DIY Advent Calendar

Last year Mimi gifted the little lady a fabulous Advent calendar (the very same hand-stitched calendar her daddy used when he was a boy), tied with twenty-five individually wrapped little treasures.   In spite of my best intentions, the Advent calendar did not make its way into any of the boxes bound for Cleveland during the move.

So, this is what my kiddos have to look forward to starting tomorrow.  

This is what you get when your mommy, a former teacher who happens to find pocket charts amazing and hangs them in her dining room, feels inspired on the 30th of November after googling "advent calendar." After a quick brainstorming session, $2 in envelopes, $5 in Christmas candy, and a productive hour during nap time our sweet ones can now countdown to Christmas. 

 



Just in case you find yourself feeling crafty in the final hours of November - advent numbers.

But first, do yourself a favor and take a look at these, which blow my humble attempts out of the water.

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2011

30 Days of Thanksgiving

I’m thankful for…

1. the beauty and color of fall, evidence of God’s creativity in creation

2. the privilege of watching our beautiful and spirited little lady mature and develop each day

3. the fellowship of women studying God’s Word together, sharing their lives, investing, encouraging, and growing together through life’s seasons

4. the safe arrival of my parents to Cleveland; parents who love deeply, encourage often, and joyfully invest in our lives

5. the many playful and humorous expressions our children make throughout the day bringing joy, warmth, and amusement

6. his warm embrace each and every day, his kiss “hello” and “good-bye,” and the comfort of reaching out and finding him in the middle of the night

7. new opportunities each and every day to impact and influence, demonstrate my love for, nurture and care for our sweet ones

8. the little lady’s joy-filled mornings at school, her warm and encouraging teachers who care for her while she is outside of our home

9. van ride chatter from the backseats

10. the first signs of snow and the excitement it brings, being able to experience all four seasons each year

11. the safe protection and health of our little ones, for well-child check-ups that confirm their steady growth

12. the opportunity to reconnect with girlfriends for an overnight get-away, sharing meals, good conversation, and laughter

13. the father of my children, who keeps life amusing while keeping our little ones safe and protected

14. Joseph Bradley Larson and the joy of being his mama

15. new recipes to enjoy, the satisfaction of a home cooked meal for me and my man

16. hearing giggles instead of shouts from the little lady’s room while showering, made for a bonus quiet time of prayer

17. the Body of Christ

18. literature that stimulates and entertains, providing the perfect outlet for my imagination

19. tender moments with our sweet ones each day, little hands finding their way into mine, unexpected kisses, hugs with arms wrapped tight

20. the luxury of turning on the thermostat whenever our feet become chilly

21. quiet moments on the couch with my husband, falling asleep in his arms each night

22. Jeff’s surprise visit to preschool, watching their faces light up as he met us in the parking lot

23. a loving extended family that makes me feel like I am one of their own

24. the joy of Thanksgiving, sharing a meal, family laughter, shared experiences

25. the family minivan for its reliability, comfort and abundant space

26. cold medicine

27. our Cleveland home and the memories we are making here

28. the four of us seated around the dinner table, mouths full of spaghetti, the smell of garlic bread, heaping scoops of noodles, giggles, and stories shared

29. a working washer and dryer, hot water and kitchen appliances that assist me daily in my role as homemaker

30. a Heavenly Father who invites me to “cast all my cares upon Him,” who is faithful in all things, and lovingly provides for my needs, above all my need for a Savior

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving.  A holiday marked by many traditions.  Each tradition as unique as the family who honors it.  For me, the traditions of Thanksgiving are what make the holiday so special.  From the menu that seldom changes to the first bite of pumpkin pie savored, or the feeling of discomfort each family member feels as they waddle away from the table, Thanksgiving is wrapped in the comfort of tradition.

When I married Jeff it became our tradition to spend Thanksgiving with his mother's side of the family, a family who now feels like my very own.  This year I was even assigned the task of preparing the Ankli family green beans, a side dish so simple in its preparation yet specific enough that I had my mother-in-law oversee my every move, for I am a girl of tradition.  I respect the tastes, smells and expectations of the holiday. (It took me years to get over the fact that I would not be consuming my mother's stuffing along side my turkey come Thanksgiving day.) One day I hope to host this special gathering of loved ones in our own home.  Perhaps, I will even offer a choice of two stuffings.

There are few things more satisfying than a day filled with...

Football...        

Food...

(Seriously, deep fried turkey should be every household's tradition.)

Family...

and, the obligatory post-meal nap.

My cup runneth over.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - thankful

Carmel Corn

Warning.  This stuff is good.  Seriously good, as in you might need an accountability partner while you snack to ensure you don't eat the entire batch on your own.  It's the perfect pre-turkey treat to munch on while rooting for your favorite football team, playing a raucous game of Hearts, or in between turkey basting.

Ingredients:

2 sticks butter

2 cups light brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2  teaspoon baking soda

1 (10 oz or large) bag baked Corn Puffs

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup until bubbly. Add baking soda and stir until foamy.  Divide corn puffs into two large bowls.  Pour mixture over corn puffs and stir until covered.  Pour onto two cookie sheets or one large one and bake for one hour.  Allow to cool.  Store in an air tight container or ziplock bag.  (You won't be storing it for long once it's opened.)

On Thanksgiving

No one receives the peace of God without giving thanks to God.

Thankfulness is the deep, contented breath of Peacefulness.

To bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving means to sacrifice your understanding of what is beneficial and thank God for everything because He is benevolent.

A sacrifice of thanks lays down our perspective and raises hands in praise anyways – always.

A sacrifice is by definition not an easy thing.

There is this: We give thanks to God not because of how we feel – but because of Who He is.

-Ann Voskamp

Thanksgiving Trees 2011

Jacked Up Banana Bread

courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

This afternoon I almost tossed three overripe bananas into the trash while doing a quick kitchen clean up before our holiday travels.  Instead I opted to try out a new recipe and bake with the little lady.  She is quickly learning the art of measuring, scooping, pouring, and stirring.   The combination of spices creates a tantalizing aroma while the bread bakes, filling the kitchen with the comforting scents of butter, cinnamon and banana.

Ingredients:

3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup melted salted butter

3/4 to 1 cup light brown sugar (depending on the level of sweetness you prefer)

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 Tablespoon bourbon (optional; we opted out.)

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt (or two if you have little hands helping you)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

pinch of ground cloves

1 1/2 cup of flour

handful of chocolate chips (if you prefer it extra sweet like your sous chef)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  With a wooden spoon, mix melted butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.  Mix in the sugar, egg, vanilla and bourbon, then the spices.  Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in.  Add the flour last and mix.   Pour the mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan.  Bake for 50 minutes to one hour, or until a tester comes out clean.  Cool on a rack.  Slice, serve and enjoy!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - ready for something



So she says...

While I attend my Thursday morning Bible study, the little lady attends "Little Lambs" or as she affectionately calls it her "Mary Had A Little Lamb" class. This past week, the children prepared and shared a birthday cake for Jesus.  After picking up my little lamb, she had this to say, "Mom. (excited pause) Today we ate a birthday cake for Jesus.  He was not there, though.  He is pretend.  But, he helps our bodies, so we make good choices."  Her theology, a work in progress.

While testing out a new banana bread recipe this week (my mother was unavailable to take our phone call requesting her tried and true recipe), the little lady was eager to help.  As we poured each ingredient into our large mixing bowl, we took a moment to smell each one.  With each stir, the little lady's enthusiasm grew and finally she announced, "Oh. My. Goodness.  This smells delicious.  Mommy, you make the best recipes. Ever."  A moment so heartwarming and perfect in its delivery.

Since the little man turned two, he and the little lady have been playing together in fun and new ways as they share space, toys, and ideas.  However, he is still a boy, and boys do not always play the same way little girls do.  In response to one of his poor choice moments, the little lady had this advice to offer him. "Joey, it really hurts my feelings when you yell and spit.  You should not do that.  You should say you're sorry, Joe.  Joe...(as she follows him down the hallway)  Joe...you should probably say you're sorry. (Still following)   "Shawshey,"  he replied (And, does so every time).  She is not one to let an incident pass, is always up for a good lecture, and deeply appreciates hearing the words, "I'm sorry."

On her first cold of the season - "Mommy, I can't eat breakfast today because I have a bad cold.  I don't have a "bless you"  I just have a cough."

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - girl after my own heart



Parent/Teacher Conferences

For six years I conducted parent/teacher conferences prior to becoming a stay-at-home mama.   As a teacher, I looked forward to each conference as it was concentrated time with parents, focusing on their child's individual needs, strengths, and accomplishments.  Monday afternoon, I attended my first parent/teacher conference as a parent.  To say that I was anticipating my thirty minute conference with Ms. Cheryl Clark would be an understatement.  I was chomping at the bit to hear all Ms. Clark would reveal about our little lady.  I could not help but smile and chuckle as she detailed our little lady's social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth thus far.  As I listened to her account of the little lady's behavior within the classroom and overall description of her budding personality I realized our little apple does not fall far from the tree.  To be honest, it is hard to tell who she is more like these days, her ol' man or mama.  Perhaps, she is the perfect hybrid apple.

The Honeycrisp - a hybrid of the Macoun and Honeygold apples.  Sweet perfection. 

A few highlights from my conference with Cheryl Clark.

(As an aside, all of the children in her class refer to the teacher as "Cheryl" except our little lady who insists on calling her "Ms. Clark." The teacher finds this quite endearing.)

- "C demonstrates confidence in meeting her own needs. She verbally asserts needs and desires."

(No shock there!)

- "C manages separations without distress and engages trusted adults. She manages classroom rules, routines and transitions."

(She has been ready and willing to leave my side since she began walking at the age of 10 months.)

- "One day a friend scraped his knees on the way to school. He cried and C stood nearby me (the teacher) as I tried to comfort our friend. C looked concern; she shows great empathy."

(One of the qualities I appreciate most in our little lady.)

- "C seeks adult help to resolve social problems."

(I can see her marching right up to her teachers determined to seek and obtain justice.)

- "C has a sense of humor. One day C said, 'Hey, I have a joke.' She worked hard to tell me and I worked hard to follow it. She then said, 'I have another joke.'

(Determined to get a laugh.  If you know her father, this might not come as a surprise to you.)

- "C uses creativity and imagination during play and routine tasks."

(She currently enjoys playing "teacher" and reads aloud to willing classmates...be still my heart!)

- "C recalls familiar people, places, objects and actions from the past. She examines with attention to detail. On two occasions, C noticed no schedule cards for the gym or the playground and wanted to know why not."

(Her memory is a steel trap.  If it is spoken, she will remember it.)

 

Our little lady is a piece of work. 

It fills my heart with deep joy (and pride) to be known as "Charlotte's Mommy."

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - discovery



PW's Chicken Spaghetti

When I skimmed the list of ingredients in this spaghetti recipe, I knew that it would be a hit with the husband.  After starting a (tiny) fire in my kitchen due to an uncooked noodle catching fire, and knocking over a kitchen plant in the process of putting out said fire (What can I say?  It was one of those days.), he and I were able to enjoy this delicious and comforting dish as we sat on the couch in peace.  Served with a side of roasted asparagus, the meal was a satisfying way to end our day.

courtesy of The Pioneer Woman as seen in Scholastic Parent & Child

Ingredients:

2 bone-in chicken breast

1 lb thin spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces (I used whole wheat angle hair pasta.)

one 4-oz jar diced pimientos, drained (My new favorite ingredient.)

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 cup finely diced green bell pepper

2 cans cream of mushroom soup (May I suggest cream of mushroom w/ roasted garlic?)

2 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese (I used shredded sharp Cheddar.)

1 tsp seasoned salt, such as Lawry's

1 can chicken stock or broth

freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place chicken breast on a baking sheet and rub with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

3. Remove chicken from oven and allow to cool before shredding or cutting into bite-sized chunks.

4. Drain pimientos and dice veggies.

5. Mix together diced veggies, cream of mushroom soup, pimiento, chicken and two cups of cheese.  Add the seasonings.

6.  Meanwhile, bring a salted pot of water to boil and cook noodles until al dente.  Drain and add to mixture.

7. Add the chicken broth, stirring until incorporated.  Taste to check seasonings, adding more if desired.

8. Pour the mixture into a large, greased baking pan and top with remaining cheese.  Bake for 35-45 minutes until bubbly.

Serves 6-8

Yummy!

Happy Birthday, little man

Two years ago we welcomed our little man into the world.  Triage denied me twice, but I was determined to meet our boy.

He arrived blue-eyed, plump, and fair.  Gentle and peaceful.  Offering sweet sneezes instead of cries.  Our son.  God's gift of comfort and joy. 

And today...



he is as bright and blue-eyed as ever, with fair cheeks round, and voice sweet.  He is playful, always looking for a laugh and when something truly amuses him his head rolls back in raucous intentional laughter.  He is assertive, finding his voice within the walls of our home (and out).  He moves with purpose, climbing high, lagging behind, observant of every squirrel dashing by, plane above or "wee-ooo" on the road.  He flutters his eyes in flirtation, wooing each grocery clerk, sales assistant, and nursery worker.  He loves to be cherished, and pauses for cuddles.  He is full of expression, and has a flare for the dramatic; he uses his tiny mouth to produce a variety of sounds, words, and melodies all day long.  His sissy continues to be his favorite companion, seeking her approval as he moves about his day.  He follows and emulates her every move, yet is not afraid to hold his ground when they disagree.  His giggle is infectious, his grin both bashful and sly.  He rises early, and begins his day with a moment on the couch rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and then focuses all of his attention on his toy trucks while I sip my morning cup of coffee.  He loves to snack, enjoys each meal, and is learning to enjoy milk before bed just like his big sister does. (Even if he does not drink it, he requests it, knowing she would approve.)  He identifies that there is a routine to our day, and is familiar with well-traveled streets around town alerting us when we are close to school, or on our way to church.  He loves on and off ramps, highway systems, and is familiar with every fire station in town.  He pauses to admire construction work, delights in sirens blaring, and is amused by piles of dirt.  And, yet he does not like to be dirty outdoors, while eating, or when at play.  When hurt he runs to his mama, and quickly requests his "blantey."  He is allowed more "blanties" in his crib than his older sister was ever allowed.  He is both compliant and obstinate, cautious and daring.  He is mischievous one moment, and predictable the next.  He is squishy, but strong.  When he accomplishes a task, he pauses for effect, appreciates praise, and responds with clapping.  He can't help himself in the bath, splashing and shouting in delight.  He is a ham, more so than I ever expected.  He is full of surprises.  He is full of love. 

 He is our boy, our treasure, our little man.

Favorite sayings at two -

"Oop." (No "s." The "p" final and accented.)

"Tuuute!" (Upon seeing his sister dressed in a darling outfit, or seeing a tiny baby in public.)

"Huuuge." (While scooping an overflowing bite of food to his mouth, or carrying a heavy object; his tone low and breathy.)

"Sissy!"  "Sissy?"  (Excited to see her; perplexed when she is gone.)

"Jejuse" (His request each night before bed to hear "Jesus Loves Me" sung over his crib.)

"Ummmm?" (A thoughtful pause before decision making each day.)

"Back hoe" (Slow and low, perhaps his favorite construction vehicle.)

"Nooope!" (His go-to answer when he's not interested in something, with a heavy nasal long "o" sound and accented "p.")

"Oh" (Hushed and barely audible, his response to questions answered.)

"Luv you." (A new spoken sentiment. Heartwarming; enough said.)

His special day began with pancakes sweet and ended with a heavily frosted cookie from the supermarket. (The little lady was so over cake.)  He enjoyed every minute of licking the frosting, never making it to the cookie.

 

And just before bed (Daddy arriving home only minutes before) he opened four more presents, sent with love from his "Aunties" - Ashley, Becki, Adri, and Rachel.  Each present was hand-picked with love and perfect for our little man.

Receiving his first real Packer jersey from the Livingstons.  (His Daddy was only slightly jealous.)  Minutes later, we received a phone call from the Livingston crew singing "Happy Birthday" over speaker phone.  Our little man was delighted, and listened attentively to every word sung.

New transportation books to savor and explore.

Joseph Bradley, the Lord knew we needed your little face to gaze upon each day.  We are so thankful for the little man you are and the young man you are growing up to be. We love you, sweet boy.

"TWO."

Before winter

Soaking in the beautyof autumn.

Discovering fish.

(I may have taught my children that if you spit into the water the fish will gather expecting food.  We peered over the bridge spitting for 20 minutes.)



Encouragment for today

from Jesus Calling - Devotions for Every Day of the Year

January 9th

(Obviously I'm choosing to read this book in non-sequential order.)

I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you.  You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don't be discouraged - never give up!  With my help, you can overcome any obstacle.  Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.

Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come.  One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events.  If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment.  Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace.  Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.

Romans 8:31, Psalm 46:1-3, Luke 1:37

To shave or not to shave?

Busy moms of wee ones know that (at times) "good days" are marked by whether or not one is able to take a shower.  Everything after that shower is a bonus.  A gift from above.  Meaning that wee ones were quiet enough, fully engaged in an activity or completely engrossed in a children's television show (my apologies to the American Academy of Pediatrics) that their mommy was able to blow dry and straighten her hair, dab on foundation, color her cheeks, line her eyes, coat her lashes, and gloss her lips.  If by some small miracle said wee ones remain quiet long enough, an outfit other than the standard v-neck T-shirt and jeans might come together to create an effortless and breezy mom-on-the-go look.  

Each mama has her own strategy for how she will accomplish the daily task of showering.   Mine involves putting our beloveds in the little lady's gated room, encouraging some sort of imaginary play, and crossing my fingers that any fight that will break out will occur once I have towel dried my body, put on undergarments and NOT before.  This morning I had successfully shampooed and conditioned my hair without a peep from the bedroom, and was entertaining thoughts of shaving my legs when a thunderous clatter from the hallway interrupted my thoughts as buckets of toys were pitched over the gate.  The clatter was followed by girlish shrieks, wails and moans as they little lady agonized over her projects being cast "overboard" by the little man.  Abruptly I shut off the water, grabbed a towel and made my way to the scene of the crime.  Sure enough, puzzle pieces were strewn all over the floor, making an obstacle course for my slick feet to navigate. And, there in the hallway wrapped in only my Thomas O'Brien towel I addressed my flustered crew as water pooled around my feet.  With the little lady's soul soothed and the little man's behavior corrected I made my way to the bedroom to pat myself dry. (It didn't take long, for I had been drip drying in the hallway and was mostly dry with a severe chill.)  

In the process of dressing, I had a little laugh and came to this realization.

I no longer take lengthy showers, relishing the soothing sounds of water rushing.  After years of putting on full make-up, I am content with mascara, lip gloss and (hopefully) dry hair.  My go-to outfit consists of rotating v-necks from Target and my favorite jeans, not the latest trends.  Some days I am forced to quiet disputes in the (near) buff.  And, there are days when my legs go unshaven.  Howeves, it's the little things in life (or should I say little people) that matter most to me now - my little lady and little man. 

And, I'm pretty sure they could care less if I have smooth legs.

2 (almost)

Knowing that we would miss out on the opportunity to throw birthday bashes at Doc and Mimi's home this year, we decided to throw the little man a low key celebration while Papa and Nany were visiting us in Cleveland.  (How I will miss our thematic birthday celebrations at 13510 Braemar Drive!)

This year the little man was treated to a made from scratch classic white cake with buttercream frosting.  And, because of his love for all-things-construction, it seemed fitting to create the brighest yellow cake I have ever laid eyes on.  Seeing, hearing, and watching transportation in action is our little man's primary goal in life. 

An assortment of packaged vehicles for the little man to behold.

Taking a moment to appreciate his birthday cards, while his older sister opened each package and described in detail what he was receiving.  Being only 20 months apart in age, what's his really does become hers and vice versa.  Thankfully the little man appreciates playing dress up just as much as she appreciates pushing trucks across the floor.

Enjoying his upgraded roadway carpet.

Plopping down with a book of "wee-oos" (aka fire trucks).

"For me?!"

"Are you sure it's my birthday?"

The little lady was not concerned with the details surrounding the date of his actual birth.  She had one thing on her mind...CAKE.

It was a sweet celebration for our little man who is almost two!



Broccoli Cheddar Soup

In honor of Papa Joe this soup, a favorite of his,  made its way onto our weekend's menu.  Modifying it only slightly, it proved to be a rich and satisfying soup.  The little lady almost licked her bowl clean, a rare occurrence for our dainty eater.

recipe courtesy of the Food Network

Ingredients:

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups half-and-half

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 bay leaves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 heads of broccoli, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

2 1/2 cups grated sharp white and yellow cheddar, plus more for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spread broccoli florets evenly on baking sheet, flavor with 2 Tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper.  Roast for 5 minutes, stir with spatula, and roast for an additional 5 minutes before removing. (The original recipe does not call for roasting the broccoli.  After comparing two recipes, I decided to take this additional step, adding it to the Food Network's soup preparation.)

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat.  Ad the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.  Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth.  Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.  Discard the bay leaves.  Puree the soup in batches or puree in the pot with an immersion blender.  (You will still have flecks of broccoli and carrot.)

Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted.  Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick for your desired consistency.  Serve in bread bowls or with hunks of bread, garnish with cheese and enjoy!

A Visit from Papa & Nany

It felt like Christmas this past Friday when Papa and Nany rolled up after a seven hour journey from Wisconsin.  Their white Nissan Altima might as well have been Santa's sleigh, as they emerged from it carrying gifts from afar (approximately 437 miles). 

They arrived to a quiet house with napping children, allowing our excited but weary travelers a moment to rest and catch their breath.  (I'm pretty confident only grandparents would wake at 2:30 am to make the trip east.)  As they settled into our cozy apartment, taking the "tour" (quick turn right - family room; quick turn left - kitchen, walk down the hall - laundry, bathroom, bedrooms) I could sense the joyful anticipation of their grandchildren's excited squeals, tender kisses and overdue hugs.  It did not take long for our sweet ones to wake and for the real party to begin. As a bonus, Jeff arrived home early from work setting into motion our fun-filled family weekend.

Diving right into Nany's sweet treats, we enjoyed frosting and decorating pumpkin cookies Friday afternoon.

While the little man lacked finesse and self-control (licking the frosting more than spreading it), the little lady approached pumpkin decorating like all other projects, with precision, focus, and creativity.

"Yup...still tastes good."

What's more cheerful than a bright-eyed blue fairy decorating pumpkin cookies?!

(One of Nany's many gifts to the little lady - REAL dress up clothes.  She was beyond delighted.)

Never one to be left out, our other bright-eyed blue fairy.

(A casualty of being the second born.  At least it's blue.)

 Wardrobe change.


Pale pink lippies...check.
Miniature jeweled hair clips...check.
Sparkly crown...(finally someone got the memo)...check.
Fancy poodle skirt...check.
Bedazzled top...check.

One of Nany's requests was to visit On the Rise bakery for (our much blogged about) croissants.


Wish granted!

Despite the chilly autumn temperatures, we heartily consumed our favorite Cleveland bakery item.

(The little man marched straight into the shop, weaved in and out of the long line of expectant customers, making his way to the parchment lined baking sheets filled with croissants, grabbing the first one he could get his paws on.  He was not pleased when his slightly flushed mama scooped him from the front of the line and handed him off to his Papa. On the bright side, it was just one more croissant to add to our already bulding bag of baked goodies.)

All good things in life are worth waiting for.

After croissants we headed to Crocker Park, a delightful shopping promenade in Westlake, Ohio.  In spite of the the outstanding variety of stores we seldom shop, favoring outdoor shenanigans in the very kid friendly courtyard.

Saturday afternoon was filled with activity, including a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the fellas, baking, naps, tea parties, watching game after game of football, consuming Halloween candy, collecting candy wrappers (apparently Papa and Jeff share the same weakness for bite sized candy), ending with a delicious dinner of broccoli cheddar soup and hunks of crisped warm bread from On the Rise.

Sunday we rose early (thank you time change!), and readied ourselves for church.  Our guests were eager to hear the preaching of Alistair Begg at Parkside Church.  After a brunch of baked pumpkin oatmeal, fried eggs, bacon and toast the children enjoyed a Sunday nap, and the adults enjoyed the quiet and good conversation. Post-naps we enjoyed a satisfying Packer victory, and a mini-celebration in honor of Joey's impending second birthday.

Monday morning Papa and Nany returned to the apartment for one last visit before school.  We treasured our last hour together, playing with the little man's new birthday toys, reading books and getting in a few last cuddles. 

It took five shots to get this - the "best."

Precious in its imperfections.


The little lady treated her "Nan" to one last special moment, taking her on a tour of her school.  After a quick chat with her teachers and observing her in her element, Nany was able to sneak one last smooch from the little lady.

The little man and I were sad to watch the white Nissan pull away from our Shaker Heights drive.  It was a weekend filled with many treasured moments, moments only a grandparent can orchestrate.  Knowing the holidays are right around the corner (how can that be?), made it easier to wave good-bye. 

Lots of love Nan and Pops!