Finally...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

I feel like we were a little late this year and at one point I was worried we might not get to it. Last night we got our tree, and the kids and I slapped on the ornaments all in about an hour. I have always been thankful for my ability to be fast in whatever I need to do.
Now, Santa can come.
Of course he will have to come through our front door as we don't have a chimney.

I am sure I gave him a key the first year we moved into this house.

Those of you who know us well will also see that this year I won when it comes to the placement of the tree. I have always wanted it in our window but Tom has always put it on the other side of the room. Point for Jade this year.

Oh, Ohio

Andrew has been working on his state project and of course he is doing Ohio. Kira did Ohio when she was in 4th grade and he chose the same state. The only difference is that his project came with a 17 page packet full of questions that needed to be answered. I have spent the last 2 weeks finding out about the types of soil in Ohio, the average teachers pay, defining the local and state governments, the poplution growth over the years, the colonial days, the number of Universities, locating the State and National Parks as well as the memorials. We have identified the major highways, learned about what is manufactured, and also learned about the animals, climate, plant life and economy.

Today he turned in the packet, and in January he turns in the report.

All I have to say is what ever happened to learning about the state flag, Motto, and Bird, drawing a map and being done with it? I am exhausted and forgetting Andrew is only in 4th grade.

Spoon Licker

Every good baker needs someone available to lick the spoon.

I always have a willing participant and this weekend it was Sean.

Jade's Favorite Things, #8

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
2 Days before my new appliances arrived I walked by a box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers at the store and picked them up. Someone had told me that they were great so I thought I needed them. Little did I know, they would save the day that week.

It was 4:45pm and I was getting the kitchen organized after getting the fridge and stove installed that morning, as well as making dinner. I left Sean in the kitchen for about 5 minutes to put some things away. When I returned Sean had gotten hold of a Black PERMANENT marker and written all over the front of the fridge, the stove, my dishwasher, the walls in the dining room, and my table and chairs. It is unbelievable to think about how much ground this kid can cover. As I looked at him in a complete panic while he smiled from ear to ear my only reaction was to reach for the magic erasers I had just bought. I immediately went to work on the fridge and stove while holding my breath and the marker wiped off easily. I then moved to the cabinets and table and it came off as well. By the time I got to the dining room wall and the dishwasher, it had set long enough and was not going to come off. I can live with marker on the wall and on my dishwasher, just not the new stove and fridge.

Tom came home just in time to see the color taken out of my face and the sweat dripping from my brow, but the marker was gone from the things that really mattered. I now keep Mr. Clean handy and will forever keep these in my house. I love you Mr. Clean, you saved my 2 year old's life.Above is what's left on the walls. I haven't given up just yet. I think with a little elbow grease and more Magic Eraser I just might get this completely off.

Honey Bomb

The best part of Thanksgiving is watching Tom pound the honey bombs. Always a pleasure Tom, thanks for the demo, and the show.

Sorry to my Neighbor

Living in the Bay Area it is a given that your neighbors are close, very close. The other day I had Andrew and his friends take out the trash through our side door. The deck on the side of our house looks right into our neighbors sun room. Often I see them sitting there and wave to say hello. This day they got a little more then a wave. When Andrew opened the door friend one blurted, "Wow, I didn't know your neighbors were right there." The second friend then blurted even louder, "WOW, I didn't know your neighbor was BALD!"

Oh the joys of 9 year old boys. I keep hoping he didn't hear them.

Thanksgiving is Saved!

Thankfully the new fridge and stove arrived this morning. Delivery on Friday never happened which resulted in some screaming matches on the phone and delay in delivery until today. Everything went smooth with the exception of our water valve (ours was too big). No problem though, just an excuse to go to OSH get a new valve and replaced it myself (my plumbing skills are getting better slowly.) I now have a fridge with water, and a stove that actually lights on it's own without using a match.

First on the list for cooking, mac n' cheese for kids for lunch and then on to baking for Thanksgiving. I am anxious to test out the convection oven, I have a feeling I will fall in love.