The Alternative Holiday Toy Guide

Wondering what you'll buy your little one this holiday? Don't waste your time on expensive electronic gidgets and gadgets. Save a dime and get your child what he really wants.Like this bowl and cup. Your child will enjoy hours of pouring nuts back and forth between these two containers. Enjoy the cool whip then sit back as your child goes ga-ga for this instant classic.Call now and we'll throw in these amazing pratical but fun boots. They take the chill out of any winter day - even inside!Call in the next fifteen minutes and we'll throw in a toilet paper roll, a plastic chair that your child will love dragging from room to room, odds and end pieces from a board game and a strainer that doubles as a basketball hoop.

And folks, for a limited time, we'll even throw in our exclusive fly swatter. Great for hitting bugs, sweeping the floors and sword fighting.Hurry, this offer ends soon. Void where prohibited. Restrictions may apply.

Thanksgiving

Four days off for Thanksgiving...what a blessing it was to spend extra time with family and friends. These are some pics from our weekend.
Sneaked in a family picture.The annual pulling of the turkey wish bone. Mom won. Maybe next year will be my year. Hey, wasn't this year supposed to be my year?We decorated the exterior of mom and dad's house. The weather was beautiful. Meaghan and I were on ground patrol. Only the boys got on the roof. Dad was trying to be all guyish and wouldn't "let" me up there.I sneaked up there anyway when Dad went to the shed. Smile Doug!Voila! The finished product. This picture doesn't do the lights justice.On Saturday, we attended the annual Thanksgiving/Christmas get-together hosted by my mom's side of the family. BINGO was the game of choice. I didn't take too many pictures that evening. The BINGO playing got way too serious! There were white elephant gifts to win. I ended up playing 8 cards towards the end.My brother Steve did the calling with assistance from my nephew. Steven was such a sport! Even among family, you can't please BINGO players. We all heckled him a little for not calling the "right" numbers.My white elephant booty included toy cars, a coloring book, 24 pack of crayons, three bars of soap, four bubble bottles, tooth brushes and a Christmas ornament. What a haul!

Thanksgiving Fun

I had such a wonderful extended holiday weekend. It was filled with family and just chillin'. No Black Friday sales for me. Highlights included seeing my entire family, my mom's side of the family at our annual Thanksgiving/Christmas party and Jack's birth mom and her family. Wonderful family and friends and great food. My heart is full. Trying not to think about returning to work tomorrow.I'll post more pictures tomorrow. Must go to bed now and catch up on some sleep. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Kangoo Jumps

I completed a women's leadership series a couple of weeks ago. During one break, we were able to try on Kangoo Jumps, bouncy shoes provided by one of the event sponsors. Here I am looking goofy.They were surprisingly easy to stand up in and use. They also made me feel so tall. The only downfall was when I took them off and felt so short. Oh, perhaps I should say petite.

Making New Friends

We got together with some "old" friends and met some new friends Saturday night. The weather was beautiful. Jack played basketball.He's ready for the NBA now.

Jack also pet a catepillar which was fun until he decided the little bug needed to learn how to bungee jump.We set the little critter free.Mike was asked to help judge the chili contest, quite an honor. Unfortunately, Jack thought Mike was eating ice cream so he had a little meltdown. Poor guy. He loves his ice cream.By the way, I made pasta salad for the evening, my first ever pasta salad. The pasta salad is called "California salad," a recipe my grandmother brought home from the state when she visited her sisters. It's pretty simple but I was still a little nervous. Well, I actually got compliments on the salad, a couple said it was the best they've tasted. Whoo-hoo! I was on cloud nine.

Fun on the Farm

We had fun at Grandma's (Ma-maw) and Grandpa's (Poppo's) house today.

Jack pretended to drive the tractor (lawnmower).Helped Grandpa crack walnuts by lining them up.Played tag and went swinging with Meaghan.And played "monsters and dragons" on the slide with Meaghan and cousin Garrett.We had so much fun and really enjoyed the pleasant fall weather. We're looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday and more family time!

Blessed

This is one handsome dude all ready for the holidays.

And one blessed and happy couple in love with their little boy.

Spinning in Circles

What's cuter than playing Ring Around the Rosie with three 2-year-olds? I went round and around three times with Jack and his daycare friends tonight. "Again, again," Jack kept saying. It was so cute to see them holding hands.

Turkey Massacre

The following pictures are graphic and may not be suitable for children under 10 years old.

Look only if you dare.

Can't say I didn't warn you.

The following took place at 1900 hours on Monday, November 16.

A turkey craft gone bad.

The only thing more fun than creating a turkey...



...is destroying it.



Gobble, gobble. Sad little turkey.

Party Time

My niece turned 6 this weekend, a reminder of how fast time flies. We have to treasure these moments while we can.Queen Grandma and Princess Meaghan.Duchess Mike.Meaghan loves to tussle with her Uncle Mike.We sneaked in a couple photo. And it's half-way decent! :)Our nephew Christopher did a great job being silly and entertaining the boys.What are you cooking Jack?Schweddy balls? (Hopefully, you get the SNL reference.)I think Jack was trying to knock some sense into Mike. :)

I hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Your Change Can Make a Difference

Ring-a-ding-ding. It's the sound of the Salvation Army at stores everywhere. I took a turn this morning ringing the bells at a local grocery store. I was fortunate to have a fellow SA board member ring with me so the time flew. We had lovely weather. We ring again next month. Sure hope we get a crazy 60 degree day like today.

Towards the end of my shift, Mike brought my little helper - Jack! I put his little elf hat on and we spent a few more minutes ringing the bells.
Consider donating to the Salvation Army when you're out and about. The money funds programs throughout the year not just at Christmas time. Thanks!