things Jack has said lately...

Thanksgiving: while decorating the paper table cover with Ave-(they were trying to use paints that Ave got for her birthday that they couldn't make work) Avery: "I guess I could read the directions" Jack: "Avery, directions are for cheaters"

Yesterday (Friday, Dec 4, 2009): Me: "Jack, would you like eggs for breakfast?" Jack: (with total disgust in his voice) "Mom, I only eat eggs on days that there is a parade, we don't have school and its sunny. Look outside...not so sunny, I have to go to school and there's no parade"

What the kids want for the holidays

A couple of you have asked, and last year it seemed to work well to post suggestions here, so here's a list...

Both kids are getting Nintendo DS game systems for Hanukkah (which hasn't happened yet, so dont' tell them) so games for that, or gift cards for Toys R Us so they can pick out their own would be good

Avery LOVES reading, so books from either the Magic Treehouse series or the Junie B Jones series would be good, or gift cards for Barnes and Noble. She also likes music, so ITunes gift cards work as well. She is a size 8 in shirts (usually a kids medium) and has recently gone through a growth spirt so is probably wearing a 8 in pants as well (much to our dismay since we just bought her a bunch of 7's). Fancy hair ties, earrings, etc. She also loves Webkins, much to my dismay, but you would be her favorite if you got her more.

Jack is a art project/drawing machine. Pens, markers, crayons, paints, colored pencils, paper, tape, glue...he still loves Star Wars too. He is also into books-Avery reads to him :) He is a 5T in pants-or sometimes a kids XS. Same for shirts.

Also, we have no board games for my place, so that could work. Hope this helps.

I had my 20 year high school reunion last weekend

I was really hesitant to go-wasn't sure who was going to be there, a little insecure, didn't know how my hair would look...you know, basic girl issues. But I am so glad I went. I saw people that I haven't seen in years that I really used to have a good time with. And now that I know that some of them might read my blog (Hi Sharif!) I will really try to keep up with it.

I have another reunion next month with another set of friends and now I am REALLY excited for it.

these pictures were taken on the day of Avery's "friend' birthday party. She is in her pjs because we had a pj party :)
(Not sure why that part is underlined)
She is 8 years old now and Jack is 5 1/2. I cannot believe how time flies.

To start the holiday season...

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/YKsD7jaMl40J9APHnSl2

Waste not, want not

This is what my life has become. Its actually sort of what I have wanted for awhile, but I didn't know how to get there. Being on my own and being responsible for me and the kids is a whole new ballgame but I am okay with it. I don't seem to want as much stuff-I don't need it. I had an extra paintbrush that I didn't use to paint the apartment so I returned it to Home Depot and bought curtain rods for the bedrooms. Before I probably would have just hung on to it-I mean who knows when I would repaint a room, right? Don't get me wrong, Jack didn't need the grey hightops I bought him today, but I wanted to buy them to make him happy-not me. I was originally feeling a little lame sitting here by myself on a Saturday night catching up on some of my shows while the world outside was trick or treating...but I am lucky. Its quiet, we had a victory with Jack trick or treating tonight, and both my kids told me they loved me. Life is good.

We have the flu

Well, Avery does. She got sick last Saturday night sort of randomly, but only threw up once and then seemed fine. Monday night it hit her. She stayed home Tuesday, today and we will be keeping her home the rest of the week. Nothing monumental...low grade fever, chills, aches, cough. Poor baby.

Here is a sign of the times. The school nurse called me today to ask how she was and what her symptoms were and then asked if when Ave returned to school, if I could bring her to the office so she could verify that her fever was in fact gone. Its new protocol that the school system is rolling out.

They haven't announced any incidence of H1N1, but I suspect they are trying to keep the mass hysterial under control.