, but you will happily run in to the bathroom and close the door to see if your shirt glows in the dark.

You love to sing.  You dance to the obnoxious Elmo doll that Aunt Kathy gave Dexter many years ago (damn you, Aunt Kathy).  You know the names to most of the songs we listen to in the car, and you know a vast majority of the words.

You tell terrible knock-knock jokes.  You are sweet.  You are stubborn.  Often times your favorite word is NO.  You want to put on your own shoes, put on your own coat, carry your own lunch box, pull up your own pants, take a shower all by yourself.  And still sometimes you'll lift up your arms and ask someone to "cahwah me."  Yes, I will carry you.

Happy Birthday, Erin.  You are awesome.

Love,
Mama