November Wrap Up

This month seems fairly uneventful in comparison to our previous busy and fun month, but I think we needed some down time and work time wedged in between two months packed with fun.

We picked pecans for Papa in Nayeli's backyard.

I headed to Godcentered Mom Podcast Live with Amanda. This is the only podcast I listen to (usually while mopping the floor) and love it. She is from the Dallas area and had her first live event. It was so nice to catch up with Amanda and get some girl time, on a Friday night nonetheless! There are no pictures, but Brad got some time to himself this month too as he headed to a WordPress conference in Ft. Worth one weekend.

One project that took off this month was DI (Destination Imagination). Brad grew up with this program (although it had a different name) and really wants our children to experience it as well. It works on so many skills you need in life and has truly impacted who Brad is today. It teaches teamwork, creative thinking, and problem solving skills, just to name a few. The school has done this program in the past, but as it is parent-led, it was dropped. This meant Brad and I needed to take the wheel on getting it going again, so here we go! The first meeting was a success. We will be meeting Tuesdays after school, Brad is co-coaching with an amazing mom, Courtney with the 3rd and 4th graders, while I'm coaching the 1st and 2nd grade group. I did not really want to coach, but since Makin had his heart set on it, it just needed to be me. We are hoping for more parent involvement next year! The kids all loved it. We weren't sure how much Lorelei would love it, but she stepped up and voiced her opinions for her team (including three boys from 4th grade she barely knows) and really had fun. All that Lego building with Dad will be paying off. ;) I'm sure we will have more on this, but they compete mid-February so there should be an update about then!

Fun To Be Able To Watch Makin Lead A Group

My birthday was the best I've had in a long time. Coffee, fire, Christmas music, reading a book for an entire morning, sweet messages from family and friends, sandy toes, pasta and wine. Doesn't get much better.

Thanksgiving 2017

School

I always love the Thanksgiving-related school projects the teachers some up with.

Makin read Thanksgiving on Thursday from the Magic Tree House series and completed a packet. I love hearing how well he reads in character.

Lorelei wrote a thank you note to a community helper. She chose to thank the Little Elm Animal Shelter. I loved that she wrote to someone she felt strongly about and loved seeing her put the letter in the big blue mailbox at the post office through her own window. :)

Thanksgiving Day

We drove up to Oklahoma the day before Thanksgiving and because Heather and A.J. wanted to do the Turkey Trot in OKC that morning, we had a Thanksgiving supper rather than lunch. This gave us a relaxing morning for the most part. (This coming from the lady who didn't have to cook...)

Panhandle Sunrise

Just what everyone wants on their kitchen counters while trying to cook a Thanksgiving feast...big thanks to my mom who made sure I had all the supplies for Lorelei's festive hairdo!

We enjoyed watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and that was the perfect chance to get Lorelei's hair fixed up for the special occasion with an idea I from Pinterest. She was a big helper this year, helping with a bit of potato peeling and folding the napkins. She loves to get sparkling grape juice and feel like the grown ups.

Makin kept busy playing games and swinging a bit.

Lou ads some major entertainment, especially when she waits for turkey to "fall" out of Papa's hands.

Ready!

Yum!

Just Playin' Around

Jenga and Phase 10, I believe there was a decent amount of UNO played as well.

It wouldn't be an Oklahoma Thanksgiving visit without a ride in the payloader after A.J. hangs the star. ;)

Frisbee with Uncle A.J. at sunset.

I loved the remembering playing this game as child while we played The Pound Puppies game! 

Nana had a bead ornament project for the kiddos.

I met long-time friend, Angela, for lunch who was also in town over break.

 Early Christmas

We had early Christmas with my parents as well. Its fun for them to get to see the kids open their gifts. :) Heather and A.J. are waiting until Christmas, but Lou did get to open hers with the kids there, which is always fun for them.

So great to have everyone together!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!