December, in pictures

This year was incredibly hard, and I don't feel like writing about it. Instead, here are some pictures from the last two months!

Bits and Pieces: November

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year, although it was tinged with sadness for several reasons. We went to my parents' house and were joined by my sister and her family and extended family from around the country: my Aunt Debbie (Bloomington, IL), my cousin and her husband (Cedar Rapids) my Uncle John and Aunt Conchita (Memphis), my cousin Alyssa, her husband and cutie-pie daughter Lily (New York City) and my cousin Grace (Chicago). Clare loves Grace, and followed her around the entire weekend. Grace was so sweet to her, willingly playing games and braiding her hair.

We ate a lot and drank a lot and laughed a lot. There were also tears, especially during my Uncle John's Thanksgiving toast. We have all lost important people this year. We also visited my Grandma in the hospital the day after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, she is quite ill. She is so funny, though. She said she just wanted to beat her mom and make it to 91. Well, she did it. Her 91st birthday was Monday.

I also got to have lunch with my friend Christina and meet her adorable, smiley baby Owen. I wish I could see more of both of them!

Other than Thanksgiving, November was fairly low-key. We had a few birthday celebrations (Katie, Otto and Clare's best friend Natalie), a trip to the Science Museum for Girl Scouts and a few days off school for the kids.

We had conferences this month. Clare is doing well, as usual. She is above grade level in every subject. She does have a few issues with scolding other kids when they are doing something wrong and "helping" her friend figure out her math. (Yeah, she's basically doing it for her. Insert eyeroll emoji here.) Her teacher has plans to really push her out of her comfort zone with math, and I am happy she is being challenged.

Christopher is also doing well. I had no idea what to expect, because I hardly ever hear from his teacher. She said it took awhile for Christopher to understand that group time was not the time to tell jokes in an attempt to make the entire class laugh. This was not a surprise. He is still working on writing his name, but knows his letters and numbers. He is also making friends at school and on the bus.

Speaking of comedy, Christopher has had a few gems lately. The other day he announced: "I am going to name my baby Elf. I hope the mother is okay with it." He was so happy and proud when this statement got a huge laugh from Ben. He whispered in my ear, "I made Daddy laugh, Mommy!"

Here's another, from yesterday morning. "Mommy, why are you wearing that shirt? It doesn't look  very good on you. But your pants are fine."

At ECFE, we were singing the Daddy Finger song, and Christopher got upset when the teacher sang it in a different order from the one he knows. "No, THIS is brother finger!" he shouted, while waving his middle finger at everyone in the room.

And now it's on to Christmas. Already. Somehow.

She earned her first Girl Scout badge at the Science Museum!

Her precious Doggy was missing for two weeks, before I found him in Christopher's room. She was so happy to have him back.

This dapper dude.

Each year at Thanksgiving we throw my mom's decorative gourds into the woods. The kids love it.

Ben was into it too. And was protected from hunters.

Clare and Grace. Her second cousin? First cousin once removed? It's easier just to say cousin.

Helping Meema Jo with her tree. 

Family Pictures, etc.

So. How is everyone feeling today? I am feeling cautiously happy. Obviously, I am thrilled with the results here in Minnesota. And also: goodbye, Scott Walker. You will not be missed.

It wasn't quite the blue wave that everyone had hoped for, but the Democrats taking over the House is a big deal. We desperately need that check on He Who Shall Not Be Named.

Anyway. We got family pictures taken earlier this month. Actually, it's just pictures of the kids because I was busy drinking wine at Chelsea's cabin during the photo session. I love having professional photos of the kids.  I am sure one or two of these will appear on our Christmas card.

Bits and Pieces: October

October is always a busy month. Two birthdays, school events, our annual fall camping trip and of course, Halloween and associated events, take up most of our weekends. It is fun, though. I just wish this fall wasn't so wet and cold and gray.

Oh, and did someone say something about an upcoming election?

So let's see, what did we do. We celebrated Christopher's birthday with a spaghetti dinner and homemade chocolate and vanilla layer cake. Christopher likes spaghetti well enough, but I really made it to help marathoners Katie and Ben carbo-load for their big race the following Sunday. Christopher enjoyed his party, and got some nice gifts. He was especially excited about Rodimus Prime, a Transfomer he has coveted for months. (I have no idea who Rodimus Prime is, and I had to watch a YouTube video to figure out how to transform the dang thing. But he is happy. Special thanks to Meema Jo and Baba Ralph for that gift.)

We went to the Rainforest Cafe on his actual birthday. This was his choice. It was so expensive! We may not let him chose the "Jungle Cafe" next year.

The Marathon went well for Ben and my sister. He ran it under 3:40 (3:33 to be more precise), which was his goal. I was very proud of him. My sister Katie ran it even faster (3:30) and she qualified for Boston! I am already planning a long weekend to watch her run in 2020. My brother-in-law Andrew and I raced around on our bikes to see them at various mile markers. It was really fun, actually. For Andrew and me. I am not sure how much fun Ben and Katie were having.

The weekend after Christopher's birthday I got to escape for a few days. I went to my friend Chelsea's cabin near Ely with my college girls. We had a great time. Lots of delicious soup and salads courtesy of Chelsea, and, of course, many bottles of wine. I am so grateful I still have a relationship with these girls 20 years after we first met.

While I was gone, Ben took the kids to a school party and to have some pictures taken for an ECFE fundraiser. He also took them to a Minnesota United game. They lost. I think I had more fun, but Ben is such a good sport about my weekends away. I honestly wish he would do something similar, but he never does.

My birthday is in mid-October. It was another nice one. My SAHM friends treated me to a lovely party at my friend Peggy's house. This group always showers me with such nice gifts and this year was no different. Ben bought me a new sleeping bag that is much warmer than what I had. We also went out to eat, just the two of us, to a delicious Italian restaurant (Mucci's). My sister took me out to dinner as well, to a delicious Italian restaurant. (Red Rabbit).

It was the last birthday of my 30s. (!) It is hard to believe, especially since I remember so clearly how freaked out I was about turning 30. I am definitely not going to accomplish all of my 40 x 40 goals, but that's okay. I'll still try to do some of them this year, but I am not going to get too worked up about it. It was all for fun, right?

We took our annual fall camping trip with friends over MEA break. This year, the destination was Gooseberry Falls. It was very beautiful, but very cold. There was even snow. Luckily, my new sleeping bag lived up to my expectations.  The kids had mixed feelings about the trip this year. I think it was a little too cold for them. My friend and her family have a pop-up camper, and I am giving Ben the hard sell on getting a camper for us. I am getting tired of sleeping on the ground, despite the new bag.

Christopher: "Mommy, if I had millions and millions and millions of dollars I would buy you a camper and LOTS OF BEER." The kid has the key to my heart.

I have been busy with activities for the aforementioned dreaded election. So far I've made phone calls,  written letters, knocked on doors, and donated money. I may join a text bank this weekend. I don't know if any of it is making a difference, but I just needed to do SOMETHING. I have been feeling so helpless about everything. I barely slept after phone banking last night after hearing the latest poll numbers. EVERYONE PLEASE PLEASE VOTE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

Ahem.

I have also been busy with my role as co-treasurer for the school PTO. We just completed our annual fundraiser, which was a huge success.

While I was phone banking last weekend, Ben took the kids trick or treating in Highland Village. Hermione and the dragon were into it, as they always are. We'll be trick or treating on Wednesday, doing our same routine as always: hit a few houses near us and then meet friends for the big Sargent Avenue block party, which really is something to see.

And then on to November. I always just picture November as being dark, but there is also lots of pie eating. I am looking forward to that.

School picture time! This is much better than described by Christopher, who re-enacted his picture-taking experience for me.

My second-grader. Still can't believe I have a second grader.

Birthday boy.

Christopher's homemade cake.

Waiting for Daddy (Uncle Ben) and Aunt Katie (Mommy) on Marathon day.

He spends a lot of time "styling" his hair after his showers, so he was thrilled when they did this for him at the hair salon.

Supplies for my girls' weekend.

Friends since 1999! (I've known Cindi since 5th grade)

A treat with my girl after her flu shot.

Snack time on the camping trip.

Clare and friends on Lake Superior.

Climbing at Gooseberry Falls. We had a scare when Clare almost fell off a high rock formation she was climbing. Thank God my friend Sarah was there to catch her. Clare was very scared, as were all the witnesses. Luckily, I did not see it happen.

Tuckered out on the ride home from camping.

Walking together at the school fun run.

Children's Museum on a day off of school

Glad Ben does this with them, because it is my least favorite holiday ritual.

Clare baked this cornbread all by herself. She plans to cook dinner next weekend!

Hermione Granger and a dragon. She has a wig, which was abandoned early on. We'll see if I can get a picture tomorrow night.