A Cozy Sunday Afternoon

With the cold rainy weather, and a couple of stuffy/runny noses, we had a cozy afternoon by the fire with coffee and naps...

and a little toe-munching...

on our new rug!

Reading all those books sure tires you out!

Janes/ Brown/ Lincoln/ Sablone/ Folk/ McQuade Family Game Night

A Post Thanksgiving feast of fun at the Janes' residence !

Christian poses for the camera

Christian watches Gavan intently!

Gavan watches Christian intently!

The Clan (minus the sleeping baby)

Mr. Paddywack

My parents have a framed picture of me in their family room, as a toddler, reading to my dolls and stuffed animals. I had set up the whole scene while on an overnight at my grandparents in the corner of their diningroom, and when my grandmother found me quietly playing, she asked what I was doing. My response: "I am Miss Paddywack, and these are my students."
I didn't intentionally set the following picture up to mimick Miss Paddywack, but it kind of does... Only Christian is reading "Tonka Town" to his crew... a book i'm sure i never would have read to my students.
Mom, can I get a copy of that picture? I think a double frame is in order...

We've come so very far....

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation of 1789

by: President George Washington

"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the Service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the single and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, of the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have to acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humble offering our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all people, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone know to be best."

Given under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

Girls night out!

Got to go out to the Melting Pot with my girls tonight! It was so refreshing to be with them-- to be girly and eat chocolate-- Cookies and Cream Marshmallow Dream to be exact (right Toni?). It was Kate's 30th birthday-- and so hard to believe we're all exiting the 20's soon! We laughed and talked about boys and ordered seconds and scraped the last bit of chocolate off the bottom of the pots! AND i got to wear my brand new jeans-- woo hooo! Totally perfect night in my opinion! It really does make you appreciate these events more when you have a child. And I feel like I'm finally at a point where I can feel completely comfortable leaving him for the evening. He's got a somewhat consistent bedtime, and is totally in love with his daddy. So no worries. I drove home with a full belly and a full heart... from being with my sisters... and returning to my loves. Life is good. I feel so blessed.

First Snow...EVER!

This is the sled Gramsy and Poppy gave me last Christmas, before I was even born! My first snowfall came just at the right time, when I am learning to sit up. I wasn't too sure what to think about the cold wet stuff, but Mommy and Daddy seemed pretty excited about it, so I guess it's alright. They say that next year we'll build something called a Snowman. Sounds fun!

Graham Crackers!

my first finger food....

I only choked once...

mmmmm.... more!