Turkey Day and Black Friday

Thanksgiving for us is not really a top holiday for us. It is not that we are not grateful for what we have, but we do not need just a day to focus on our gratitude. This year we were going to go down to visit Brian's family in Tennessee. However the powers that be decided that we were to stay here in Ohio. Avin got strep throat and a viral infection, and then Brian's Grandma Dreier passed away. I did not cook a huge meal this year, and it was not the traditional fair. I am not a big one for cleaning and touching poultry, (Gag) so I made a boneless Turkey breast, an awesome rice dish, and green beans. A big thanks to Food Network and their magical recipes! To top it off, we had Pumpkin Cupcakes. Yummy. Despite my attempt to make a less than traditional meal, these recipes had real butter, heavy cream and sugar. So good, yet so bad. We all stayed in our pajamas, except for when I went out to search the city for a newspaper.
The Newspaper...what an adventure. Granted I did not go to find one until 11 am, but honestly it took five places to finally nail one down. People in Toledo love those ads! After the fourth place, I wondered if something was telling me that it was not worth the fuss. And what do you know? I found a paper, took it home, and found out that there was really nothing on sale that I wanted. HM... I have never went out in the wee hours of the morning, (isn't that a song?) to shop til I drop. I wondered how it would be and even talked to some friends about doing it together. But the reality is there will be more sales, people are nuts I hear out there, and I really already have my goodies bought. The only reason it is "Black Friday" for me is the fact by now the kids have exhausted all their options and are so bored that they are killing each other. The joys of being a stay at home Mom.

All Good things come to an end.

Coaches Hill and Blakeman with

Avin holding the Trophies.

As with all great and marvelous things there is an end. We however were excited for the end of Avin's soccer year. Mostly due to the fact that through the season they played exceptionally well. As a matter of fact, they ended up being undefeated and became their regions champs! Yea for Arlington Red! Fire, Fire, Fire! These kids played very well and really showed time work. The coaches, hats off. Truly what a coach should be, tough with love.

It seemed that we were at a soccer game every day. When school started for me, I did not get to see some of them. I was really bummed about that. Brian had to be the "soccer mom." Hats off to him, for being the kind of man that can multitask our family.

This experience has not only helped Avin become comfortable in his new school, but has brought out the other kids to want to play soccer like him. So, in the fall, Lavinia has decided to be a soccer player too. Just call me "Soccer Mom!"