Whirlwind Thanksgiving Weekend

Wow.  It has been a full 5 days of blessings and craziness.  It is best described in pictures.

Wednesday
Thanksgiving play by the Indians (kindergarten) and the Pilgrims (preschool) followed by pie served by the children.  We then had a wonderful afternoon playdate.  The kids disappeared outside.  Thankful for an amazing school and good friends.

Thursday
We celebrated with the Dimocks.  I made the most amazing stuffing from scratch.  Usually I stick to bringing the pie or rolls and cranberry jelly so this was a big departure for me.  I am so proud of how it turned out.  I think it is going to become my signature dish.  Eileen helped me chopped vegetables while we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and Dave and Linus played board games.

Gobble Gobble

As we drove home from the feast, Linus said, " I love my family."  I replied, "Me too buddy.  Me too."
 Thankful for good food and marrying into a wonderful family.

Friday
A morning playdate with other friends (a boy for Linus, a girl for Eileen, and a baby for Robin, each just about the same age exactly).  While Eileen and Robin napped, Linus and I started decorating for Christmas.  Eileen and Robin joined in once they awoke.  Linus and I had so much fun, just the two of us, figuring out how to decorate the new house.

While we waited for our new couch to arrive, Linus organized a game of Santa and reindeer.  The reindeer had rope long enough to go around the entire house.

Thankful for the Christmas spirit, creative kids, and new couches.

Saturday
Spent the afternoon in Tacoma, helping my parents pack up and load the moving truck.
Thankful the move is finally happening.

Sunday
Linus, Eileen, and I went to the Pacific Northwest Ballet Nutcracker.  I've always wanted to go and this is the last year for the Sendak set.  Linus decided to be difficult and complained the whole way there.  The kids gave the show mixed reviews.  Linus liked the soldiers, guns, rats, and battles, and the weird Chinese monster.  Eileen sort of liked the whole thing.  Both kid got bored, but fully enjoyed cupcakes and taking pictures in front of statues.  It was also fun running into friends.

All tuckered out, they fell asleep in the car. 

The evening brought more help moving the grandparents, pizza, Christmas movies, and Christmas jammies.

Thankful for the ability to give my kids special experiences and for a husband who is willing to spend his weekend moving my parents.

My parents now live up the road from us and we get to have their piano in our house.  It is the start of a new era for my parents.  I'm not sure how it is all going to work out, but I'm glad things are moving forward.