Happy 11th Birthday, Danny Boy!

Eleven years ago today, George and I checked into the hospital at 6:30am for a scheduled c-section. Because Megan's birth and my recovery had been so difficult, we didn't know what to expect, but we planned for the worst (kids were at their grandparents' house, and we planned for a long recovery). Surprisingly, ours was the first of the day, and our little red-headed Danny Boy was born at 8:46 am. I was in recovery for 1 hour and 1/2 (unlike the 3+ with Megan), and we were in a room very shortly after. Our Danny boy was 8 lbs., 12oz., and his strawberry blond hair was shiny and silky next to his slightly jaundiced fair skin. He looked like a little man. Here he is a few days later.

He was the best Christmas present I received that year. I love him so! Here are a few pics of his transition over the years.

He's grown up so much, but I'll always think of him as my little Danny Boy. Happy Birthday, Danny!

Another "private" class at Aprons

The night before Thanksgiving, George and I went to Aprons cooking school for date night, and again we were by ourselves in the class.

It was a demonstration class, and the food was absolutely delicious. The four-course meal started with smoked squash soup with crispy pancetta.

Then came the pastrami cured duck breast served with cornichons and whole grain mustard on toast points.

The main course was pork t-bone with a chestnut, apple, and pancetta hash.

Last, but not least, cinnamon apple pie with a hot toddy.

This was probably one of the best dinners we've had at Aprons, and I can't imagine why others aren't signing up for these amazing nights. One thing is for sure, we know how to pick them.

Don't lock your knees...and other good stuff

The last time I posted was before Thanksgiving, so before I continue any farther, let me say that I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. I did not post before Thanksgiving because I was sick with a virus that was making its way around (Megan had it too), and for several days, I couldn't do much of anything.

Along with illness, our entire community was suffering the week before Thanksgiving. The shooting at Strozier Library on FSU campus was a stressful event for all of us (one of Danny's karate senseis was studying on the second floor that night and was thankfully not hurt), and caused all patrol staffing to be called in. This was only to be surpassed by the attack and murder of Leon County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Smith. George's squad donated their time to conduct traffic control during the funeral, and spent close to 6 hours standing in the rain.

Our Thanksgiving was quiet and early, as George had to work that afternoon. And, as I'm not a shopper, the rest of the Black Friday weekend was quiet too. Nothing much happened other than work and school until this past Friday, when the kids and I ventured to Thomasville to attend The Bookshelf's Holiday Open House and Cookie Tasting (pictures are from their facebook site).

We walked the streets of Thomasville a bit, and it was beautiful. I had to get a picture of my silly kids with the beautiful backdrop.

 

It was a short trip, but by the time we got home, we were all tired and ready for bed.

 

Saturday morning, we got up and ready for karate a little earlier, as Danny and I took a card and flowers to the hospital for one of George's former officers who had been mauled by a dog earlier on the week. She's doing well, but while we were there, Danny fainted in the hospital room. After a treatment of Gatorade and increased air conditioning, he was good to go, but not quite up to karate. I took him home and picked up Megan for our regular mother/daughter massage time at Better Living Day Spa and Paisley Cafe.

 

After our pampering, we picked up Danny (now feeling few ill effects), and we went to the mall to shop for the child we adopted with the Salvation Army angel tree program. After 20 minutes shopping at Claire's, I was done with people, and we left just in time to see two young men being arrested in the parking lot. Danny's comment was, "I don't ever want to know the feeling of being arrested." That's my boy!

 

The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning and decorating for Christmas. Neither Megan nor I felt too hot on Sunday, so we relaxed in the morning. Danny and I took Harley for a walk and were followed home by an Australian Shephard looking a lot like the one in this picture.

 

 

His name is Brodie, and he got out of his back yard a few days earlier and had been roaming. After a cup of food and a 3 hr search for his owner, the owner finally called on his way back from Valdosta airport. He had left the dog outside while he was gone for a few days. Grrrr. Some people should not own dogs.

 

In all, we've had a quiet but busy couple of weeks, and Danny has learned a few things along the way. 1. He learned that he doesn't want to be arrested. (Yea!) 2. He learned what a responsible dog owner does and does not do with his dog. 3. Most importantly, he learned not to lock his knees when standing.



Danny's Latest Achievement

Last Saturday, Danny tested for and received his brown belt in Kenpo Karate. This is a huge accomplishment for him, as last year we struggled to get him to show up to Karate practices after the death of his friend and classmate, Trent. The last year has been a time for emotional growth for Danny, and we're all so proud of him.  I went to the test with him, and got some good shots of him

showing off his forms

and sparring.

After the demonstration, his senseis gave the new belts out,

and then took pictures with all of the recipients.

Danny was awesome! Unfortunately, George had to work, and Megan had the flu, so he and I went to Sweet Frog to celebrate with some frozen yogurt.

We love you, Danny!

Our "Thankful" Jar

Last month, I saw a picture on Pinterest that just inspired me. It was a mason jar rigged to hang on the wall, and it had little colored circles hanging on hooks underneath. This was a home-made  "Thankful" or "Grateful" jar, and basically you write what you're thankful for on the circles and put them in the jar to be read at a later date/time. So, I went to Hobby Lobby with all good intentions  of getting the supplies. However, since I don't have the time or the energy to be crafty right now, I saw exactly what I wanted and improvised. A chalkboard-front jar and some recycled note paper will do just as well as the super-crafty home-made one on Pinterest.

Bonus - the kids love it!

North Florida Fair Fun

The fair has come and gone, but not without the Creamers enjoying it.

Sunday before last, we headed down to the fairgrounds for some of that awesome fair food and entertainment. We had gyros,

Sonny's redneck eggrolls,

pretzels from the Amish Doughnut tent,

corndogs,

ice cream,

and last but not least, George's must-have funnel cakes.

Not all at the same time, of course, but we had a taste of everything over the course of 5 or so hours. We're not much on fair rides, so we spent time at the exhibits

and with the animals (including this mama goat who fell in love with me almost immediately),

and we even caught a few shows.

The Frisbee Dog show was especially fun.

Danny's favorite was Easy Rider, a rescue dog with three good legs who blows everyone away with his skill.

He even got a "pawprint" frisbee and a picture with Easy Rider.

As the sun was setting, George coerced (read as forced) us all to ride the "Big Wheel" with him so he could get some good aerial photos of the fair.

See my death grip on that metal rail?

I will say, they're good photos, but my love for the "Big Wheel" has not grown at all, and I cringe even now when I think about having to ride it again next year. We left with good memories,

cotton candy,

kettle korn,

and a caramel apple for me.

In all it was a great day, and I can't wait until next fair season (except for the "Big Wheel," of course).