Holiday

Yesterday was Veteran's Day, a federal holiday. So I had the day off. And I have to admit, it was a pretty nice day. Ned got home from morning practice and made egg sandwiches. For anybody who knows me, that is my preferred breakfast. The kids went to daycare and I went Christmas shopping. Now is a good time to go: 1) crowds aren't as bad as they are closer to the holidays; 2) you don't have to pass a Salvation Army bell-ringer every single time you go in and out of a store b/c they aren't out in full force (I have nothing against the Salvation Army; I just feel guilty when I don't put money in the pot); and 3) my stress level is much lower in December if I'm almost done shopping by then.

My shopping excursion resulted in some good news and some bad news. First, with a couple of small exceptions and some internet shopping, the kids and my side of the family are done. This is good news. For the bad news, I have discovered that outfitting Jack is going to be more expensive than it is for Bear. The preferred store for Jack's clothes: Gap. Shopping for boy's clothes had been a less than inspiring event thus far. That all changed today when I stepped foot into Gap. LOVED IT. The clothes for boys are SO much cuter than at my usual hangouts (Target, Wal-Mart, Belk, TJ Maxx, and even Old Navy). I knew the clothes were good; my friends Christa and Cindy got Jack some baby outfits from Gap which I really loved. See, e.g., his outfit for his school picture. But I had no idea the treasures that awaited me inside the store.

This is not to say Gap doesn't have darling outfits for girls; they do. It's just that you can find cute girl's clothing anywhere. Seriously, even Wal-Mart will have cute things for girls and Target and TJ Maxx are homeruns usually. Add to this the fact that Bear has been getting some pretty nice hand-me-downs from her cousins on both sides of the family (shout out and thanks to Katie and Madison). Action Jack is getting no hand-me-downs and Mommy likes Gap--- looks like Daddy may need to get a part-time job at Taco Bell.

Anyway, Ned picked up the kids and as I go out to meet the minivan and unstrap Samantha, I walk into him giving her a lecture on showing respect and being courteous, etc.. I'm ready to light into Bear so I ask her what she has done. She gives me a dumbfounded look. Seems that Bear did nothing. Ned was just taking out his frustrations on her because some nimrod recruit from Pennsylvania committed to another school last Friday and didn't even bother to let VT know. I would say that derailed Ned for the better part of an hour and a half.

We now have a computer in our kitchen. That's probably the main reason I've kept up with this blog as long as I have (5 or 6 days but who's counting?). The nice part about this is you can look up anything when it hits you. Samantha and I were explaining to Daddy who the Imagination Movers are and singing some of our favorite songs from their show. (To those of you who don't know, the Imagination Movers are on Playhouse Disney. They are a hipper (in my opinion) American version of the Wiggles. Now, if you don't know who the Wiggles are then I really can't help you.). Come to find out the Movers have a website and have some of their songs available on the website. Check this out:

http://www.imaginationmovers.com/website/audio_video.php

Go to this site and listen to "Mover Music". It's good stuff. Anyway, we danced around the kitchen for a bit tonight. The unfortunate part of this whole thing is that I think I like the Imagination Movers more than Samantha.

On a final note, TNT was running their Law and Order mini-marathon which they run most Tuesday nights (5 episodes starting at 6pm). And no, I don't watch all 5 episodes; I have 2 kids after all. I had already seen all three of the ones which I came on from 8pm to 10pm but that doesn't stop me from watching them again. Anyway, the last one was one that was loosely based on the conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I don't care what your political affiliation is, that is a disturbing situation. I guess I was more affected than the last time I saw it b/c it was Veteran's Day and my dad is having eye surgery at the VA hospital next week. Maybe that's why I'm up at this time of the night?

Love,
Allie