Saturday, February 5, 2011
Random Winter Moments
Here are some long overdue pics from December and January. They start with a couple of blurry shots of our beautiful church on Christmas Eve, followed by a few from Great Wolf Lodge at New Year's and lastly a shot of a gingerbread snowman made by the kids during our big snow last month. They were badly in need of a project by the second day of no school!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Twenty Eleven, A List
1. My favorite part of the holidays was between Christmas and New Year's when several family members came into town to see us! My sweet aunt and uncle from Pinetown and my cousin (their daughter) from Atlanta all met up in a hotel here in Charlotte for a few days. Throw in an indoor pool and the kids thought Santa had come a second time.
2. My second favorite part was right after my family left, and I was feeling a little bummed. Then hubs surprised me by suggesting we round up the kids and head to Great Wolf Lodge for New Year's. Because he is spontaneous like that. GWL is a resort in Concord with a huge indoor waterpark. Not to be confused with the GTL (gym-tan-laundry) routine from Jersey Shore.
3. After a Whole! Entire! Week! of gruesome school and work we are now being rewarded with a bonafide snow day. About five inches fell Sunday night and it's still floating down in huge, feathery flakes.
4. The kids and I made snow cream at 10:30 a.m., one of the 8,947 ways to use condensed milk in your life.
5. Have you ever wondered how many times your average seven-yr-old can ask "Mama?" in a six-hour period? It's exactly 10,988.
6. Have you ever watched a What Not To Wear marathon with a straight dude who was seemingly waaaay more into it than you? I have. That happened.
7. Cocoa with skim milk = yums.
8. Cocoa with half-and-half = buh-bye resolutions. But it's totally worth it.
9. I went to Shari's Berries website last week and made a certain cousin of mine very happy on her birthday with a gift of chocolate strawberries and cherries. If I could've seen her face, I would've been even happier. I'm a little homesick. Sniff.
10. I'm off to make more cocoa with half-and-half. Now I'm happy again.
2. My second favorite part was right after my family left, and I was feeling a little bummed. Then hubs surprised me by suggesting we round up the kids and head to Great Wolf Lodge for New Year's. Because he is spontaneous like that. GWL is a resort in Concord with a huge indoor waterpark. Not to be confused with the GTL (gym-tan-laundry) routine from Jersey Shore.
3. After a Whole! Entire! Week! of gruesome school and work we are now being rewarded with a bonafide snow day. About five inches fell Sunday night and it's still floating down in huge, feathery flakes.
4. The kids and I made snow cream at 10:30 a.m., one of the 8,947 ways to use condensed milk in your life.
5. Have you ever wondered how many times your average seven-yr-old can ask "Mama?" in a six-hour period? It's exactly 10,988.
6. Have you ever watched a What Not To Wear marathon with a straight dude who was seemingly waaaay more into it than you? I have. That happened.
7. Cocoa with skim milk = yums.
8. Cocoa with half-and-half = buh-bye resolutions. But it's totally worth it.
9. I went to Shari's Berries website last week and made a certain cousin of mine very happy on her birthday with a gift of chocolate strawberries and cherries. If I could've seen her face, I would've been even happier. I'm a little homesick. Sniff.
10. I'm off to make more cocoa with half-and-half. Now I'm happy again.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Sicky Saturday
So I woke up today looking forward to a much-much needed Saturday in.
Icky weather, 38 degrees and sleet-rain-mix falling makes for a cozy, cookie-makin', doggie-napping-by-the-fire day.
And then.
Liv woke up with a 102-degree fever. Poor baby; she's spent most of the day in bed, watching movies and reading in between downing Tylenol and apple juice. Nate and I soldiered on with the cookie decorating but I promised to save Liv some dough so she can cut and make her own when she's feeling better.
Right now she's fast asleep and the boys are out getting haircuts. The weather improved after lunch and the youngest Pellin was getting a little stir-crazy.
Here's hoping for a healthier holiday.
Icky weather, 38 degrees and sleet-rain-mix falling makes for a cozy, cookie-makin', doggie-napping-by-the-fire day.
And then.
Liv woke up with a 102-degree fever. Poor baby; she's spent most of the day in bed, watching movies and reading in between downing Tylenol and apple juice. Nate and I soldiered on with the cookie decorating but I promised to save Liv some dough so she can cut and make her own when she's feeling better.
Right now she's fast asleep and the boys are out getting haircuts. The weather improved after lunch and the youngest Pellin was getting a little stir-crazy.
Here's hoping for a healthier holiday.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Random Updates and Stuff I Miss
Thanksgiving 2010: Gorgeous, delicious turkey roasted to perfection by my awesome Bro In Law, Dan. As usual he and Beth were the perfect hosts and we brought along some sides. The highlight this year for my contribution was the cauliflower gratin but I'm sure the kids would say the Chex mix. Pam and Ro were also here and made it that much more special and fun. Poor Ro had emergency oral surgery the day before the biggest eating holiday of the year, but soldiered through and was as sweet as ever.
Blacktop Friday: This is what I call the Friday after Thanksgiving when you hit the road to visit family instead of hitting the stores. We travelled to Beaufort County and saw nearly all my extended fam and it was great. That, combined with an indoor pool at the hotel, well, for the kids it was some kind of nervana. We got to see their newest three-month-old cousin Josiah, at his smiley, bouncy best.
Monday after Thanksgiving: (I haven't thought of a catchy name for that one yet) We sort of came crashing down to reality. Everyone was kind of keyed up and couldn't get to sleep that night, especially Nate. He kept getting up and informing us of every bathroom trip, and every random little noise and finally he burst into sobs saying that he missed Grandpa, Uncle Dewey and Granny. He might've been just overtired but Good Lord my heart broke into a million pieces. Mark held him for a little while and told him we all missed them, and it was fine to cry about it sometimes. I rubbed his back and told him I knew how hard it was, but I promised things would look better in the morning. And, mercifully, they did.
What I miss: My dad carrying raw pecans this time of year in his pocket. I never really liked the taste of them raw myself, but I would still pick out a few when he cracked them for me. That was the most fascinating part, really. He would take two or three and crack them against eachother in his fist. I would try and try to crack them like that, but even into adulthood, I failed miserably. So, I would just hand them back to him and he would gladly oblige me.
Today I saw a fellow church member who lost her dad in early fall. I gave her a hug, and we commiserated on how kid-like, unprepared and orphaned losing a parent can make you feel, no matter how old you are. She was telling me about her little, unexpected "waves" of grief, how they always come without warning, just when things are going OK. She told me, "Yesterday I was out for a run in our neighborhood and passed some pecan trees--my dad used to carry pecans in his pocket. . ."
See, she's from the New Bern area so maybe it's a Down East Dad thing.
Those pecan-crackin' daddies were the best.
Blacktop Friday: This is what I call the Friday after Thanksgiving when you hit the road to visit family instead of hitting the stores. We travelled to Beaufort County and saw nearly all my extended fam and it was great. That, combined with an indoor pool at the hotel, well, for the kids it was some kind of nervana. We got to see their newest three-month-old cousin Josiah, at his smiley, bouncy best.
Monday after Thanksgiving: (I haven't thought of a catchy name for that one yet) We sort of came crashing down to reality. Everyone was kind of keyed up and couldn't get to sleep that night, especially Nate. He kept getting up and informing us of every bathroom trip, and every random little noise and finally he burst into sobs saying that he missed Grandpa, Uncle Dewey and Granny. He might've been just overtired but Good Lord my heart broke into a million pieces. Mark held him for a little while and told him we all missed them, and it was fine to cry about it sometimes. I rubbed his back and told him I knew how hard it was, but I promised things would look better in the morning. And, mercifully, they did.
What I miss: My dad carrying raw pecans this time of year in his pocket. I never really liked the taste of them raw myself, but I would still pick out a few when he cracked them for me. That was the most fascinating part, really. He would take two or three and crack them against eachother in his fist. I would try and try to crack them like that, but even into adulthood, I failed miserably. So, I would just hand them back to him and he would gladly oblige me.
Today I saw a fellow church member who lost her dad in early fall. I gave her a hug, and we commiserated on how kid-like, unprepared and orphaned losing a parent can make you feel, no matter how old you are. She was telling me about her little, unexpected "waves" of grief, how they always come without warning, just when things are going OK. She told me, "Yesterday I was out for a run in our neighborhood and passed some pecan trees--my dad used to carry pecans in his pocket. . ."
See, she's from the New Bern area so maybe it's a Down East Dad thing.
Those pecan-crackin' daddies were the best.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Ms. Tracy's Wild Ride
My friend Dawn recently told me that for her 50th birthday her husband took her for a helicopter ride. Apparently in an effort to trump her gift I managed to get myself a ride in the ambulance in the wee hours of Thursday morning. I think she wins.
Around 4:30 or 5 Thursday morning I woke up with a stabbing pain in my lower abdomen. I hopped up out of bed to check things out in the bathroom because I guess that's where one checks such things and the room started to go black. I remember calling out for Mark. The next thing I knew I was flat on my back and Mark was kneeling over me telling me the paramedics were on their way.
Damn.
I'd have given anything not to have the ambulance come to our house and haul me out in front of the kids, but given the pain and the sudden loss of consciousness, well, it was the right thing to do. I'm so glad he was there. I remember thinking how comfy I was on my pillow and thinking, "Wow, how did Mark get me back on the bed? He's so strong," and then I got a look at the blue plaid fabric and realized I was on Wally the Wonderdog's bed. At least I picked a soft place to land, huh?
Mark told the kids what was happening and assured them that I was awake and OK and I yelled out something to them so they knew it. The medics arrived and whisked me off to the ER as my blood pressure was pretty low and continued to drop a few points on the way. After all that drama and a lot of tests and an ultrasound, it turned out to be a ruptured ovarian cyst---nothing serious.
My mother-in-law had come to the house and treated the kids to breakfast before school. Mark called the school as soon as I was released to let the kids know I was on my way home and that I was fine. When they got home they threw down their bookbags, piled on the sofa next to me and told me how much they loved me for the next hour. It was weird, and wonderful. Then Anna Marie came by to play and they immediately forgot I existed and ran outside. Ah, back to normal.
So now we're back to discussing the important things in life: Halloween costumes and who has the best candy on our street. As for me, I'm done with the scary stuff for awhile!
Around 4:30 or 5 Thursday morning I woke up with a stabbing pain in my lower abdomen. I hopped up out of bed to check things out in the bathroom because I guess that's where one checks such things and the room started to go black. I remember calling out for Mark. The next thing I knew I was flat on my back and Mark was kneeling over me telling me the paramedics were on their way.
Damn.
I'd have given anything not to have the ambulance come to our house and haul me out in front of the kids, but given the pain and the sudden loss of consciousness, well, it was the right thing to do. I'm so glad he was there. I remember thinking how comfy I was on my pillow and thinking, "Wow, how did Mark get me back on the bed? He's so strong," and then I got a look at the blue plaid fabric and realized I was on Wally the Wonderdog's bed. At least I picked a soft place to land, huh?
Mark told the kids what was happening and assured them that I was awake and OK and I yelled out something to them so they knew it. The medics arrived and whisked me off to the ER as my blood pressure was pretty low and continued to drop a few points on the way. After all that drama and a lot of tests and an ultrasound, it turned out to be a ruptured ovarian cyst---nothing serious.
My mother-in-law had come to the house and treated the kids to breakfast before school. Mark called the school as soon as I was released to let the kids know I was on my way home and that I was fine. When they got home they threw down their bookbags, piled on the sofa next to me and told me how much they loved me for the next hour. It was weird, and wonderful. Then Anna Marie came by to play and they immediately forgot I existed and ran outside. Ah, back to normal.
So now we're back to discussing the important things in life: Halloween costumes and who has the best candy on our street. As for me, I'm done with the scary stuff for awhile!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Last weekend recap
Friday marked Olivia's first venture into wearing "real" earrings. She opted for these cool, colorful danglies.
A very poor photo of two very excited campers. This was the morning of drop-off at Chameleon's Journey, an overnight adventure camp sponsored by Hospice for kids who've suffered a loss.
Olivia hula-hooping at the drop-off/meet & greet. Homegirl can keep this up for about seven minutes straight. Amazing.
The view about 10 steps from the boys' cabin.
Olivia caught writing in her journal.
Nate chatting with a BFF he met within five minutes of arriving.
Thank you, Hospice. For everything.
Speaking of thanks. . .
We had to drop off the kids at an ungodly hour that morning, but I got up before anyone else and this lovely stuff was my breakfast, spread on top of an English muffin. It's my Aunt Sybil's pear preserves, and I was lucky enough to score a jar on my birthday the last time I visited. My Aunt Sybil is about 50 times more awesome than most people. She and my Uncle Bobby welcomed countless visitors into their home when my dad passed away back in August. She fed them, listened to their stories, entertained my children and smiled, all while quietly mourning her big brother.
Sometimes thank-you just isn't enough. But I plan to keep saying it, all the time.
A very poor photo of two very excited campers. This was the morning of drop-off at Chameleon's Journey, an overnight adventure camp sponsored by Hospice for kids who've suffered a loss.
Olivia hula-hooping at the drop-off/meet & greet. Homegirl can keep this up for about seven minutes straight. Amazing.
The view about 10 steps from the boys' cabin.
Olivia caught writing in her journal.
Nate chatting with a BFF he met within five minutes of arriving.
Thank you, Hospice. For everything.
Speaking of thanks. . .
We had to drop off the kids at an ungodly hour that morning, but I got up before anyone else and this lovely stuff was my breakfast, spread on top of an English muffin. It's my Aunt Sybil's pear preserves, and I was lucky enough to score a jar on my birthday the last time I visited. My Aunt Sybil is about 50 times more awesome than most people. She and my Uncle Bobby welcomed countless visitors into their home when my dad passed away back in August. She fed them, listened to their stories, entertained my children and smiled, all while quietly mourning her big brother.
Sometimes thank-you just isn't enough. But I plan to keep saying it, all the time.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
This week. . .
1. The kids go to Chameleon's Journey camp, sponsored by Hospice. It's a one-night camp and we drop them off on Saturday. They're just a tad excited and have already packed everything on the packing list. It is now Wednesday.
2. Olivia gets to change earrings. She got her ears pierced on Labor Day and Friday marks the last day she has to wear her starter studs. Pics will follow.
3. Someone swiped my pudding cup out of the work fridge. Today, actually. I'm still a little bummed about it. I can't believe I supposedly work with grown-ups and yet someone around here couldn't see fit to buy their own dadgum pudding cup. Sheesh. I'm telling myself that someone else brought one today and must've got it confused with their own. Which means perhaps someone stole THEIR pudding cup. Oh, my. Should I call 9-1-1?
4. Our first parent-teacher conference with Nate's teacher is Thursday. He has been scribbling stories like a little fiend in order to improve his creative writing, so we'll see how this goes.
2. Olivia gets to change earrings. She got her ears pierced on Labor Day and Friday marks the last day she has to wear her starter studs. Pics will follow.
3. Someone swiped my pudding cup out of the work fridge. Today, actually. I'm still a little bummed about it. I can't believe I supposedly work with grown-ups and yet someone around here couldn't see fit to buy their own dadgum pudding cup. Sheesh. I'm telling myself that someone else brought one today and must've got it confused with their own. Which means perhaps someone stole THEIR pudding cup. Oh, my. Should I call 9-1-1?
4. Our first parent-teacher conference with Nate's teacher is Thursday. He has been scribbling stories like a little fiend in order to improve his creative writing, so we'll see how this goes.
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