The Holiday Season has begun as far as I am concerned. As you will read we have already been involved with several Thanksgiving/Christmas activities. It promises to be a fun season. Just hope we are ready because the pace has picked up and it won't slow down until January. We hope each of you has a most wonderful Thanksgiving.
The only downside to the week is that we have not been completely healthy. It's nothing major but a combination of autumn sinus problems, an ear infection, and a migraine headache triggered by some virus has made life interesting around our house. Especially when you are putting three kids to bed and trying to keep all of the medications straight.
PATRIOTISM AT ITS FINEST HOUR. East Robertson Elementary begins its day like every other school in America, with the Pledge to the Flag (which is a matter of prayer itself), a moment of silence (which is a good time for that prayer), and announcements. At the end of this they have an OLD record player connected to the intercom system. They use that to play some patriotic song. Monday's song was You're a Grand Old Flag.
That night we decided to go out to eat at Cracker Barrel. On the way Jenna was singing the song with confidence and gusto. We were enjoying her rendition as she was getting all the words right. However, we couldn't contain our laughter when Jenna sang the line, "Every heart beats true/To the Red Riding Hood...."
NEW TRICKS. I've dropped Nate's bed mattress down to its lowest set of hooks. I knew it was time when I walked into his room and he was sitting up in bed. He is very adept at flipping over from back to front and then using his arms to walk himself into a sitting position.
Nate is also more mobile. Once sitting (with his feet in a clapping position in front of him) he can scoot. It sort of looks like an Elvis impersonation. He isn't truly crawling yet but he is giving that a try as well. He will get on one knee and then pull forward one step with the other foot, much like Jenna crawled for those of you who saw that.
MORE NEW TRICKS. Ben has introduced some new tricks as well. Most important to us is that he is starting to go to the bathroom on his own! I can't say that he has a perfect track record this week but we are very proud that he realizes when its time to go by himself.
Ben is also starting to put his own clothes on. Now, he may come out of his room with his shirt on inside out and the tag in the front, but he put it on! He is also able to buckle himself into his car seat!
HOW'S THAT AGAIN? I enjoy listening to NPR's Morning Edition when I drive to work. Thursday morning I decided to treat myself at the Doughnut Palace in Springfield. As I pulled into the drive-through line a story came on the radio about some of the most sought after art in the world. They went on to mention a Van Gogh that was recently sold for $80 million just as it was my turn to order. With this freshly on my mind I looked out the window and calmly ordered 2 million chocolate covered doughnuts. My only clue that I had said something wrong was the look of shock on the guy's face.
AN OFFICIAL START. The November meeting of the Cross Plains Heritage Commission is generally my mental kick off for the Holiday Season. That is because it is a covered dish supper! I was not disappointed. The topic of the program was the source of our Christmas traditions.
Vicki and I came home too stuffed to move. Partly from the supper and partly from lunch. We had gotten to eat with Jenna at school as well. The school cafeteria served Thanksgiving dinner. They sold tickets in advance (open to family members of students). Those ladies can cook! We all enjoyed walking hand in hand down the hall to and from lunch.
'TIS THE SEASON. Today we went to the Christmas Parade in Springfield. Of course, one of the humorous things about a small town is that the parade was longer than the parade route. The kids enjoyed everything but the sirens on the police and fire vehicles. The strange thing is that it was warm enough to wear shorts and t-shirts (we even raised the windows in the house today).
SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP. Vicki is very good about getting a head start on her Christmas shopping. She is finding things, big and little, all through the year for Christmas presents so when the time gets here she has quite a bit done. However; she started shopping in earnest this week. Wednesday night after church she and her mom, Pauline, went shopping and they didn't come home until after midnight. She and Nate went shopping through part of the day yesterday and then she and my mom went shopping last night.
This isn't to say that she won't be out on Christmas Eve, but it is her goal to be lounging with the rest of us on the 24th.
Joe
