day of thanks: round one and two

we had our first guests stay with us a few weeks ago. bryan's parents came to visit for just over a week and is was great. the kids and waited in the kitchen for them to arrive (we couldn't all fit in the car...at least we didn't try at first...). when we saw them coming, we zipped through the kitchen through the dining room to the front hall to greet them. as we did, i caught a whiff of a fresh solid deposit from our dear feline. i guess he wanted to greet them as well. i did my best to cover the not-so-pleasant aroma, but alas...nothing like saying, "welcome to boston and our new home! hope you like the smell of cat poop!" the kids were eager to show them their rooms so giving a tour of the house was tricky. had to happen over the course of several walks though the house.

having guests in the house was super...the kids would be having breakfast and in would walk grandma and grandpa.. everyone was quite excited. leaving our home for the day was like leaving grandma's house - she would be peering out the window and we would "beep beep!" as we drive away. during the day, they helped us a great deal by unpacking (and organizing!) the kitchen and dining room - made a huge difference; and to top it off, we would have dinner ready when we arrived home. yeah, it was hard not to get used to it.

we all decided to celebrate thanksgiving while they were there - nothing fancy at all. in fact, all completely betty crocker (including cranberry sauce in a can, mmmm). we soon found out our kitchen was easily conducive to large meals (and children) because while mashed potatoes were being cooked, kids were watching a movie...in the kitchen - and no one (bryan) was having a cow. everything was yummy and everyone ate well and we were quite thankful for the dishwasher.

thanksgiving round two was much simpler (ham and a tangine) but just as yummy. baxter was not a huge fan of turkey and had requested the ham so ham it was. cookies as well. the holiday so far has been quiet, a nice opportunity for the kids to just play (i busted out the lego set we won at children's while max was in the hospital) and us to progress on a few things in the house. bryan is continuing to put together a smith machine in the basesment...an impressive undertaking, i must say but if anyone can do it, he can. me? closet organization, oh yeah...at one point the kids were on the third floor, i was on the second floor and bryan was in the basement. quiet time success.

mostly treats

there was much build up to the big event and not without any drama or threats to cancel. if it were not for a last minute nap, there would have only been one parent and child venturing through the neighborhood in search of homes distributing treats for the evening's festivities. alas, they both were off in good spirits and in time to experience the first trick-or-treater at the house. that certainly rushed their preparations. we decided to distribute from the ashland side per advice from a neighbor to prevent an overload of visitors and bryan politely put up a festive sign directing them to the proper door around the corner on the porch (it worked as only a hand full of of children rang the mill street doorbell).

children came by the carload (total about 200), which seemed to line the streets. the doorbell would ring, i opened the door and there would be 4-8 children...in the background would be groups of kids crossing the street, yelling & laughing & running (it was more than cool) then as i step back into the house, i get a waft of chili...(downtime: i am working at my laptop listening to last year's glee soundtrack). kids come home (minus the hats and mittens i had put on them when they left home) red faced and runny nosed, excited about their adventures. and their thrill continues as they distribute candy to the kids and then run to the middle of the floor to where all their candy is spilled, ready to eat the next piece. lights went out and all went quiet at about 8pm...