Divide and Conquer

Dad and Maxy at the Sounders play-off game.

Carmen and Mom having a quiet moment (and dinner)

at Starbucks before Daisy Troop.

Thanksgiving Weekend Festivities

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend together as a family.  It was nice to have four full days together.  There was much fun and many moments that reminded us about our many blessings.   So lucky to have an amazing family and such amazing friends.

Wednesday was a half-day at school so we took advantage of running a couple of errands.  During our adventures, we saw a beautiful rainbow and then the kids got to indulge with cake pops.

We then went to see the movie Coco.  It was a great movie; one of the best we've seen in a while.  Five stars from the Skurski's and two thumbs up!

Thursday brought Thanksgiving and a day full of cooking.  Max was a super helper with the chocolate pie and then we got to share it with good friends after a wonderful meal where we shared what we are thankful for.  Carmen proudly shared she was thankful for her friends, her brother and our neighbor's cat, Peaches.  No mention of Mom and Dad...hmmm.

Friday brought a little bit of Black Friday shopping for me, a playdate for Carmen and some much needed Daddy and Maxy time which involved lots and lots of soccer.  We then met friends for a round of bowling and dinner.  It was fun to watch the kids and their technique for throwing the ball down the lane.  The bumpers certainly came in handy but many got the hang of it and some kids beat their parent's scores!  Our darling daughter with oh so much fashion sense insisted on wearing knee-high socks over her pants.  The socks were adorned with unicorns and fringe.  Certainly a sight to see and paired so nicely with bowling shoes.  Gotta love her.

Saturday brought the Apple Cup.  It was a wet and windy game but the Huskies dominated.  While we were watching football, there was a mega playdate and sleepover happening.  The parents had a fun night out and the kids had a fun night in.

Sunday we celebrated Thanksgiving #2 with the Skurski family--a chance for the entire family to be together.  During the festivities Carmen FINALLY lost her snaggle tooth!  It was a long time in the making.  Dear friend Emily literally worked on wiggling it for hours the day before to get it ready and cousin Megan then got the prize for pulling it out.  Carmen had to write a description of the events leading up to the tooth coming out on her baggy for the Tooth Fairy.  She was then rewarded with another silver dollar.

After our tummy's were full from another wonderful meal, it was time to celebrate the Red Fire soccer season.  Hooray for three girls and three boys joining together to form a fun and lively team.  They all had a great time and improved tremendously.

It was no doubt a busy but joyous weekend.  Now, bring on the Holidays!

Baking Championship

These days our kiddos are way into watching baking and cooking shows.  Sometimes it's Chopped but more recently they've been fixated on the Holiday Baking Championship.  They love watching what Christmasy creations are baked and then judged.  They study the contestants, their craftsmanship and hang on the judge's every word.

Now, every night at dinner they give me a countdown from 10 and then tell me to put my hands-up after time has run out and to step away from my creation (otherwise known as dinner).  Then, I'm asked to describe in detail what I have prepared.  All of it is then judged by an almost 7-year-old and her five-year-old brother.  The best part is that they ask me what I've prepared and what Jimmy has prepared.  Since his dinner contribution is usually minimal, I win the competition and the prize almost every time.  In fact, I've managed to win the same $2.58 for several nights in a row.  The grand prize!

It's kind of a fun charade to go through but sometimes stressful.  These kids are tough judges!  I may need to up my game.

Max and Mom

This year while Max is going to pre-K 5-days a week, it's only for 3-hours a day.  So, this gives us plenty of time for some Max-Mom time everyday.  Some days it's errands and checking the must-dos off the list, but we try and get out and about and do some fun stuff too.  I'm trying to cherish this time with my little guy as I know next year he'll be in Kindergarten and poof, no more trips to the park during the middle of the day or to Starbucks for a treat, or on the trail for a bike ride. While some days I wish for just a little more time to myself to get things done, I'm loving the time we're spending together.  I'm even more aware of his likes and dislikes and his strengths and interests.  He's an amazing kiddo with a big heart, strong personality and absolute love of soccer (and the iPad).  I'm holding on to our days together as I know they are numbered.  Mom loves you Maxy.  Thanks for being ours.

Math

Carmen occasionally has math homework and Max wants it too.  He insists on doing his own 'homework' while Carmen is doing hers.  It's kind of cute (and funny) to see them working together on it.  Hopefully Max will be as enthusiastic about homework when he actually has it to do.

Teeth

Lately, conversation around here has been centered around Carmen's teeth.  She recently lost her third and is really, really, really working on her fourth.  It's what you call a snaggle tooth.  Snaggly in the most possible way.  It is literally sticking straight out of her gums.  It's been like that for weeks and while it's wiggly, the pesky tooth does not want to come out.  We've made a special trip to the dentist for confirmation that it's doing what it's supposed to do and we've been assured that it should come out on it's own.  Sigh.  It's taking so long and Carmen has been a trooper but is starting to get a little self conscience.  Her tooth is the talk of the bus stop and every morning there is a status check to see if it's finally come out.  The poor thing can't even close her mouth without her tooth ('Sparkle' as she has named it ) sticking out.  Any tooth with an identity has been hanging along for too long.  Here's to hoping that Sparkle has run its course and is on its way out.  Carmen is ready for another visit from the Tooth Fairy and to add another silver dollar to her growing pile.  If Sparkle hurries up, she may just be asking for her two front teeth for Christmas!

 

Quote of the Day

"Mom!  Can you sign me up for iPad class?!"  ~Max (our enthusiastic iPad user)

Sock Hop

Fun at the school Sock Hop event.

Music, dancing, hula-hoops, poodle skirts, food and friends.