Beginnings and Endings

The day after my family went home after Thanksgiving, Cole came into my room (after he was supposed to be in bed) and said, "Mom. Can we talk about beginnings and endings?"

I said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

He said in a quivering voice, "Endings - like when people have to go home and you start to miss them. And beginnings - like when you have to go back to school. I don't like beginnings or endings."

My sweet, sensitive little boy, I know what you mean...

The kid's table

Food

Nearly grown-up Ashton

Kellie and Josh seem to be having a competition that involves popping into other people's photos.

Alex spent the night at my house. He was miserable without his Mommy and Daddy, and spent the whole night facing the door.

We went to Pullen Park to try to get some family photos. Half of Raleigh had the same idea, and some members of my family get really grumpy in crowds. Trying to lighten the mood, Eli decided to slide down a hill of leaves. It was awesome, so he did it again on another hill. Unfortunately, the leaves on that hill were covering up a bunch of rocks that tore off a good chunk of his knee. Good family memories!

Also, my kids have a nasty habit of getting sick anytime we're around my family. This time it was Rylan, who developed a horrible cough. Thankfully, he waited to share his germs until after the holiday, but over the past week, first Michael, then me, and now Eli have picked it up. I am now making it my goal in life to celebrate a Thanksgiving without any illness.