Christmas Blessings

We had a wonderful, albeit quiet, holiday by ourselves this year.  It did start a bit earlier than planned, when Annabel awoke at 3:28am and just couldn't manage to get herself back to sleep.  She was a bit bleary-eyed throughout the day:

Still, the special gifts from family & friends made everyone feel just a little bit warmer and closer.  For instance, we all enjoyed learning more about my Dad's childhood memories at his home in Scarborough and at camp near Bodfish with special books that he wrote & illustrated for us:

The kids got in on the action as well, bestowing on us gifts secretly made in the shop.  Here's a couple of battleships they made for Jordan with items found here and there:

We have dubbed this year "Camo Christmas," as Thane received more than his fair share of his very favorite material.  He was more than happy to corral it all in his new pup tent, a gift from Jordan's folks.  Thank goodness this was one of the last presents he opened, as Thane immediately squirreled himself inside and almost refused to come out to open more gifts.

Annabel was thrilled with her decidedly more feminine gifts, and she always appreciates getting more arts & crafts supplies:

Merry Christmas from the Lentz!

Daddy's Not-So-Little Girl

Annabel turned eight this past Friday, and we had a great day celebrating our little bundle of song & dance.  We enjoyed her favorite dinner (chicken bacon pasta, garlic bread and strawberries), which was washed down with some chocolate chip kahlua cake with cream cheese frosting - YUM!

Then we opened presents.  She loved the American Girl doll books from my folks, and the matching quilts that my sister sewed for her (one for her and one for her dolls). 

She also loved her new "bling-y" dress from Jordan's parents, and the hunting rifle that her Daddy got for her.  I think that the following picture captures her perfectly:

 Happy Birthday - we love you so much!

Christmas Preparations

December has flown by and, like you, we have been busy preparing for the holidays.  One of my favorite Christmas chores is decorating the house.  I just loved finding the perfect spot for my new "Merry Christmas" sign, which I found at an antique store in Gouldsboro.

I'm also embracing natural decor, like pine cones, which look really great with the green accents and brown transferware featured in the dining room:

 

The kids have been a big help with baking this year.  Here's the results of this morning's efforts:

The trees are finally up, and I just love relaxing on the sofa and enjoying the soft glow of its lights at the end of a long day.

I hope that you too have had the chance to enjoy the delights of the season!

A Birthtea Party

Anyone who was born within a week of Christmas knows how difficult it can be to fit a birthday party in during the holidays.  Other commitments, out-of-town plans and an acute lack of funds conspire to make such parties sparse affairs.  Although on this, Annabel's 8th year, we may have hit upon a solution.

Last Sunday (a few weeks before her actual birthday), Annabel and three guests joined us for a Christmas Tea Party at Chandler River Lodge, a local restaurant.  A proper 3 course dinner was served, with each course better than the last.  Sticky chocolate hands down, the winner was the last course, which would have satisfied even the pickiest sweet tooth.

One unexpected treat was that our waitress was family friend Linda, who kept the tea flowing - fake British accent and all.

The girls were dressed to the "nines," and they were very polite and proper.

 It was a jolly good time!

Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our friends the Campbells.  While the adults enjoyed some quiet conversation in the dining room, the kids held free reign in the kitchen.  They made pilgrim & Indian hats,

and decorated the table with crayons held in cute little pilgrim hat holders that Annabel made.

They also played Thanksgiving bingo (although I can't tell if it was the game or the candy corn that caused such a stir!)

It was a great day filled with loads of delicious food, friendship and laughter.  After it was over and the last dirty dish was cleaned and put away, we enjoyed a few minutes of rest together, reliving the day. 

We have so many things for which to be thankful, and we are especially blessed with wonderful family and friends both far and near.  You have touched our lives in so many different ways, and we are incredibly grateful.  Thank you, and Thanksgiving blessings to you all!

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Since we moved into our new place in the middle of 2014, we've been doing dishes the old school way:  wash, rinse, repeat.  Actually, since she turned 7 last year, Annabel has been doing most of the dishes.  But with our new after school program schedule, there just isn't enough time in our compressed evenings to finish dinner preparations, eat, do dishes, complete homework assignments, take baths, and get ready for bed - let alone catch up on the news of the day and indulge in some snuggle time!

Jordan finally caved, and we bought an efficient new dishwasher last week.  Annabel and Thane are still expected to fill & empty this new wonder, and there will definitely be old-fashioned, sud-filled dishwashing lessons in Thane's future.  In the meantime, however, we are thrilled to fill our new-found free time with some reading.

Stack, start, done!

Candy or Bust(ed)!

Thane has been on a Lego City kick lately - especially anything to do with the cops and robbers.  So naturally, he and Annabel just had to play along for Halloween.  Thane took on the role of tough cop:

Annabel was the vilest of villains, although she did remark that I should have reversed the outfits.  After all, everyone knows that SHE's the good one!

In the end, they were perfectly happy with their lot (and I do mean a LOT):

Happy Halloween - keep it legal!

Bringing the Harvest Home

It's hard to believe, but another summer has come and gone, and with it our gardening responsibilities.  Here's Thane with the last load of pumpkin and squash.  We can hardly wait to can pumpkin and savor homemade butternut squash soup.

To Have and To Hold

Ten years ago today, Jordan and I started our life together.  Since then, we have had our share of highs and lows:  two beautiful children; sickness & surgeries; multiple moves; five house renovations; a tax audit; numerous jobs & self employment; moments of laughter and more of anger than I care to admit; some days richer, but most poorer... Through it all, Jordan has remained steadfast and unwavering in his love for me and the kids.  I have never once doubted his commitment to us and to his responsibilities.  He has made us all feel secure and loved beyond the shadow of a doubt.

We've grown up together, and I love him more today than ever.  Here's to another 10, 20, 30 and 40+ more!  Love you babe!

Six Candles

This kid turned six years old yesterday.  After a crazy year dealing with numerous medical issues, we decided to celebrate his sixth birthday in style.

Instead of a party, we opted to go to Treworgy Farm with Annabel and Luke, one of our neighbor friends.  The kids enjoyed the corn maze, petting the goats, the hayride - and ice cream cones (of course!)

All three kids were great apple pickers, and I feel like we brought home half the orchard!

The next day, we enjoyed mini cupcakes in Thane's class at school.  He loved it - although he was a bit embarrassed when the entire class sang "Happy Birthday" to him at the top of their lungs.

We ended the day with a quiet evening dinner with cake and presents afterward.  BIG Birthday Wishes to our not-so-little guy.  We can't imagine life without you!

Hard to Say Goodbye

It's been a sad day at the Lentz house.  After a week of playtime, walks, stories, cuddles and adventures, my folks headed back to Arizona today. The kids have been moping, and we keep reminding them to be grateful for the special time they had with Grampa & Gramma.  We have much for which to be grateful, including the unexpected arrival of my Aunts Bonnie & Sandy, who were in the neighborhood and stopped by for a surprise visit.

We have loads of other memories of the past week, too. 

Mom gave us a lesson in the making of the perfect pie crust, a feat that I have yet to accomplish. 

My folks also babysat for us a few times.  We very much enjoyed our date night and times of rest - although we do wonder just who was watching whom?!?

The highlight for me was the trip Mom and I made to Acadia National Park.  We hiked a bit, heard the crashing roar of the surf at Thunder Hole, drove up Cadillac Mountain and took in all of the other beautiful sites of the park. 

We even enjoyed Jordan Pond House's famous popovers - YUM!

Yes, it was very hard to see them drive away this morning, but we are incredibly grateful for the wonderful week we had.

Ship Ahoy

Annabel and Thane are thrilled to report that we are owners of a new boat.  It's a small vessel, to be sure, but it floats and can get us around the local lakes in a jiffy.

We took our maiden voyage last weekend, and judging by the faces of all involved, the boat is a hit - wet spray and all!

Growing Pains

Our little man's life has proven quite eventful over the past week and a half.  It all started when he "FINALLY!" lost his first tooth.  Three more are loose, and he heads to bed with visions of fairy wings and cash every night.

Just days later, however, Thane found himself in a hospital room waiting to be wheeled into the OR where a surgical team waited to remove his tonsils and adenoids - and to put tubes in his ears.  Before:

And after:

It's been a long week of recovery with loads of soft, cold foods.  Thane's new breakfast of champions?  Chocolate pudding, of course.

The surgery was very necessary, and he is already feeling much, much better.  It's been a week now, and Thane feels that he's ready for the "big man" chores.

Mow away!

Fore!

I can't begin to tell you how much fun it was to have Johnny visit us a few weeks ago.  We always enjoy our time with Johnny, but this time was really special.  Heartfelt talks under the pleasant haze of pipe smoke, hikes on the rugged Maine coast, perfectly cooked seafood - and loads of good-natured jesting and laughter.  Johnny even managed to do something that many of us thought impossible - he took Jordan golfing!  Don't worry - we wouldn't have believed it either if we didn't have the pics to prove it.  Be afraid - be very afraid!

The kids were, as usual, absolutely besotted.  They just love their Uncle Johnny.

We're already looking forward to the next visit!