Isaac's first locs!

His hairstylist
Before!

Half way done!

After!

Baby's First Do Rag

We spent two and a half hours in the beauty shop starting at 7:45 this morning to get Isaac his first set of locs or as I like them to be called- twists. He did remarkably well! I am sure Mario Kart was the main reason for that. I know the opinions from loved ones are going to fly about his new do, but this just comes with the territory of raising an African American child. He has a right to try out some standard hairstyles. I am not a fan of braids or corn rows, so this is as good as it is going to get for him! His hairstylist, Angelique was so sweet and patient. She did an amazing job lining up those rows! He will have to wash his hair in 7-14 days, so he will lose them at that time unless I can master it myself. But with the amount of time she took, I am not sure I am cut out for it at his age!
I told him to be glad he is not a girl because he would be getting his hair done for an hour or more ALL the time!
Oh! And he got his first do rag. He has to wear this when he sleeps to keep the locs tight. Traditionally, African American hair should only be washed once or twice a week at most because it dries out too much otherwise which can lead to flaky scalps and breakage. So I will want his hair to stay nice and clean as much as possible!!
P.S. It is not him crying in this video!

Christmas Tree Shopping

Some people go to Christmas tree lots...others to warehouse stores. :)

Date night

Billy surprised me last weekend by lining up my parents to keep the kids overnight so we could have a long overdue date night. We went to the italian resteraunt that we had our very first date at. We both ordered the same dish- our favorite "Pepperoni Chicken". Amazing. He then took me to Starbucks for a yummy Pumpkin Spice Latte and a rice krispie treat (I've been a nanny too long, my palate is still that of a child's!!) Then we went to see Jim Carrey's version of A Christmas Carol in 3D. That was a really neat experience! But before all that, on the drive Billy kept saying "Isn't it a shame we don't video tape our life?" He knows that my camera is 9 years old and not in the best shape so I never get it out. Then he pulled out a Christmas wrapped present from the back seat complete with the sweetest Hallmark card. It was a new video camera!! It is so cute and slim it fits nice in my purse pocket. t has a it's own USB port that comes out the side so you can plug it right in to your laptop and download away. Perfect for a blogger! I couldn't believe he went to that effort to surprise me. He never does that. I am not good with surprises. It was so nice, I almost cried. :) I asked "what's the occasion?" and he said his Christmas bonus came in. Yeah!! I love you, Honey!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner will be done up by yours truly this year at our house. My parents will be joining us which is fun! I love lounging around watching the parade on tv with the smell of pumpkin pies baking. Thanksgiving is such a great day! :) Yesterday Vivi and I stopped in at Michaels and Hobby Lobby where their decorations were seriously marked down. We bought a cute turkey table centerpiece in a wagon and some vintage paper decorations for the wall and sliding glass door. I say vintage because they remind me of my Elementary school in November. They will match this paper turkey we have out now. We always had one of these growing up too. I told myself my Thanksgiving day decor will get classier when the kids get older.

Here is our menu:

Turkey- of course. I think I am going to be able to get this free at Market Street this year.

Sausage Stuffing

Orange Cranberry sauce (that I am going to make with fresh berries!)

Green Beans (out of a can, the only way we like them)

Wheat Rolls

Boston Market's Sweet Potato Casserole (the best anywhere)

Watergate Salad (pistachio pudding, pinapple, marshmallows, and cool whip)

and of course the crowning glory....pumpkin pie.

Billy will get the Thanksgiving brew from Starbucks which we will have to water down for my parents as they can't handle the strength. The question is, will it be cold that day? That would be awesome!!

Remembering

I like this photo of a Veteran touching the crosses placed at Fort Hood in Kileen, TX in honor of the fallen soldiers.

Happy Veteran's Day, Dad.

confession

I do not want to blog. I have several things I would like to blog about....my top 10 toys you should consider for Christmas, a hair post, a post about Petland and how they sell puppies from puppy mills so do not even consider bringing home one of those little darlings for Christmas, Thanksgiving and my menu, my really fun date night with Billy that included a surprise gift! and of course the previous-alluded-to news on the horizon for us....but honestly I just don't feel like blogging. This was itself a stretch.

Hang with me people, I am sure my motivation will return.