Is it a Packer Pickle? Corn? Nope...

So, for the kids' teachers this year, I'm busting out my stash and making them Christmas ornaments. I bought some cute boxes at Big Lots for a buh-fitty, and I'm ready to go. Here's my first try:
Now it's supposed to be a christmas light. Honest. I used this pattern. I finished in record time.

So Anna says, "Wow! You made the pickle to hide in the tree in Packer colors? Cool!" Emily said, "You made a corn?" Brian couldn't figure out what it was. He figured Emily was right when she said corn. When I told him it what it was, he said, "Oh well, maybe if you made a whole string of them." Tomorrow is (brace yourself) DECEMBER 1st! I don't have time to make a whole string of lights AND other ornaments and all the other crap I have to make for Christmas. Figuring it out, Nicholas has 2 teachers, Emily has 2 teachers, Anna has one teacher, and that isn't including Nicholas and Anna's parapros or student teachers!

So anyway, I'm working on that, a lace scarf (which is almost done), Anna's sweater, a canine related gift, plus sweating it because cold weather is here and no mitties or hats are done for my children! I am a bad knitting mom!

The night before Nicholas' birthday we were in the Appleton Christmas parade on the Library float. Our theme was "The Polar Express". Here's a few shots:


The Saturday before Nicholas had a birthday party at Soccer Heaven. It's a neat place to have a birthday, although I wish it were slightly better organized and a host was included (for $125, it ought to be). PLUS the website says that the premium party includes pizza and a free refill on your soda--it doesn't tell you that for your $125, you don't GET your first soda...you have to pay for it (a little deceiving in that omission, hmmm?) If you like a party where you don't have to do anything--don't go to Soccer Heaven. But if you want a party your 7 year old and his friends will remember...they're a great place to go.
Well, I'm off to knit some more Christmas ornaments--just probably not lights! They DO have a pattern for a knitted pickle...

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Why Can't this Weather Last Forever?

I love sitting out on the patio with the laptop and the camera, enjoying our very warm Indian Summer day in November. I know it's a tease, and that winter is just around the corner. I can feel the chill in the wind, just giving a hint of what is to be. And I know there is NO possible way I won the lottery last night, so I can winter in Florida. But I'm not ready, and I'm sorry I took all those summer days on the patio for granted. Summer wasn't very warm this year, but it was summer, and I feel like I disrespected it. So I'll pay a price this winter.

And with that, I had a really good mail day on Friday.
Two are Christmas presents, so I can't show you what it is, but the other is some yummy Zen Squooshy Sock in Raspberry Rush from Sonny and Shear.
Have I told you that Sonny and Shear is my favorite place to buy yarn? Seriously, they're AWESOME! Kris always makes me feel like my order is special, even though it always seems when I am able to order, I can only afford one thing, and I feel like a cheap-o. If you haven't gotten yarn there, I highly recommend giving them a try. You won't be disappointed!!!

Yesterday we went to Horicon Marsh, thinking, "Geez, it's 65 degrees, we'll see TONS of migrating birds!" Well, it WAS 65 degrees, but we only saw Canadian Geese (granted, there were a ton) and Coots and Mallards. Granted, Coots are lots of fun to watch swim, but it appears everything else had migrated already. Too smart for us!

I also finished one of my sockies, but I forgot to take a picture, so that will be for tomorrow.

Today the plan is going to pick up Emily from Grandma's house, and just hanging out outside. I don't even need to take a walk. I think I'll make some lemonade and just enjoy the patio right here for one more day of grace.

This is frickin funny

Jon Stewart has Glenn Beck to a T:

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Namaste

I've been feeling really blah lately, and some things have been bothering me much more than they should. Not like big things, stupid things. I got up my courage and went to Globally Sound in Appleton for yoga this morning. My friend Greta's sister, Genelle, taught the class, and their other sister, Renee, came too. It was the most wonderful decision I've made--seriously! I had such a great time, and it was so amazing and relaxing. I feel so good, I'm going to make it a weekly routine. Mostly, I'm ok with everything, and I'm definitely not as angry. And if yoga can help me feel like that, I'm on it!

I've also been knitting a sock. The pattern is ankle slipper sox in worsted weight Vanna's Choice in a Seaspray green. I thought it was a pretty color and would make a nice sock, and I'm not disappointed.
And I needed to take a picture of my Totoro bag I got on Ebay that I just love.
Nicholas has decided to do his birthday party at Soccer Heaven, so will run the deposit over there today after I pick up the house and go to work. I think it was a great choice--he had mentioned the bowling alley again (I wasn't very impressed when we went here last year). I actually went to the Wikispot page I made on kids birthday parties in the Fox Valley and read him the list, and this is how he picked it. So sometimes stuff I do actually works out!!

Think I'll grab a sandwich and move along through a house pick up.

It's Halloween

We didn't have such a great Halloween this year. Not only did Nicholas still have a fever (and now complains his ear hurts) but Emily got home from my mom's house and has a fever too. She just wept her little heart out when we said she couldn't go trick or treating, and it nearly broke mine.

So I went all out (probably too much, but oh well) and got Nick and Emily treats. I also got them some cake from Manderfields.
Anna decided to be a ghost (since with sick kids, I didn't get her costume done) and she looked cute.
So Brian and she went out, and lasted MAYBE 15 minutes in the cold. So we had no trick or treaters either with the flu in the house. It makes me feel bad, and I hope next year is better.

Some Halloween Creativity

Trick or Treat/Smell my Feet/Give me something good to eat!
If you don't/I don't care/I'll pull down my underwear!

First here are our little pumpkins--they're already rotting, poor things!!
And Emily asked that I take a picture of her artwork. She put them all next to each other on the windowsill, and then says, "Look Mom! They're loving each other!"
I'll post pics of the kids in costumes later. Nicholas still has a fever, and will not be partaking in Trick or Treating this evening. He's ok with it, since I told him I'd get him whatever candy he wanted. And sorry neighbors, we won't be handing out Flu-full candy this year either :(