Cookies, Cakes and Contrails

The other day, we went to Crumble Cookies. There were many great flavors to try. My mom had tipped us off to it so we opted to get 4 cookies. I also splurged and got the official cookie cutter because I love a gimmick! 

We each got a fourth of the kinds of cookies. Which was a fun taste test adventure. 

I did not like the Lemon Poppyseed Cookie. I want my cookies to taste like a cookie, not a muffin. I didn't even take more than a bite. The Chocolate Crumb Cake cookie was just only okay. The Chocolate Raspberry Truffle and Caramel Shortbread cookie were delicious and I wish I had gotten more of them! But, it was a fun family activity. 

Yesterday was the Feast of St. Ambrose. That's where Husband and I went to college so it's a fun feast day for us to celebrate. 

We got this honeycomb cake pan a few years ago, for the feast day. I mentioned at our staff meeting yesterday that I was going to make a honey cake to celebrate the day. So our Deacon mentioned it to C during his class visit and C had NO clue what he was talking about. 

I made the cake and now know why C has no recollection of it... because he and M each took exactly one bite and ran away. It's an adult cake and not too sweet, even with a glaze. And honey. And brown sugar. I promise this isn't burnt, it's just where the honey soaked all the way down. 

Well, the adults liked it anyhow. Living liturgically even if the kids don't care. I also wore my Ambrose Sweatpants. So covering all my bases. 

This morning on our drive to school M was remarking about the sky. We are having a two-day reprive of winter with beautiful sunny days and temps about 50 degrees. (I love it. I am here for it.) The sky was blue, the sun was shining... gray and cold no more! Hallelujah! 

M couldn't get over all the contrails and how perfect they were. 

I was focusing on driving and couldn't really take them in, but once we made it to school I looked up and you know... they really are cool. And that one smaller one was being made while we stood there. I am not a chemtrail conspiracy girl... just someone appreciating when her kid notices the small things. 

And because December is just littered with great feasts and holy days, I am leaving you with this: 

It brings me hope when my heart despairs. I do not begin to understand God's plan, and sometimes it all just seems so broken and unfair. But the promise is true and nothing is impossible for God. (Doesn't mean it's all going to magically work out the way we think/want/decide. But nothing is impossible.) 

Have a good weekend! 

St. Nicholas Day and an Ode to Pajamas

St. Nicholas's feast day is here and don't worry! He delivered!

M hilariously set out her Crocs because "My school shoes are stinky and I don't want a note telling me that he can't put stuff in stinky shoes." 

There's a book for each kid, chocolate coins. Each kid also got their Christmas pajamas, which I am noticing the glare on the plastic doesn't let them show up very much but trust me. They're there. 

Last Christmas I got M some pajamas that I happened to find online. Honestly, she had on her Christmas list "Frozen Pajamas" so that was the main motivation. I ended up on the Little Sleepies site and they had cute ones. (They no longer have Frozen ones though just FYI.) 

Anyway, M LOVED these pajamas. They're bamboo so they're very light. She is a hot sleeper so she really appreciated it. So when Easter rolled around I got her a short-sleeved/shorts pair. And I created a monster because they're the only pajamas she likes. So we started shopping sales and now pretty much all her pajamas are Little Sleepies. 

I admit, that the kids and I are firmly "pajamas can only be worn one night" people. There are many schools of thought. You do you. That's just how we roll. (And why M has so many pairs, because summer camp where I couldn't wash them frequently.)

Now Black Friday rolled around and they released a new cute design with little pasta shapes. Here's the thing: M actually doesn't like pasta. I know. I don't get it either. My mom, raised in a Sicilian household cannot with that. But it's true. Husband even came home and handmade ravioli last night for dinner and she begrudgingly ate them and lamented the entire time. 

So I bought myself a pair. Because it was a really good sale, the best I've seen, and these are fairly expensive pajamas. 

They came and oh gosh do I see what the hype is about. They're GREAT! I love them. I wasn't hot or cold at any point. And they're so comfortable. The Saint Nicholas Day pair is C's first shot at these pajamas so we'll see how he likes them. He is not a hot sleeper but does tend to load up with 17 blankets and pillows and then overheat so I have a good feeling about them. 

And now I am going to keep watching sales for more for me! 

This is a very long post about pajamas as it turns out. And it's not even an affiliate link, just something that we love. 

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas friends! 

December Is Here!

Hello friends! It has been a while. 

Since I last recapped Thanksgiving, my family went to see Wish. I know it got terrible reviews from critics.

To that I would say they aren't Disney people. We loved every single second. All the Easter eggs and references through the credits... we loved it. And C was DELIGHTED to get the star popcorn bucket! 

It also snowed for the first time of the season. I am officially a snow grinch because I absolutely hate it. It has since melted but I was a grumpy grump about it. 

We worked our tail off with C getting ready for the show which was this past weekend. He really really worked hard and oh gosh did it pay off. 

Here are my two and my bonus kid as I dropped them off for opening night. 

Annie Jr. is a good show for us. It's the one show that I directed professionally, with a bunch of kids. And Husband acted in it professionally during his summer stock summer. So we know this one backwards and forwards. 

M was the cutest little orphan. And I loved watching her personality shine!

And C was a fantastic Rooster. He put in so much effort learning "Easy Street" and really singing it out while dancing. It was his first big singing/dancing role, in the past, he's been the supporting nonsinging character. I am not going to lie, there were even tears during the rehearsal process. But gosh he was so so good at it. I know we are biased, but many people saw him and said that. Even people we didn't know.

Both M and C's teachers came to the show and they both even commented on how (good) surprising it was to see him on stage. He is so different in real life than he is on stage, it's fairly startling actually. He was SO good that it kinda blows you away. 

We are so very proud. And he even commented about how he could feel like his hard work paid off. Which isn't that the best lesson we could give him anyway? 

My brother-in-law and family decided to come see the kid's show and then on Saturday we took them to the museum. We had a good time. 

We wrapped up the final show yesterday afternoon, in the cast of 52, 9 were from our school. I just love this little group of kiddos and I am so glad they had this opportunity. 

That's where we've been and what we've been up to. 

A Black Friday Thanksgiving Recap

I hope you all had a Thanksgiving that made you happy. Our celebration began on Wednesday when we made the kids' dreams come true and relented into a Christmas inflatable. We went with this 4-foot Olaf. So... like the baby-est step one can take into Christmas inflatables. But we love Olaf and everyone is happy. 

Thursday morning came in with a parade bang. It's C's most favorite day ever and honestly, he was nearly manic with excitement all day wanting to make the most out of every second. 

We had our traditional monkey bread and orange juice breakfast. As one does during the parade. 

And I got my picture of C with Tom Turkey as always too. In his parade pajamas obviously. 

After the parade we just hung out and got ready. We went to see Trolls Band Together. I bought the tickets over a month ago and when we got to the theatre they had switched which auditorium we were in. Which was apparently confusing to two different employees. 

But we got it sorted out and settled in. 

We overall really liked it! But I will say this... I don't know that there's a single musical number I feel inclined to listen to again and that is not the case from the first two movies. 

Then we came home and I got to work on my very fancy* tablescape for dinner. 

*It wasn't in any single way fancy. Please note the chocolate turkeys on the windowsill, aka dessert.

A few weeks ago we were talking about what we wanted to have for dinner C lost his mind that we weren't having turkey for dinner. Historically we've been all over the place with our Thanksgiving meal, while we have gone traditional we are also just as likely to have ribs or alfredo or whatever. 

After hours, truly hours, of discussions, we settled on a take-home Cracker Barrel meal. We preordered it and then all we had to do was heat it up after the movie. All in all, we quite enjoyed it and C was delighted for the turkey and I was delighted at how easy it was. 

We ate. We opened our Thanksgiving crackers. Which was fun. 

Then after talking to my family for a bit we snuggled in for quiet reading time. Everyone read their book together in the same room. It was cozy, comfortable and quiet. Kind of the perfect addition to the day. 

After we tucked everyone in, Husband and I set to work on designing the Christmas card. We're behind this year, but it's okay. And Husband watched Planes Trains and Automobiles. I don't actually find that movie funny, but rather just incredibly implausible. But it's his tradition. 

And that was Thanksgiving! 

Heading Into Thanksgiving

Hey friends! 

I am sorry for not being around much... but nothing much has been going on. At all. I have barely taken any pictures even. And we all know a post should have pictures. 

A few weeks ago our office got a new walkway. My co-worker was out that day so I was the lucky one who got to sit right next to all the jackhammering. 

It took them FOREVER to pour the cement and all the things. But it's all done now thank goodness! 

C altar served a school Mass. He was a rockstar.

The boys went out of town and M and I had a girls' weekend in which I took no pictures. We did go hold some kittens at PetSmart. This is Mr. Heckles. 

The boys are incredibly allergic to cats. So it was a fun treat for us. M and I also enjoyed watching Ever After, it was her first time and I was thrilled to share a special movie from my childhood with her. She liked it. 

I am super unclear as to why it's PG-13... it's for sure actually PG. They barely even kiss! It's kind of the perfect Cinderella movie. 

M also has been doing my hair lately. 

I went to Ladies Night Bingo at school and the only picture I took was of this Bruschetta. Because my coworker was at NCYC and I got to eat his wife's food. 

Last Friday, the 5th graders served food at the Senior Thanksgiving Dinner. C was on pie duty. 

I went to see The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I have always gone to see the Hunger Games movies on opening night, but, I am old. So I went to the 10:00 am showing on Friday. 

As the crisis contact for NCYC I had to be available 24/7. So I brought my emergency folder into the theatre with me, thus assuring everyone's safety. 

Overall, I thought it was a very good book adaptation. I thought the film would clear up some of the ambiguity at the end but I think it made it worse for me. Also I thought they could have done a little more with part I and III and less of II. But, overall, it was a strong movie. 

I did not care for the 27 minutes of previews tacked on to the 2 hour and 38 minute movie. Especially since only 2 movies were of anything I'd actually go see. 

And just to prove I still have a daughter even though I haven't taken any pictures of her lately... here she is with the scurvy pirate hat she made. 

So there's the nothing much is new post you've all been clamoring for. Lol! 

Have a very happy Thanksgiving! 

A Weekend!

So remember last Thursday when I waxed poetically about my love for Cracker Barrel? 

Yeah. Guess where we had dinner on Friday night? 

Don't mind his full cheeks! M had a roller skating birthday party to attend and guess what restaurant happens to be awfully close to said roller rink? 

And we wandered the gift shop after as you do, and found this Lambies in Jammies and Goats in Coats planner we thought was funny. C also found a comic a day calendar he was interested in. 

Do you do this? It has worked SO well for our family. When our kids see things they want in stores we take a picture of them holding it. Being able to look back at a picture of themselves holding a thing makes them happy and sometimes is enough to not even ever talk about it again. 

And for the things they still really want, we can go back through photos when we need gift ideas and see exactly what it is they had their eye on. Perfect for holiday list-making. 

Saturday we had a family adventure that was almost (girl math) free. First the kids had an explorers class about World Cultures at the museum Husband works at. 

I went with for pick up and it was the first time I saw his office and the behind-the-scenes stuff. I wanted to go on a weekend so I wouldn't have to run into coworkers and things. I am weird like that. 

Then we went to Barnes and Noble. We could browse for hours there and the kids each picked a book and so did Husband... and we had gift cards for all of it. 

After that we got Chick-Fil-A from the food court. We had reward points for free fries and a free sandwich so a portion was free and we earned a free sandwich with what we paid for. 

M and I went to Bath and Body Works after because she loves that store. She got some lotions and potions and things. And okay, that wasn't free. 

THEN we went to Mad Potter a paint-your-own pottery place. We'd been talking about going there for a long time. And we finally just did. 

We then went home for some decompression time! We all needed it.

Later we went back out to Kohls. We actually were looking for new bedding for M but she didn't find anything that she liked. We are waiting for a wow! 

But Husband needed some pants for the holidays and he wanted a new hoodie. And he looked like a cartoon character who only wears one thing as he checked out his khakis and blue hoodie while wearing khakis and a blue hoodie. The best news was we had a Kohl's gift card too. So free! 

Yesterday we spent a good solid 5 hours burning through a large stick pile in our yard. We didn't finish but made a great dent! 

We were outside from 2-7. Husband even longer as he waited for the solo stove to cool off. Once we got it going there was no smoke or smell. And our neighbor started burning at about 8:00 and it was SO stinky and smoky that we could smell it in our living room! I was not a fan and I will sing the praises of the solo stove forever. 

So that was our weekend! Busy Saturday but in a good way. Low Key productive Sunday. All is well. 

November!

Enter the requisite conversation about how I can't believe it's November. Except I can. Because though this year went quickly. It also crawled by. 

But let's not dwell on that. 

Halloween wrapped up nicely! 

All Saints Day Mass was nice. And C got to sit with his prayer buddy who is in Transitional Kindergarten. It was super cute to watch! 

At dinner last night he said "Now I know what it's like to be in charge of someone who doesn't listen." His sweet buddy E was really not super great and even the teachers had to intervene a few times. But C was very kind to him and a good example of what to do. 

We found this sweatshirt on the interwebs. I think I need it. I wish it had a hood. I am not really a fan of crew neck sweatshirts. 

But I do love me some Cracker Barrel. And I would almost rather be there most of the time. Lol. Especially now that it's fireplace season! 

We are actually on Fall break today and tomorrow. Not that we are actually doing anything. But gosh isn't that the best anyway?! 

The kids still had rehearsal today so that's what they're doing. And we've got some leaves to rake. Even so... November is off to a good start!