Merry, Merry

Christmas!

Holes!

Holes were cut in the family room this morning.  Yipes.   Also, E took advantage of the scaffolding to install a new ceiling fan this weekend.  Let's all take a moment to admire his electrical handiness.

And speaking of fans, who designs these things?  It's like making a decision between moderately ugly and extremely ugly.  I have yet to see a really attractive fan/light combo.  We nearly chucked out the idea of a fan at all in favor of installing a cool chandelier.  Sadly, practicality won.

Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas to us.

Last week we took delivery of our new roof shingles and other sundry roofing supplies plus a few skylights to boot.  A truck load of shingles lifted on to the peaks of our ugly, curling roof making me feel all merry and bright.  Not the funnest way to blow roughly a bajillion dollars, but as the roofers have worked through the week, it is shaping up to be a fantastic face lift for the home we love so much.  And if this year's Chicago winter is to be as dreadful as currently predicted, I say bring it on.  Or don't. Whatevs.  My shingles won't be blowing away after all.  And with a few skylights added to the family room, I plan on soaking up any sunlight that trickles down between the dreariness.  

Ironically, all the banging and pounding has the kiddos unnerved.  Ironic because the three of them combined can out-bang, out-pound, out-thump and generally out-din any roofing crew, I'm convinced.   So tomorrow things will begin wrapping up, with the final slopes shingled and two enormous holes cut into my family room.  Wish us luck.

Pumpkin Patch, and little spooks

Our trip to the pumpkin patch earlier this month was very successful, with plenty of pumpkins and DOZENS of cider doughnuts, because really, it was all about the doughnuts.  They were plentiful, fresh, warm and good and we made sure to bring a batch home to enjoy the next day.  The day was beautiful and we returned home with about a thousand pounds of pumpkins, gourds and butternut squash.

We finished up costume construction in the nick of time for a Saturday party and Monday's trick-or-treating.      The enthusiasm was palpable.  Seriously.  Bubs went missing while the others were suiting up.  I found him a block away with a half full treat bag.  "What are you doing Bubs?" I asked when I finally found him.  "Twick-or-Tweating!!!" he hollered mid-stride as he ran full-tilt to the next house in line.   

One might think that after spending a couple of hours in the urgent clinic Sunday morning getting his head stitched up (for the 2nd time in his brief five years!!) after a collision with a nightstand, he might have slowed down just a smidge.  

Nope.

Boots

I love shoes.  I really love heels.  But I really, really, really love boots.   E got these for me.   I thought they were worth mentioning in contrast to last week's Bitter Woman Beer.  Beer one week, suede boots the next.  Life is never dull around here.

Let it be known, the boy is FIVE (and where did the time go?)

He's five.  I can't get over it.  And he won't let me get over it, because he makes sure he tells every single human being we come in contact with.  "I'm Finn and I'm five" (flash five fingers).   I'm clearly having trouble reconciling the independent five year old with the feisty little bundle I think of him as (still).

Goodies from Wis-can-sen

E traveled recently to a regional office in Madison, so naturally when he asked if I wanted him to bring something home, I replied "cheese curds".  He came through and tossed in a few surprises to boot.  Locally made cinnamon roasted almonds and chocolate covered cranberries, as well as a bottle of Bitter Woman beer.  The latter puzzled me a little as I am neither a beer drinker...nor bitter.   He thought it was hilariously funny.  

She Turned Seven (um, like 2 months ago)

So in July, with some of her favorite girls for company, she ate her fill of nutella croissants, pain au chocolat, baguettes with fromage, fruits, and Orangina, of course. She played silly games, posed for silly pictures and all around had a great day. Oh, and Wonderboy was our waiter. Naturally.

We stretched out the birthday fun with a visit to the pediatrician for ear piercing, which she had begged for for some time. She's quite proud of her bejeweled lobes.

Nauvoo

Grandpa and Grandma J came to visit a few weeks ago and since they had never seen Nauvoo, we took a little road trip with them.   With lots of tours and wagon rides, we learned so much about early Nauvoo. 

4th grade, 2nd grade. Ready, set, go!

Just when I was fully adjusted to having the kids home all day, and enjoying the slow pace of summer, school starts. Wonderboy is enthusiastic about two things. First, 4th grade comes with a move to the upper floor of the school. All those cool 4th and 5th graders too cool to mingle with the commoners (K-3rd), enjoying their mezzanine level classrooms. Second, entering 4th graders' school supplies include a flashdrive. He doesn't know what a flashdrive does, but whatever it is, he's sure it must be cool.

My girl is thrilled to be headed to 2nd grade. Just because. She's the happiest, easiest-going girl I know. It's good to have one of those. She just can't wait to see what I've put in her lunch bag. Love this girl.

Quote of the Day

"Oooh! My shoes smell like jellybeans!"

(Author's note: His shoes most definitely do NOT smell like jellybeans.)