Ingleside: December 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

33 family members at my house. Good times.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Last night after I finished writing my blog post, I found these three pictures waiting for me in my inbox, straight from New York. Deviled eggs (with shrimp on top, of course), Pork chop (with quail egg on top, of course), and German-Chocolate Cake (with coconut whipped cream on top, of course). Despite the fantastically poor picture quality (I think that all that cholesterol was fogging the camera lens), my carrots were not quite satisfying after seeing these.

In the email with the picture of the cake, Chad mentioned he was wrapping up dinner and would call me when he got back to his hotel.

I waited until 10, and then as I was drifting off to sleep shortly thereafter, Chad called. The city noise bustled across the line with his frustration as he explained that he had been trying to hail a cab for the last half hour. A huge section of the street was barricaded for the lighting of THE Christmas Tree and it was crazy everywhere. “Man, poor guy,” I thought, as I lay in my cozy bed and drifted off to sleep immediately after.

I have never been to New York and all my New York education is based solely on Chad’s two trips there (crappy pictures, lots of work), Hey Natalie Jean (fantastic pictures, fantastic style), and You’ve Got Mail (pencil bouquets, Christmas sing-a-longs, and bend in the flower garden at Riverside Park).

Oh, and let’s not forget 30 Rock. My absolute favorite New York clip from 30 Rock:

And a You’ve Got Mail and 30 Rock connection that any true fan has already made, as an added bonus.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Keepin’ It Real Wednesday

This morning started off rough. Gabe stayed home from school sick (read: very tired and ultimately, very bored). Everyone was slow to get going and when our carpool van showed up, Oliver did not have his backpack on yet. When I went to get it, I found that it was still in the van from the previous day, and then discovered that he had unfinished homework inside (rows and rows of Chinese characters to write). I quickly wrote the teacher a note saying he would bring his homework tomorrow (which I have never done) and sent the freaking-out kid out the door.

The kindergarten adjustment has been a tough one for my guy and he is reacting in the same manner than he has reacted to every big adjustment in his life: waking up over and over again at night, lots of emotions spilling over, heels dug in with all his might and needing my constant love and affection without knowing how to show that that is what he needs. I know him and I know he will get through this. I know his teacher and I know that when Colin had her he cried every single night about not wanting to go to school the next day. She is a good teacher-no one can doubt her desire to help the children learn and grow-but she is tough. When Ollie’s folder came home today, it had a post-it note addressed to me, informing me that homework is supposed to be returned the next day and reminding me that she discussed that with me at the parent –teacher conference. Thanks.

Those kindergartener emotions didn’t just spill over tonight – they gushed over, drenching the whole household. I put the homework back away until tomorrow morning and took him to bed, where he was asleep before 7.

Carina just feel asleep so now it is my chance to munch on carrot sticks while I watch The Host and fold laundry.

Did I mention? Chad is in New York. He is eating at Bobby Flay’s restaurant as I type this. Oh, and he just sent me this picture: