Daybook - November 17

 Some days I find myself really wanting to update my blog but not knowing where to start. Maybe the daybook idea will help. :)

Outside my window...it's a cloudy day, thankfully cooler than it's been the past few days. It rained for a bit earlier, but now it's just cloudy.

I am thinking...about plans for Thanksgiving. School is in session on Thanksgiving Day, but we have Friday off. We've invited several teachers to celebrate the day with us, and now I need to plan the menu and figure out how we're going to fit everyone around our little table.

I am thankful...for the kids' afternoon naptime. And hazelnut coffee from the States. :) 

In the kitchen...my dishes are washed, tortilla dough is made and resting, and I'll start the green chile stew after my computer time. The head computer tech and his wife are coming for supper, and since they are fellow green-chile-lovers we are breaking out our green chile stash for them. :)

I am wearing...red T-shirt and khaki skirt, some of my feel-good clothes

I am creating...baby booties for my sister Maribeth's baby girl. Baby is scheduled to arrive on Monday, and the booties are heading to the States with one of our colleagues on Sunday. Unfortunately, while I was taking pictures of the finished product, I realized that I accidentally made one of the booties bigger than the other. Guess what I'll be working frantically on tonight??

I am going...nowhere (as usual).

I am wondering...how much longer I dare let the kids sleep.

I am reading...Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck. Jonathan and I have formed our own little reading club to keep our literary minds sharp and give us something to talk about besides the amusing antics of our kids. :)

I am hoping...that our pretty tablecloth dries in time for dinner tonight.

I am looking forward to...visiting with our company tonight. We really like these people. :)

I am hearing...Enya playing on the computer and blessed silence from the kids' room.

Around the house...are scattered toys, various pots and dishes from Toby's new game of "cooking eggs and tortillas," and Abbie's too-small clothes that need to be put into storage.

I am pondering...ways to make my kids feel loved. Toby has been acting out lately (in very normal ways for a 2-year-old), and I want to pour love into him as we deal with the bad behavior.

One of my favorite things...watching my kids on the rare occasions when they play nicely together. It's starting to happen more often now. So sweet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: hot dogs at the Friday night game, shopping for Abbie's birthday present on Saturday, a pie social Sunday evening

Kids' corner...Abbie has just learned to pat her head and clap her hands. Toby thinks it's great fun, and she loves the attention. They do this little routine: Abbie pats her head, and Toby says, "Head, shoulders, knees, toes..." while doing the appropriate motions. Alternately, Abbie claps her hands, and Toby says, "Happy...know it...clap hands." This occurs during almost every evening meal. :) 

We've been teaching Toby to say "thank you" for quite a while now. This morning I told him I would peel his hard-boiled egg for him, and he said happily, "Dat-jew [thank you], Mama!" First time he's said it without prompting. :)

I made mac 'n' cheese for lunch today with only local ingredients. Not my favorite, but Toby's reaction when he saw it was priceless: his eyes got big, and he said, "Oh! Toby eat dat!" Then he started twirling around the kitchen in excitement.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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