I think Spencer did an amazing job on this drawing. Notice the perspective on the cat's feet, and the way you can tell the cat is walking toward you. He didn't worry about the back feet, as most children would...and the tail swings off to the side. I'm not sure why he called it "big cat" except that is clearly is big compared to that horse!! I'm also not sure why he called me "Jan" instead of "Mommy" but I'm proud nonetheless.

Thanksgiving was nice and slow. We Had James' ham and cheese omelettes for breakfast and then a really big lunch at 1:00. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, shrimp, whipped sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, crab dip, rolls, cranberries, pumpkin bread (wait, nobody ate the pumpkin bread!), Hello Dollies, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream from a can. I never bought whipped cream in a can before, but it was fun to use. Each slice of pie was delivered with a Very Tall Mountain of Whipped Cream. Spencer needed more, so I sprayed it directly in his mouth which made two little boys laugh hysterically for at least 30 minutes. Colin kept saying, "Mommy! I can't believe you would do such a thing!"

After lunch we sat around the table and read the leaves of thankfulness from Thanksgivings past. We started the tradition in 2003. Each person in attendance writes three things for which they are thankful on a little paper leaf. We tie them on a tree and save them from year to year. It was fun remembering our guests from each year and especially fun to see how the boys' messages have changed.

We also talked about all the stuff in our house that belonged to great great grandparents. This house if FULL of stories. Then we showed the boys pictures of them and gave them silly multiple choice quizzes to see if they remembered what we had told them.

After that we bundled up and watched Santa Claus (the movie) and went to sleep early.

I'm fully aware that these are the days. I do wish we had more family nearby to share it all with, but I trust we're making happy memories for Colin and Spencer anyway.

Blessings to you and your family.

Animals!
by Spencer

Tanks!
by Spencer

Today I'm pretending I'm skinny and rich. In that case, this would be my shopping list for this season. If you see me in person, just pretend I'm looking something like one of these:

Turquoise
by Colin

Turquoise is colorful.
Turquoise is valiant.
Turquoise is soothing.
Turquoise is the ocean.
Turquoise smells like the sky.
Turquoise tastes like cold water.
Turquoise sounds like turkey.
Turquoise looks like the bottom of a swimming pool.
Turquoise feels peaceful.
Turquoise makes me step up.
Turquoise is my favorite color.

Colin was the "Star of the Week" in his class this week, which meant that he got to make a poster about himself to put on the wall. Here are some highlights:

"An activity I really enjoy is art. I like it because it's your imagination and its your dream come true."

"I live at home with Mommy Daddy and mean brother."

"I show my family that I care about them with I cook things like french tost, gril chees and casedias."

"I recently took a vacation at Big Cedar lodge and people were hiking, conuing, and sleepin, golfing. It all ended when 2 days were up."

Favorite Color: robin's egg blue
Favorite Song: Oklahoma Rising
Favorite Snack: Tortia

WHERE DID I PUT MY KEYS?

Signed,
The Not-So-Happy Homemaker

About two years ago, a group of federal researchers reported that overweight people have a lower death rate than people who are normal weight, underweight or obese.

This is incredible news to me. I don't know why it is not on the headlines of every paper in America. I mean, this is BIG, people! (no pun intended). Until now I was under the (apparently false) impression that the death rate for all people was 100%.

Wow.

I ran a million errands today but found myself with a few minutes to spare when I was near the Goodwill store. I found some way cute $2.00 shoes by Olivia Rose Tal: navy gingham taffeta mules. I had never heard of the designer, but they seemed like good quality so I brought them home and looked 'em up on ye olde computer. And then I found these: the perfect Happy Homemaker shoe.
The are pink and rich and not too tall and, best of all, they have that luscious bow. Oh my good heavens. And they're only $206.

gah!