Our Thanksgiving

What a week this has been!  Last week the kids were crabby, not eating or drinking, so I figured they were sick, but didn't know what kind.  My friend T. suggested that perhaps they had sore throats, since it was going around.  This week I know she was right, because the Littles have horrible snotty noses, but are happy again, and the rest of us got painful sore throats that turned into horrible snotty noses!  Only Dad didn't get it, so he's worked harder than everyone else around here.

The good news is that we've had two days in a row with no wet diapers during the day, and everyone using the potty (even for poop!)  Two people are wearing panties all day, and only one is still stuck in a diaper.  This does not go for night-time, though.  Little Girl takes herself potty, and is all down with her bad self (well, she really is!) putting the potty seat on the big toilet, and hopping right up there, and Big Girl follows her lead, instead of waiting for an invitation, as usual.  Little Boy just starts complaining, and fussing, and pulling at his clothes, so that's his signal, I guess.

The kids have been very active, climbing up and down the bunkbeds, and playing on the trikes in the house.  We've been working on learning to pedal, and we're getting close, I feel.  The girls have been repeating everything I say, and often, it sounds like it's supposed to.  Usually just one word, though.  Usually, the most important word in the sentence, or the last word I say.  Little Boy has been babbling a lot this week, "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma" and "ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba."  It just feels lovely around here.  Helps that the big people in the house are in a good mood for the holidays!

Work schedules dictated that we celebrate Thanksgiving early, so we had ours today.  David is the keeper of the holidays around here, and he likes it festive while he cooks, so he simultaneously has pots simmering, Christmas movies playing, and Christmas music blaring.  He likes his eggnog, too, with a little bit of cheer--wink, wink!  The little kids love to watch people cook, and a big feast requires quite a bit of cooking, so they got front row seats a few times.  What's a better memory than being given little bites of deliciousness by the cook?  You don't get that in an orphanage, I guarantee!

Papa Bear cutting up fruit for the fruit salad

Little Girl discovered that if she drove past Daddy, she could score a treat.

Someone discovered this prime real estate at Daddy's elbow.  Notice that he's eating apple-with peel.  When he wanted more, he'd reach up and pull on Daddy's arm.  Dad finally said, "Someone come get him;  I'm trying to get done!"

How can someone so adorable, curious and innocent turn so quickly into...

...someone so enraged and agonized?  This boy has anger issues!

We have so much for which to be thankful!