365 Days of my Life: Happy Belated Turkey Day!

With the holidays in full swing, combined with insanely beautiful weather, I have just not had a time to update. However, I hope everyone had a very fulfilling Thanksgiving that was absolutely peaceful. Here is what we have been up to this week.

Wednesday was a day of preparing and enjoying the very unseasonably warm weather we have had. It was actually warm enough to just wear sweatshirts, which is AMAZING. That means no fighting little arms that hate being constricted in a winter jacket. The boys and I started off our morning by visiting the pet store to originally see fish. However, the boys found the ferrets, turtles, guinea pigs, birds, and frogs to be equally as amazing. It was so adorable to see Carter point to the fish, look at me with his wide eyed excited look, and yell "Fish!" It was also adorable to see him wave bye bye to all of the animals we walked away from. While we were looking at the fish, and I should say while the kiddos were entranced by the fish, Pierce looked up at me and asked if Santa could deliver fish instead of hot dogs for Christmas. Oh, and that he couldn't forget the book. I am not sure what book he is referencing, but I think fish are doable. I have been thinking about it for awhile, since we have everything needed downstairs. I am just not sure where we can put it that is within view, but not within view all at the same time...I just don't want them banging on the glass the whole time.

From there we went next door to purchase all of our stuff that we needed to bring for Thanksgiving, and the boys had a lot of fun tasting different cheeses and such. And I felt horrible, since I found out after words, both of the boys were sneaking grapes out of the cart and into their mouths while I was shopping. This was discovered when I picked up a half empty bag, and Pierce showed me how he was able to sneak them. Oops! No wonder why they were not fussing.

Carter fell asleep in the car, and I successfully transferred him to his bed, where he took a nice long nap. Pierce had other plans, and ended up doing Pilates with me. He is the best Pilates buddy ever - I have never laughed so hard during a work out. But he makes you stay honest. I had stopped at 8 of something, and he goes, "No momma, you need to do 10." He will be a great drill sergeant. Once Carter woke up, we continued our work out, and took a nice long walk downtown. We entertained Nana at The Opera House, then Pierce walked the entire 1/2 mile uphill to Dunkin so he could use the potty. I was very impressed that his little legs could do that. I was also more impressed that he was able to hold it. :) My boys are growing up so incredibly fast. I am afraid to blink, since I know I will miss something.

Later that night, Carter spent some time with his beloved Papa, while Pierce and I hung out downstairs playing with the Geomags. He loved them! He specially loved making the magnets "fight" and learning about positives and negatives. Then Carter started running around the house aimlessly singing Mary Had a Little Lamb and dancing after Pierce man went to bed. Carter is def great at making us laugh. I have no idea where he comes up with the stuff he does, but he is such a comedian!

Thursday was Thanksgiving, and since it was still super warm out, Pierce and I decided to put up the Christmas lights so Santa knows where to stop and deliver presents. That also entailed a brief trip to the local store, since for the 3rd year in a row, the lights have disappeared. (I do know we lost 1 strand to the lawn mower...but there should have been 4 more strands. There were only 2). Carter ended up helping us in his own way to put up the lights. It was great. The only person we were missing was Danny, and that is because he took advantage of quiet and took a shower. You know, it is amazing how much you appreciate a quiet shower as a parent. Honestly, that is one of the best things ever. Dan then took the boys to Nana's house for a bit so I could make my cheese platter and take a break. Carter had also broken out in a rash from head to toe, and it turns out it was from the Amoxicillin that he was put on for his sinus infection. Yay for us. I almost canceled Thanksgiving because of it.

I was extremely grateful to be able to go to my cousin's house, and see all of the family I barely ever see. The more I talk to my family, and the more we all get together, I am starting to learn some of their quirks, and I love it. They are all different in their own ways, but it is amazing that they are also welcoming of me, my mom, and my family considering how close nit they are. Plus all of the little guys get along so well, and Pierce has since told me that Sammy (one of the older "little" cousins), is very pretty. I have also heard that he wants to play with Aaron and Maddie soon, so I guess I need to make some play dates. :)

Friday was a day spent outside, all day. Pierce helped me mail off the first batch of Christmas cards, then we found some random friends walking downtown, followed by going to the bank and Savers. I was so excited that I scored a Maclaren double stroller for $15. This was even more special, since Dan had the double stroller with him at work, and I was not able to really do a nice power walk with just the single stroller. Once we had the double stroller, we ended up going to Thomaston Dam, and taking a huge 2 1/2 hour jaunt. Carter slept through most of it, but Pierce had a blast climbing the rocks and jumping off of them with me. And just running around enjoying the beautiful weather. We came home for some downtime, before we headed out with two of our favorite friends to meet Santa in Watertown.

When we arrived in Watertown, the event that was happening was not at all what was described in our playgroup. At first it was frustrating, but we ended up having a blast once we figured out what was going on. We never actually personally met Santa (we were ticket number 268), but we did march a parade that led him to the Gazebo where he turned on all the Christmas lights on the town green. The boys loved marching (or rather riding in the stroller), although Pierce was concerned in the beginning. He explained he could not march without his bass drum. I explained that not all parades have fife and drum corps, and that this one he could just wave to everyone. And that he did from his comfy little stroller. :)

Then we left the boys with Mimi and Papa, and headed out for a night on the town for Dan's 10 year reunion. It was odd to be out without my boys, and to actually have a date with my husband. At first I wasn't even sure what to talk about with him (I know, sad), but we ended up having a blast.

So far today we went for a family walk at the Northfield Dam, and Pierce rode his bike almost the entire time. He and Carter discovered wishing wells, waterfalls, and Carter discovered he can really walk on his own and in the family in walking. Now Dan has them watching some Baby Einstein, since they are both very tired and went to bed late (that whole grandparent watching them thing - and no I am not complaining. I love it!). We are waiting for my mom to come here, and then later tonight we are going on an amazing train ride to meet Santa, and we have a bunch of our friends coming with us. It is going to be a great day, even if it is about 20 degrees colder than yesterday. Hope you all have a great day too! And remember, every little thing you see and do is a blessing. Enjoy them, embrace them, and never forget the little moments. After all, there are way more little moments than big moments.