Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving 2014 did not go quite as planned - but we had a very nice day with the local Oldhams - minus FB. 

Claudia asked to get dressed up this year -- she has grown so much her tights barely fit her. Along with her body - her bangs are growing -- soon she will have Elsa hair. :) 

The highlight of the day was the Turkey Cake. Forget pie in this family. Of course the other bits were delicious - turkey breast (perfecto!), roasted brussels sprouts, beans, rolls, stuffing and granny's potatoes. 

Ich Bin Ein Hamburger

Europe - how I love your cafes, cocktails, chocolates and energy.

A work trip brought me to Northern Germany last week for five days. I was hesitant to leave my beloved family, but I'm so glad I went.

Hamburg has almost as many canals as does Venice - but it's more of a workaday city with a bit of Scandinavian flair. Fish is big - herring specifically.

But the cafes and charmingly rebuilt city (most of it is post WWII) with artists, and interesting shops, were European to its core.

Of course I had to work, too! And I thought of my dear husband while gone every day...how could I not? :)

Ah, Europe. How I've missed you and long to return soon.

First snow of the year.

And I missed it.

Oh well - I was enjoying Hamburg's lovely sea air and wet European weather at the same time.

Harry & the Princess

Rhys' love for Harry continues - we are in the middle of book 5 - and he remained true to his desire to be a Quidditch Playing Harry for Halloween.

Dom, Claudia and I helped out with the Halloween Classroom party this year, too. It went pretty well - despite running out of mini pumpkins to decorate (my fault - this Room Mom thing is a bit hard.).

Later on - back on the Lane - this is how the costumes turned out. (and that is one scary costume on his buddy G. Yikes!)

Claudia was the beaming at her Halloween Party. And the cold didn't stop her later (she just kept her long-sleeves and leggings on and added an Owl Hat.)

And that is Halloween 2014 in the books.

Autumn Leaves

A warm up this afternoon and two big piles of leaves that a neighbor carefully placed just where you would find many children ready to jump in = heaven for the Little Os.

For them, not for the aforementioned neighbor who was very put out.

He does not have children...obviously -- because who with kids could be angry at a little good old fashioned fun? Not this grown-up.