Backseat Photographer

This is what happens when your son sees the camera in the bag next to him. He is a character!

Tooth...a picture

Can you see it?

Thanksgiving at Nanny's

My grandmother, a.k.a Nanny is not doing really well. She is 88 years old, had dementia, and has a few health concerns. To keep her from being in an unfamiliar area, we went to her place for Thanksgiving. She lives in a assisted living/nursing home type place, so we all got to eat in the large dining area. It was very nice to be with her.

Here are all of the girls. We all look a little doofy. Between Miss M and Nanny, we couldn't get everyone to look at the camera and we all have stupid looks on our faces. But you get the idea. Four generation of us in one beautiful picture. Priceless

Julie, Mom, Nanny, me and Miss M.

After we ate, we went to to one of the family areas. Many residents were there alone, which makes me sad. I couldn't in my right mind not want to see my family member on a holiday. But ANYHOW...J found a big balloon and played balloon ball with the residents who were wheel chair bound. They loved it so much. It makes my heart warm to think of my caring son, playing with these folks. To see the smiles on all of their faces....well, it makes a mama proud. You can't see the balloon in the picture but you can see the smiles on all of the faces in the room!

J and my mom also played checkers while Paul lounged in the "MOST comfortable Lazyboy I've ever sat in!!!" My sister played with M. It was so nice.

Mom and Nanny- two beautiful ladies!

She doesn't really remember my kids so each time she sees them, it is like the first time. Miss M took to Nanny right away. Never once fussed. Nanny sang songs to her and played Patty-Cake with her. It was endearing.

The Festival of Trees

We made our annual trip to the Festival of Trees. It is a winter wonderland, I tell ya! People decorate trees--there must be over 200 trees! They have entertainment, crafts, vendors and rides for the kiddos. J has been about 6 times......each year since he was 1, but Miss M got to see it for the first time! She loved it! The lights were fascinating! There was a huge train garden which she stared at for 10 minutes!
J of course, had a ball. Daddy took him to all of the rides, including a small mini golf course. He and M rode the Carousel with me (I am still dizzy), and went into the moon bounce more than anything!

J loved the crafts area.

Paul's Unit did a tree this year- a Harry Potter tree(below) and it was great! Jen- if you read this..the tree was kickin!

The children's band Milkshake was there. They come every year and it is nice because after the show, we can talk to them and they are so nice. http://milkshakemusic.com/ Check out their site. We have a few of their cds. They are so fun to see live though...Lisa wears these crazy tu-tus and interacts with the kids.

and of course, Santa was there. I like the FoT Santa. He is so real looking and soft spoken...not so scary. M lasted till about 5 seconds after this pic was taken...then cried. J gave Santa his list and Santa kept it in his special pouch. J was sure that it would get to the North Pole this year!

All in all, it was super fun. We got to have some family time (which rarely happens due to our work schedules) and I got a few gifts purchased! :)

Fear

This is not the face I saw today on my dear little girl.

I am afraid of heights and being in my car, stopped, under an overpass.

J is afraid of loud noises, bugs, and monsters.

Miss M is afraid of nothing.....except the vacuum.

Oh My Goodness. Is she ever afraid of the vacuum. I just vacuumed the entire house. I had to hold her the entire time. THE WHOLE TIME! She probably weighs close to 20 lbs. I was sweating like crazy! I wonder how many calories I burned?????

As I pulled the machine out of my closet, I noticed the look on her face....total concern. As I attached the hose, fear..........I put her in her room to play with J....and she screamed! So I had to carry her. ug.

TOOOOOOOTH!!!!

Yay! Miss M finally cut a tooth! I happen to glance in her mouth and saw a little glimmer and what do you know? a tooth! I was beginning to think she would be the youngest person to need dentures! As they say, "NOw she can have steak!" ....he-he!

Now if she would only open her mouth long enough for a pictures.....You know how us scrapbooking moms are....

All better- mostly

J is feeling better. He is coughing still from time to time, but we have been 2 days w/o cough meds and 4 days w/o fever. He was able to go to school Friday for his Halloween parade and fun "spooky" centers. I wasn't able to get down to his room so I missed all of the fun and no pictures.


To make up for missing the pumpkin farm field trip, we went to a local farm yesterday and did all of the typical pumpkin farm stuff----hayride, pick a pumpkin, see the animals, etc. It was rainy and SUPER muddy but we still had fun. We ate cider donuts and drank cider slushies. Yum! I bought some apples and a pumpkin and came home to de-mud all of us!

J and Paul carved the pumpkin and we sat outside for the trick-or-treaters. J, Miss M and I ventured out and got rained on after a few houses. Paul and J went to the church across the street for trunk-or-treat and returned home 1/2 hour later---too wet! Oh well! J had a fun day and that is all I wanted for him----Had to make up for a cruddy week!

My knight in shining armor! Actually, it is a gladiator costume, but he thought he was a knight! Who am I to disagree!

My little Piglet!