Thanksgiving feast

Yesterday, we enjoyed a yummy thanksgiving dinner at Jason's parents house.  Gary and Eileen did an awesome job cooking.  I am lucky to be off for all four days, after having worked the last two weekends.

New to the party this year: Ethan's tabletop cards, a game he created at school.  Each card had a question to ask everyone around the table.  Some were simple...What is your favorite color?  And others more though-provoking...What famous person would you invite to your Thanksgiving dinner?   Ethan at first thought he would pick Abraham Lincoln (because "he was a great president, and I have a friend in my class named abe") but later changed his mind to Kevin Durant.
 Of course there was the requisite "What are you most thankful for" question as well--Ethan's response--"Trees.  because without trees none of us could be alive".)  So if that's not a northern California tree-hugger response, I don't know what is.  The game was cute, and Ethan was very proud.

We do have a lot of things to be thankful for this holiday.

Chicago...again!

Last weekend, I was in Chicago for a work conference.  I spent three nights downtown, enjoying the effects of global warming and a very mild November.  I even went on runs outside in shorts!

On Sunday, it was my mom's 72nd birthday, and it was pretty neat to be in town for it.  I had a nice dinner with her, my dad, Janice and Zachary (Jeff was out of town).  While in Chicago, I couldn't resist getting the kids some shirts for the Cubs' historic World Series victory...the curse is broken!  The kids love them, and have been wearing them over and over!

Top of Mt. Tam

Friday was Vetran's Day.  The kids were off school, but I was out of town on for work, and Jason had to work.  Rebeka spent the day with the kids.  She asked them what they wanted to do, and Ethan told her he wanted to go tot the top of Mt. Tam.  So she took them up (The hiked almost a mile to the very top!), and got these great pics in the process.   

Our family is very lucky to have such a great au pair!

Happy Halloween!

We have just completed a whirlwind of halloween festivities.  It all started last weekend, when Ethan participated in the "Boo-fest" soccer tournament.  The teams all dressed up--Ethan's team dressed up as pirates.  And although they did not win a game in the entire tournament, they did look pretty cute.

On sunday, the kids had fun carving their pumpkins.

 

Halloween began bright and sunny.  I joined Alaina for her halloween parade at preschool--her class made "Pete the Cat" costumes.  As per usual from Alaina, there were some tears with putting on her school costume.  But, by the parade, she was smiling.

This year, Ethan decided to dress up as Dracula.  His costume looked pretty good.  Alaina saved us some money this year and begged to go as a ninja turtle after she found Ethan's old costume in our dress-up bin.  I did my best to talk her out of it, but she would not budge, so a ninja turtle she was.

  


The weather changed by early evening, and a storm front rolled in.  We enjoyed some pre-trick-or-treating pizza with our neighbors, but by the time we headed out to trick or treat the rain had started.  It was pretty miserable, but the kids still managed to have fun and took home a lot of candy too, as fewer trick or treaters were out and people were telling the kids to take two or three candies each!

The following day, Ethan left us these little notes on our nightstands.  Pretty cute.

Warriors Game

This past summer, Ethan did a Warrior's basketball camp.  Included with the camp were two tickets to a game.  Friday was his day, and Jason took him.  He was so excited her hardly slept beforehand. Yes, they were really nosebleed seats, but no complaints, considering the price.   Even Jason had a good time.  And as a bonus the Warriors won, 106-97.  I think they might reclaim the championship this year!

Fall Pictures

This week, I had the chance to take the kids to a pumpkin patch and corn maze.  Got some cute fall pictures.  Fall is definitely in the air now, and we had our first fall rainstorm this weekend!

Illinois weekend

Each year, a group of my college friends get together for a reunion in the fall.  They tailgate, go to a football game, and reconnect.  Living in California, it is not always so easy for me to make the festivities, but this year the date worked out and I planned to join them, with a few extra days in Chicago to see my parents.

Then, about a week ago, my mom, who has been sick for a long time, really took a turn for the worse.  In a manner of days, she became bed -bound and was not eating.  I considered moving my flight up, but she stabilized, and I arrived as planned on Thursday afternoon.

My mom has lost a lot of weight since I last saw her in August, but actually seemed to be more comfortable in the bed than she had been in her wheelchair.  My dad, to his credit, has really earned a nursing degree in taking care of her--he can now do everything for her in bed, pretty much all by himself .  It is really quite impressive.  She looked so good (relatively speaking) that I decided to go to Champaign for one night and reunite with my friends.

My college friends and I had a lot of fun together.  My friend Becca brought her 8-week old baby girl, and it was such a treat to get to meet her!  The weather was a perfect fall day.   Unfortunately our team lost in overtime, but it was a good game.

I am really happy that timing worked out and that  I could spend time with my parents during this transition.  I will have two full days with them in Park Ridge before I have to head home.  I know that my mom would be absolutely amazed and proud of my dad if she could understand all that he is doing for her.  We sure are!