Happy Thanksgiving

I'm grateful for so many things in my life.  These three take the cake.  

We spent the day at my parent's house.  They moved to town soon after we did.  It is such a treat to have them so close!  The day was perfectly relaxing and the meal delicious! Thank you Mom and Dad!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Night in Chicago

The old Marshall Field's store on State

It's so great to have Chicago in our backyard.  We zipped down Saturday morning, spent the night, and were home midday Sunday.  And what a perfect little getaway!  George has a fierce cold so we didn't try to do too much.  We did take a lot of cab rides which was Magnolia's favorite!  After a little lunch, shopping, and a big bag of Garrett's popcorn, we met my sister who happened to be in town the same night.  We had a drink and then walked to the old Field's store while we waited to pick up our Chicago deep dish pizza, yum!  Christmas decorations were up and it was really festive everywhere!  Now onto a busy week getting ready for that other holiday!

A Night on the Island

We went up for our final weekend of the season to close up the house.  Like seeing a long lost friend, these two played contentedly for hours rediscovering their island toys and books.  It was pure bliss for me as I got to finish Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.  If you've read The Glass Castle, you've got to read this one!

During the daylight hours we had quite a bit of work to do.  George did the bulk of it including cutting an enormous amount of evergreen boughs to bring back home.  You can see how packed we were!

The kids were so wiped out from the fresh air and adrenaline pumping ferry ride, they slept for the three hours on the ride home!

So long island, we'll see you in the spring!

My Magnolia

I always worry about Magnolia.  I don't know if it goes back to her being sick in China or if she just seems so fragile to me.  I wasn't, however, the least bit worried about her at her four year check up.  That's why I was so surprised when the doctor told me she has an irregular heart beat.  I didn't know what that meant.  She seemed fine.  He asked if she gets tired easily when active or if she turns blue?  My goodness, no!  I followed his instructions and took to her Children's Hospital for an EKG the next day.  Results came in that in fact she does have PVCs (premature ventricle contractions) and that they are probably harmless but she's having a lot of them.  We were advised we see a cardiologist.  The appointment is next week.  I've been told this isn't serious, her doctor is telling me he's sure she's fine but I just can't help but worry...

Oh, October

You were such a busy month.  I (finally) ran out of free blog space so I had to figure out how to keep this blog going.  Now I can catch up you up on the last half of the month...

We continued to play and jump in the leaves and enjoy gorgeous weather.  I took this picture of Magnolia as I watched her play and realized soon...

She would turn FOUR!!!

Her last ballet class of the season was on her birthday.  

A small recital was held to show what was learned.

I was so proud of her!

She listened so well to her teacher, Miss Ceci.

After that we went home to eat Chinese food and her birthday cake.  

I made it exactly as she asked, complete with swedish fish!  

Then she had her school Halloween party.  She went as a purple horse.  

With Jillian, Lydia, Meg, and Elena

And her whole class including teachers; Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Freiding

For Halloween we had a puppy dog and kitty cat.

I think I handed out close to 500 pieces of candy.  It was a nonstop flow of kids!

We let these two eat A LOT of candy.

By the time they came home they were ready eat dinner and didn't ask for their candy for days!

This week Magnolia tripped and fell, smacking her head into the coffee table.  It sliced her ear.  Away we went to Urgent Care for two stitches.  George took her to our town bakery for a donut afterwards.  Later that day she came down with the stomach flu.  Poor thing, what a day!