Thanksgiving weekend 2009

(Added: find more photos HERE)

Things went so quickly this weekend - I don't think we had a moment to sit down and really relax and talk with each other! We enjoyed the fast-paced fun, though.

Thanksgiving morning was spent preparing dinner for 14 (8 adults and 6 children). We squeezed the sewing room table and card table into the living room, and had just enough chairs for everyone. Dot made up place cards, and with some help was able to put together a nice seating arrangement. Dinner was, as most Thanksgivings go, amazing; wonderful food and wonderful fellowship! After we stuffed ourselves we sat around and talked for hours. The kids blew through the "planned" entertainment - decorating gingerbread houses (I think they ate more candy than they used on the houses!) and a shadow puppet show (thanks to Mike for bringing the Monkey King!). At the end of the day we were still fairly full, and so was the refrigerator.

Friday dawned sunny and chilly. We took our time getting ready, and avoided the malls altogether. No Black Friday sales for us! We did go shopping, though. Jamie wanted to share the local Asian supermarket with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike. We found some treats, and then headed home. A few minutes later we headed out to the thrift store (yes, just one!). We didn't stay too long, but did find a few new things to take home. In the afternoon we played some, but mostly prepared for that evening's game night. No turkey made it's way to the party, but lots of games and friends did. Jim did get a chance to play Risk - all the way through - but he didn't win.

Saturday started too early for the kids. Jamie wished that we could move to Ohio so we could spend more time with Uncle Mike, Grandma and Grandpa. It was sad to see them go! I don't know if we would have made it through the weekend without them around to help. Thankfully Christmas is just around the corner, and we will see them again soon.

We were able to put up our indoor Christmas decorations. It was time to break out the Christmas music, too. At first the kids were helping to put the tree together... but then they got bored, and went to do their own thing. Jamie kept asking why we had to wait until Christmas to open presents...

WAIT for Christmas?! The days are flying by, and the holidays will be over before we know it! I hope we can slow them down enough to enjoy them all!

Homeschool, Holidays, and Houseguests

We have reached the time of the year (and of the school year) where things increase in intensity. I would prefer to put aside school altogether until the holidays are past, but with some of the curricula we must push through, or we will not be done by the time summer rolls around. Thankfully there are only a few subjects like this; however, the student is not altogether willing to do the work, so it is still a struggle some days.
The holidays are such a joyful time - and yet filled with stress as well. The work of giving is hard. Buying presents, making holiday foods, going to special events; all can be fun or grating, depending on your attitude. Thankfully we have lovely decorations and beautiful carols to look and listen to as we do this work, to make it less of a chore.
This year we have a new experience - house guests for Thanksgiving. We never travel for this holiday - it is too short of a weekend for that long of a trip. (Besides, we will be making that trip in just a month!) We have enjoyed sharing our table with other families, just as others have done for us in the past. We will do so again this year, but we will also be adding in Mom, Dad, and Mike. Our house will be full - and full of joy. We are excited about the chance to work together on this holiday. It will be nice to have others helping to bring up tables and chairs, to prepare food, to corral kids!
All in all, I am looking forward to this holiday, to the beginning of the holiday season, to the work to make it all wondrous and exciting to my family, and in the end, to myself as well.

Reformation Day Party

Our party was small this year, but fun nonetheless. We had many swordfights, great food, and wonderful fellowship.
Find photos HERE.