Hello, hello... we travelled to Buffalo for Thanksgiving to see my in-laws. We always have a fun time when we visit and this time was no exception. The day after Thanksgiving we went to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery with Thom's Dad(Yoshi), Sister(Karen) and her husband(Ed.) We had a great time despite the fact that they had sent the 'Mirror Room' to some other museum. The other wonderful thing about our trip was getting to spend time with Sunny, my MIL's (Gretchen's) dog. We met her after Gretchen got her this summer and we all fell head over heels in love with her. That is saying something as Jack is NOT a dog person.
Recently, Thom and Kitty were going out to go bike riding. Kitty told Thom she wanted him to take her training wheels off. Thom was a bit leery of this as he had taken them off once before and it hadn't worked out so well. Well, Kitty is a bona fide big kid bike rider now! It is an impressive thing to watch.
Here is a picture of Jack on his bike:
We had conferences for both kids last week. All of their teachers raved about them. I said to Thom that I wished I had had a tape recorder because the enthusiasm of the teachers would be a nice thing to relisten to if ever I feel down. Also, both Kitty and Jack's teachers told us we must be doing something right to have such nice, studious, funny kids. Jack's math teacher said that sometimes he'll make a witty comment that goes over almost every student's head except he'll catch Jack's eye and Jack will be laughing because he understood the humor. That, in itself, makes me so happy. If there is anything we stress here at home it is witty banter... that and making inantimate objects talk.
This past Saturday we had lunch with my parents and then went to see 'The Muppets.' The movie was awesome... I think Jim Henson would approve... it was that good. We then went to my Parents' house and helped trim their tree. Actually, the kids helped for 5 minutes and got bored and moved onto other things and then my dad, mom, Thom and I worked on it. My parents always have such a beautiful tree and I always love going through their ornaments and remembering them from my youth. There are a couple of ornaments I did for various cats over my lifetime and it is wonderful to have those trigger warm memories of cats gone by. I am thinking I will start that tradition with our tree... starting with Gus, who passed away 2 years ago.
Yesterday I turned 42. The kids both bought me presents with their own money from our local art supply store. Kitty got me a drawing pad and Jack got me 4'x3' piece of matte board. I was really touched by their thoughtfulness. Thom was also thoughtful and got me an iPhone 4gs. It is awe-inspiringly awesome. I didn't think I needed one but now I wonder how I did without it! Isn't that always the way?
I'm close to being done buying presents. I have 3 'secret projects' I'm working on in my studio that will take me the better part of the days left before Christmas. There are a couple of presents this year that I am really excited to give and to see the reaction they cause... I can't say anymore than that because, well, it would give the surprise away.
I am blessed to be able to spend this Christmas at my parent's house with them and both my sister's and brother's families... I don't get to see them very often and love their company... so being with them at Christmas always makes for a great holiday!
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