Last few days of November and the rest of December

This is the last post before the new year. These last few months have had their highs and their lows. I am going to refer to one children's book that reminds me of Erin; That's Good! That's Bad! by Margery Cuyler.

Thumb down... still healing (That's bad)... then Thumb up, by December 18th, the plastic surgeon told me I didn't need to see him anymore (That's good) They want me to go to physical therapy (That's bad) I never have to go back to the Center for Healing and Amputation Prevention (That's GOOD!)

Don;t worry Granny, no more pictures. 

 Maman took me to see The Music of Michael Jackson, performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. (That's good) The man behind us was constantly yelling and "whoo"ing, I also faintly remember him crying at one point in time and also saying "DON'T MAKE ME DO THE MOONWALK!" (That was bad)

 But it was a date night with Mommy! (Thats GOOD)

 Will and I went to about 3 more Steelers games, all for free... thanks to Daddio and our friend (That's good) But we might be bad luck because we didnt make it to the playoffs or whatever they are called (That's bad)

Chex mix is my favorite (That's good and That's bad)

We got snow! and Baby sisters! (I think That's Good and Good... some might think That's Bad and Good... but not me!)

 We went to Kennywood's Light Up production (That's good) we could only stay for 30 minutes (That's bad)

 I found these old pictures of Erin, Santa and me. They make me laugh (That's good) Why is that Santa on the left, a Santa (That's bad)

Missing certain people during this time of the year. Their favorite time of the year. (That's bad) 

 Maman got some wine, Jack got a walkable sleeping bag, I got "Mr. Tea" (That's all good)

Thanksgiving

This thanksgiving was the first year that I can remember that I did not go to New Jersey. I burned my thumb (3rd degree) about 20 days ago and it is still painfully healing so that held us back, along with Will's parents visiting.

My thumb has really been a damper on things. I haven't worked in 2 weeks and am very limited as to what I can do. I never knew how beneficial a thumb is!

While we stayed in Pittsburgh, we had Thanksgiving with Will's parents on Wednesday and with Maman, Jack, and Granny on Thursday. Different but nice. Still missed New Jersey, but ultimately glad we stayed home. I'm worried what would have happened if I tried anything with this thumb!

 My 2nd Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday

 Watching the parade with my bum thumb Thanksgiving morning.

 Atleast we did something festive this weekend.

Mom's turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving you turkey

wrap up of november.

While we look forward to December within the next week, I thought I should evaluate my November. With highs and lows. Mostly lows, unfortunately. It has been a difficult month.

 Passing out candy as witches...

 :( Never will I ever light a fire again. (Firepit was the culprit for my thumb burn)

 Rode my bike, voted Green.

 The boys taught me how to flip on the trampoline.

 One of the boys in my old Preschool room tragically lost his life in the Pittsburgh Zoo accident on November 4th. Please pray and continue thinking of the strength for his parents to survive this hardship and devastating loss in their lives. I have never experienced anything like this. One of the hardest concepts to grasp and experience, the loss of a child, especially in a horrific freak accident. 

Now.... My thumb incident. 

GRANNY DO NOT READ PASSED THIS.

First sign of hurting. Nov. 6                                    Nov. 9

 In the ER. Nov 11

 I got a milkshake because I went.

 

 Day after ER visit. Nov. 12

 Nov. 13

 Kitty will not leave my side.

 After a week of wearing that cast, Nov. 20

It has been a year... about time to get back into it.

It has been a year... about time to get back into it.

Maybe the best update would be to do 2 or 3 6 or 7 pictures in each month

October 2012

 Will was excited about the Giants winning. This is the other boy I nanny for, Schaeffer. (Their mom is from St. Louis. Needless to say this was a burn photo)

 Will and our friend Devon

 I snuck up to front row. (NO ZOOM HERE)

 Not too shabby for my first game with the commoners. (this was only my 2nd game. 1st game I was with daddio in the box seats)

 A very good friend of mine got married at PNC Park. It was beautiful and fun!

 Me and Will

 Me and my co-teacher / bestie, Briana

 Will drank all the champagne

 Those three little ones dancing were 3 of my favs in my Preschool room. They were also in the Bride's baby room (when she was an infant teacher and they were babies!)

 With the bride

 With alex :)

 two of my favorites

 Every year we have a birthday party for Susie, this year happened to fall on the weekend before Halloween, it was fun and how she wouldve loved to see everyone :)

 Jordan and Brennan.

 Then... we celebrated like adults.

September 2012
This was a pivotal month in my life, among all the others. I decided to step down from lead Preschool teacher and go back to school full time (2 semesters left instead of 4) AND help the family I babysit for to become their full time babysitter/nanny. Something I had trouble with at first, but now, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE

 NOCC Break the Silence walk.

 Peach pit chins

 Grayson (one of the boys I nanny for got his own scooter, very exciting)

Gray and I. <3 p="p">
August 2012 (not as busy as July)

 Will's Birthday.

 Princess and Pirate party.

 Bikefest (One of Will's things)

 Handmade beer bottle cap wine-charms, made by moi.

And did this for mom, for the blue moon, of course

July 2012

 Dad got married!

 Pool time before the wedding (which was in their backyard, along the poolside)

It was hot, small, intimate but very very lovely.

 Then had dinner at a resturant to ourselves.

 Then we headed to the lakehouse for family time and birthday celebrations.

 The boys fishing.

 July was a BUSY month for Preschool.

 Will and I went to the Vintage Gradn Prix and Car Show. 

 Then Kennywood with Daddio and the girls.

 Thats dad and Maddie. 

June 2012

 Trying rollerblades... its been a long time

 Visited Erin in Colorado to help her move home. We went to Garden of the Gods.

 Incredible

 Then we went to Hanging Lake.

 Granny and Grandpa, Maman and Jack hiked to this. 

It was a hike and a half, but it was well worth it... and the altitude sickness

 After, we went to some natural hot springs, so it really made everything worth it.

 Met up with Robbie

 Had the most amazing breakfast burrito

May 2012

 Took my two favorite blonde boys to the zoo.

 Made lemon custard tarts (topped with blueberries) for maman and granny for mothers day

 Will made a rain barrel

 Our garden

 Weird sky

Got some bangs!

April 2012

 Easter

 Kitty not letting me do homework

 Practicing golf swings

Started a garden

March 2012

 Took the girls to Mt. Washington

 Saw signs of spring

 Took a family photo

 Lost my favorite soldier.

February 2012

 Got the 3D tv

 Visited the Bolin family in Michigan.

This was an opera house that they turned into a parking garage.

 Filled a shower with balloons

 Built a snowman

Caught some toothbrushes smoochin'

January 2012

 Got a new car!

 Made Granny's  New years day Beansoup

 Took the boys to Jack's farm

 Drove a Porsche

Actually spent new years eve together (I sat at will's restraunt for about 6 hours)

December 2011

 wills excited about 5 gallon beer making!

 Christmas tree hunting is very stressful for me.

 Daddy-claus

 My favorite part.

 "Thats nuts!"

Mommy-claus