Just now I was washing Helena's hair and she declared that she is very funny because she tells very funny stories. And thus she commenced:"Once upon a time there was a very, very, VERY old lady. Her name was Mommy! Patti Mommy."
No thank you. I would like another story.
Today, she and Hudson were playing with Matchbox cars while Harper and I did some multiplication (!), and Helena was starting their race: "On your MARKERS, get your STICKERS......GO!" I noticed that Hudson did not adopt her crafty variation when it was his turn to start.
We had a great Thanksgiving, hosted by the Grandparents Pate. I have never had to roast a turkey, and I hope that continues for a very long time. I got to see my childhood friends Carrie and Sharon, and that was a delight. We have a rich history together that includes, but is not limited to, starring in the Port Arthur Little Theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1982 ("starring" might be a bit of a stretch. We were Winged Monkeys and also Jitterbugs), and also breaking through the popularity barrier by making the freshman cheerleading squad (Go Warriors!) in 1983. Old friends ARE gold, just like we used to sing in Bluebirds.
On Monday the kids and I got busy making some Jesse Tree ornaments with clay. I copied the designs from this blog. The good news is that Harper is a very capable artist now and was actually helpful. We got eight done today, so we could start Monday night (technically a few days late. Welcome to our home.)
(Harper's version of Central America would have made the guys who dug the Panama Canal weep, but I decided to let it slide.) Anyway the making of the ornaments went great, then I went into the attic to get out the little Christmas tree so we had something on which to hang them. The dog followed me into the attic and managed to jump off the wood deck thing out into the insulation fluff. She was buried and flailing until I noticed, shrieked, and and managed to rescue her. Then I figured I probably ought to bathe her, because I think that fluffy insulation is actually made of fiberglass, and I surmised that might be bad for dogs generally, and also for us since she sleeps IN our bed. After she was bathed, I told the kids what had transpired, and Harper said, "She probably just thought it looked like a nice soft cloudish place to curl up and take a nap," and she was right. That is Sasha's modus operandi: to curl up in a cloudish place and take a nice nap. This morning, we started off at the park, then the temperature dropped around 20 degrees, and we removed to the S's house, where we spent a very happy afternoon.
Then tonight, the husband was working late so we ate some popcorn, set up the rabbit ears, and watched some of "The Sound of Music" on the television. We sorely missed the marionettes, and I sent them to bed before the Nazis showed up, but it was a fun little diversion. Amen.
