Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving Day (Observed)

Today was the day we celebrated Thanksgiving. It was at Nana’s house (of course) and it was all the usual suspects who live local. Mom, Dad, Owen and Nana – Debi, Madeline, Megan and Grace.

Owen, Steve and I were all in the final stages of a cold and Nana was just starting one. So we were all a little under the weather, but luckily nobody was in the worst of it. Turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes were definitely what the doctor ordered. Plus, Nana did all the work (as usual) so the rest of us got totally spoiled (as usual.)

One of my biggest frustrations with Owen is that he refuses to eat mashed potatoes. This is NOT my child. I mean, he will gobble up the nastiest baby food (spinach and potatoes) but will not even entertain the idea of mashed potatoes and gravy. This logic is beyond me. So we all enjoyed a yummy thanksgiving dinner and Owen ate…pretty much…nothing. His loss! He did sit in his chair for the duration of dessert. We discovered “man cookies” (gingerbread men) and crème brulee (which he refused to try until I told him it was ice cream and then he ate half my bowl.)

The coolest (non culinary) part of the night was watching Owen and Grace play together. They really interacted and played with each other versus just playing near each other. They read books, played piano, played with Owen’s trains and trucks and finished the night with Steve chasing them both around the house and jumping out of corners to scare them. They were like two peas all night.

And now I get to look forward to the best part of the day after Thanksgiving…leftovers!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Holiday Event 1 of 5 - Merry Marching Tunes For Tots

Last year, I posted my Christmas activity to-do list and it kept me honest about sticking to it. Now that the tree is up and the stockings are hung, it’s time to revisit the “list” and broadcast to the world (or the 3 family members who read this blog) what I intend to do with Owen this year in the name of all that is Santa.

Last weekend we attended our annual holiday concert with Lisa and Linda. You will remember from last year’s post that the concert did not go as well as I had hoped (Owen was a heckler!) This year was much more enjoyable!

First, we had a few more attendees than last year. It was Dad and Mom and Owen along with Nana, Kelly & Finn, and Joe & Nancy. So much more fun with friends! It was a little crazy looking at Finn knowing that he is at the age now that Owen was when we went last year. These years are flying by. *sniff*

Second, Owen was a little more interested than last year – but barely. He still doesn’t enjoy lively banter between Lisa and Linda and I can’t say that I blame him. These women are a little hard to listen to for much longer than the 45 minute show…But anytime there was singing or music, Owen was all in. He even did some of the movements this time around which was neat to see. I did bribe him with a lollipop in order for him to sit still a little longer which I am not ashamed about. Owen also had fun playing the instruments in the lobby they have available for the kids while last year all he wanted to do was play with the elevator buttons.

Third, it was at the Tacoma Philharmonic this year so we didn’t get the prestige of Benaroya but it was a much easier venue to get to. PLUS, we got the bonus of a homemade lunch cooked for us after the show by Kelly which was worth the price of admission right there.

All in all, a great first holiday activity and kickoff to the season!

So here is my pledge for December. The following activities will be done and pictures will be taken as documentation (you just have to take my word on the Lisa and Linda dealio.) You will notice that last year, we did four holiday activities. This year I’m raising the bar to FIVE. Oh yeah baby, this year is going to be crazy festive.
  1. Lisa and Linda: Merry Marching Tunes For Tots at Tacoma Philharmonic. DONE, CHECK, CROSSOUT, FINISHED.
  2. Visit Santa and get a picture.
  3. Zoo Lights at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
  4. Snowflake Lane at Bellevue Square.
  5. Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park.
Updates and photos to follow!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is a faux Thanksgiving for our family since we will be celebrating at Nana's house on Sunday when the whole family can be together (Dada is working today.)  So here is a picture of Owen watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade during his favorite part - the Sesame Street float.  Thanks to Uncle Michael for reminding me that it was on!

The reason Owen is in his diaper is because one of his new favorite books is titled, "No David!" and one of the pages is of David running down the street naked.  Owen took of his pajamas this morning and said, "Come back here, David!" (the words on the naked page) with a mischievous grin.  He then attempted to remove his diaper, which I was able to talk him out of.  So...we watched the parade in our diaper.  Who cares?!  It's Thanksgiving!

After the parade, Nana is coming up to make us homemade macaroni and cheese which is very nice because Owen has been sick all week and now I'm feeling the bug.  Ask me how I manage to get my mom to cook for me on Thanksgiving part I and Thanksgiving part II?  Don't know...but I like it!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Cold & More Cold

It snowed this week! I can't remember the last time it has snowed in November in Seattle...but we got about 4-5 inches on the ground and it has been so cold, it has lasted for days.

So what does a young boy do during the first snowfall of the year? Stay indoors because he has a bad cold. Poor Bubba. I even bought him snow boots last week just in case…darn it!

Nana has accused me a few times of being "mean" to Owen because I won't buy him popsicles for his cold. I just feel like the enjoyment won’t be equal to the mess that they make. So tonight I gave into the guilt and gave him an ice cream cone. Misery loves messiness, apparently.
 

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Fall Gardening

Only kidding.  I don't garden anymore.  But Owen and I had a great day playing outside in the yard today.