List of thanks

Starting with Luke's list...I asked him this morning when he got in bed to snuggle what he was thankful for and he said very confidently....GREEN POP!

There you have it.
Here is my list...Green pops were #11

1. Steve
2. Luke
3. Our wonderful parents
4. Luna & Star
5. work that I love
6. our home
7. being able-bodied
8. reading books
9. cooking, ordering, enjoying good food
10.outdoor time



We got home from an eventful family time in Chicago Tuesday night. We were all very happy to be home and to fall back into our routine. Which included accidents, baths, laundry, toys everywhere, books read, bedtime sought...good things like that!

Luke wanted me to lay with him before he fell asleep and it was just a wonderful time with him. He chatted in the dark, we talked about the city, I shared some hopes and wishes I have for him and he snuggled into me with my arm held over his body and his feet tucked into my legs. I was overcome with thanks and happiness. Those minutes were my thanksgiving and the rest is just gravy (I do love gravy).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Road Trip Reading

Steve drove the entire way to Chicago last weekend which meant I was in charge of entertainment and fun for the trip. Those roles seem to fit both of us best. I really love to listen to Steve read aloud, but he was driving so I read a few hours worth of short stories while Luke napped or entertained himself with passing traffic and car toys, then he wanted to check out the book for himself.


He was a great traveler on the way there. We all got a little antsy stuck in traffic about an hour from the city but at least there were lots of trucks to look at, books to read & police cars with their lights on at various intervals.
Hurray for a 7 hour trip (including 3 stops, one being a joyous visit to the Mattoon Steak 'N Shake) where the family still (pretty much) loves each other and we didn't have to pull over and buy a DVD player ;)


I did let Luke use my camera for a bit of fun on the trip and I like this photo of Daddy driving.

Sicilian Dining

A big thank you to Shannon for sending me some cooking inspiration from a cooking school that she attended in Sicily. The cookbook even has a page dedicated to cooking pasta for beloved pets. I love it!

I made a pasta dish with peppers, pancetta, portabella mushrooms and chicken what was amazing. It was a joy to prepare and a total joy to watch it be enjoyed by happy family members! I took these pictures with my phone because my camera is MIA right now but I am posting them anyway!
cookbook and some ingredients the chicken was fried first in olive oil and butter (but with the skin removed!)
pancetta sizzling
red & yellow peppers and green onions added
cubed mushrooms and a little water
stewed tomatoes with salt, sugar and cayenne pepper mixed in
chicken in the pot - added port wine and simmered for about 20 minutes
finished product, cooked pasta heated with the sauce before adding to serving platter with chicken. add shredded parm and ENJOY!


This is Luke eating an apple (and peanut butter bites that Daddy ended up eating) with toothpicks in each bite...I read about this on another friend's bolg a while back and it was a big hit. He even ate some pasta last night with these new utensils.


I got in a minor accident this weekend so Luke will walk around with his tow truck saying 'mommy in trouble' when he is not throwing or kicking a football. Woke up this morning and went right back to practicing his kicking. Love him!

Powderpuff Football

I 'played' in the faculty vs. students powderpuff football game last night. It was a good time with good people, and we beat the juniors in overtime for the big win! I had a #1 fan there cheering us all on!

Date Night

Last night was my date night with Luke. I asked him a few times on the way home if he wanted to make cookies with me, and he kept saying 'no'. However, as I got all of the ingredients ready (especially the chocolate chips)and he saw measuring cups and spoons coming out to measure all kinds of fun things into bowls, he became pretty interested. We made it to counting to 4 for the flour part and then he let me finish measuring while he PLAYED. I have to say he was great using the mixer by himself, I was only allowed to hold the bowl :) and even better at cleaning the mixing attachments. Yum! Cookies came out great and the kitchen floor is almost back to normal! After lots of flour ended up on the floor, I asked Luke if I should get the broom and he started saying "Clean up mess" over and over...Wonder where he hears that! Happy weekend!

Diggin' the Outdoors

I especially like the discarded juicebox at his side. The white shirt he is wearing will never be completely white again!

Don't forget to VOTE!

Halloween Remix

We ended up having a great Halloween.

I was annoyingly cranky in the morning for no good reason, Steve golfed so I got even more annoyed, but Luke was happy and we enjoyed having my mom run a few errands with us. He didn't want to go to the park, but he DID want to go to Home Depot :)

So...after trying to get Luke down for a nap with no success, Daddy got home and went on Luke watch so I could get a few things done around the house. Nothing important, just enough stuff for me to obsess about and create anxiety (my specialty). Our pals came over in time to load both close to 3 year olds in the wagon and take off for some candy gettin'. With no nap and lots of candy on the horizon, I thought Luke might be difficult, but he was a total pro. He was blowing his whistle, smiling at Addie, saying "thank you" and not even trying to eat the candy as he added it to his little football treat bag.

The wagon was a big hit b/c we powered through the neighborhood and even did a couple of 'drive by' treat stops without the kids even having to get out of their seats. The two of them had fun making faces at one another, screaming once in a while and just enjoying the fun atmosphere. There were tons of people out, the weather was really nice, and they were collecting CANDY...what could be better.

Addie and her folks stayed to visit for a little while and the two kiddos had a blast playing all over the house. I was happy to have a little girl in the house b/c she loved playing with my Care Bears that are 25 years old and was patient enough to let me teach her a few tennis skills. When they did leave, Luke ran after their car saying "Come back, Addie". So cute :) Luke ate (I mean CRUNCHED) at least eight suckers which are his favorite candy by far and finally collapsed after stories by Daddy at 9:00. Good, good fun!

I brought ALL of the leftover candy and Luke's haul (minus a few suckers for future treats) to work to give away. Yes, I am that mom...Penalty - (withholding of candy)