Happy Birthday, Sasha Morgenthaler!

Daddy John:  Today, November 30, is Sasha Morgenthaler's birthday (b. 1893), so we decided to have a small celebration in her honor.

We chose Steve's first Gregor, Sasha, and my first, Benjamin Roy, to be the masters of ceremony.

Sasha: These look delicious!  Happy Birthday to our Mummy!

Benjamin Roy:  Just don't tell Frank; he can smell these a mile away!

Happy Thanksgiving from Gregoropolis!

Daddy Steve: While shopping at Target recently, I happened upon this cute little turkey craft project.  I thought this would make a good Thanksgiving Day project for the boys.  It would keep them occupied while I cooked the real turkey and it would provide a nice centerpiece for our Thanksgiving table (bonus: the instructions said "No Glue Required" and I liked that!).  In order to give everyone a crack at it (and because they have short attention spans), we organized the boys into teams.

Tyler and Mikko didn't get very far.  They opened the package and then got distracted by the soccer ball for the rest of the day.

Kaveh and Giancarlo did much better.  After reading the instructions, they soon assembled the wooden body.

Giancarlo: The Italians have always been great builders.

Kaveh: My people built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Robin has strong organizational skills.  He set Miguel and Frank to work sorting all of the feathers by size and color.

Miguel: This is hard work.

Frank: I'm getting hungry.  Are there any cupcakes?

Next, Benjamin Roy and Pete began the task of sticking the feathers on the turkey.  Anthony helpfully peeled the backing paper off all the feathers.

Benjamin Roy: Annabelle is helping, too!  Good job, girl!

Annabelle: Woof! 

Emile and Sasha continued with feather placement, with Emile assuming the supervisor role.  He said that because he is French, he possesses a highly aesthetic sense.  Some of the feathers didn't stick very well, so Anthony hunted down the double-sided tape.

Emile: They must look natural, but not too natural.  Random, but not too random. N'est-ce pas?

Sasha: Huh?

Patrick and Frank completed the feathering and added an important, almost forgotten, finishing touch.

Patrick: Something's not quite right with this turkey.  Something's missing.

Frank: Yeah, the mashed potatoes and gravy.

Patrick: Good guess, but no.  I think the eyes, actually.

The boys are rightfully proud of their creation.  They wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Let It Snow, Part 2 (First Snow)

John:  Benjamin Roy was very excited it snowed yesterday.  He's never seen snow before!  Before he came to live with us, he was never out of his box.

So, we took a short walk around the garden early this morning so he could experience his first snowfall.  I did ask him if Pete Dakota wanted to join us, but he said Pete was still sleeping and said, quote: "I'm not getting out of bed until it's as warm out there as it is in here."

BR:  It's so pretty!  The yard looks so nice.

BR:  Too bad there's not enough to build a snowman.

BR: Can we go in now?  I'm a little cold.

Daddy John:  Should we make some hot chocolate for everybody?

BR: Yay!

Let It Snow, Part 1

Steve:  First snowstorm of the season; Winter has finally arrived in Gregoropolis.  Not everyone is excited about it.

Anthony: Sigh

Giancarlo: Sigh

Love That Corduroy (Throwback Thursday)

Steve:  The boys of Gregoropolis are big fans of the Jadzia label corduroy coats for sale on eBay.  They are beautifully made and always have such pretty linings.  Here, Sasha (newly restrung--thanks, Dr. Pat!) models one in brown.

He reminds me of another little blond boy in a similar corduroy coat from long ago.  Yes, that is Daddy Steve in 1972; back when I had blond hair myself (later turned dark, now turning gray).

This was pre-Sasha; back when the favored dolls were Ken and Brad.

Lunch Buddies

Frank:  Hey Patrick, I'll do your home work if you give me your cupcake!

Patrick:  I've already done it.

Frank:  Oh...

Frank:  How about if I do your chores?

Patrick: They're done, too.

Frank:  Oh...

Patrick:  But I'll split with you.

Frank:  Aw thanks, Patrick.  You're the best!

Frank:  Can I have the half with the frosting?

We're Supposed To Be Raking

Steve: Robin, Giancarlo, and Kaveh volunteered to help me rake yesterday.  Weather was so nice-almost 70 degrees.  In Minneapolis! In November!

Turned my back for a second.  Just one second; and this is what I turn back around to.