The More Things Change

They say that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 

Of course, that's the point of a tradition.  Things shouldn't change.  

Much. 

We're knee deep in Christmas cheer. The cheer has taken over my living room, where that darn elf has broken the seminal rule: do not touch my folded laundry. The cheer has exploded in my bedroom, where boxes litter the floor like the aftermath of a child's birthday party (how did parents do it all before  Amazon Prime?). 

But really, isn't this a big birthday party? 

Last week, RJ's show-n-tell theme was the letter "K." (Gigi's was "triangle.). They have show-n-tell themes now. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find something that starts with an "X" for a three-year old to bring and discuss? I digress. 

RJ had to find something that started with a "K," and we had 10 minutes to get out the door. "King!" I shouted. "You can take a king from the nativity scene! Go grab one and let's go!" RJ ambled over to the nativity scene, paused, and lifted the baby jesus from the manger. "I got the king, mom." Indeed you did, little man, and thank you for the reminder. 

Traditions. We have ours: sandwiches on Christmas Eve--with the fancy mustard;  the elf (who will not too soon fly away home); The Sound of Music and Christmas  Vacation, and of course, our own birthday party: 

For now, this is one tradition that is holding steady.  

My heart can't take it anymore!

Three years ago, Little Miss celebrated her first pre-school Christmas party. 

So did her brother. 

This year, it was her turn to sit at the big kids' table. 

Three years ago, RJ celebrated pajama movie day solo. 

This year, baby sis tagged along for her own celebration. 

Some things don't change much, and I hope they don't. 

We're keeping up with our traditions far better than I'm keeping up with my blog these days. 

Big things have happened; bigger things are going to happen. 

Someday (soon), I'll have important things to share. For now, I'm taking a break and enjoying a season of traditions (that thankfully don't include billable hours any more). 

Holiday cheers to you!

And Suddenly, It's December

It's December. It's December? It's December! 

I feel like I've run a marathon. 

Actually, it was only half of a marathon, but I'll take success any way I can get it. We've survived Thanksgiving and are on week two of The Elf (that sneaky little twit has already dyed the milk green, bathed in my marshmallows, and drank a half jug of syrup).

My little students are nearly halfway through the school year; my big students took their final last week. I now have a new title: "Meanest Professor." I'll take success any way I can get it.

My office is packed for the move, and all that's left is the crying (my students, not mine--I'm a meanie).

And somehow, in the midst of it all, our little everydays continued.

We celebrated the end of another soccer season. Gigi is an excellent sideline kicker. Well, mostly she plays with her little ponies, but occasionally she'll wander down the sidelines to swipe at an errant ball. 

Some of my best memories are of pizza parties after a long swim meet. We took it back old school style: Mazzio's pizza. Of course kids nowadays have new ways of entertaining themselves. What did we do before cell phones? 

This proud kid finally beat Lord Chaos in Skylander. (I say this with authority, yet I have no idea what I'm saying.)

This one is continuing her quest to become a mermaid. 

He survived his first bout of strep this year--and with luck, it will be the last. 

We took a personal day. Do you have any idea how tough pre-school is?

After a long day, there's really nothing better than a good episode of "George," your big brother, and chocolate milk. 

Unless of course, you can undress mom's bed and bring all the comforts right to your very own kitchen. That makes for a pretty good day too. 

RJ used to wash cars every morning; Gigi washes her doll purses. Kids will make their own fun. 

Speaking of fun....these little jelly ball thingies are amazing (and very scientifically named). Gigi spent hours playing with her little roll-y balls. 

She's lucky she's cute. We totally busted her running around the house after hours. Today, I caught her coloring her vanity (yes, you read that right) while wearing nothing but panties and dress shoes. Every morning around 4, she climbs in bed with me to snuggle: "Mommy, I just like you so much!" It's adorable. It would be so much more adorable if she waited until 7. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving with our Little Lutheran School family. 

We really think there's a chance RJ will grow up to be a pastor. He has a heart for service. 

We turkey trotted. 

Gigi was not amused. It was cold, and although she's young, she's smarter than all of us. No one else had a blanket. 

Here he is, ready and willing to serve our Thanksgiving meal. He soon knocked off and proceeded to consume nearly the entire turkey, leaving him with a bit of indigestion: "I'm going to have to let out a lot of air after eating all of that!"

A 5 o'clock meal got awfully close to bedtime for this little one. 

My big helper decorated almost the entire tree for me this year. 

And my little Precious Moment figurine was his assistant. 

We managed to snag a few Christmas photos. 

After just a wee bit of drama from the littlest elf. 

And now that we've completed our marathon, we're hoping to pause for just a moment or two to enjoy the magic that is December. 

The Club

I wasn't a country club kid. I never played golf or tennis, and I spent my summer afternoons at the free public pool.  But, like most kids, I always wanted to be part of a club. When I was about six, my dad built a cottage playhouse in our backyard. Mom painted the inside sky blue and trimmed the windows with Care Bear curtains. It was (and still is) adorable. We called it a playhouse, but deep down, I knew what it really was: a clubhouse. A secret meeting place. A place where I could stash penny candy and costume jewelry from the dress-up collection. I had a key on a real keychain that signified to the world, "This is my place." I spent hours in that little house playing grown-ups with my besties. One summer, we spent days digging a pool outside the window, carefully lining it with black trash bags and filling it with water. A five-star lounging experience it was not, but it was my place.

Years later, I joined a sorority where I learned a lot about myself. Mostly, I learned that I don't do well with committee work, and I abhor sitting by candlelight talking about my feelings. Even then, I found the idea of the club comforting.

In law school, I found my stride. I not only joined clubs, I presided over clubs. People knew my name, and I knew theirs. I had an office that was half mine for the year, along with a crusty microwave and a few tattered reference guides.  It was my place.

I lost my mojo for a few years and didn't really have a place. Sure, I joined the ranks of both working moms and stay-at-home moms (leaving me in a strange limbo where I couldn't quite sign a membership card for either club); but, I still felt that something was missing.

Until now. It's Thanksgiving Eve, and as I made one last grocery run, I realized that I've once again found my club--a place where they know my name, and I know theirs, a place that offers endless entertainment, a place that requires a special key for entry:

Sam's Club.

I spend more time there than I could possibly spend at a country club, and it's so much better.  I've been there 5 times in 24 hours. I know the greeters by name (Hi James!), and they know me. I don't even have to show my special key(card) for entry anymore--even during the early morning "Plus" hours.  My kids think it's their country club, and why shouldn't they? We eat supper there; in the mornings, we're greeted with fresh fruit and snacks; and when we've all reached our boiling points, we often head to the club just for the accountability of public space. If there was a pool out back, we'd never go home. RJ has developed a fondness for the scent of bulk laundry detergent. Yesterday, we had to go to another grocery store (because who really needs 60 ounces of black olives?), and RJ sniffed as we passed the cleaning aisle, "Mom! It smells really good in here, just like Sam's!"

I envy those women who make one neatly outlined, categorized, legible shopping list for holidays. They know where they'll find cracked wheat, fresh cranberries, and those little tiny sweet pickles. They've started cooking before I've remembered that I forgot butter.

This year, I visited the club an average of once every 5 hours leading up to the holiday. I also visited its satellite location a/k/a Wal-Mart twice, Sprouts, Target, and Crest. My list is written on the backs of two receipts and an old sod farm notepad, and I just discovered that I'm out of paper towels.  Still, I'm grateful for the club and the ability to pop around the corner for fresh fruits, vegetables, prescriptions, and laundry soap. I'm thankful that I'm able to celebrate another year with my family. I'm grateful that I've finally found my place and settled into a routine once more--even when that routine puts me at the club one more time.

Here's wishing that you find your place this year. May your cupboards be full, your laundry April fresh,    your turkeys golden brown, and your families happy, healthy, and satisfied. Cheers! Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Days of Hallows, Hellos, and Haunting (Shameless Family Photo Catch-Up)

Today, we celebrated All Saints Day in our Lutheran church.  We remembered those who have passed from this life, and we celebrated that we knew them while they were here. All Saints Day marks the end of our 30 days of Halloween. 

When I was at my little Lutheran school, Halloween meant red punch, games, and costumes--on Halloween. No more, no less (until someone got spooked and decided we should celebrate a fall festival instead--'twas the beginning of the age of over protection I fear).  

Nowadays, we start early. RJ was asking to decorate pumpkins before the patches were even selling.  But, pester me once, and I'll say no. Pester me 37 times, and eventually, I'll find a pumpkin to decorate: 

And so it begins…a month of Halloween celebrations. 

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch, and RJ got the courage to feed the animals.

And, he was pretty proud of himself.

Someday, he'll be too big for the ponies; this year is not that year. 

These kids. 

Remember those giant slides at county fairs? This was that; and it was awesome. 

Of course, the beat goes on, and so does the homework. 

Mom and dad got the chance to play too. I was supposed to be a NASCAR wife (you can't see the Willie Nelson jeans--yes, that's a thing). I think I was more Dolly, but I'm okay with that. 'Cause Dolly is awesome. Those of you who knew me in high school--does the jacket look familiar? I totally wore it all the time. I had my senior picture taken in it! The nineties were a weird time in fashion. 

This is Gigi the pumpkin surgeon. I'm not sure I'd trust her, yet. Someday, she's going to do amazing things. 

Of course, dad was the real pumpkin surgeon. 

This one was a little bit excited. 

Big helpers. 

Be afraid. Be very afraid. 

She has so many things to say these days. 

And so begins the final push in our month of celebration. Party number one. 

This is her buddy. Every morning they do the lollipop shuffle into the church office. 

She's supposed to be praying. Then again, so was I. 

Tasty treats. 

We trick or treated dad's office. 

This one is going to make a killer litigator. 

Mom got into the spirit too (this is costume number 2 for Little Miss; I fear for the dress changes that are sure to come on her wedding day). 

Even Wolverine has to do his schoolwork. 

More trick or treats. 

This one knows how we say a blessing. 

Two of my favorite people. 

This is the best picture I could get of the two of them. 

She had some very pressing questions for Ironman . 

Even Prince Hans got into the spirit. 

And finally, finally, we made it to the end, celebrating the passing of a decade since my law school graduation. 

Whew. I think I'm caught up. And soon, I'll find an hour to put together a coherent thought. Until then…Happy November Ya'll!