All Aboard the Polar Express

Here in New York, the Adirondack Railroad offers several themed train rides throughout the year. Each year, as Christmas rolls around, one particular train transforms into the Polar Express - and heads to the North Pole.

Kids and adults alike get cozy in their pajamas and head to the train station, where dancing and singing elves greet them. Everyone boards the polar express, where the magic of the story book comes to life. Santa makes his way through the entire train, taking time to sit with each family, finding out what everyone wants for Christmas, and finally, offering each child a Christmas bell.

While Jackson was still a bit too young to understand, he enjoyed the train ride, and now has a new appreciation for "choo choos".

Until next year....

Thanksgiving

This year, we have so much to be thankful for. A roof over our heads, a sweet little boy who manages to capture our hearts day in and day out, friends who keep us sane, and family who has never waivered in their support, love, and sheer awesome-ness.

This year, my parents made the trek from Colorado to spend the holiday with us. We spent the week eating, playing in the snow, eating, shopping, eating, playing games, and eating.

This time of year, my heart can't help but burst with gratitude and joy.

 

 

Honoring Those Who Serve

Today we take time to thank those who sacrifice so much to defend our freedoms. Without the less than 1 percent who defend our nation, we wouldn't be the strong, safe, and privileged country we are.

To those who have sacrificed holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and so, so much more - we owe you everything.

As we raise a little gentleman of our own, we have made it a priority to celebrate this day in a very real way. For our family, Veteran's Day isn't just another day off - it's a day to remember that our freedoms aren't free. It's a single day in which we reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice , those who have made it easy for us to take our safety for granted. For at least one day, we won't take it for granted.

Today, we made a stop at a B52 Bomber on display outside of the old Griffis Air Force Base, where Jackson declared "arpa!" (airplane) over and over. He is obsessed.

We made a stop at McDonalds (gasp!) for Jackson's first happy meal. While it's not the most appealing choice, I'm not sure it gets much more American than a McDonalds happy meal (good, bad, or indifferent). It's an American child's right of passage, so, we did it.

Finally, we grabbed Kahla and headed out for an evening walk. We soaked up the lingering 60-something temperatures and enjoyed a beautiful, quiet sunset.

This might be the first year - ever - that I got Veterans Day off with Tyler. We tried to make the most of a beautiful, and important day.

To both of my grandfathers, to my dad and my uncle, to my father-in-law, and to my husband - you are my heroes. You are loved. To our countless friends and extended family who serve and have served, you are so appreciated. And to all of those who we don't know, and may never know, you too are needed, appreciated, and thought of.

Painting A Pumpkin

When it comes to paint and toddlers - there is exactly one mindset that will get you through the experience. "The messier, the better."

I knew that more paint would end up on our floors and in Jackson's hair than on the pumpkin, so I took the appropriate precautions - washable paint, a tarp, and plenty of wipes. (The wipes were not to clean him up, but just to get enough paint off to get him up to the bathtub without dripping on the carpet).

And we rocked it. We got messy, dumped paint all over, smeared, walked through, and sat in it.

The messier, the better.