Thanksgiving Break Recap

Our Thanksgiving break was just what we needed - relaxing, restful, productive and fun.  We spent a lot of time at home in our comfy clothes playing and baking.  Got to see family and friends.  And were so thankful to have five days at home together.

We ordered Parlor Donuts to be delivered to our door.  Yum!  Do you have Parlor?  We love their lemon, cinnamon roll and carnival donuts.

Remember when Find Mom. Sit on Mom was a daily thing??  It rarely happens anymore so I'm extra thankful when Leo wants to snuggle.

The weather was beautiful enough for some kite flying.  It was chilly so everyone is bundled up, but we'll take any day that's nice enough to play outside at this point in the year.

I baked a lot of Monster Cookies and pies.

I said yes to things I'd normally say no to - like making Ooblek.  Cornstarch ant water.  The big kids were thrilled.  They are also pretty good at helping clean up their own messes these days.

I cooked a mini Thanksgiving feast just for us on Thanksgiving Eve.

Leo learned a new trick - folding towels.  They're a little messy, but he is so thrilled to have learned a new skill.  Enjoy my wonky towel drawer.  I'm so thankful for the team work with household jobs.

Slow mornings and quiet evenings.  I'm thankful for the time to move at our own pace.  That meant extra time to play after baths.

My pies turned out perfectly!  Minus the fact that I slightly burned one pie and somehow misplaced two pie plates during the year.  I made it work and ended up with some lovely pies.

We made turkey cinnamon rolls.

Texted Thanksgiving messages.

I was happy to not be hosting.  It was nice to just show up for friends and family with desserts.

We celebrated lunch with Kevin's family and dinner with my family.

We got turkey dinners for the cats.  Pumpkin's first Thanksgiving was a blast.

Fletcher learned how to make his own PSL at home.

Mr. Mittens isn't the snuggliest cat, but since getting Pumpkin, we're seeing his more loving side come out.  He joined me for a cat nap which was lovely.

Gobble Gobble!  Pumpkin's first Thanksgiving was a good one!  He looked so handsome in his turkey hat.  The other cats were not as amused.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Yummy DIY Turkeys

I'm making these cute turkeys with my family this week and you should, too!  Add the items to your last minute grocery list.

Cinnamon roll turkey //

Canned cinnamon rolls that unroll

thick cut bacon

candy or chocolate chips for the face

(Don't but candy - just use some leftover Halloween candy!)

Donut Turkey //

glazed donuts

chocolate donut hole

candy to make the face

pretzel sticks

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We've got plans with family and lots of plans to stay home and be cozy.  I'm so thankful you stop by my blog and enjoy my content.  I'm off for Thanksgiving break at the end of the day and need to get busy making pies and cookies!  See you back here on Monday.

Keep the Claws

I've been wanting to write this post for a while now.  I'm actually surprised at my thoughts on the subject.  When you get a new kitten - Keep the claws!

We have had 6 different cats over the years and with our first four, we had them all declawed in the front.  Everyone did it and it just seemed like the right thing to do for indoor cats.  The methods improved over the years with laser removal, but when we got Mr. Mittens last year it was suddenly hard to find vets that would declaw kittens.  And the vets that would declaw were very expensive.

We opted to give his claws a chance and let Mr. Mittens keep his claws.  I was determined to keep them trimmed short and see if he would be okay around our furniture and be nice to the kids.  I wrap him in a soft blanket and do one paw at a time.  He didn't love it, but he's learned the drill and is a mostly happy client now.  I count the claws as I cut them so that I can make sure I end up with 18 claws trimmed.  It's quick and easy and I do both cats back to back to stay on the same schedule.

My sister recommended this pair of nail trimmers.  They were so affordable and are working perfectly almost 2 years later.  H&H Pets Cat Nail Trimmer

We joke that Pumpkin forgets he has claws and teeth because he's such a sweet guy.  He never wants to hurt anyone.  We see his claws, but he rarely uses them.

He's getting fluffier every week so I'm going to have to look into a fur trimmer set.  This one is on my radar for it's price and great reviews.  I think it would be perfect for his fluffy fur to keep it manageable.  He has trouble landing safely when he jumps since his paw pads can't grip the floor with all that fur.

Cat Grooming Clipper Kit - I love all of the trimmer accessories.

We have a cat tree and some cardboard scratch mats that they use often to sharpen your claws.  They rarely sharpen them on furniture.  And if I keep them trimmed short, they don't get snagged on our clothes or on curtains/bedding.  I try to cut their claws twice a month.

So if you find yourself trying to decide - claws or no claws - I'm here to tell you cats with claws are perfectly manageable!  Just buy some good claw clippers for about $6 an you'll be set.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Birthday Favorites

I turned 44 on Sunday and spent the week celebrating with all of my favorite people!  It was wonderful.  I felt so special all week long.

Let me show you the highlights.  I'll save the best for last.

We got to school - the 67th day of school - and my assistant had the room decorated and treats waiting for an early birthday celebration.  The boys were beyond thrilled to say sixxxxx sevennnn all day long in our matching shirts that I had my neighbor make for us.  The kids at school loved it, too.  We had a 67 celebration where we wrote about 67, counted 6s and 7s, made 67s out of food.  It was a fun day!

Nothing Bundt Cakes for the whole kindergarten team!  My assistant is the sweetest.

My students suprised me with gifts, gift cards and lots of hugs.

Pumpkin is my cutest side kick.  He follows me all over the house and wakes up so excited to get ready with me every morning.  I wish you could hear him purring.

We spotted a rainbow in the clouds.

We got Parlor Donuts delivered on my actual birthday.  Did you know you can get them delivered to your house in an hour right through the app?  That was a dangerous discovery.

I went out to dinner with my book club besties.  We talked a little book, ate a yummy meal and had lots to catch up on over dinner.

My mom and dad hosted a birthday dinner at their house for me and my brother in law.  I'm still dreaming of that homemade mac and cheese.  I promptly asked my mom for a to go container of it.

Oreo cheesecake!

My parents with their favorite child - Hardy - and me.  I went in to give hugs before I left and Hardy gave me the biggest dog kiss ever.  I'm not sure if I should be honored or grossed out.

My teacher friends planned lunch together at school and my neighbor teacher Doris made my favorite cheesecake for all of us.  It was such a treat!  It always feels special when people remember what you love and make it for you.

We Door Dashed some of my favorite foods - Wasabi & Casey's Pizza.

Birthday grocery store flowers from Kevin.  It was a pretty assortment!

My sister gifted me some really pretty bags from her shop.  And look at those eagle earrings for school from my SIL.

Olive and I got new matching Christmas jammies!  Look at those bows.

I didn't turn down any opportunity to celebrate this week!  We went to Chuy's with Kevin's parents and Never Ending Pasta Bowl at Olive Garden with my kindergarten team.  Both were delicious.

Olive and I headed out of town for a funeral.  We grabbed lunch at Sonic and did some Christmas shopping afterwards.  We both highly recommend the Sonic BLT and cheese sticks.

Last, but not least, Kevin and the kids had been very secretive about my gift this year.  The were all excellent secret keepers.  I spotted this sign on our mantle.  What's an ABC birthday??

Parlor Donut delivery.  Every single donut was amazing.

I started opening cards one by one hoping to solve the ABC puzzle.

Leo = Aruba

Fletcher = Bonaire

Olive = Curacoa 

We're going on a cruise to the ABC islands next Summer!!

Wowza.  I had no idea.

I'd never heard of the ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire & Curacoa.  Kevin is quite the researcher and trip planner so I after doing tons of research, he booked our trip.  You better believe he found the best room, best deals, coupon codes and perks he could for us.  The ABC islands will be new to all of us.  The kids are hoping to snorkle and we are excited to check out a bigger ship.  It sounds amazing!  We can't wait to cruise again in 2026.

What a fun birthday week!

We have a pretty quiet weekend ahead and I'm thrilled.  See you back here next week!

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