Who Was That Masked Bird?

Earlier this month, Quinn had a project which involved "disguising" a turkey so he wouldn't be found on Thanksgiving Day.
So whaddya think? Is Q's disguise a good one? Can you spot the turkey?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
Afterall, there are no turkeys in Colts jerseys. Better look elsewhere. (And because I'm in a good mood, thankful for a 4-game win streak and all, I won't even mention where you should be looking....but you know who you are...)

H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G !

Say What?

See sweet little Miss Salsa Face over there? Yeah. Her. She told me to shut up the other day. Lovely, eh? Here's how it happened....

Have you ever tried to teach a kid to NOT interrupt? It is not easy. Heck, even grown-ups have trouble with the concept on an on-going basis, but for kids it is really some form of torture. Nonetheless, in an attempt to teach that mommy will not answer you if you are interrupting (so please wait), I sometime "ignore" the offending child when he or she is yelling over a conversation-in-progress.

As it turns out, Miss K is not a fan of this approach. I was talking with hubby the other day (a serious topic too, like what take-out we wanted or something) and she kept trying to interrupt. For something of utmost importance: a barely visible scratch she had, which apparently urgently needed some sort of first-aid. Anyway, after trying - unsuccessfully - a few times to get my attention she finally just said, "Hey! Mom! Shut up!"

Well, mission accomplished, Munchkin. You got my attention alright.

And how do you suppose I respond? With that classic, albeit ill-advised, mother's line: WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?

And, being 2 and very literal, she replies: Shut up, Mommy. File this under: be careful what you wish for. I asked what she had just said, and so she obliged: she said it again. (Why do moms do this? Ask the ol' what-did-you-just-say question? You know you've done it. And you know you really didn't want to hear it again. Yet we ask....)

Thankfully, I had some patience leftover that day, so I calmly said something to the effect of: That's rude; we don't speak like that here; please don't do it again.

And so that was that.

Except for the look on Quinn's face. For someone not involved directly in this incident, he was looking a smidge bit guilty. Probably waiting for the "Well Quinn says it to me" retort.

But alas, Keira never offered that up.

I think he owes her one. Perhaps he's thankful for his little sister afterall.

Let's Talk Turkey

It's that time of year. Time when all good little kindergarteners make Pilgrim or Native American costumes and enjoy a Charlie Brown-type Thanksgiving feast: popcorn, crackers, and the like. Quinn had his class feast today and looked smashing as Robert Wilson (whoever that is...no doubt a dapper young man listed on the Mayflower's manifesto).

Recently, my little kinder-kid also brought home a book the class put together, entitled How to Catch and Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey. Each child was interviewed by the teacher and answered four questions: How do you catch a turkey? How do you clean a turkey? How do you cook a turkey? and How do you serve a turkey?

To catch a turkey, many of Q's classmates thought chasing after it with a net would be helpful. One girl, the one who loves horses, thought you could rope it rodeo-style. Only one kid mentioned this method: "look for it, grab it by the neck, and then chop its head off." One kid. Mine.

Sigh.

Should I be worried? Does he harbor a heretofore unknown violent streak? Where he get this stuff, I have no idea. I've never even let him watch newconferences done in Alaska.

Calling Ms. Manners

So, what's the protocol here? You know, when you haven't posted in about ages and suddenly you show back up.

Do I go on acting like I was never really gone for 3+ weeks? Post a litany of excuses? Try to smooth it all with cute photos?

Well, scratch that last idea. I haven't downloaded any photos since the last time I posted. Heck, I haven't even really taken any photos since I last posted. Yeah, its that bad.

Well, OK, not really. But it did all start (the blog-out) with a really sad event: Hubby's dad passed away on October 31.

H had gone up to visit his dad earlier in the day, but didn't quite make it there in time. He waited to tell me until later that evening, so as not to ruin the trick-or-treat fun for our little goblins. This would be our 3rd funeral in a year's time (H's bro and dad, my granny; and well, make that 4, if you count the loss of our super pooch in Feb). The week that followed was an exhausting week in many ways - mentally, emotionally, physically (that stems from trying to get 2 kids to stop.running.in.the.funeral.home!). And just when we were getting our groove back, so to speak, H was gone for the weekend again (to help siblings sort through his dad's stuff) and then I started back to work full-time.

So, needless to say, things have felt a little inside-outside-upside down.

But, better days are ahead, I'm sure of it. Starting with Thursday and some of my mom's yummy home cooking. Nothing like turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie to cure what ails you.

So faithful readers, the 3 or 4 of you left, fear not. I shall reward you with fine photos and turkey tales in the near future. Just not now.

OK, fine. Here's a photo to tide you over. Since you've been so patient and all....