Sympathy

Please remember the Johnson and Roberts families in your prayers. They are both friends of mine who have suffered the loss of a child this week. Pray for the happy repose of Libby Kate Johnson and Magdalena Grace Roberts.

Christmas Cookies

Last year my friend and I decided to make cookies for our daughters teachers and principals. We had a marathon baking day. We made cookies for EVERYONE! It was exhausting. My friend, C, is not a baker and she vowed to never do that again. Well to my surprise a few weeks ago she said, "Hey! Do you want to make cookies again?" I laughed and said yes but I thought you didn't. So we made cookies.

This year we got smart and decided not to try to do it all in one day. The fact that we did not have an open weekend helped too. Anyways, we also decided to bake the bare minimum...only teachers and co-workers no principals, support staff and activity teachers. Between us both, we went from about 25 tins to 10 tins. On top of the tins we also made bags for the students in each classroom. We decided to make five different cookies: Christmas tree (almond flavored sugar cookie), chocolate chip, snicker doodle, sugar and peanut butter kisses. We also make two cupcake platters one for our teachers/co-workers and one for the daycare. The first night we went shopping and made the rice crispies and pretzel sticks for the kid's bags. The next night we made the doughs and baked two of the cookies. We did the sugar cookies first so the girls could paint the icing on them. The actually used paint brushes and runny frosting which worked out wonderfully. The next night we finished the rest of the cookies and the cupcakes. We baked about 300 cookies in two night! Needless to say we were exhausted by the end of the week. We did much better this year although it was a long week for both us and the girls....especially baby C. She was so patient with us not paying attention to her and the big girls did an excellent job being "big sisters"!

The platter for teachers/co-workers

The platter for the daycare

The Infamous Reading Fair Board

The day before Thanksgiving Break, PP told me the reading fair board was due the Tuesday when we returned to school. For those who do not know, a reading fair board is basically a book report on steroids on a science fair board. I had never heard of it until we moved here. Technically PP is not required to do one but I think it is important for her to begin to participate at a young age so she will want to later on. Anyways....we went to a local place to get the board on Thursday with the intention of working on it that weekend at my parents house. As usual plans changed. PP ended up going to Mimi and Papa'a house to celebrate Thanksgiving with Adam and Aunt Sarah and Trey and Grace. She had a good time but the board did not get done. We still didn't have a book to do it on! So Monday GBE, PP and I were going to Mobile. First we had to get haircuts. GBE got a trim and PP ended up getting about four inched cut off. The verdict is still out on her hair but she LOVES it! Then GBE's uncle called and asked him to go hunting....no Mobile. PP and I went to the library to find a book so she could go ahead and begin reading. She chose Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It is an adorable book. We ended up in Mobile on Tuesday so the board was going to be Wednesday. Well....we had a dentist appointment that morning. When we got home we had to make pies for Thanksgiving at Mimsy's (GBE's mom). So the board was pushed back again. I did get the supplies though. So while dinner was being prepared and I was at Hudson's, GBE, PP and Mimsy started on the board. A good deal was done but nothing was actually on the board. So on Thursday (My Birthday!!! Yay!!) PP and I worked on the board between helping Nana cook. Poppy helped secure the perfect branch to the board, PP made more food to fall out of the sky and Mi helped type the questions and answers. He is so meticulous, he was perfect for the job. Mimsy also made pancakes and bacon which looked awesome. Right before Thanksgiving lunch the board was as complete as it would get before traveling home. On Sunday when we all got home, PP and I glued the finishing touches on the board. It was all ready for school on Tuesday. So we returned to school on Monday. When I picked up PP she said guess what, the board isn't due until Thursday! I could have screamed. All that to get the board finished before the Egg Bowl and we had all week! Oh well, it is super cute and done ahead of time, a first for us!

The Egg Bowl

GBE, Jo, Jes and I left on Thursday evening for the Egg Bowl in Oxford. Jes was not going to the game but the rest of us were. Since Jo goes to State and GBE goes to Ole Miss, I declared myself Switzerland. I sat between them (big mistake!) during the game. Jo wasn't bad but GBE couldn't help but gloat. The final score was 45-0. It was beginning to rain and getting colder. Cold rain is not my idea of fun so Jo and I left at half time but GBE being the dedicated fan he is stayed.

Black Friday...what crazy fun!!!

Last year I got up at 4:00 in the morning and went to Wal-Mart for the Black Friday sale. I had a blast. GBE was supposed to come but he unexpectedly ended up hanging out with an old friend the night before. So my mom came. The two person strategy worked great! So this year I planned on going again. Since we were going to be in Oxford, Mama couldn't come. Jo said she would come. We didn't get into town until midnight and it was one when I got in bed. Jo was still up when I went to bed. I had set my alarm and so did she but somehow we both slept through it. I happened to wake up at 4:50am. I rushed to get dressed and Jo got up. We were in the store at exactly 5:00am. I went to get some high thread count sheets and thanks to my failed alarm I didn't get them. The trip was not a total bust we got some other good deals and had a great time!

Thanksgiving

GBE and I are so blessed that both our families live in the same town. With PP having to go to Mimi and Papa's on holidays also it is such a great thing. Since we had to leave on Thursday, GBE's family decided to do Thanksgiving on Wednesday which left my family Thursday. It worked out perfectly.
Wednesday's Thanksgiving
Since they do a HUGE Christmas, Thanksgiving is somewhat low key only twelve people! GBE's Grandma Nona was visiting which made the day that much more special. Mimsy also made me a (surprise) birthday cake! It was a wonderful dinner.
Thursday's Thanksgiving
My family usually does a big meal at my Granny's house. Since everyone is growing up and having families of their own, holidays are getting smaller. Thanksgiving was going to be my imediate family and Granny. Mama and I cooked that morning. Then we ate a pleasant meal. I missed the rest of the family but it was kinda nice having just us there. It reminded me of the Thanksgivings in NJ. Since none of the family lived close by it was always just us growing up.

I know Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful but honestly I was so busy (and a little pouty about my birthday) I didn't really give thanks. There are so many things I have to be thankful for I won't list them all. I would like to say I am thankful for having so very many people who love my sweet PP and thank you, thank you, thank you for all the help on the reading fair board. I am also thankful that she only went a little crazy towards the end!

Happy Birthday to ME!

This year my birthday happens to fall on Thanksgiving. As those of you who know me know, I LOVE my birthday! So the fact that it is on Thanksgiving is very upsetting to me. I know this is selfish but I like to be the center of attention on my birthday...blame it on being a middle child. As I get older (ugh!) I am getting better about my birthday. Not many years ago, I used to count down the days. I am also not happy we have to leave early to go back to Oxford for the Egg Bowl. That means even less time focused on me! In the end, I survived and it was a good birthday.
PS - GBE got me a Wii. Isn't he the best?!?!