Yummy Goodness

I was taken aback today by how much joy and gratitude a couple of homemade baked gifts brought me today. First, I arrived at school to find that my teacher friend made a loaf of yummy goodness just for me and another teacher just because she knew how we were hoping for it. She didn't have time to make it for everyone this year like she usually does, but she made a small batch just for us because she knew she would enjoy how happy we were to get it. And she was right.

After I hyperventilated and gushed a million thank you's, I got to hear my friend down the hall shriek repeatedly with joy as hers was delivered. You would think we were teenagers opening an ipad on Christmas morning.

Then my thoughtful students brought me several nice presents throughout the day. I kept wondering why the homemade goodies touched me so much more. Is it because I linked them with the labor of love that the special bread from the morning seemed to be?

And I arrived home to the highly anticipated annual box from Aunt Pat. We all try to be the one to get the mail on the day the buck-eye balls arrive each year so we can gobble them up before anyone else sees how many we really got. I was the lucky one this year, and I had a moment of weakness where I showed the box to James, who promptly wrestled them from me before I could come to my senses. We then called her so we could all give her the mouth-full-thank-yous.

So does this mean I'm officially old now? Or does it mean I've finally realized how personal the homemade stuff really is? How it seems to have more of the giver in it? Or am I just PMSing?

Christmas Tree Farm

I'm not thrilled with how any of us look in this picture, but it's good of the trees and the farm and the beautiful day we went. And it explains why my hair looks so funny in the santa picture - hat hair.

This year we went earlier than usual on the day after Thanksgiving. I usually like to wait until after Kayla's birthday to start all the Christmas craziness. But I also wanted to start earlier this year in the hopes of enjoying Christmas for a change. I'm always so rushed and pressured and, therefore, resentful. Sad but true.

I'm so glad we did! It has made such a huge difference! I enjoyed decorating the tree because I was off from work and didn't have to rush through it. Since we had the tree, I had a place to put gifts so I could go ahead and start wrapping. That allowed me to see what I had bought and what I still needed, so I continued shopping. And I could shop online since it's not last minute, so I don't have to battle traffic or people or junk I don't want or Christmas music or any of that other stress-inducing stuff! Such a simple thing like getting the tree has allowed me to actually enjoy the Christmas season so far this year! I've even tuned my car radio to Christmas music on purpose a few times! I still can't believe that about myself.

Since G'ma Wood is here from Cleveland, she and Fred and Irene came with us. There are a few classic rocking chairs on the porch of the log cabin store, so they provided the perfect spot for G'ma to watch all the action comfortably and enjoy the beautiful day.

The kids enjoyed this year's added attraction - the rock climbing wall.

Pretty soon there won't be any more room for trees. They keep adding more entertainment each year. The place is almost unrecognizable from 7 years ago when we started going. Then it was just a hay ride and trees and a gift shop with hot apple cider and sausage on a stick. Then they added bounce houses, a roller coaster, a petting zoo, and even bungees. But once you finally get out to the tree farm part, it's still the same. And the great family that runs it seems to always stay the same. I like seeing their kids grow each year with ours. This has been the perfect start for what could actually be an enjoyable holiday season.

Date Nights

Our family date nights are spread out more these days, but we're still keeping them going. Kayla and I like to go to the mall. We eat at Sbarro's or California Pizza kitchen.

We do some shopping at Justice and Dillards and the accessories stores. Then we spend a good hour sitting in the massage chairs at Brookstone and watching the parade of people go by eyeing us with envy.

We also like to go to the bean bag store and chill on the huge bean bags.

Sometimes I can convince her to browse through the bookstore. One time we stopped at the flat iron kiosk and got Kayla's hair curled. It looked really pretty! He wanted to straighten mine, but I wouldn't let him. He seemed overly peeved about it for some reason!

Cal and I usually go bowling. We eat pizza and play video games and he plays laser tag (I'm too claustrophobic to play). It's always nice to hang with them with no agenda other than enjoying each other.

Lexie

I think the post date here is December 12, but I'm writing about when Lexie was born on August 3. We got Shellie my favorite raspberry orange muffin from Starbucks and drove to Frisco. Shellie really like her doctor, and was willing to continually make the drive so she could have Lexie here. Everything went well, and here she is with the kids.

She is beautiful and sweet and yummy. My favorite thing about her is how she sticks her leg straight up in the air when you unwrap her. I think the reason she does it is because when they were bathing her, they scrubbed a little hard in between her toes and scraped some skin off. It's like she's trying to keep her foot safe from everyone. I'm thinking I'm finally getting a fellow yogini in the family. :) When we saw her 3 months later she was still doing it. Yay! I love it!

Shellie had her first experience with claustrophobia. Apparently she woke up ripping everything off her. She just had to be free. The nurses were telling her it was too soon and she had to leave it all in, but they could tell they better not interfere if they wanted to keep all their appendages. I totally empathized with her - I've been there way too many times.

She was great in the morning when we got there. I admire her calm, joyful, humorous energy. Being around her reminds me to not only slow down and enjoy the moment - but also to laugh with it too.

Aferward the kids and I ate lunch at Chili's. Another great summer day!