A Day to be Thankful For

It's the day before Thanksgiving, but for me, days like today are exactly what I give thanks for. I had yesterday and today off, and this morning I took the chance to sleep (lounge awake in bed) a little later (8:30), and then spent most of the day hanging out with the boys.

I woke to sounds of laughter, and Jackson saying, "Now don't tell Dad what we're making!" Katie had them baking bright and early, whipping up a batch of peppermint bark (chocolate / white chocolate / peppermint). Porter went to the Children's Museum w/ Carolyn and his cousin Kyle, while Katie and Jackson made pumpkin pie for tomorrow. I headed to Home Depot to buy a ladder so that the boys can tower above the crowd at tomorrow's parade. I know it sounds frivolous, but it cost less than a trip to the movies...

After lunch, the boys and I headed to Guitar Center -- I wanted to have them play one of the half-size guitars I am thinking of having Santa bring them for Christmas. I wanted to make sure it's the right size to get their arms around when they have it on their knee, and that they can get their hands around it to press the frets. Fits just fine, as it turns out. Most of the time we were there, though, they played the electronic drums in the drum room -- which are totally kick ass!! As soon as I know they will use them, I'm getting a set. They are actually really reasonably priced, and the fact that you can practice on a whole kit via headphones -- and have it sound as real as any drum kit I've ever heard -- is a god-send to parents. And I might even take up the drums myself... Interestingly enough, a guy pulled me aside while I was watching the boys jam away and told me that Porter, in particular, but both boys in general, were naturals with a beat. And it showed -- they took to it and laid down a beat without any prodding. Porter can mix in different drums and make it as natural as anything -- all based on his innate sense of sound. Very impressive to watch, and I was very proud to hear someone else notice.

When we got home, we kicked back and relaxed with some holiday books that Katie had brought down from the attic -- and Jackson read to me. MY SON READ TO ME! He's read here and there before, but this time we took turns with books, and Porter sat with us listening to the stories. I'm so proud of both of them!

So all in all, just another strange trip around life for me and the boys -- cooking, museums, playing music, and reading. Could a guy ask for anything more?

PTO Auction Weekend

Katie and I had a nice weekend this past go-round. The boys spent some time with their cousin Kyle on Friday night, then spent the night with Nana -- and we had a weekend of date nights! Not that we did anything too special or crazy.

Friday we actually went to the taqueria -- for the first time in a long time without the boys -- and had a few margaritas and tried other old-favorites on the menu. When we go with the boys, we have to get the Parillida Tapitia, which is great, but it's nice to wander off the beaten track from time to time. Katie got the shrimp quesidillias and I got the tacos al carbon.

That night we actually got to bed at a reasonable time. Saturday was our late night, though. Saturday Katie got up and worked out (of course) before heading over to the party spot to help decorate for the Auction. I hung out around the house and restrung my guitars and basically just gelled. When night came, we got all dressed up in our best Lone Star gala attire and headed out for a night of fun. We loaded up on the kids parties and a few family / adult parties that were available for sign-up; and I picked up a pair of bongos for the boys for Christmas. We also got the black-turtleneck photo of Porter to match Jackson's from last year -- they're going to look great next to eachother in the living room!!

Other than that, not much to report lately. Just lots of working -- two clients in Houston have me running back and forth. I like the close-to-home projects alot, though!! This week is a full work week, but I'm taking all of next week off for Thanksgiving.