down in Austin was so relaxed and so fun!Here are my favorite memories: DAY ONE – THE ROBINSON FARM* Samuel moo-ing at the cows* Sitting on the porch (always a favorite)* Hearing about the boys’ fishing stories (pics to follow)* Exploring the old barn (more on that later)* Archery and bb-gun (Bulls-eye for me!)* riding…

  From Austin, we are wishing you and yours a wonderful day of thanks!

I worked several days on my latest project.  It's my new "happy wall", where I have some of my favorite pictures.  I also have the 1-year pictures from each of the boys side-by-side.  And a frame I call "Oh, the Places We'll Go…".  It's 12 pictures from places we've been in the last 10 years…

After 10 years of marriage, and NO Christmas lights on the house (with the exception of the ones on the fence, that I usually do with the boys)…Derek decided it was time to make a real bonafide effort in this department.  And he did it early so we could enjoy it all season!  And he…

…programs like this.  A Thanksgiving "feast" (snack)…teachers dressed like pilgrims and students dressed like Indians, handmade placemats that say "We Give Thanks", children singing songs about turkeys AND what they're grateful for.  It always melts my heart.   http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2343128&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program from Meredith Smith on Vimeo.

Today I left the backdoor open so Samuel could come in and out for a little while.  At one point I heard him rummaging thru something, and caught up to him as he was running out the door with a package of M&Ms.  This kid is a candy thief.  He'll hide in a corner trying…

Caleb's teacher had hung up colored fruits and vegetables in a cornucopia on their classroom wall.  In each, the children had said something they were thankful for.   When picking him up early yesterday, I noticed his and thought "who is Kade?  We don't know anyone named Kade?!" So I pulled him aside and asked about "kade".  "Moooommmm…

Jacob is always moving – this is not new news to most of you.  His brain functions at high speed and his body is always trying to keep up. His newest thing is "knocking".  He uses his palm and fist to "knock" a tune or beat on hard surfaces – tables, counters, beds, you name…

Tuesday: "Mom, what is a great democracy?" (He had heard that phrase from a song they're singing at school.) Wednesday: "Mom, if going to the hospital is so important to make people better, why do they make it so expensive?  They should make it cheaper so more people can afford it." I really do think…

I loved my grandmother, Betty's house in Houston.  She had lived there since the 50s.  It was beautiful with long halls and big rooms.  Her bedroom and bathroom was my favorite – done in pink.  My favorite thing to do when I got to her house was walk from room to room looking at all…