Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We had a pretty relaxed affair here. Just the in laws and my brother in law were over, so it was easy to have to prepare a meal for only 6 people. The turkey came out great (I following Alton Brown's recipe and brined it overnight). There were leftovers, but not an obscene amount--just enough for some sandwiches and possibly a turkey soup. I had to work today, so Craig took the day off to hang with Chloe. It was fine going to work since hardly anyone is there and I got to leave at lunchtime anyway. When I got home, I find Chloe down for a nap, and Craig and Sneakers snoozing on the couch. So here I am, curled up with a blanket, snuggled in with my sleepy hubby and pooch, blogging away. Ain't life grand?

There will be no shopping for me on Black Friday. I have always avoided shopping on this day and I don't think there is any sale that could change my mind on that. I prefer to just take a random weekday off and go shopping during the relative midweek calm during the day. Plus, I can leave Chloe at daycare and do some serious shopping without stopping!

In preparation for this year's Christmas cards, I got Chloe dressed up in a cute Christmas outfit, took out the digital camera and went crazy. Last year, I will admit, it was much easier. She wasn't even really crawling, so I could just prop her in a place and wait for the smiles. Now, virtually every shot is of her running away or turning around or grabbing at the camera. Damn these delays on digital cameras! But I was able to get a few good shots and the cards came out great. I think my family would be quite upset if the card didn't contain some pics of our little mite.

Chloe has been rebelling against her nap lately. I can tell she is tired, but when I put her down, she doesn't go to sleep. She may fuss for a little while or, more likely, just play in her crib. For the whole nap time! Today she is sleeping, but it took her almost an hour to go to sleep. Isn't she too young at 18 months to outgrow her nap?? Several days recently she has skipped the nap and made it all the way to bedtime OK. Granted, she was a bit of a crab as it got towards bath time, but she wasn't passing out in the toy box or anything. I hope it is just a phase and we can stick with the nap for at least 6 more months. Mama likes her me-time... ;-)

I am getting really excited for this holiday because it will be the first year that Chloe can really get into it. I know she will be excited to unwrap presents and I am sure she will flip over any new toys. I can't wait to get a Christmas tree too, because I bet she will just love to 'help' decorate. We just need to find some kid-friendly ornaments to put on the lower boughs.

I had to do a small group project this week in my MBA class. So, this was the first time that I corresponded with some of the other students. Evidently I am not the only one that things this teacher blows. They were all pissed with his general lack of direction or teaching (and the fact that he assigned a group project that was due ON thanksgiving day!). This prof is definitely not getting any rave reviews on the evaluation at the end of class. Only 4 more weeks of this crap and then, I am so looking forward to the break!

Since I haven't shared any pics in my last couple of posts, here are some for you.

We just loved this red velvet hat!

The dress and bloomers are a hand-me-down from when my 14 year old niece was a toddler.

Just testing out the self-timer function on the camera

Chloe helping Craig with the fireplace

Chloe and one of her many stuffed frogs.

Sneakers has yet to meet a blanket she doesn't love!