Other Outings in November

This month was dedicated to very few outings with the kids, a handful of playdates, and me only stealing a couple of hours sans children to spend with other fun ladies in the area.

We always try to take advantage of Forsyth Family's "Kids Morning Out" each month. This month it was at the Wake Forest Football Stadium, and was geared towards much, much older children since the day it was hosted was a day that older age kids had off from school. While we just observed other kids playing in the bounce-house and while Lily had fun watching Mommy hula-hoop... the only thing that she really was able to do was color. It was slightly a bummer to come all the way out just for her to color. But, at least I now know where Deacon's stadium is located!

We didn't have very many play-dates this month. People were busy, busy, busy preparing for Thanksgiving. But we did manage to sneak a few in!

I was able to step away from kids one Saturday and participate in what our church has nicknamed: "Super Saturday." Essentially it is one Saturday in the Fall where you come to the church for several hours and complete as many crafting projects as possible. You can bring your own, or sign up (in advance) for those that are being offered as classes. I only signed up to do glass etching. I got four of my pyrex 9x13 pans etched and they look beautiful. I wish I would have brought anything and everything that was glass to have my name etched on them!

I was also able to sneak away one evening for Book Club. The book of the month was: "Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard." Not my favorite, not likely to ever recommend it to anyone else, but definitely interesting and definitely gave me stronger opinions about our (flawed) prison system.

Even though this month wasn't jam-packed full of activities, it was a nice month. The weather was great, no one was sick, and we were all about to get out and enjoy the company of others a few times throughout the month!

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, our family was doubly blessed with invitations to spend the afternoon eating and relaxing with others.

We were invited to start our Thanksgiving dinner with the Dazey family. They had a FULL HOUSE! The missionaries came over, we were there, their immediate and extended family all came from all over North Carolina. It was jam packed full of conversation, good food, and love. They are such a delightful family and we have really enjoyed getting to know them on a personal level. I wish more people in the area could be more like the Dazey family!

Our next stop was at the Marshs. This family has made us truly feel like North Carolina is home. Their daughter, Anna, is our super-star babysitter. And Mason is in Michal's Sunday School class. Before that we had Chris (who is on a mission) in our YSA class. This family truly embodies what it means to be Christlike. They have done nothing but show us acceptance, kindness, and love. I just wish I knew how I could return the favor and let them know how much we appreciate all that they have done for us! Words seem meaningless in comparison for how they have opened their arms to us and how they have made us feel. Right now the only way I know how to show gratitude is to emulate their example and show that same love and kindness to new families that move into the area!

** Need group photo from Keri Marsh **

I can't quite pin my finger on how to articulate it, but it means so much to me and my family to be included for such a traditional family-style-type meal at another's home. We feel extremely blessed that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with such incredible families. We felt right at home and it was one of our most memorable Thanksgiving's yet!

10 Months

Happy 10 Months Marco!

I almost dropped the ball in getting Marco's 10 month pictures taken. All of a sudden life became busier, and his sleeping schedule became more consistent - and that left me with very little time to find moments to take a couple amateur photos of this boy and his growth.

Latest Achievements:
* Climbs upstairs
* Sneaks away
* Makes messes in everything
* Has a great set of vocal chords. Marco never cries, but is so loud at whining and grunting. I swear that the neighbors wake up when they hear him moaning.

Milestones:
* Sometimes says Ma-ma
* Sometimes says Da-da
(neither on command)
* Went from being in the 4th percentile (for weight) to the 6th percentile

Teeth:
* Four

Clothes Sizes:
* Pajamas: 9 Months
* Clothes: 6 Months
* Socks: everything's too small (picture is proof of that)

Favorites:
* Loves his blankets and won't go to sleep without them.
* Food: Guacamole, Cheese, Applesauce, Bread, Bananas

Quirks:
* Goes to bed between 5:00 and 5:30 pm.
* Hates cuddling or being held close or tight.
* Won't fall asleep on Mommy, but loves to fall asleep on Daddy.
* Very much a Daddy's boy as he prefers to be held or spend time around his Daddy instead of his Mommy.

I feel like Marco sleeps so much and hasn't been as communicative as Lily was at this age. Any moment he is going to surprise us with his words and his interaction, but until then... we will take any snuggles or playtime we can get with this extremely energetic baby!

November Shopping Trips

When the weather turns warmer, I don't want to drag kids around outside in the cold(er) air and possibly have them get sick from it. So, instead, I alternate how to get out and about. It looks like a common theme is going shopping! I wish life was more entertaining and more adventurous than shopping trips to the pet store, Trader Joes, and Costco... but when Marco goes to sleep between 5:00 and 5:30, I have to get creative, and practical, with how much I can do, and where I can go, to keep them entertained. 

Lily's favorite shopping trip included a stop to Home Depot. Between morning and afternoon naps and lunch, this was the only errand we could run this day. She was so excited to get her Sulley nightlight. 

And Friday night (more like 5:00 at night) Costco trips have become the norm for us. We would rather keep Marco up an extra hour than fight the traffic on a Saturday morning. And, speaking from experience, there is NO ONE at Costco on a Friday night. It's so much more fun for the kids to run around and play with toys, eat samples, and check out when it's not a long tedious process because of traffic at this store.

And with November being the month of sales to vamp up for Christmas, we capitalized on this and went shopping at two of our favorite stores: White House Black Market and J.Crew. These stores, also happen to be two of Lily's favorite stores because there are plenty of mannequins for her to hug.

Hopefully shopping won't be on our agenda in December. For some reason, in December stores are ten times more busy with traffic. Nevertheless, January might see us as frequent shoppers again!

Lily's Hats

It may just be a Polish* thing, but Lily genuinely loves to wear hats. And if there's not a hat readily available, she finds creative ways to place objects on her head which resemble a hat. 

*In Poland, there is a hat for every occasion. If your child is seen hatless, everyone you pass will comment and remark about how your child is too cold (or will get sunburnt) from them not wearing a hat. Several American friends, who live in Poland, put hats on their children for the sole purpose that Polish grandmothers will stop chiding them for being bad mothers and not covering their children's heads. It is quite a serious matter in Poland, but I can also understand their point of view because in America we get in a car and drive everywhere. In Poland, this is not always the case and hats are necessary to keep warm, and the sun off you, when you are without shelter (like from a car) for long periods of time. 

Lily not only loves to wear hats, but she encourages others to wear them also!

It is quite challenging for me to describe how often she wears hats and exhort how much she loves them. So I'll let the pictures do all the talking...

Here are just a few snapshots of her wearing the many hats she owns:

Owl Hat

~ made, with love, by Grammy

White Summer Hat

Blue Winter Hat

~ made, with love, by Aunt Bridgett

Pink Summer Hat

Gray Beanie with pink bow

~ sent, with love, by Babcia

Frozen Hat

~ sent, with love, by Babcia

Krispie Kreme Paper Hat

Fireman Hat

Multicolored Summer Hat

Bear (Hat) Hoodie (always worn up as a hat)

~ Sent, with love, from Babcia

Wigs

Santa Hats

(Red, Silver, and Gold)

Gray Sequined Winter Beanie

~ sent, with love, from Babcia

Other Random Hats

Mushroom Hat

Daddy's Hats

Make-do Hats

~ out of a funnel ~ and ~ out of an opened and empty envelope~

Unicorn hood upon her towel

Raccoon Hat

Marco's Hat

Hairbows/Hairclips

and...

lastly...

her princess crown

After looking back over all these photos from 2015, and realizing how much Lily loves hats... I think I'll add it to my New Years Resolution list to make some hats for Lily.