Happy Hunukkah!!

We opened the box of holiday decorations, pulling out the menorah (and the electric one for the wall, huge hit, HUGE) and the candles...usually I pick them up at the end of the season, but I must have forgotten last year. And I didn't pack up the dreidles...no clue where they got to...

But other than that, the boys had a good first night. Bayley got a paint by number kit (he is all about the art) and Hayden got Toby, one of the few Thomas trains they don't have.


Jeff and I opened the gifts the boys got for us...I got a loofah on a stick and gel pens...Jeff got a flashlight and a window sticker that has half a football sticking out of it.

Bay looks at Jeff and deadpans..."It's a joke, Dad." I had to turn around.

Their gifts to one another were bigger hits. A glider and bouncing putty! Who knew?

Holiday Gifts

A commercial came on TV (no clue what for) and asked "Are you done with your holiday shopping yet?" Hayden turned to me..."OH NO! I need to shop!"

So once I stopped giggling, I took him to the Dollar Store and let him go to town picking things out for everyone. It was random, so hopefully people realize he was so sincere in his choices. I tell you, it was adorable.

Hayden told Bay about his day, and so Bayley was anxious to go on his own shopping spree. Oddly enough, Bayley kept trying to pick things out for himself (under the guise Hayden and I can share), while Hayden didn't. Bay was nearly done, then had a moment of panic. Oh no, I didn't get anything for my teacher! Too cute.

Hanukkah starts tomorrow...we'll see how the gifts go over...

Thanksgiving

We made our annual trek to Medford for the big day...what a drive. Thanks to the baby on board I have had terrible motion sickness, but a friend suggested SeaBands and they worked like a champ...if only they worked for grocery stores...but I digress...

The boys loved being at Gram-mo & Pop-Pop's, though they were non-plussed we forgot their swim trunks so they couldn't take a dip with Pop-Pop in the hot tub. We stayed for a few days, but never really made it out of the house. That seems to be our MO in Medford.

Gram-Mo had a Bingo game waiting for Bayley, so he was constantly recruiting people to play with him. He should have been charging for the Bingo cards...he could have made some serious cash! Instead he let everyone play, and pined for the Leapster Gram-Mo and Pop-Pop got him for Hanukkah...mean ol' mom wouldn;t let him play with it until Hayden had one too. It made the drive home quite nice!

Grandma Evie again proved her skills - bringing cream puffs (Hayden's fave) and eclairs (Bayley's fave). I swear, that woman doesn't miss a trick! Hayden had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner of rice crispies...while Bayley at least opted for mashed potatoes.

Guy Fawkes Night!

Remember Remember
the 5th of November,
the gunpowder, treason and plot

I can think of no reason
the gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.

Since the Tweeds trekked across the ocean and country, we've learned quite a bit about England...namely they like to lounge and nosh on Boxing Day, and Guy Fawkes Day is about fire.

Next year we'll plan ahead and have some fireworks...and something more than marshmallows to burn in effigy....Sponge Bob perhaps?

Halloween!!

We had a Howling-good time this year. Hayden loved dressing up. He wanted to be a clown, doctor, leopard...and the leopard won out!



He had a fun party at his preschool with all his friends, then they went to pizza together. Their conversations are hilarious. "Leopards eat food off the floor, and I am a leopard, so I can too."



Bayley had a class party...but I have no pix as I was bussy doing this bean bag toss thing. Next year I am wising up and sitting down, doing a craft like the smarter mom's did. Bay is getting so big. He carved his own pumpkin this year!



For the big night we had a neighborhood party where we had pizza and fixings, then the dads took the kiddos trick-or-treating. Except...the bigger kids were much to fast for the wee ones. Hayden was so proud to be the one that kept up with them.

That Zoo Trip

Remember the one where I thought I lost my camera? It was member appreciation day and we got zoo lunchbags...and the kids pretended they were monkeys :)

In Loving Memory....Connie Gooler

Mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, artist, athlete, humorist, and the woman who introduced me to frozen yogurt..we miss you already.

To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me

(Author Unknown)

When I am gone, release me, let me go,
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, You can only guess,
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it is time I travel alone.

So greive a while for if grieve you must,
then let your grief be, comforted by trust.
It's only for awhile that we must part,
so bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear,

All of my love around you, soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile, and say,.......
"Welcome Home"

Out Front

In our neighborhood we're very lucky that most of the kids are in the same age group. For little tykes, they play together quite well. Usually they enjoy sidewalk chalk or riding bikes...but this time of year one of our neighbors has a tree in the front yard that is magnificent for dropping it's leaves. Adults think, what a mess. Kids think, what fun!!

Pig Pen

No pictures...but the boys had their annual trip to the pumpking patch - Hayden as a field trip with preschool, Bayley with a group of friends during school inservice day. Luckily, we got good weather on both days...and...here is the 101 thing...there is a pigpen there. Check!

No we didn't disappear...

I just lost my camera the last time we went to the zoo. Having pics helps me remember to keep people up to date, and since I have no pics...

But, we do have some news. We're expanding...