Giving thanks, family style

Greetings blogging friends and family!

I am back from taking a much needed week long break. I can’t say I am well rested, but just getting away from the regular ol’ grind and work was so nice.

There were five kids in the house; their ages: 9, 8, 7, 5 and almost 2. My Princess is the ONLY girl, and she prefers to serve cheese with her whine, unlike the boys.

As you can imagine, it was non-stop playing with occasional arguing. Over important things like what movie was going to be watched or who was going to be player 1 on the Wii. Sheesh, if that was my only worry in the world.

We began our week of giving thanks by joining my two oldest nephews at their school for lunch:

We also enjoyed my middle nephew’s class Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday. I took this sweet little face to the “buffet” THREE times:

My sister and brother-in-law are both on staff at the school and stopped by for a photo opportunity.

The Princess was thankful to spend excessive amounts of time on the trampoline, as evidenced by the LARGE amounts of static electricity in her hair:

Me being a lifetime scientist, had to verify the presence of such electrical currents (only after emptying my bladder, of course):

Funny how a 40 year old on a trampoline brings out the masses to join in the fun:

Thursday, we were joined by a surprise guest for our Thanksgiving feast. Mr. GRITS drove down to surprise the kids and spent Thursday and part of Friday with us before having to return for work on Saturday:

Raise your hand if you remember years of sitting at the official “kids table”:

The hubby and I had a little bonding time with our youngest nephew, Jackson. We had to convince him that we are as cool as his brothers think we are. Mission accomplished, I think:

*WARNING* Auburn fans, look away now.

As some of you may not know, it was college football rivalry week here in Alabama. Saturday we enjoyed, for the first time in the last 7 years, watching Alabama beat the Auburn Tigers 36-0.

ROLL TIDE!!!!

12 - 0, bay-bee!

We’re #1!!

Despite the fact we were slap dab in the middle of Florida State country, we all donned our ‘Bama garb. We even took the kids out for breakfast despite the fact the city was packed with people for the Florida/FSU game.

Here’s the next generation of Alabama football fans:

I even had my special ‘Bama ‘fro going on, thanks to the FL rain and humidity:

So, now we all have to get back to our regular routines and I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled blogging. I hope you all had as much fun at your Thanksgiving get together as we had at ours.

(btw, I created my sister a new blog header….go here to check it out and maybe we can encourage her to do a little more posting! I’d like us to be as famous as another family blogging duo—Queen B and Beachy Mimi)

Working for the Weekend

I don’t know about everyone else, but around here we definitely look forward to our weekends!

This past week was no different from any other week, except for the fact we had actual weekend plans.  Not just a play it by ear thing.

Friday night was movie night.  It was a no brainer for the GRITS group:

 

I’m not ashamed by the fact we L-O-V-E some HSM and, for us, this one was just as good as the first two.  And who can complain when you’ve got a 20ft Zac Efron on the screen.  Ahem.  So, if you haven’t seen it, you must go!  And don’t forget the Milk Duds to go with your Coke Zero.

 

Saturday, I went with a couple of friends to a local event called Merry Market sponsored by our local Junior League.  It was my first time to attend and there were so many vendors with a lot of cute items.  But it was a bit too, as I say, “chez froo-froo” for me.    I just can’t justify spending more on an outfit for my 7 year old than I would on myself.  I guess I am cheap like that.  I like to think of it as practical.  Anywhoo.

However, here’s my favorite purchase, a ceramic polka dot Alabama Christmas ornament that looks like the one shown in the photo below, which was taken by my bloggy friend Leigh over at Tales from Bloggeritaville.

 

 

And what exactly do you think we were doing at 2:30 Saturday afternoon???  Must you ask. 

 

ALABAMA FOOTBALL

LS-who?

#1, bay-beee

Ok, I’m done rubbing it in.  I can’t control myself.

 

The GRITS kids learned to work for their food this weekend when our pecan tree began dropping pecans from its branches like manna from Heaven. 

The kids spent the better part of Saturday morning collecting nature’s goods.  And they’ve spent the better part of the weekend enjoying the “fruits” of their work.  Lego-Man is still holding out for a pecan pie.  I’ll get right on that.  In a minute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We topped our super fantabulous weekend off with a little dippin’ tonight.  A little chocolate, some fruit and *poof* instant gratification for all involved. 

 

 

 

Hope you all had a great weekend and just remember there are only 5 more days until Friday!  Everybody’s working for the weekend……

Wordless Wednesday—We’re #1

 

 

(University of Alabama Homecoming Parade 2008)