So Thankful I'm A Mom (And Other Stuff)

I am so thankful that I am a mom. It's a job that doesn't ever always receive appreciation in proportion to the effort it takes but my kids are awesome and they mean everything to me. I'm lucky that I don't work outside the home. It allows me to do more than I otherwise could. Some of the things we do just wouldn't be possible. I am thankful that my husband works hard and has a good job. And I am SO thankful that his new job doesn't require the kind of work hours that kept him away so much in the past. Having him at home has been life changing. We are lucky to have a nice home and food on our table every day. Life is good when I really think about it.

Of course there are always bumps. Like the windstorm the first weekend of November I've been meaning to tell you about. The neighbors tree fell and hit our fence and totalled our swing set. I was so excited when we bought our house 2 1/2 years ago, that it had a Rainbow swing set that Ainsley could use. I've been dealing with insurance all month and I'm worried they'll try to screw us over but I'm trying not to stress. These sets range from $2500-15,000 and come to find out that the one we had was exactly what we need compared to the new models. With any luck we'll get it all fixed before the weather gets better.

 After the tree was removed this is how it looked. It completely destroyed one of the two large platforms as well as the access steps which were perfect for Ainsley to climb up.

Here it is with the tree.

And here you can (kind of) see the size of the trunk at the top. It was a good sized tree. 

I'm scared of wind storms now, and with good reason after seeing the tree fall (we were in the living room interviewing a nurse) and smash the timbers like twigs. This is the second neighbors tree to fall and cause damage in our yard in 2 1/2 years. And just look at the size of these trees! (Mostly all belong to the neighbors.)  I am very thankful that it didn't hit our house! And I have to wonder if the trees we had cut down in August might have fallen had we not had them taken down. One was dying and another was rotted. It could have been a different outcome. So maybe we are lucky.

We had an awesome opportunity come our way. At the last minute a friend called with free tickets to see Selena Gomez. Steve was gone all week on a business trip but my sister came and took care of Ainsley and Adrian so that we could go. I had to cancel therapy because she couldn't be in 3 places at once. (Adrian had play practice and his first basketball practice.) So I have to give Sheryl a shout out of thanks for making it work and on a school night at that! They were special seats in a suite and that's not something you can pass on, especially when your daughter is a huge fan. We even got a free parking pass. I felt like such a VIP.

We got to use the Suite entrance, ie. no line.

Our seats were really close to the stage. 

There are table tops to set your food and drinks (a waitress) and extra space.

And best of all....a private bathroom in the suite. Wow did we feel spoiled.

It was an awesome and special mother daughter night out that we'll remember forever!!! 

Since this is Adrian's last year in elementary school I agreed to let him be in the school play even though I knew it was a huge time commitment. AND I signed up to be in charge of the PR committee. There have been so many times I just couldn't help out, I decided to just do it even though I knew it would be a lot of work. Which it was. I took headshots of all the kids during recess/lunch, spent hours "photoshopping" them (to get rid of pimples, stray hair, food in their teeth, etc.). I built the above display for the gigantic school cafeteria wall. The kids LOVED having their pictures displayed. In addition I made and placed the posters, and the programs which included the headshots. I have a whole new appreciation for the volunteer work that so many of the moms (and dads) put in to make school programs like this possible for our kids.

Adrian has been part of the "safety patrol" program for the second year. So me being there worked out nicely and I got a picture of him in the crossing guard position. I love the energy at school, and do miss not being there as often now that the kids ride the bus.

Adrian had 2 hour rehearsals 2-3 days a week for 6 weeks and 3 hours a day for the final week. The kids all worked so hard and the show, Princess Who?, was a huge success. They performed it for the entire school and the kids giggled the whole time. They performed it again last Friday night. A bunch of our family came to support him (19 total) so we had a little party afterward and it was SO FUN! 

Adrian played "Big Bear"....

....and Herald, Servant to the Queen of the North. It was the funniest part and the one he wanted. He did awesome and we were so proud!

Taking their bows. 

Adrian is such an awesome kid. At the end of the night we realized that he was gone. He was exhausted so he'd just gone and got into bed by himself. 

Still cheek pinching cute while he sleeps. Love that boy so much!

The 5th graders had Heritage Week, celebrating a country of their heritage. That meant a big project as well as bringing in food for a feast today. Adrian chose England (Steve's parents immigrated from England in the late 60's) so we headed to The British Pantry in between basketball drop off and ballet drop off. Got there just in the nick of time to buy sausage rolls, Phew!

While we were out Ainsley made this in Toca Bocca Hair Salon and saved it (and a few other copies) to my phone. Too funny! Then she shaved it's hair. Talk about a bad hair day. Wowza!

Later....the day finally came. Evie has reached her goal and made it to pointe! I am so proud of both of us for sticking with it for 9 years! 

(Penny comes with us everywhere these days.)

 So it looks like I'll be making a trip in to Seattle soon to buy Evie's first pointe shoes. Will post pics.

We celebrated with pumpkin pie and eggnog. I am SO proud of Evie!

Ainsley's been doing awesome too. She put this puzzle together by herself with a little verbal coaching. 

And last week she was able to trace her name all by herself!

Today this came home from school and our nurse said she cut out the shapes all by herself. I think she did the gluing too. Every day Ainsley does something that makes me realize how lucky we are to have her in our life. Just now she was asking for snuggle time with me on the couch so I have to go. Our cuddle time is the best. 

Today I took Evie and Adrian to see Frozen since school got out early and our nurse was working. They loved it. They were going to pay for the tickets but they were so appreciative, which made me feel good, so afterward I paid. It was such a fun way to start out the 4 day Thanksgiving weekend. I'm looking forward to spending time with family and am grateful not to be cooking this year.

I want to wish you all a great turkey day!