Best Kitchen Assistant Ever!
I still can't believe that my baby girl is almost 14. Where on earth did the time go? Seriously! She's always loved helping me cook, but this year she announced that she wanted to help with every single part of the Thanksgiving meal. When I asked her why, she said she wanted to know how to do it for when she gets married and moves out. Oh girlie, slow your roll. Mama's got you covered for a little while longer!
That being said, she did an amazing job and I loved sharing the whole experience with her. And, since she was elbow deep in the cooking instead of me, I had more time to take some photographs to document it all.
A Taste of Chicago...IN DENVER!
Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my GOSH! When I was 19 (wow that was a long time ago) I moved to Chicago with my mom and my sister. There were a million things to love about the Windy City. The lake, the skyline, the shopping, and the art institute and the museum campus still hold a special place in my heart.
But the pizza? Oh lordy, the pizza takes 3rd place in my love list, behind my husband and kiddos. Specifically, Giordano's Pizza is the one that makes my heart sing. But, alas, since my husband is higher on that list than pizza, I moved back to Colorado to be with him.
In case you didn't know, there's really no GREAT pizza in Denver. There's good pizza, but nothing that could replace my Chicago Deep Dish. Sigh. I had to limit my love affair to trips to Chicago or special work trips where Ken brought a frozen pie home for me.
And then, a miracle of miracles. Giordano's announced that they were coming to Denver! Oh joy, oh rapture! Wanna guess who was first in line and first seated? Oh yeah, it was me and my little tribe. Now, all my favorite things are in the same place and I'm the happiest girl on earth.
If The News Says It's Okay...
Being informed is a good thing, right? Well, it sort of depends. We haven't gotten past Halloween, but Z man is ready for Christmas. So when the news says that studies suggest that decorating early can make you feel happier, he took that info and ran with it.
For the last few years, the kids have used their allowance money to buy an inflatable for the front yard and a pretty wreath to put on the house. They got a test run in the living room and I had to bust out my camera. I wonder how long they'll wait before they make us put Christmas Lights up on the house?
Cozy Homeschoolers
Just like you, I wear a bunch of hats. Who doesn't? There are so many people cataloging the gazillion things they do and most of us rock a big fat eye roll while we think, "Yeah, we're all busy."
It's really about what we hold most sacred, isn't it? Being a homeschooling mom for the last six years (you read that right...SIX!) has been the hat that I wear the most and is the most important to me. We keep things pretty cozy and happy around here, since a life long love of learning is top of the priority list. There are plenty of pajama days, curled up in the bed, getting our work done. It wouldn't work for everyone, but it works for us.
October Snow!
Colorado weather. That's the answer to the question "Why is it snowing in early October?" It's also the answer to "Why is it 85 degrees in November?" Basically, Mother Nature has menopause around here. She's hot, she's cold, she's happy...she's grumpy.
The kiddos made the most of it though. Isn't that just like kids? They'll find a way to have fun no matter the weather.
