Gone again

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and it's gone again.  We had a houseful of people on Thursday, just eating and relaxing.  Then Friday the girls were ecstatic to have Amanda and Kayla here to play with them while I was at work.  They all literally played nonstop until about 1:45 when the rest of the troops rolled in.  Sara and Zach took the spotlight for a bit, and we had some happy chaos until Steven came home. 

Steven hurt himself working on Amanda's car Friday night, so a late night trip to the ER was in order, since he couldn't move his shoulder and it was incredibly swollen.  Two hours and an xray later they decided he tore a ligament and sent him home in a sling. 

Saturday made for a nice trip up to see the family and another turkey dinner.  Donny was there with his girlfriend and her two boys.  All the kids played and all the adults chatted and just generally hung out.  It was really nice, and now we're getting geared up for Lynise and Daniel's wedding in January!

Sunday was a sad day for the girls, since everyone had to go home.  Sara and Zach had to leave first, since they have the longest drive.  They got out of here pretty early, and then Steven took Kayla and Amanda home after dinner.  Steven is feeling much better, and I guess aside from the nighttime coughing, we all slept reasonably well.

Thankful

I'm thankful for my kids, my husband, and that we have a home.  I'm thankful for my family, my friends, and the good times we all have together.  I'm thankful my grandparents "crashed" our Thanksgiving party, because I'm a bad granddaughter and forgot to call and tell them to come.  I'm thankful my brother came to dinner, even though he wasn't feeling well.  I'm thankful for tantrums at bedtime because she didn't want Grampy and Mimi to go home.  I'm thankful for all that I have, and I'm thankful for being aware of the fact that we do have enough.

Toosday

Because that's exactly how it sounds, and I LOVE when she gets caught up in actual sounding words out, and not worry about how it might not really be spelled that way.

I also love what Norah said.  She asked me to tie her nightnight on her like a cape so she could be Superman.  So I asked her if she wanted to be Super Norah instead and she told me "NO I not Norah, I Superman!"  So there.

Busy Time

We're hosting Thanksgiving here again this year, which is something I love to do.  I don't mind traveling, but I seem to prefer having everyone here hanging out, helping to cook, and stuffing themselves silly.  I started the cooking/baking last week, and will be winding up with all the precooked things tomorrow sometime.  I made a homemade cheesecake that went directly into the freezer, yesterday there were chocolate chip cookies for all the little ones coming.  Today it'll be banana bread and maybe the apple pie.  Tomorrow it will be the date nut balls, and maybe the chocolate cream pie.  I'll also cook the squash so it can be reheated, and possibly the stuffing.  I remember imagining when I was first married that all the work my mom did for Thanksgiving was a TON of work to get done in one or maybe two days.  And it is, which is why now I'm fairly certain that it took place like mine is, over several days to a week.  I love Thanksgiving, it's my favorite holiday.  So here's a list of the food that will make an appearance in my house.

Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Fresh Green Beans
Butternut Squash
Stuffing
Cranberry Sauce
Rolls
Gravy

Dessert will be:
Cheesecake
Apple Pie
Chocolate Cream Pie
Date Nut Balls
Chocolate Chip Cookies

And it was fun

The weekend was wonderful and fun.  I had a great time with my friends in Boston, and in fact the ONLY down side was that when I got in at 12:15 Norah was sitting up in bed crying "Mommy I wanna go home NOW!"  Which of course we did not.  So I brought her to bed with me, where she kicked me until 1:30, at which point I was done, and put her back in the other room.  Then of course Hannah woke up at 5:45 coughing, which wakes me up every time.  So my whopping 4 hours of sleep was NOT enough.  Fortunately Steven took the girls to his mom's for dinner and had me stay home and nap.  It was lovely, though it's Wednesday and I think that I might be nearly caught up now.

The weekend is almost here

I am eagerly anticipating this weekend, Saturday specifically.  Tomorrow sometime in the late morning, I'm driving with the girls up to my dad's house.  The girls will stay there, and I'm driving to a friends house to meet someone, and then we're traveling together into Boston.  Hannah and Norah are having a sleepover at Grampy's, and so am I, but not until later.  I'm having dinner with a bunch of friends, and it's going to be fantastic.  I'm crossing my fingers that Norah cooperates for everyone there, and sleeps peacefully.  I actually fully expect for her to wake up when I check on her and want to sleep with me.  Steven is staying home and doing some errands and housework to get ready for the holiday.  Then Sunday we have Thanksgiving at Carol's house, since she'll be away for the holiday.  So a full, busy weekend.  And hopefully a fun one!

Knock on Wood

The time change didn't have a MAJOR effect on the girls.  Yes Monday morning they woke up at 5:15, but then yesterday they slept until a normal time, and this morning also.  Norah's also doing a fantastic job sleeping well and turning on her own music when she wakes up.  She hasn't screamed for either of us in a few days, and I'm hoping that she may be creating a new, good habit.

Saturday after a fun filled day with Amanda, the girls stayed up late watching Dora, Diego, and Backyardigans.  That set the stage for sleeping "late", as in getting up at the new 6am, instead of an hour earlier like their bodies might have wanted to.  Sunday we headed down to Erin's new house for a housewarming/engagement party.  There were a TON of people there, and Hannah and Norah were excited to play with their cousin Kate (Chuck and Jeanna's daughter who is 5 also) and I was happy to see Aunt Maura, even if she looks as unwell as she feels.  I'm glad she got to meet Norah, and see Hannah for the first time in a long time.  And it was nice to see all my own cousins, as I don't think we've all been in one place since Chuck and Jeanna got married.

Bribery

Norah is still a lousy sleeper.  I didn't expect it to change.  I was hoping she'd learn how to be more self soothing, rather than needing me all the time.  So after four or five days, she started back in with the screaming.  One night she had to pee, one night she said she had a bad dream, etc.  So I'm bribing her.  She gets two stickers every morning that she sleeps all night and doesn't scream at us.  She can call for someone if she needs something, but if she's just awake, she's supposed to turn on her own music.  So far, the last two nights have been ok, so I'm sure tonight we'll hear from her.

A Treat!

No tricks yesterday, the whole day was a nice treat!  We spent Saturday with Grampy and Mimi, and headed up to Landon's Baptism.  Hannah got to play with Parker, who she seemed to really adore.  I don't think they'd ever met, which is sad considering Parker is already 3.5!  Even Norah liked him a lot, and what's not to like.  Landon is such a cutie, and my kid could take lessons in sleeping.  I don't think I heard him cry once. 

Then yesterday after we were all awake and ready to go, we headed to Kat's for brunch to celebrate Magi Boo.  She turned three yesterday, and had a blast to celebrate!  there were lots of people, food, and silly girls.   After the party we headed home until after dinner.  Then both girls put on their costumes and went trick or treating.  Norah was done after just a couple houses.  Then I carried her while Hannah did a few more.  Then we came home and did our neighbors.  Hannah went up around the block and did a few more, and Norah came inside with me and put on her jammies.  When it started to snow, they headed home.  Which is good, they have more than enough junk to last them.