Santa Anxiety

Before I rolled over for the alarm today.... Before I even thought about opening my eyes I felt breathing on my arm. I peeked open my eye to see Jackson standing next to the bed. He looked worried. He whispered 'Do you think Santa knows everything?' I answered (half asleep still) that he's pretty smart and that's probably close to true. Then he started crying. It turns out he's feeling bad.

Next I heard: 'I hope he doesn't give me coal for wanting to sell Tyler on eBay.'

Grandpa goes to hockey

Lord knows we hit the highway for enough hockey. This weekend, however, brought a special treat. Grandpa joined us for Tyler's hockey game in Red Wing. Not only did he witness an 11-1 domination, Tyler stepped up with a goal and two assists to top off the day. How do you celebrate with Grandpa? At Treasure Island, of course! We hit the buffet with Grandpa, Auntie Dee and Uncle Frank. The best is Grandpa's quote of the day when asked 'What do you think?': "This sure is different than last time; they really move and hit a lot! It's good Tyler's a big kid!"

Shameless Auntie post

Yeah, Yeah, I'm on a roll tonight. I'll admit, I have to make a shameless Auntie post in ode to my Fab neices and nephew!

Giving thanks today...

For family. The holiday brought us together after much too long a separation of busy lives. We were fortunate this Thanksgiving to regroup as a family and remember what's most important to us all, which is each other. We met baby Heidi, played cards, shined in Karoake with Grandpa and even shared the flu (sorry you're missing from the picture, Ty!). Cheers to health, happiness and family. We already miss you!

Fairies again?

The tooth fairy really knows her way to our house. Jackson lost tooth number TWO in a week - and Tyler lost one as well.... while wrestling with a hockey pal! Our natural reaction "Was it attached to a brace???" Luckily it was one of the last remaining baby teeth around. Jackson prepared a great little tooth fairy box at summer camp this year - and it's getting a lot of action!

Pumpkin Pie

At the close of Kindergarten last spring each child was offered a seed to 'sprout and bring home to plant.' Jackson chose a pumpkin seed and his teacher was so taken with the reasoning, she sent home a note. As it goes, Jackson's favorite pie is GRANDPA'S home-made pumpkin pie. And, he reasoned with the teacher, he'd plant the pumpkin seed, grow a pumpkin and Grandpa could make him a pie.

Well, the growing season was fabulous and the dynamic duo of Grandpa and Jackson harvested the pumpkin just before Thanksgiving so Grandpa could whip up a famous pie for the holiday feast! It was PERFECT!

Another star in the sky, thanks to Jackson.

It finally happened - Jackson lost his first tooth tonight! After wiggling and wiggling and wiggling it finally came free. In the aftermath of the event, Jackson immediately found his tooth fairy box and put his tooth in for safekeeping.

As I readied him for bed, he said he was excited and to keep the shades open so he could see the sky. Not knowing what he was referencing, I asked. He answered me very matter-of-factly: "The tooth fairy leaves you money or star wars guys, takes your tooth and grinds it up into dust. Then she blows it into the sky and that's what the stars are made of."

I'm still smiling. Now I know why there are so many stars!

p.s. picture coming soon - too tired to pull it outta the camera tonight.

Raising boys who appreciate women

Is harder than it seems. Tonight Jackson and I were exploring a Brain Quest flash card set; '1,000 Questions and Answers to Challenge your mind' when we came across the following question:

If a boy can be a hero, what can a girl be?

Correct answer according to Brainquest: A heroine (admired for her great courage, achievements or character)

Correct answer according to Jackson (without hesitation): 'A sidekick.'

Apparently I have work yet to do.

Wash your hands!

Most of you are well aware this has been a rough week at our house. My first bout of strep in 13 years (I don't even have tonils!!!!!), Jackson's landed another sinus infection and Matt has contracted the flu for the first time in 10 years. Tough week! So, in honor of this, I feel it necessary to share a few good practices in germ control for those of you who can still be saved! Here goes:
- wash your hands frequently
- stay home if you are sick (so you do not spread it to other people)
- cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing (or cough into your elbow)
- use single-use tissues for wiping your nose
- wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or using tissues
- if working with children, have them play with hard surface toys that can be easily cleaned
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth (viruses can transfer from your hands and into the body)
- do not share cups, glasses, dishes or cutlery (especially important for families!)

Here's to you- in hopes you keep the germs away longer than we could!