I love Thanksgiving--- focusing on our blessings just in time for the season of giving~

I hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday---

In the spirit of thankfulness....

I want to give away a set of my CREATE flashcards.

Just leave a comment on this post.  Mention something you are thankful for by Monday night at midnight.  I will pick someone randomly on Tuesday!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

my new favorite salad

pink grapefruit

pomegranate seeds

pistacios

lettuce (butter lettuce...with spring mix)

fresh romano

sea salt

1/2 fresh lemon squeezed

drizzle olive oil

I am in heaven...and my girls devoured it!!!!

weekend highlights

On Friday, as I was cleaning the kitchen, Sophie yelled out from her room,

"MOM!"

"Yes Sophie..."

"I just called Swoop!" she said.

"What did he say!?"

"He said, 'It's ok if I stay home.  I don't have to go to the game.  It's fine.'"

Little did she know...her babysitter was already lined up...and her ticket given away!  :)

Saturday morning Ellie came up to me...

"Mom, can I go rake leaves and take Charlie outside?"

"Ummm....YES!!!!!!!!!"

She's the best!

Jen was finally back for a game!!!!!!!!!  She was great luck....WE WON!!!!

If only we could go next week!!!!

We were able to celebrate THREE birthdays this week....Cameron, Whitney and Amanda!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

I love weekends!!!!!!!!!!

a season

These were taken just a week ago.  I have always loved this line of trees on my street.  I have tried to photograph them before.  I love them in fall, filled with warm colors, and in spring brimming with blossoms.  I have never liked anything I have photographed there before...until last week.  We took these pictures and captured the colors just in time.   Days later the snow fell and the leaves froze and they are all dark brown.  Nature and time pass so quickly~

I am hoping a few of Charlie's traits will change just as quickly :)  I thought he was four months old...but he is only three months old.  He is sweet, fun, playful and cute.  The girls love him.  But training a puppy is not the easiest endeavor I have taken on....I would LOVE any advice you have for me!

chick party

I was talking to my friend Jen, "I don't know what to do for Sophie's birthday."

(She is a fantastic party planner....)

She asked me two questions and it solved my problem immediately-

"What is her favorite color?"

Yellow

"What is her favorite animal?"

So I asked Sophie...

a chick

Perfect!!!!!!!  A yellow chick party it is!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Jen!!!

chick bubbles, jelly beans, egg & sack races, yellow & orange food (grilled cheese, Pirate Booty, carrot sticks, cantaloupe, pineapple, chick cupcakes), chick cookies, a chick pinata, and lots of people we love!

Sophie!!!!!  You are THREE and we LOVE you!!!!

a sweet friend~

My friend Brooke knew I was planning a birthday party for Sophie.  She LOVES making cookies and had a great plan for treats to give to our guests....

the cutest chick and flower cookies!!!!!!!

Thank you Brooke!

Not only are they cute----they are DELICIOUS!!!!!!

autumn leaves

One of my very favorite childhood memories came to mind yesterday.  As I watched the leaves literally falling from the trees...it took me right back to 3rd grade.  For weeks, as I remember it, I would gather up piles and piles of leaves on the playground and make a house.  I would line the leaves up and form them to make walls, chairs, beds, etc...  After my house was just as I wanted it, we would play house.  I LOVED IT!

There is something about piles of leaves, sunshine, the color, warmth with an underlying cool breeze...the smell is wonderful and the memories too.

I remember just after I had Sophie (fall 2006) and the leaves were falling.  My mom was spending the week with me, helping me.  Aunt Jossy was here too from AZ.  It was so nice having them with me each day...and Kate and Ellie were in heaven.  I remember them raking leaves together.  Look at the pictures I found!

As my mom and aunt began raking...the girls began running and jumping-

and then the adults couldn't resist the fun!  This is my all time favorite:

We made memories like that yesterday....

Sophie was wrapping presents (leaves) up for me with leaves.  After each gift, with as much enthusiasm as she could muster..."Oh, happy birthday birthday girl!" with a big hug each time.  It was delightful!

Sophie and I had so much fun in this spot we decided to take pictures with all three girls and the dog here too!  More to come!

Speaking of the "birthday girl," we had a "chick" party Saturday for Sophie's birthday...and I have wanted to share the pictures with you all week...but new puppy/early out/and a few other things...I am behind but I haven't forgotten!