Over the river and through the woods

Literally. Except the bridge we are on for a long time goes over the ocean. We are headed down to the Outer Banks after work today. And after Gregg packs. Grrrr... Remind you of anyone?

We're staying at Allan and Brian's house that is right on the beach. This house is just for family and friends. Must be nice, huh? They're not renting out this house at all. We haven't seen them all in so long I'm afraid the girls might forget! Although Grace was "talking" to Uncle Allan on my phone the other night. She knows what's up.

In other news we have sold the Jeep. Some guy in Wisconsin bought it. Small world. He wanted to drive out and pick it up this Saturday. I can understand that it's a holiday week and he might not have to take off work, but sorry, we had plans. Gregg's mom would pretty much disown us if we didn't show up at this point! So we will be looking for a new SUV I guess while we are down there. The dealerships are so much cheaper down in the Hampton and Norfolk areas. So that's where we'll be buying from! Right now it looks like either a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander will be our next vehicle. I wanted the Hybrid Highlander, but what we've been hearing from some friends who just traded in their Hybrid Honda they are a lot of hassle. My boss has a Prius and it is always in for a check up of service of some sort. Even if that is covered under a warranty that is a lot of bother.

Gregg's birthday is Friday so we have that to look forward to also. Maybe we can even sneak away for a movie!

Have a great Thanksgiving everybody! I know that I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

My "baby" is gone

Yes, she is almost 3 and seeing her next to Sean and Heather's newborn has deeply impacted my image of her as my "baby". There is no denying the fact that Grace is becoming a little girl and bypassing "Toddler". She says "excuse me" even to the cat when he is blocking the door and she wants to go outside. If she sees scissors or a knife she knows that "these are owie". She can load movies into the laptop on her own. She simply cannot leave the house without her purse.

When I take her to daycare in the morning I usually stay with her to wash her hands and wait for her to sit down and eat breakfast. And then sneak out. Yesterday she saw me leave. She was looking right at me and said "Bye, Mom". So adjusted. So mature. So not my little baby anymore.

As if I really needed another reason to love John Cusack... :)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-cusack/on-bush-the-dems-jon-st_b_10485.html

Four years of wedded bliss

Our anniversary was Saturday. The day started out with me grocery shopping. I had to take Grace because she wasn't ready when Gregg left to get Mackenzie. Yes, two toddlers. Romantic. It gets better.

Gregg was supposed to meet me and take Grace after he picked up Mackenzie. Well, of course her mother was late. So I was basically done when they showed up. Grace was getting antsy and I can't blame her. You must be half insane to go grocery shopping on a Saturday morning. She didn't want to ride in the little car in the front of the grocery cart and she would wander off when she got out. So I made her sit in the cart. This brought on a full force tantrum like I have never seen. She slapped me across the face. My sweet, bright daughter whom I lovingly carried for 9 months slapped me. Hard. I was sure my cheek was red. (Gregg said it wasn't). Right there in the frozen food aisle we had a Come to Jesus meeting. She is not to slap anyone. Ever. The Scooby Doo plates she had picked out earlier were held hostage until she listened. Gregg showed up to find a screaming and crying two year old. There goes Mother of the Year.

After lunch and a nap (bribery DOES work) we took them to see Chicken Little and they both actually WATCHED it. (Note to Disney: WHY in the name of all that is good and right in the world do you insist on killing off one of the parents? WHY?!)

After the movie was our time. We got crab legs and I made Red Lobster biscuits. Recipe follows. The girls pretty much played in Mackenzie's room. I'm not going to say we ignored them. They have fun playing by themselves. I had ordered a cake and we also had champage. Our big plans of getting away will have to wait. We have a downpayment on a house to worry about. Sure, Grace may be out of high school by then, but we will get there.

I will put up pictures as soon as I have Gregg show me how. Then I won't have to wait for him to do it anymore :)

Red Lobster Biscuits

These could not be any easier.

Get a box of Bisquick. Follow the directions on the box for biscuits. Add 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese to the mixture. Put them on a cookie sheet and top with a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder and parsley. Bake according to directions on the box.

Messing with your mind

http://www.patmedia.net/marklevinson/cool/cool_illusion.html

This might not work if you are colorblind?

So weird!