A Month of Thanks, Day 6

Apple Pie.  Homemade Apple Pie.  Well, I guess technically it was Home-assembled Apple Pie, but it was great all the same.  Yes, we purchased the crust at Wal-Mart, and the filling at Safeway, but we put it together in our very own kitchen.  Now surely that counts for something, doesn't it?  Anyway, the Apple Pie isn't really the most important part of my Day of Thanks today, nor is the Vanilla Ice Cream that accompanied that warm Apple Pie.  Today I am thankful that I got to sit down at the kitchen table with my four beautiful budding children, and eat that warm Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream.  I guess, when I think about it, we could have been eating anything and I would be thankful.  I will admit, though, that warm Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream are a personal favorite of mine, and that having my phenomenal daughter help me assemble this tasty treat, and then sharing it at our kitchen table with all of my children at the same time send it over the top.  Drake smeared his on the table, and held the ice cream in his hand until it melted all over his pajamas, and Anthony ate only the ice cream.  Michael enjoyed his, then returned to the football game he had previously been watching.  Leelah cleaned up the leftovers.  And I sat at the table, quietly enjoying each of my unique children, and that moment of family.  So today, my friends, I am thankful for warm Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream shared at the beautiful kitchen table my uncle made in high school with my four impossibly amazing kids.

A Month of Thanks, Day 5

Today, I am thankful for the youngest of my four amazing kidlets, Drake Joshua.  Named for two of the best men we know, Drake is such a sparkling little gem!  He is eternally happy, such a pleasant little soul.  He hasn't decided if he's left or right handed, and has recently started blaming his poopy pants on anyone and everyone available to try and talk me out of changing him.  LOL  He is always laughing about something, and loves his big sister "Lala" more than anyone on the planet.  I love that life is so new and exciting to him, and I just want to soak up every moment I can, because I know how short this time really is.  So for now, I will be thankful of his smallness, his honest love of life.  Today, I am thankful for my charming little Drake-asourus-rex.

A Month of Thanks, Day 4

In keeping with my running theme of thankfulness, today I am thankful for Anthony Gleason.  He's the most amazing 4 year old I know, although he can't wait to be 5.  LOL  He loves to be outside more than anything, and wants to do everything his big brother Michael does.  His laughter is infectious, and he gives the best hugs.  I love that he is my lefty, and my only light-eyed baby.  I even love (sorta) that he will eat nothing but peanut butter sandwiches (no jelly) and pancakes.  Honestly, if he could, he would eat pancakes 3 times a day with peanut butter sandwiches for snack in between.  And some chocolate milk to wash it down.  So today I am thankful for my crazy, funny, 100% 4 year-old-boy, Anthony Gleason.

A Month of Thanks, Day 3

Since I seem to be traveling right down the line, I may as well continue, right?  LOL

Today I am thankful for my Michael Brent.  He is the oldest boy of my trio, and amazes me in so many ways.  He eats, sleeps and breathes football, and is a Steelers fan to the core, even in a family of 49ers fans.  I love that Michael is just Michael.  He is stubborn to a fault and so much a smarty pants like his mama.   I love that he puts his all into what he loves.  He is handsome, and daring, and fantastic.  I love him more than even I can fathom.  He came into my life only ten months after his big sister, and I was scared of how that would work out.  I shouldn't have been, as Michael has helped to make everyday of my life all the more joyous and breathtaking.  So today I say thanks, for a fantabulous 10 year old Michael B.

A Month of Thanks, Day 2

Well, day two and so far so good!  LOL

Today, I am thankful for my beautiful 11 year old daughter, Leelah Jo.  The first born, and the only girl, she changed my 17 year old life forever.  She is the most caring, loving and selfless child I know.  Though, I'm not really sure I can call her a child anymore.  She always thinks of others first, and gives whenever she can.  I am proud of the young woman she is becoming, and on pins and needles to see what amazing things she will accomplish in her life.  So, today I am thankful that 11 years ago that beautiful, squalling baby girl came into my world and changed my life forever.  I am thankful, Miss Moo, for all that you are.

A Month of Thanks!

So in honor of Thanksgiving, November is a month for giving Thanks.  I'd like to say that I will post every day something that I am thankful for, but let's amend that to say I will try to post every day about something I am thankful for and see how far that gets us!  LOL

So, today, as many of you have already seen, I am thankful for my husband Alex.  In reality, I am thankful for Alex ever day, but why not start out my Month of Thanks with something I know I am so lucky to have.  Alex is my best friend, and the most amazing man I know, hands down.  He's the world's greatest Daddy, and the best hubby a girl could ask for.  Yes, we argue, and no, we don't agree on everything.  But he is my world, and I am thankful for him today, and everyday. 

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Okay, so maybe it's not the Great Pumpkin.  But it is some great pumpkins.  That's right, we carved our Halloween pumpkins here in the Thunder household last night. 
In this house, Halloween is just as exciting as Christmas.  It just so happens that it's my favorite holiday, hands down.  So we do a lot of Halloween activities in this family, including carving pumpkins.  After several trips to Lattin Farms on several different occasions, we ended up with no less than 13 pumpkins, so there were plenty to choose from for everyone.
Drake was asleep when the carving began, but woke up a short time in and decided he needed to participate.  Thankfully, I had bought some Mr. Potato Head type pumpkin face...things...on clearence a couple of years ago, and they worked out wonderfully!  So, without further ado, The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown...

This is how Drake started out the carving session.  He was pretty cranky.  And this is AFTER a nap.

Let the carving begin!  I cut the tops, and the kids pulled out the pumpkin guts.  Leelah helped Anthony.  She had to wear rubber gloves because if she gets the pumpkin on her skin, it gives her a rash.  Poor baby.  She's such a trooper!










Here's Michael cleaning out his pumpkin.



And Leelah cleaning hers.

Drake puting on his face pieces.

From left to right: Michael's Happy Pumpkin, Anthony's Vampire, My Jack, Leelah's Zombie and Drake's Potato Head

The leftovers.



The end result was 5 fantastic pumpkins to set out in front of our house, some wet newspaper, 4 happy kids, and 1 proud mama.  I hope that everyone gets the chance to do these things with their children.  Happy Halloween from our house to yours Friends.