ICE!

In honor of Grandma's birthday, we ventured to Gaylord Palms for the weekend last weekend with the Beaman, Rios, and Clark crews.  On Friday night, we met for dinner at Wreckers sports bar and walked around the giant hotel, marveling at the Christmas decor. The kids also enjoyed running around on the giant green space behind the restaurant. On Saturday, we shared a nice brunch together before checking out the ICE! exhibit (so impressive, and Reid even went down the ice slide on his own!) and Christmas Market, mailing letters to Santa, enjoying hot chocolate, making new friends at Build-a-Bear (Reid named his Olaf snowman, "OoAh" and is obsessed with the guitar accessory he picked out), and running around the hotel. Andy and I then walked Reid around outside in his stroller for a while until he (finally) fell asleep. Once Reid was in slumber land, Andy and I joined my sisters, brother-in-laws, Reid's cousins, and my dad by the pool until Reid began to wake up. Next up - story time with Ms. Claus, decorating/eating gingerbread men, and more running around the hotel like crazy people. Later that night, the adults enjoyed dinner at The Moor, while the kids enjoyed torturing (ha, kidding?) their babysitters. Before returning to the crazy kiddos (again, kidding?), the adults were able to watch the Cirque:Unwrapped show in the hotel atrium. What an exciting and nerve-wracking show!  I was even able to sneak in some frozen yogurt before venturing back upstairs. The next morning, Andy, Reid, Grandpa, and I enjoyed breakfast at La Flor, where Reid was able to hug on Charlie Brown and Lucy. Then, it was time to pack up and hit the road. While I packed, Andy and Reid enjoyed the giant pool.  Next stop: New Port Richey for the annual Ackley Christmas!

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for a great weekend!

Altruism

I once read an article about altruism being the most important trait you can teach to your children. I think I read that article before I had Reid, and I felt compelled to make a promise to myself to remember this sentiment. Now, I feel just as strongly, if not more strongly, that I want Reid to grow up to be an altruistic child and man - no matter what cards he is dealt (good or bad). However, I am also more aware of the real-life complexities that pop up and get in the way of altruism. For example, toddlers aren't great at sharing, and I'm not really sure when he can fully grasp the concept of altruism. Also, life is busy and it is hard to find time to expose Reid to volunteering and helping others as much as I had hoped. Before Reid was born, Andy and I were pretty involved in the life of our little brother (BBBS), for example, and it has become increasingly more difficult to spend time with him since having Reid (plus, other concerns have popped up). Yet, the best way for Reid to learn about the importance of helping others is, in my opinion, to show him. Luckily, I have some very giving and thoughtful people in my life that serve as wonderful examples for Reid. One of them is my niece, Ellison. At 9 years old, she really impresses me with her care and sensitivity towards others. Recently, I took her to Panera to pick a name off the Angel Tree. She found two names that she was drawn to, and I agreed to get presents for these two girls. I spent about ten minutes on Amazon buying presents for these girls - a nice sentiment but one that required very little effort. About a week or so later, I invited Ellison to return to Panera to drop off the gifts and a card, if she liked. I expected a quick doodle with a generic message, if anything, but she showed up at my house with two craft kits and grand ideas. After quite a long, extended breakfast at Panera, with Ellison and Reid crafting the whole time while Andy and I ate two (!) breakfasts, we were finally able to bundle up the gifts and homemade cards for the two unknown girls. Ellison put so much thought in to both cards, and I am sure that the two little girls will be happy to receive personal messages from their unknown friend. And I am happy that Reid sat at the "craft table" with Ellison for over an hour (maybe two?) and may one day look back at pictures and understand the importance of doing nice things for others that are genuine and full of love.

Gobble 'Til You Wobble

Let's be real for a moment, shall we? I am blessed, or lucky, or a mix of the two. It doesn't matter how you label it- there are many things I am incredibly grateful for. My children (!), my husband, my family (in-laws included), my pup (crazy, loveable Finn), and the grace I am afforded on a daily basis top the list. But still, I have hard days. The day before Thanksgiving was a hard day- my car was broken in to while at the park with Reid and, although my purse and other items were stolen, I was most jarred by the feeling of being victimized. I mean who breaks in to a car (with a car seat and children's toys scattered throughout) in the middle of the afternoon at a park on the day before Thanksgiving!? I was frustrated, I was mad, I was sad, and I was more than a little bit anxious about everything I would need to get replaced and paid for (and the time it would take) to make myself and my car "whole."  But then,  I was able to spend the following four days surrounded by people I love and that love me - people that support me and are there for me. At the end of the weekend, I only felt sad- not for me, but for the person that broke in to my car. How desperate and lost that person must have felt. I am grateful that I do not understand that person's motivations and desperation and, hopefully, never will. Recently, I had a health scare (tachycardia episode), and in the hours that followed, once I knew that I was okay and my baby girl was okay, I was once again overwhelmed with gratitude. To be able to live my life with so much support around me (of all varieties) is a gift. Every time I walk around downtown Orlando during lunchtime and see the many homeless people walking around, every time I see a post about a sick child or a relative that has passed, every time that I experience a health scare or worry about a family member's health, and every time I am faced with my own insecurities and weaknesses, I remember soon after how much I have been given in this life.  I am reminded of the same during the happier moments of my day, too, which are too numerous to list here. I hope that Reid and Baby Girl grow up with a sense of gratitude that is always at the ready - in the good times and in the trying times.  Now, on to my Thanksgiving recap!

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Andy, Reid, and I (and Nee Nee and Apa) joined the Clark and Rios family at Grandma and Grandpa's for a delicious, early Thanksgiving.  From the fried turkey (thanks, Dad!) to the green beans, sweet potato casserole, broccoli cheese casserole, etc., the food was a hit (thanks, Mom!). The kids ran around like they always do and the adults were able to sneak away for some quiet-ish conversation in the dining room. At the end of the night, Olivia, Dylan, and Charlie treated us all to some dancing and song. Although Reid copied Olivia's moves and tried to keep up, Olivia was definitely the star of the show! De ja vu, anyone? Flashbacks to Thanksgivings when K-bo was a little star?

On Thanksgiving Day, the same crew (minus the Clarks) met up at my Aunt Suad's house for a larger Thanksgiving feast. Since I grew up with my immediate family (Mom and Dad) hosting Thanksgiving, the last few years have taken some adjusting to. It just isn't the same as years past when we would all gather at my parents' home, watch my dad fry the turkey(s) in the backyard and my mom run around the kitchen, and generally stress out together trying to get the house ready for 35ish people. Still, we had a very nice Thanksgiving, and I think this past Thanksgiving was my favorite one yet at my Aunt's house. Food was delicious and the company was great. Plus, Reid was able to proudly don his "Gobble 'Til You Wobble" shirt and chow down on cranberry relish (in between reading a book on the lazy chair and playing outside), so I know he enjoyed himself. Later in the evening, we were able to meet up with Dom, Aaron, Scotty, Gage (and re-meet up with N and A) at Linda DiPasqua's home. Although we didn't stay for food (no room in our stomachs!), it was nice to see everyone for a quick visit.  As icing on the cake, we were able to spend most of the rest of the weekend with the Layden clan, and we even had special house guests in the form of Scotty and Gage! Until next year!