Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful low-key Thanksgiving on Saturday evening.  The celebrations commenced early with pie baking and cranberry sauce making. Mooj was my helper since Zita and Freddy had orchestra and tennis, respectively. 

The 16 lb turkey came with all of the giblets, so I made Moojie deal with that, naturally. We had a good laugh that every single year I can not find the meat thermometer. We also kept the pumpkin pie under close guard thus breaking the cat's pie sabotage streak. We triumphed with pristine pie for the first time in three years.

I need major help in the photography department. This is the photo my camera takes with no flash on. It's blurry. I know I can change the ISO setting, or get a tripod, but can I really when I'm given seconds to get the picture? Better lighting in the living room is probably the best solution. 

With the flash, I get a clearer picture, but flash photos are so blech. 

I feel like we are missing one more daughter who would be posed right in front of Moojie. I still have lots of names to use...

Freddy made the leap to cranberry sauce eater this year. 

Zita was lamenting my sister's absence, not only for her company, but for her hair skills. 

We have a new Thanksgiving fan. He got a whopping egg on his head just before we sat down to eat by smacking his head on the door frame. It goes nicely next to the bruise in the middle of his forehead. 

Turkey and mashed potatoes cured the pain likety split. 

After apple pie, pumpkin pie, and vanilla ice cream with raspberries were finished, Freddy closed the evening with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. 

Christmas Boxes Have Arrived! Let The Season Begin

Oh how I love the ease of internet shopping. My poor sister and mother are once again acting as an Amazon sorting center as I order away and they take care of the rest. 

The Tommee Tippee cups were not a hit with Sebby, so my mom threw in these Playtex cups, and one softer spouted Munchkin brand. My mom is a master box packer; the quantity of things she manages to fit in one box is unreal. Just when I think I've seen everything in the box, more goodies appear tucked inside of other things. 

I have to race and get this all hidden before the troops get home. 

When Opportunity Knocks

Seb knows that when big brother is at school, the time is now to investigate his room.                         

I had a little glass with choking hazards, sharp objects, and batteries up there so Seb wouldn't  get them. Does he show any interest in the three shelves below full of toys? No. 

His danger radar is unfailingly accurate. 

Shall we get a closer look at this cheeky monkey? 

Creative Step Stool

Sunday Smiles

 Who could resist this face?

Sebby is so chatty with us! 

He says: 

Mama

Dada

hot
cha (tea ) 
gato (cat) 
ta qui (here it is, or it's here) 

Baba (bottle)
cat 
cão (dog)

"Aaaatttooo" his fake sneeze that has us all in stitches 

And quite a few animal sounds 

It's crazy how quickly receptive language develops around this age. I know it helps that he's hearing language every minute that he's awake from his doting family. 

He discovered two of Zita's old baby dolls and loves playing with them. He carries one around with him  and gives them big hugs. Whenever we need to distract or redirect him, we ask "where's your baby? Go get your baby!" 

As much as I love newborns and the baby baby phase, it's hard to be melancholy about it passing when this current phase is so much fun. 

Another One Bites the Dust

I had the same basic Nokia phone for years, and then I got fancy and switched to a Samsung Galaxy, and then a little less fancy with a Vodafone smart phone. Long story short, I am again without a phone! I do most of my blogging from my phone during the rare few quiet moments in the day. 

This morning we have tennis, orchestra, and a rugby game all happening simultaneously. Thank goodness Pai is around to split the driving. Every weekend we have the same strategy- divide  and concur! 

Organization Never Stops

Now that Sebby is one, it's time to let go of his baby clothes. I divided them into four categories:

1) keep

2) sell

3) donate

4) Things for specific people (ie back to cousins) 

Seb had the best time taking things out and walking them around the room. 

Toys are next, and then we'll be back to clothes again.