Winter Wonderland Thanks

It's about 35 degrees outside and we are warm inside.

Today I am thankful for:

1.  Fall colors
From my chair right now I can see a tree covered with green, another yellow, and another bright red.  I know I often write about being thankful for trees, but every day I walk down the street noticing their beauty.

2.  Cookie baking
Paul and I spent part of the morning baking snicker doodles together.  He looked so cute in his Christmas apron.  He can crack eggs all by himself without any eggshell residue in the bowl.  I'm so proud of him!

3.  Carols
I've been blasting out the Pandora Christmas station all day today.  Paul and I have been dancing and singing to all the tunes.

4.  Food for ducks
This morning I was trying to think of an activity Paul and I could do just for fun.  We decided to go to the duck park and feed the ducks.  We had a pile of stale bread and crackers, so we bundled up and took them to the park.  It was raining and cold, and the ducks were starving.  At least 100 ducks encircled us wanting food.  We have so much fun feeding ducks with aerodynamic pieces of bread.

5.  Our covers wagon
Since the weather has gotten colder, Paul has been taking more naps.  When it's time to pick up Claire from school, I just wrap him in a blanket and lay him in the wagon.  Today not a bit of his head peeked out from the covers.  I'm thankful I don't have to wake him up and that he can be transported from bed to wagon to couch without interrupting his sleep.

6.  Sentimental ornaments
On our tree right now are ornaments from my grandmother's tree in the 1960s, Adam and my family trees from the 1980s, and ornaments that represent our life together.  The crosses were handmade by Adam's 103 year old aunt and several of the ball ornaments have been painted by the kids.  It's nice to look at the tree and remember.

7.  Avoiding the mall
With the exception of a big trip to Toys 'R' Us, Adam and I are almost done with our holiday shopping.  We have successfully avoided the mall.  Claire is reading this and has pointed out that we did have our pictures made at the mall, but we didn't venture beyond the portrait studio.

8.  Cookies for the postal lady
Our postwoman is named Rhonda.  Claire just now ran out and gave her fresh cookies and received a hug.  We love Miss Rhonda.

9.  Barbie cake
I must conclude this post because I am being called to the kitchen.  While Paul is napping, Claire and I are going to make a Barbie cake.

10.  A working oven
Thank God our oven works, or else I couldn't be thankful for most of the items today.