Moose Hunt, etc.

Husband had a great day last weekend. It started with us traveling north to see his mom for awhile. She met us for some shopping and lunch so we didn't have to drive all the way to Oklahoma City - thank you so much!

I've been looking for a new pair of shoes for a couple of weeks and decided we could look for them while at the mall. However, we found a new pair for Husband and not for me. And, can anyone explain why/how we found shoes for Husband (size 13) for so much less than shoes for Eli? The last ones for Eli cost $32 and he's wearing a 6 and a half! Probably it's always been that way...

We had a celebratory lunch while we were with Husband's mom at Cracker Barrel. Normally, the food is great and the service is, too. We didn't find that this time. Makes me sad 'cause when I say we need to go back, Husband won't want to return...

When we got home, Husband got to open his gifts. He was traveling on a virtual moose hunt which was very intricate and had lots of details. He had two versions of his trip (just in case there was a mechanical malfunction): one was digital and one was printed on paper. Thanks to Brenda and Mike for your help with the project. I think it turned out great!

Anyway, he had to read his trip journal and then open the assorted (numbered) boxes while reading his map and looking at the 'pictures' of his trip. He got stuff before the trip (underwear/socks with new labels describing them as the warmest for his kind of trip, a tent - Eli sized, of course, new binoculars - also Eli sized since Husband has a pair of his own...) and then he got to open stuff he needed at the virtual part of his trip (caribou snacks, compas, etc.). After all the unwrapping - in which Eli played a large part - Husband was able to open his last gift: a moose! Yep, you read that right! He bagged a moose on his virtual hunt!

Actually, I got it for him while I was in Kentucky the last time. (Thanks, Jen, for helping me pick it out!) It's made from car parts, welded together and then painted brown. I think it's the cutest moose I've ever seen! And, the best part is he isn't a real moose that's been stuffed and will collect dust. Sorry, no pic yet.

After the hunt, we all went to dinner. Husband chose the location - which was better than Cracker Barrel but not the place I had planned. But, it's his birthday, right?

On Sunday, we went to dinner with my parents to celebrate. We hit the new Uncle Julios. I hadn't been there in quite awhile and it will probably be even longer before I return. Theme of the weekend: restaurants don't meet our expectations...

All in all, I think Husband had a great birthday weekend.

Now it's fall break. I haven't been at school since Friday - yeah! And, just like always, I make a list of things to accomplish over the break. I've done pretty well so far. I've finished several quilt/sewing projects and either have them in the mail or have delivered them (and made some $$$$); gotten some Christmas shopping completed; cleaned out our closet, the sewing room and Eli's closet; went to visit Santa; and spent some quality time with my boys, my parents, my brother and some friends. I still have quite a few things on the list, though.

My brother came to visit this weekend since he'll be at the UT game on Thursday in Austin. What fun to see him and have Eli bond with him some more. It's so cute to hear Eli say, 'Terry.' My brother is great with him and Eli loves to show him how to play with his toys. Thanks for coming to see us!

Today, please pray for me. I'm going shopping. That's not the difficult part. I'm shopping with my mom, my grandma and Eli. It will be a trying day, for sure. I've always loved going shopping with my mom and Gram but adding Eli to the mix as my Gram has gotten older has been hard on us all. We'll have a stroller and a walker and we won't be moving very fast. So if we're in your way in the busy mall, please don't get upset with us and say anything mean - just go around us and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Extra prayers today should go to Alyson and Justin. Today is the day that Jonathan was to be born. It's a sad day for anyone who knows them as they wait patiently for God to bless them with another pregnancy - one that will produce the healthy and happy baby that they so desire. Love, hugs and prayers to you, friend!

Happy Birthday, Husband!

Happy birthday to my Husband! Today he turns 40 - Wow! (It's scary that I'm not far behind!!!)

I've been planning a big birthday surprise for him for months! He didn't want a big party, he didn't want anything 'big' but then he said that he wanted to go on a Moose Hunt and 'bag one' in Alaska. So, those of you who know me know that I really don't want a moose head hanging in my house - and, can't even THINK about the possibility.

I had no intention of sending him to Alaska for that hunt for many reasons. Thanks to Brenda/Mike/Lily for offering to host us but we'll come to visit when it isn't hunting season. (They live in Wasilla - made famous recently because of Sarah Palin.)

Today, he gets to see what I've got planned for him except that his mother decided she wanted to spend some time with us. We'll be headed to Oklahoma this morning for brunch and playing with Grandma Marie and then, on the way home, the real fun will begin! (If the weather doesn't effect my plan.)

Have a great day/weekend!

Happy Belated Halloween!

We had a week full of Halloween activities last week. Some events were: visiting my Gram at her place in costume, attending the assembly at my school, going to a party at my Gram's place, the town Halloween festival and trick-or-treats at home. Whew!

My mom and I took Eli to see Gram one afternoon. She's living with 9 other women in an assisted living place which is not all that close to my house but MUCH closer than Missouri. Anyway, when we got there, we put on his Elmo head/hat and went inside. All the ladies were making appreciatively cute noises and then one said, 'What is that, a bug?' Which sent me into gales of laughter because doesn't everyone know what Elmo looks like? I guess not if you're 90 years old!

We also had our monthly assembly at school last week. I enjoy taking Eli and he likes to see the 'big kids.' This year, being Halloween, he got to trick-or-treat at a couple of my friends' classrooms while he was there! Score!

We had a pretty good weekend and we even figured out a way to get him to brush his teeth without screaming. I give him the toothbrush, let him 'brush' while I sing a goofy song - and his toothbrush lights up. Thank you for all the emails and comments with pointers! This is what's working for now!

He started at preschool two days a week yesterday. My parents decided they couldn't go 'cold turkey' and only see Eli two afternoons a week yet. (Our other option besides their house fulltime is a fulltime daycare.) So, it's two days from 9 until 2. Husband will take him and my parents will pick him up. My parents had other commitments yesterday (Mom worked the election and Dad had a couple of appointments) so I took him myself and picked him up. Yes, I took another day off school! This is crazy! I never used to take a day off! I made a couple of other appointments since I was off anyway.

He did fine. I didn't cry - until I called my dad. Eli was fine going into the room and even playing with the other kids and I had another form to fill out. I took it down the hall to complete so he wouldn't see me. When I brought it back, he saw me and started crying. I scooted out rather than wait for him to calm down.

Then, I called Husband and told him I wasn't crying. I called my dad to tell him I'd pick him up to go back with me and then I started crying. I guess I was thinking: first it's preschool, then kindergarten and then he's practically out of the house! Psycho mom...

I also got my hair cut and colored yesterday. It's the shortest it's been in years and it's the closest to my natural color it's been since before I met Husband. He likes the color but not the cut. I don't have any pics of the new cut yet. I think it's good for a change but not sure I'll leave it this way for very long. But who knows?

Wishing the election had gone the other way. Praying for our new President and hoping he'll learn to say the pledge with his hand over his heart before January.

And, Happy Birthday to my brother - a day early!