It's the Hap Happiest Season

(William getting geared up for the Christmas Season.)

Here's what happened on my favorite week of the year:

1. I got sick. (Of course... it's my favorite week of the year.)

2. Colonial Day on Wednesday with my students... churning butter, Bilbo catchers, and eating pumpkin pie. When asked what they're grateful for, I had 2 students say "You, Mrs. Bradford!" That's 2 more thankful kids than last year.

3. Thanksgiving meal at mom and dad's. Favorite part: It's actually a tie between Mom's stuffing and Kent claiming he's just going to "nibble nibble" (he had another Thanksgiving to attend a few hours after ours).

4. William's Thanksgiving Rap. See the great great great great great great great grandson of Governor William Bradford rapping about his favorite Thanksgiving foods here.

5. Watching the movie "Unstoppable". It's like the movie Duel, but more dramatic. If you like swirling camera angles and shots of a beastly train that the director would like you to think has a mind of its own, then go see it. I mean, rent it. I mean, don't even bother.

6. Black Friday. I'm no Black Friday pro yet, but we woke up at 4 am to go to Target. William and I went to get a hard drive for our computer (I know... very exciting merchandise). At first, the shelf was empty. But after an hour of looking around the store and laughing at the drama other shoppers were facing, we managed to snag one. Then we ate a donut and went back to bed.

7. Receiving a bunch of baby clothes from my sister-in-law Marci. Did I say "a bunch"? I really meant a truck load. I started to sort them, and after 45 minutes, I decided I needed to hire someone to do it for me... I didn't even make a dent. Thank you Londy and Marci! I can't wait for my girlie to meet this girlie:

(London had just snagged that drink from the counter. She's a sneaky one.)

8. Putting up Christmas Decorations. I'd post pictures, but my house is a mess from putting up Christmas Decorations and sorting a truck-load of baby clothes.

9. William and I recorded our latest Christmas song. I know, the anticipation is unbearable after hearing last year's song AND the amazing remix. But I can't post it yet... it's not even December.

Now that I've had a wonderful weekend, it's time to mope around to the tune of Charlie Brown's Christmas song. I have 3 full weeks of school left before my next vacation.

Humbug.

I'm just trying to be a good housewife.

(This photo was taken long before my pregnancy. In the state I'm in now, the shirt that I'm wearing barely covers my belly.)

Today I told William I wanted a Kitchen Aid Mixer and he said "You only want it because it looks vintage" and I said "Heck yes!" and he said "If you will bake me something each week for the next year, I'll buy you one." and I said "You're on." so I came home and made bread AND pumpkin cupcakes. True Story.

Boy oh boy.

My parent's first were boys.

My in-law's first was a boy.

Joe's first was a boy.

Jay's first was a boy.

Four brothers.

Five brother-in-laws.

Five nephews.

I even dreamt it was a boy.

"IT'S A GIRL!"

"Wait...what?"

"See? It's a girl!"

"Umm...are you sure?"

"Yes. Right there."

"Really? Are you postitive?"

"Yes, in fact, let's try from a different angle...see? Still a girl."

"Oh. Okay."

So here were my next thoughts:

I wouldn't feel comfortable dressing a boy in this...

...or this...

...and I probably couldn't watch and enjoy this with a boy...

...or watch this...

...And last, I probably couldn't play with one of these...

...or one of these with a boy...

I'm going to get used to this girl very, very quickly. :)

You wanna stay alive, better do what you can, so beat it.

My cute nephew Grant decided to be his idol for Halloween: Michael Jackson. This gave William and I the idea to be his back-up dancers.

But not just ANY back-up dancers, my friends.

We opted for the totally tough, totally 80's back-up dancers from the "Beat It" music video...the two who duke it out with switch blades.

So Bad... Especially Grant and his glitter glove.

(That's me in the middle, by the way.)

See the music video here if you need a refresher of the toughness.

On a related note, I'm so lucky to be related to and friends with so many creative types.

Especially the creative types that like to throw Halloween parties.

My sister-in-law, Marci "Party Host Extraordinaire" Coombs, throws a mean Halloween Party. Both this year and last year's parties were a hit, mainly because she can really gross us out with Fear Factor Challenges. (If you can gross out Scott Coombs, a man who eats mustard toast and Vienna sausages on a daily basis, you know how to factor the fear.)

Here's just a delicious taste of her party:

I suggest you read more about it here and here.

In addition, my very funny and very talented friend, Daphne "Wizard" Lofgreen, can too throw an amazing Halloween Party. This one included games of "Last Chance", "Creep Cake" decorating, creating our death certificates, and karaoke at Applebee's.

Here's a sample of her shin-dig...

...and the hostess herself...

...and one last shot of my awesome jacket...

Thanks for the memories Marci and Daphne!

P.S. Ryan and Sarah, I want a Fear Factor rematch.

Start spreading the news: New York eats are my favorite treats.

The following lists my favorite things about our recent trip to New York:

1. This Gyro.

2. This pose next to the Statue of Liberty.

3. Dreaming in Barbie's Dreamhouse in Toy's R Us. (That's me in the 3rd window dreaming about Ken.)

4. Mr. Lennon's 70th Birthday

5. This T-Rex in the Natural History Museum.

6. This view from the top of the Metropolitan Museum.

7. This piece of art.

8. This Bum standing behind me and William. (Thanks again, Bum, for letting us stay in your shanty.)

Other highlights:

9. Traveling to Sleepy Hollow, only to find that the festivities are only on the weekends and Ichabod Crain is not as scary as the PEOPLE of Sleepy Hollow. (Sleepy Harlem?)

10. Watching Robs lose in Farkle.

11. Carnegie Deli Cheesecake.

12. Shaking hands with Jimmy Fallon

13. The Roots on Jimmy Fallon

14. Basically every meal we ate

15. The guy on the subway with the dancing pecs.

16n. The awesome lamp I found for the nursery for only $12

Biggest Disappointments:

1. The $22 we had to spend to Fedex the lamp home

2. The fact that we ate at a McDonald's in Sleepy Hollow.

3. My papaya juice was not made with fresh papaya.

4. The guest on Jimmy Fallon was Whoopi Goldberg.

5. I have to go back to school tomorrow to a week of report cards and parent-teacher conferences.

Chuck! Chuck! It's Marvin - your cousin, Marvin BERRY. You know that new sound you're looking for? Well, listen to this!

Yeah, I danced on stage with Chuck Berry.

He opened for Tom Petty. He needed ladies on the stage to dance to his song and I jumped to it.

















Of course the moment I got up there and was staring back at thousands of people, I wanted off. So I just clapped nervously.

Jenny Be Good.

Voyaging into the realm of Nerds: Part II

Last Friday, I went to the event I look forward to more than Christmas.

We had another Harry Potter Party to celebrate the release of the 7th movie coming this November. This is our 5th Potter bash, but only our 3rd costume party. It is now tradition to dress as a character from the book, have a feast, and teach a class (Hogwarts style).

(Back row, left) Fred and George Weasley, Yours Truly (Harry Potter), Hagrid, Nearly Headless Nick, Professor Dumbledore, (front row, left) Fleur Delacour, Professor McGonagall, and a Centaur (probably my favorite costume of the evening) Photo taken by the talented Janet (Dumbledore).

For my class this year, we did a little Divination and looked into the future of Harry and Voldemort. Watch the video here.

Thanks to my William for the fine movie editing and the rockin' Harry Potter theme music. Thanks to my brother-in-law, Alan, for sporting the sweaty mask and the short shorts. Thanks to my pal Carli for putting up with Sirius Black during the sweet Butt Light party (sorry he was such a jerk).

Oh, I hope there will be more parties like this soon! (Thank goodness the 7th movie is in 2 parts.)

This is my favorite picture because I'm laughing so hard at Hagrid (Ashlee). Good times, Haggy.