What a fun morning with my Bud! He sang Thanksgiving songs, played the maraca, made a turkey out of a bagel, showed me his classroom, showed me the plant he is growing, introduced me to his friends, read me a story, and ate Thanksgiving Feast with me (gross canned turkey!). School lunch is not what it used to be.

Bud is a great kid. I'm thankful that I get to be his mom.

Annual Holiday Movie Marathon

Every year I spend a good majority of my holiday down-time watching as many good movies about the holidays I can. I'm starting my list today with a few new selections. Please let me know if I missed a good one.

Home for the Holidays
It's a Wonderful Life
Love Actually
Home Alone 1, 2, 3
Nothing for Christmas
The Family Man
Elf
Mixed Nuts
Eight Crazy Nights (Adam Sandler AND a musical!)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (new and old)
Holiday Inn
The Ref
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
The Family Stone
The Holiday
Sleepless in Seattle
When Harry Met Sally

Star On the Rise!!!

Bug got an award at school last week. She got the "Teacher's Pet" award. She has a little of an unfair advantage in that she has to stay in from recess a lot and gets to spend an inordinate amount of time with her...but I will choose to think she is super special anyway!

Bug is also quickly becoming a "Super Star" on the lip sync game her dad bought her. She loves it....and I love watching her love it! She is in tune most of the time. I think she might be a soprano. Is it too soon to tell for sure?

Just Hangin' Around...

I came in the kid's bedroom and Bud had his stuffed animals hanging from his bed upside down. I'm not sure why...but I've learned not to ask that question when it comes to Bud's behavior. :)

Bestest Imaginings
(to quote the cutest little boy in the world)

The kiddos were in there room being quite for a while...I had to go see what was up. They had been coloring and creating there own little Crusty Crab of SpongeBob fame. They had a grill, a cash register and aprons. The menu was nicely displayed with crabby patty's at $10,000 and crabby patty meals at $100,000. Then I heard Bud say they needed to redo the prices to make them "more realistic" for the customers. Now you can get a meal for only $9! And you can get a performance for only $100! ;o) Cute kids!

Fall...Glorious Fall!!!

I know everyone is posting about how much they love Fall and how beautiful it is. I want to too!! :o) The kids and I raked the gorgeous leaves today and put them in big pumpkin yard sacks I got for 25 cents yesterday. They love the new yard, the hiding places and riding bikes up and down the street. We live in such a nice older neighborhood with nice mostly older neighbors. I worry the kids are too loud sometimes, but it's good for the older folks to hear them...right!?!

I've been wanting to do a thankful post this month because I am really thankful for all I have. So hear goes....

I am SO thankful I have a good job I love. It is so gratifying to wake up each day excited to go to work and be edified. I love the kids and their hugs and their smiles and just feeling needed. I love my co-workers and the fun we have. I am also glad for the little bit of eye-candy I get each day. Just one more reason to like going to work. ;o)

I am thankful for my wonderful kiddos and all the ups-and-downs that come with them. I love that they are getting so grown-up. It's so fun to watch their little minds grow and change. Each day I am amazed by something they do/say/think. I love that Megan is becoming stronger and more confident. I love that Mikey is sensitive and loves to help others. He is smarter than crap...and I know every parent says that...but he really is. :o)

But mostly....I am thankful for my humanity. I know that sounds cheesy, but I really do feel connected to other humans out there. More so than ever before. I'm thankful for the lack of boundaries I feel between most people. And at the same time...I am glad for the boundaries I have placed between me and some.

My hope over this next year is to open my sphere of influence to more and more people and opportunities. I want to connect more with others and reconnect with those I have lost along the way. I hope to show my love for others more often. And I hope to spend some serious quality/quantity time with my children and family.

Wish me luck and Blessings to all!!