Thanksgiving II

We had our second thanksgiving this afternoon. Bobby and Blake came over and we had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, gravy and corn souffle ~ hats off to Bobby. HE made the corn souffle (& mashed the potatoes for me, nevermind that he didn't know what I was talking about when I told him to get the beaters out of the dishwasher lol). I made a pumpkin roll for desert. It was all DELICIOUS!! The gravy wasn't as good as mom's but it wasn't at all bad, so I was happy!

Jon missed supper, he went over to the LaFever's house to help Johnny with the floor in the basement. He didn't really care though, this meal was all about me and we both knew it. It just isn't thanksgiving until I've eaten all the "Guden" food. I have to say, I love my Aunt Becky a little more everytime I make that stuffing of hers!!! When Jon got home I made him up a plate and I'm pretty sure it was still really good! He ate it all anyway...

We had a very pleasant time and it was great to have Blake and Bobby over ~ it's been awhile since they've been here. Blake and the kids had lots of fun. They kept starting movies then running off to play ~ which is somewhat to be expected! This pic is for all of you in NC ~ we wish ALL of you could have been here with us too!!!

Attention Grandparents!

Liam and Maggie have decided they'd like to have a book club. It's only the two of them basically competing against each other to read the most books. At Liam's reading teachers suggestion I started a treasure box. I went to the dollar store and Jon and I bought all kinds of stuff to put in it...hair ties, nightlights, candy, pencils, bubble bath, a boomerang(yikes), lipbalm, etc. Everytime they read 10 books they are allowed to choose an item from the box. They are currently very motivated and excited about the treasure box and are little reading fiends. Please feel FREE to contribute CHEAP items to their box. We'd all really appreciate it. Maggie really enjoys reading so it's a benefit to her and Liam really NEEDS to practice reading more, so anything that motivates him to read is GREAT!! Thanks and we love you!!!!

Thanksgiving '08

Well, it's official...Thanksgiving is over and it's CHRISTMASTIME!!!!!! We went to Kay and Rod's house for the Garrett family Christmas. We missed having Jim and Julie there with Trey and Lane, but enjoyed seeing everyone else!! I took this pic of all the grandkids (that were there) with Grandy & Pa. ...and this pic of Mason, Sam. Liam and Maggie with Grandy & Pa.

We ate too much and let the kids run wild. Maggie harassed poor Leah to death. Leah was a good sport and even played Go Fish with Mags.

Maggie and Liam both harassed poor Grandy's dogs to death. Abbie was terrified. Liam kept carrying her all over the house and she just shook like a leaf in the wind. Oddly enough, when he sat down she didn't try to leave him ~ she laid next to him on the couch. So, I guess he made her love him. I talked to Mom and Dad early in the day as well as Bobby. I tried Steve later, assuming I'd have better luck when he was done at work, but couldn't reach him.

After Kays' house we headed home and due to the fact that Liam was sick Wednesday night we were super tired and went to bed pretty early.

Today, we ventured out to Wal-Mart and Radio Shack. I have Sam and Mason completely done ( to hit their original $ limit). Maggie only has about $15 left and Liam has $40. Everything else is done though, except for Jon!! I have to say we got a pretty decent deal on Sam's gift today, the rest of the stuff I got was not even slightly impressively cheap. Actually, I'm pretty sure Sam's item was the ONLY thing we got that was on sale today. So much for GREAT prices today!! I've started thinking now about what else I want to get the kids...because I'm certain now that I'll be done with all my shopping early enough to have money left over for them.
As for Liam and Maggie's conferences... they are both doing well at school. Liam's teacher said he's keeping up fine. Not only is she not thinking he should be in the first grade, she doesn't believe he will need to be retained in the second either. She said he's a solid B/C student, who's terribly pleasant to have in class. Yup, there he is again, that Liam I don't ever get to meet. He's very well behaved and has wonderful manners! And he's not even the one that has his teacher most deceived!!!!! Good Heavens, Maggie has Mrs Howenstine completely blinded. Mrs. Howenstine thinks Maggie is the P-E-R-F-E-C-T little girl. She's a "ray of sunshine in class" and she just cannot imagine what it must be like to "live with her all the time". Wweeellllll, NO I don't imagine she can. I'm guessing it's nothing like she thinks it would be!! Maggie NEVER whines in class. She's never bossy or rude or demanding. She's very smart, excellent at reading and math and well, just everything! Mrs. Howenstine said there's really not anything Maggie can improve on much, she'll just have to try to do everything even more perfect than she already does. Ok, wipe the vomit from the corners of your mouth, I'm done now. That was it.

I miss you all and hope you had a WONDERFUL thanksgiving and ...

Merry Christmas!!!!

Sam's Conference:

Well, tonight I conferenced with Sam's teachers. Always a pleasure...sigh!

According to them my boy is extremely intelligent, and extremely attached to finding the easy way out of everything! Not news to me...well ok ~ a little news to me. I have to admit...my first question for his math teacher was"Are you absolutely certain he should be in the advanced math class? Because last week he told me he guessed the answers to the end of year test. And frankly, his grades do NOT reflect that he's good at math at ALL!!!" Yup. I admit it, he had me nearly convinced. Like I don't know he's a LAZY LAZY school kid!!!!! Like I don't know he's a slacker...Like I don't know Sam always wants the EASIEST option!! Mr. Bowers looked right in my eyes and laughed at me. Ok ~ So he belongs in the class... So, the million dollar question is: How do you motivate a completely un-self-motivated kid?? I've tried grounding him from all his games, I don't really need to tell you all this stuff though, do I? You've listened to me go through this Sam vs. School hell for years. I know part of the problem is that he's SO DIFFERENT than me when it comes to school. Maybe in the end that will be a good thing?!? I was SO GUNG HO about school then I just sort of petered out. Maybe he'll kick in late and be in it for the long haul...I can hope and pray for that, right!! So, long story short, the teachers told me the EXACT same thing his teachers have always told me. Very bright, intelligent, a great kid and a joy to have in class...he's not working to his potential. I pray that "not working to his potential" is the mantra of his childhood and not his life. I really liked Mrs. Hildebrand. She was very kind to me and seemed to really understand what I'm dealing with. She told me at the beginning of our meeting that she had a "gifted" child and it's NO GIFT. She is right about that!!! It's a pain in my arse!!! Well, I'll let you all know tomorrow how Liam and Maggie are doing. Love you guys!!

Wildlight Wonderland

Thursday night the zoo had their members only Wildlight Wonderland Preview. We met the LaFevers and the Kieffer's (our pastor and his family) and began the Christmas festivities. Now, make no mistake ~ it was REALLY cold and just to make to whole thing a little more "Christmas-y" it snowed!! We were seriously bundled up!! Katie even borrowed Jon's overalls to wear. As you can see from the pic below, next year I need to remember to bring my tripod!! Jon didn't bring a hat and think by the end of the evening he was a little sorry. I'm surprised his ears didn't get frostbite!!
This is the whole crew - besides me. Keep an eye on Katie's blog, maybe she'll post the one with me in it...then again maybe she won't!

We got there first, so while we were waiting for the others to get there...the kids goofed off at the North America habitat exhibit.

Maggie and Liam as part of the food chain...

and Sam...Don't ask me What that was about!!!

...and Jon... here's your pic of me. This is as good as it gets!!

I have my statin prescription now. I've been doing a good job with what I'm eating too. This morning I had a 1egg/3egg white omelet with 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup green pepper and red onion. It was pretty good.

Last night we went to Cash Wilson's 2nd birthday party. Jon made a stable for his horses for his gift. When we left he was playing with it, so I believe it was a success! I can hardly believe he's 2 years old already.

This week promises to be kind of crazy. Monday I have to work and then I get to babysit Cash (&Austin&Allie!) while Katie has her nose grafted(remember to pray for her). Tuesday, I need to get EVERYTHING done around the house that needs done, because the kids have Wed-Fri out of school. So, I won't get ANYTHING done then. It would be kind of nice to have it all done...to try and enjoy them for those days. I have Friday off, we're closed at work. Which is why I'm working Monday ~ so I don't end up with only 2-3 hours next week!! I'm so close to being DONE shopping that I can taste it!!!!! and...

Today is Ohio State vs. Michigan!!!!!!!!!

Go Bucks! O-H-...I can't hear you!!