A Walk in the Park: November 2008

My Black Friday experience

So, I did have a black Friday experience, although it was on Saturday night. Some friends had told me they went to Target at 6 a.m Friday morning. They said there were some good prices.

Meanwhile, our CD player died, and we needed something to play our vast collection of Christmas CDs on and as a bonus had some speakers for Mark's iPod. (we are so not technical people).

Sat. night at 9 p.m. (yes, I have an exciting life) I was browsing online the Target flier for their big 2 day sale that was ending Sat. at 11 p.m. $44 for a ipod/cd/speaker contraption. I had just been looking at one on line at Sam's club for $140. I quickly called, there were some left but "I needed to get there quickly!"

What an adrenaline high! I could hardly contain myself as I drove, giddy with excitement about our new stereo. I was kind of disappointed that there were still 10 left. But I quickly snapped out of that, snagged one, and got in the electronics line.

Having this as my only Black Friday experience, I must say I can see the appeal. When I was specifically looking for a good deal on a certain item, Target delivered.

The Thanksgiving Parade Report

As reported on Facebook, we went to the Macy's Parade. We were hard core. We defended our spots. We brought our stepstools (and a third one thanks to Heather). No one was injured in the viewing of the parade. It was great fun. We saw Miley and David Archuletta. I love this picture of Matty talking to Grandpa in the car after the parade, telling him about everything. Wish it wasn't blurry, but his enormous smile made it all worth it. Here are some highlights:

I am a machine

This is the phrase I have used several times to describe myself as I am prepping for Christmas.

I really do like to shop in November. No lines, no hassles, esp. in the parking-related area. This means no one can change their mind! Every day this week, I have been shopping (in store or on line). The kids are done. Mark is done (we are actually giving ourselves a night away on Jan. 1--thanks honey! can't wait!).

The next step is the packages to the West. I just have to sit down and do them. Maybe tonight during TV time.

Then we can move onto decorating (after Turkey day) and Christmas cards.

We are even having our first Christmas outing scheduled--NYBG train show tomorrow!

Remember to enjoy the process, Kathryn!

Now that that is over...

Back to real life. Still not 100 percent, but getting there. Thanks to some wonderful friends who also helped out. Seriously, this is the sickest I have been that I can remember. Good health is a treasure. The real test: am I well enough to go to Target today? I have got to get out of the house!

Anyways, we heard from Daichi in Japan and subsequently downloaded skype so the boys could talk over the internet for free! They got a hold of each other this morning and it was a beautiful thing. 7 a.m. our time, 9 p.m. their time. Their video was working, ours was not, so we could see them, but they couldn't see us. It made my day! Daichi--so cute and bouncing around as always. Yoko with her Harrod's apron and sweet giggle. Loved it! This should make Josh very happy. It certainly made for a great morning.

Today's a good day

for appreciating Mark! Yesterday during Relief Society, I could feel strep throat coming on. All of the sudden. No warning. I managed to get the kids home, and got into bed for a while until Mark got home and we could have dinner. Then it was back to bed for the rest of the night. Fever, chills, aches, pains, everywhere. Not fun. This morning, I knew I needed to get to the doctor. I didn't even think i could drive myself. Mark has stayed home the whole day, drove me to the doctor and pharmacy, took Josh to his ortho appt., took Matthew to the library for his storytime, and he will grocery shop later. i know he's stressed not being in his office. in fact, on the way home from the doctor, the kids were saying, we want to go home. And Mark said, I want to go to work! I don't know how I could survive today without him here. Because really all I can do is be in bed (oh, I guess blog for a minute too.) Did I mention how much I hate strep? i am on a super antibiotic and hopefully will feel better tomorrow when all the kids are off from school (today only matthew had school.)

Thanks Mark! I also thought it was important for us to have a family outing on Saturday. I went to bed suggesting the Crayola Factory. Mark was not thrilled, but when I got up on Sat. he had looked it up on the internet and was ready to go. We had a fun and memorable day there.

Here's a place for you...

if you did perhaps want to leave a comment about the last couple of posts. Not that you have to--"this is a no pressure to comment" blog. I was fooling around with the settings a couple of days ago and can't spend any more time trying to figure it out. Thanks!

Halloween--thanks for the loaners!

This year we had a great time borrowing costumes and had several occasions to don them. Note to self--less face painting next year!

We borrowed a lion for Sammy, a clown for Matthew and a bunny for Caroline. (Well, the bunny was actually made for Mark by his mother 30 years ago and he wore it for 3 years, Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Caroline found it this summer at Grandma's and knew she was meant to be a bunny for Halloween!)

Best lighting at Matthew's school party!

Tired lion at the Trunk or Treat

Before the school Halloween party. Josh is a "dressed down" vampire (t-shirt instead of button down and track pants), but mostly loved that no one recognized him with dark hair, a white face and no glasses.

The polka dot party

Recently we celebrated Caroline's birthday. We had a polka dot surprise party for her. She had gone to the movies and mini golf with a friend. When she got home, her friends were waiting for her! We all yelled out surprise. She looked dazed and confused. We quickly got going on games and crafts and we all had a great time. We played many games, including Don't Eat Pete, Bingo, a memory game, a sock game, hopscotch, pin the polka dots on Caroline, concentration, etc. Here are some pictures from the big day!