Christmastime is here

Every year I watch Charlie Brown Christmas and am reminded what it's all about - thanks, Linus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA.) I really do love this time of year, even though it gets absolutely crazy in the stores - I avoid them by doing as much shopping as possible online - and my house never seems to be perfectly decorated or perfectly clean. This year has been different with a late Thanksgiving - it seems like the season is shorter, which I tend to like. I don't feel rushed, only a little relieved that we won't have as much of the commercialization of Christmas as we normally do when Thanksgiving is earlier. With the kids being a little older, gifts aren't as numerous and junky. There seems to be a tad more time to reflect on all our blessings. :)

Thanksgiving travels

Since Daniel is studying Virginia history this year, we decide to take a short trip to the Colonial Triangle - Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg. I had never been to Yorktown and Tom hadn't been in years. The kids liked Jamestown and Williamsburg best - more to do and see. I must say, those are my favorites as well. After finishing up our history lessons at Williamsburg on Thanksgiving day, we headed over to a huge seafood buffet. We went home happy and full.

1st Snow of the season!

Mia and Astro in the SNOW!

It snowed a little tonight! The kids were very excited about it - especially Daniel. After his bath, he put his PJs on inside out and backwards, tossed a cup of ice in the toilet, and is sleeping with a spoon under his pillow! I think he wants to have a day off tomorrow (let's hope not!) He's very funny.

I have to say. we had a very nice evening tonight. The kids both have books they must finish this week for school and we sat for about an hour reading. Daniel has a harder time focusing - it's tough to find books he really likes. Clare, on the other hand, is easy to please. How different they are, in so many ways. LOVE THEM!!

Mary's Rock hike

Clare, Daniel, and I went hiking yesterday in Shenendoah National Park. It was overcast when we left our house, but as we went higher it got clearer. By the time we got to the top of the mountain, it was a gorgeous day. What's funny about our day is that Clare's mood (and mine as well) was pretty nasty when we started out, but by the time we were headed home after the hike all was good. Life is good. :)

 

Happy Halloween!

We had a lot of fun the past couple of days. Enjoy the slideshow!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Obama rally!

Yesterday, Clare, Linda (Tom's mom), Anne (friend) and I went to the Obama rally at a nearby town. It was awesome! We got there about 45 minutes after the gates were opened, so we had to stand in line a good bit. There were thousands of people there - CBS said it was "over 30,000", others put it around 50,000 (only 10,000 were expected.) AMAZING!! I get chills just thinking about it. We never did get in the gates, but we were able to see the stage (wish I had my binoculars!) and hear everything everyone had to say. Clare got on my shoulders at one point when Obama first got on stage, but then had to go to the bathroom (for the second time!) She was most excited to see him waving at us in his motorcade, only about 5 ft. away from us. I have such hope for our country, for my children's future. I really do think Barack is the one to lead us out of the pit we've dug ourselves into. He is so inspiring.

"O"bama!

The lines of people.

The stage is waaaay up there in the middle. :)

So cool!

Daniel and the mower

Daniel mowed part of the lawn last weekend. He did a pretty good job, but had a tough time pushing the mower over the lumps in the yard. :) Tom was there to help. Clare was NOT happy that Daniel was mowing the lawn. She wanted to do it! You should have seen them fighting about it in the yard! Who woulda thought??

Lovely

This is Clare's school picture. Did I tell you how great I think she is?? This year has started out very well. She loves her classes and is doing super in all of them. She is managing the cross country team - training with them, but can't compete until next year - and hopes to manage the volleyball team in the winter. She is also swimming competitively. Apparently there are several boys at school who like her, especially in P.E. Who would have guessed boys like athletic girls? This Friday is her first Junior Cotillion dance class. I will be a chaperone - I'll be the little fly on the wall (can't wait!!) She loves to ignore me when she's around her friends, but we both know it's only a game. I'll play along. As long as she remains my "sweet pea" at home. :)

Pretty sunset

We had a gorgeous sunset behind our house yesterday. I love Fall and the pretty colors and cooler weather - almost sweater weather!

New Diet Plan

I've found a new diet plan: a bad stomach bug! Food is a total turn-off right now. I can't even watch the Food Network or food commercials! This is just great! I think I've already lost
5 lbs. or more. Thank you, Daniel, for giving me your germs. I love my children.

Soccer Dan

Today I took Daniel to his soccer game - the first I'd seen this season for various reasons. He's playing travel soccer and absolutely loves it. The boys had a tough game, mainly because the referee wasn't making good calls, but they won 5-4! They are all very good soccer players. We parents were talking about how neat it will be to watch them when they get a little older - they're going to be great!

Las Vegas

Tom and I went to Las Vegas last week - he had a conference and I tagged along. It was fun for the most part, especially with Tom. I really enjoy being with Tom without the kids (they were with the in-laws. :)) We always find something to laugh about. We didn't get to spend a whole lot of time together since he was in class from 8-5 every day. I did a little shopping and a little slots. I'm not a big spender, so neither is my cup of tea. I've decided that you definitely don't want to win at slots on the first day - it makes it that much harder to win the rest of the time. It was a lesson learned! :) I did get a chance to sit by the amazing pool a little and finish a great book (Twilight by Stephanie Meyer) and start another. We also went to see the Blue Man Group one night - a great interactive show. All in all, it was nice to get away get away together and have some alone time.

This is our pool as seen from our room. It's very private and quiet.

Do you like our toes?? :) I was having fun with the camera (and I'd had a terrific strawberry margarita!)

HOT trip to Blacksburg - GO HOKIES!

Yesterday we went to the VT v. GT football game. The kids came with us this time - their once a year trip. We always tailgate with Tom's old friends from college days when we bring the kids. So much fun! It's great to catch up with everyone's lives, eat great food, and talk Tech football. Of course, it was HOT, though not as hot as it was a couple of weeks ago at the ECU game in Charlotte. Clare and Daniel insisted on getting the funny orange and maroon wigs. They're too cute, but they got very hot very quickly when they were wearing them! Thank goodness Tech won - the ride home is always more enjoyable when they win!

Our friends' kids are so cute! Reagan, below, liked Clare's hair. She's a big ham.




The beanbag toss was a big hit with the kids - and it kept them all out of the street and parking lot! Daniel played with Nick off and on for much of the time we were at the tailgate (4 hours?)




Of course, Tom and Daniel tossed the football for a while. It was just too hot for a long game. Daniel has gotten so much better at football in the years we've been going down to the game. The best thing is he's not falling asleep during the third quarter anymore (and Mom doesn't have to sit and hold him while trying to watch the game!) This time he even asked a lot of very good questions about the rules of the game. All in all, we had a great time before, during, and after the game this year.

Catching up

I've been pretty bad about blogging lately. We've all been busy with this, that, and the other. You know??! We had a great time celebrating Maribeth's TOY award last weekend with a picnic at Linda and Roger's house. Clare and Glen love getting together at Grandma's house so they can put on her clothes (I'm not sure Grandma enjoys this activity!) And the bocce ball game was brutal! :)

Clare and Daniel started school this past week - Daniel is in 4th grade and Clare is in 6th (middle school!) Both are enjoying school and their teachers. Phew! It's always a relief. I am, of course, very glad that the big yellow bus has arrived again this Fall. Maybe I can get back on a more "normal" schedule - cleaning house, grocery shopping, appointments for this and that, volunteering at two schools and for a great political campaign (did you see Obama's speech???), etc. Of course, after school activities will take up much of my time, too (cross country, soccer, swimming, etc.)

Daniel is playing travel soccer for the first time this Fall. His uniform came this week and it's HUGE! Apparently, everyone buys them big so they will fit for more than 1 year. O.K., but does it have to be so big Tom can wear it, too???