Leprechaun at Lancaster Mall

As I type this, I'm sitting in a hotel room with the hubs. We get to spend the night in Portland before tomorrow's Shamrock Run. I know, I know, another night away. Please don't hate me for having amazing in-laws. They are also giving my kids a Red Robin fix. So we don't have to. Oh gosh, now you really hate me huh?

However, this night away seems like an ample reward for having spent part of our day at Lancaster Mall. Only if you live in Salem would you understand the pain of such an event. Oh Lancaster Mall, how I loathe thee. Half of you probably think I'm a snob now. That's okay. The other half of you are nodding your heads in agreement with me . . . I just don't find much redeemable about this particular retail outlet. 

But, our sweet redhead boy was performing there with his Irish dance class. We don't even know if we have any Irish in our genes. But we have a redheaded son who looks Irish and another son named after Irish whiskey. So, it's fitting that we would have a little guy who loves Irish dance. 

Here is Marshall and his two minutes of fame at Lancaster Mall. We're still not sure why exactly they were performing there. But, Marshall loved loved loved it. He's so proud. Which is all that matters. Nowhere else we'd rather spend St. Patrick's Day. We must really love that little leprechaun.

Ballet and Birthdays

There are a lot of days with my family that I just don't want to forget. Like yesterday. And this morning. We are rapidly approaching Christmas. I'm not ready at all. So much left to do. It often makes me think of my mom and all of the work that she did getting us ready for Christmas. I have no idea how she did it while working full-time. But, being a mom has made me grateful for all of the time and effort that she put into the Christmas season for our family. And it motivates me to work joyfully to put Christmas together for my family. And, it makes me wish that my mom was still here so that I could thank her for all of the work she did year after year.

Okay - so timely. My brother just posted this picture of me with my parents during my dad's first campaign for judge. Isn't my mom beautiful?

Wow. That diverged quickly to seriousness. Back to my original train of thought ... no I'm not ready for Christmas. I have zero gifts for Eliza. none. nada. as in nothing. at. all. But, I'll get it done by Decmeber 25th. There are more important things right now, like birthday parties with friends and Eliza's ballet performance.

Yesterday was Eliza's open house for ballet. Maggie graciously came and baby-sat Jameson while Marshall and I went to watch Eliza dance .

This is Maggie (I think that she is deserving of having her picture on the blog because she cleaned my house for me yesterday while I was at the open house:

So, Eliza has the sweetest class this year with just three other little girls. The are darling. Here is a video from yesterday's open house. I realize that it is probably just the grandparents who will want to watch it!!



We also had a birthday party to go to yesterday for our good friend Owen Gay. He was turning five! It was FUN - I probably had more fun than my kids did, as we are finally out of our quarantine and it was the first time I've seen friends from church in weeks. Such a sweet bunch of kids. And such a sweet little party decorating Christmas cookies.

Eliza and sweet Ava:

Bunches of Babies - I think EVERYONE in our church who could have been pregnant in the last two years was pregnant. It was like a baby explosion. They are going to be trouble!

And, Eliza helped me finish up our Christmas cards yesterday. She stuffed so many envelopes full of cards. And provided lots of lively conversation to make it go quickly. Can I say for the millionth time that she is so sweet?!

Finally, this morning. By my kids' request here is a picture of them on the couch. Just having fun. In their pajamas.

Marshall in Concert