Diversity

Today was Grant's last day of school until after the Holidays. Montessori school is quite different from his old "Mom's Day Out" program. Instead of having a Holiday party gorging on cookies, chips, and cupcakes and making endless Christmas crafts and ornaments, Grant has spent the last couple of weeks expanding his cultural knowledge by learning about Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. He even came home one day telling me about the jar of pennies they have in the classroom. He said, "It's for school supplies for kids in... in... in... uh... Pakistan." I kid you NOT. He said "Pakistan."

I had ignored the flyers the school sent home on the fundraiser thinking I would get to it soon enough. Well, the next day Grant arrived at school with a baggie full of pennies.

We've been doing our fair share of gorging and Christmas crafts at home.





We'll be making Christmas cookies tomorrow.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Speaking of first, we had another one this year. Grant sat in Santa's lap.
Well, kind of...

It's closer than he has ever gotten without wailing in terror. I asked him if he was going to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. He said, "Will you help me." Translation: "will you tell him for me?" Me, "Yes, I will."

This year will be the year of Cars from the Disney movie. He wants the Screamin' Banshee, Doc, Sally, Mater, and a Lightning McQueen car track. All of which he requested on his own.

Danny ended up there with him as I snapped the picture. He couldn't quite work up a smile, but I don't blame him. What other time is it okay for a child to sit in a strange, obese, bearded man's lap dressed in a ridiculous red fuzzy suit? Hmmmmmm. NEVER!

Turkey Day

This year was a first. We had family come to our house for Thanksgiving lunch. And not just a handful, but approximately 25 adults and kids. Tradition has us going to Danny's Aunt and Uncle's house, but after hearing that some of the family might be going to Chattanooga to visit their recently purchased bed and breakfast, we volunteer up our house for the rest of us to get together. Well, plans fell through and everybody ended up coming!

It actually turned out quite nice. Everybody brought dishes included fried turkey and dressing. YUM. All I had to do was get the house ready and prepare my carrot cake and famous hashbrown casserole. Watch out Martha Stewart. Here I come!



Everyone came over early to watch the Titans cream the Lions. And after lunch the kids got to enjoy the glorious day outside with a trip in Cousin Charles' truck to the park.

We finished the day with a trip to my Mom and Dad's house to visit with my family. We really didn't need to eat another meal, but WE DID.