Happy Thanksgiving from Addison

Here is 2009's installment of Thanksgiving songs for you, from Addison.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

As a quick catch-up on the rest of November, we attended Bradley's Country Fair (lots of great shopping and a ride on a white pony) and went to Disney World for Robert's 28th birthday. We explored Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom this time. We all found the cool weather ideal and thoroughly enjoyed the animal exhibits.

As for our two Thanksgiving meals this year: We look forward to our 1st Thanksgiving lunch in Betty & Phill's new house. We also look forward to our 2nd Thanksgiving dinner at Andrew & Evelyn's new house.

Happy moment for the month: A student, who started the year at a 2nd grade reading level, hugged me after seeing a 79% passing score on a reading post-test last week. He was so proud of himself! I cried because I was so touched. Those are the moments that keep me going back to work every day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Going to the "Mair"

I think Addison's hearing is a little blocked still because this past weekend when we told her we planned to go to the Fair, she kept saying, "Great! Let's go to the MAIR!".

We had a fun time with Nonnie and Doodah, but sadly I got very few photos. Here's the two that I snapped prior to the camera batteries' death. First photo is before we went in, second photo is watching the pig races.

all grown up

Addison and I shopped at the mall this morning. Before we left home, Addison packed her black purse complete with lipstick, cell phone, mirror, and debit card. She calls her debit card her "wallet". I assume this is because she knows the debit card is like money and Robert & I keep our money in our wallets - I guess it's a fusion of the two ideas in her mind.

After we'd successfully shopped for a dress for Mommy, Addison asked for a cookie. We walked down to the cookie shop, she made her selection, and then as the girl wrapped up the cookie, Addison pulled her debit card/"wallet" out of her purse and tried to hand it to the cashier. I was in disbelief. She wanted to pay for her own snack! I secretly paid with cash and pretended to hand her debit card/"wallet" to the cashier...I don't want to spoil this responsible behavior! She beamed with pride as she carried her cookie to a table.

Today was also the first time I've seen her eat an entire cookie. Typically, Addison will only eat cookies with icing on them (Oreos, etc.), licks the icing off, and leaves the cookie on the table. Today, however, she ate the entire cookie. Perhaps it was pride, perhaps it was hunger. I'll never know. I do know that I was a proud mommy today, for many reasons.

Because what's better than Christmas, funnier than singing elves?

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

because Trevoer queried on his blog...

...I will now do the same.

What are your Top 5 most favorite movies? Movies that you cannot imagine your life without? Movies that you could watch 500 times and still enjoy as much as the first time? Here are my Top 5.

1. The Goonies - I will laugh EVERY SINGLE TIME I see Chunk do the Truffle Shuffle.
2. The Breakfast Club - what's life without a little of John Hughes' film brilliance?
3. Grease - Music, dancing, idealistic high school life, awesome costumes...what more can I say?
4. Clue - I love the game, I love the movie.
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - I love Matthew Broderick.

I guess I'm stuck in the 80's. There are current movies that I really like, but they haven't been around long enough to breach the top 5....only the top 10.

Career Options for Addison

Lately, Addison has been experimenting with career options. Her teachers taught a unit on "community helpers" and Addison has wanted to be everything from a police officer to a fire fighter to a doctor. The last two nights, though, she's leaned toward something new: hairstylist.

For your viewing pleasure, here are some samples of her work (with a little help from Daddy):





I'm pretty sure Robert should discontinue his work as an engineer (the environment can wait!) and he should immediately begin studying to become a stylist. Clearly, based on the beautiful work he did on my hair.





I wanted in the worst way to return the favor to Robert by giving him a stunning hairdo, but his short hair made it difficult. This is the best Addison and I could muster. There are two little clips on the left side of his head, and one big clip in the front.

The most exciting part for me about all this hair-play is that Addison now LOVES to wear bows and will even voluntarily brush her hair! My days of fighting over making her hair look presentable are over! Let's hope it's for the long term! Wish me luck!


And now for your further entertainment is a video of Addison reading some words. Enjoy!

photo recap of the last few weeks

Addison's first haircut! Really, just a small trim. We had to maintain the "Princess Aurora" qualities of her hair. Robert held her like the for about 20 minutes. Addison pretty much has the most rockin' daddy ever. In the end, Addison and Miss Natalie made friends. CHEESE!



We made Halloween cookies with Nonnie, Doodah, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Evelyn. They were delicious, as usual.







We made a voyage to Disney World and met Marie the kitty - TWICE! Addison cried both times!

On our way home, we drove over to St. Augustine to visit Stacia, Steve, and Cat. Addison LOVED their cat, Cat.







Then we returned home and found our own Halloween kitties...
And Addison attended at Chuck-E-Cheese birthday party. Here she is with her best buddy, Kelley.