Thanksgiving

We returned on Saturday morning early from our trip to WI. We were gone for one week. We all had a nice time. It is strange to be in WI for an extended period of time and not have a place to call "home." We loved staying with our parents, but combining four adults and three boys can take some getting used to. Over all it was a great time. Jack got to go to Mrs. Oates class for a day. He just fits right in, like he has not missed a day all school year. He also got to have a playdate with his best buddy, Jackson. Ben got to play with his best buddies- Cade and Simon. I am amazed at how these boys have maintained a strong friendship at young ages. I know Jack and Ben talk about their WI friends all the time. Chase was able to play with three friends from school. It was awesome for him to see his friends, but it makes him miss being in WI even more. Mark and the boys spend a few days on the farm. It was great for all of them to get some exercise and fresh air. Daisy went with them and she had a great time. She slept great every night she was there. I was able to see some friends and have some "mom" time, which is always great. I went to my "old work" for lunch. Seeing my friends at Sports Medicine makes me miss them and the job I loved to do for 14 years. I was able to see my friend Michelle. We had a great time dining at The Melting Pot and then seeing New Moon. What a fabulous time we had. I am so blessed to feel so loved and welcomed by my family and friends in WI.

We got our christmas tree on Saturday. It is the biggest tree we have ever had. It is over 12 feet tall and super wide. I have always loved decorating for Christmas. It will be extra fun decorating a new house this year.

I hope all had a great Thanksgiving.

Lisa

Finding my Way

The transition to living in Delaware was not easy on me. I am happy to say that after three months, living here is beginning to feel like home. I ask myself what has changed? I know the change has come in becoming involved in things that bring me joy. I am making friends and have done two social things with ladies I met here. Life is beginning to feel more normal. I am so grateful for this.

Family Field Trip: Washington DC

Off we went to our nation's capital. Connie and Jerry, Mark's parents, came for a visit on Friday. We had a nice relaxing evening on Friday. Connie had never been to Washington DC, so we decided to head there on Saturday. We toured two Smithsonian museusms: Natural Life and American History. Some highlights: we saw the Hope diamond. It is big and beautiful. We got to see Dorthy's ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz and Archie Bunker's chair. We really enjoyed seeing and learning so much at the museums. The weather was nice, so we walked the National Mall. We got to see the Washington Monument, the Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the reflecting pond, the new WWII Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. Washington DC is a beautiful city with so much to do. On the list for our next visit include the Air and Space Smithsonian Museums, White House tour, National Zoo and see the blooming cherry trees. We walked and walked and walked somemore. We really had a great time.

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Ben lost his first tooth last night! It was very exciting for all of us. The tooth has been wiggly for weeks. The first time he felt it wiggle, he got out the pliers and asked me to pull it out. So he has been patiently waiting for the tooth to come out. The tooth fairy did find our new house and left him $2. Exciting times for a 5 year old!!

Halloween, A Strange Time to Miss WI

Ben as Anakin Skywalker

Jack as Dracula

Chase as a vampire

We have had a nice week. My parents were in town for a visit from Monday unitl today. We had lots of fun. They got to meet the boys teachers and see their schools. They got to see the daily routines of our lives. We had great meals, great conversation and a great field trip to Philadelphia. My dad is a huge history buff. He loves US history. He had never been to Philly. We took him there to see all the historical sites of Philly. I think he had fun. It is hard to see them leave. It makes us all realize that we do not live 15 minutes away anymore. Ben called and left a message on my mom's voicemail. It went something like this. " Hi Grandma and Grandpa. We miss you already. We wish you could have stayed longer. We can't wait to see you soon." It was not prompted by me or Mark. It came from his heart. So cute and so true.

Halloween was a new and different experience for us. Ever since I can remember, we have gone trick or treating with friends. We also ususally ended up having dinner together or going to a party. This year, that was not the case. We went for a while with my parents. When they got tired we droped them off at home and went to more houses. This was one of the many times that I really MISSED being in WI. I missed being with our friends. I missed seeing people we know. I missed the weather of Halloween in WI (it was 72 and humid here yesterday!) I was not alone in these feelings. We all missed Halloween in WI. We are still experiencing the newness of moving. Sometimes I am surprised by those feelings. We will keep moving forward, creating new memories and traditions for our family.

A Sense of Relief

I met with Chase's teacher, Mrs. Deputy, on Friday. I have been thinking about this meeting since school started. I was inspired to initiate the meeting when we were back in WI. So many people asked me about school and when I heard my response over and over again, I realized I was not being the best parent I could be. I had my list of items I wanted to discuss and off I went. She was open to what I had to say, she did not get defensive or close up. She told me that she is just not a warm, fuzzy kind of person. I get the impression that she is feeling very stressed and overwhelmed. She has 29 students. The curriculum in 4th grade is very agressive. Also, the new principle added 4 more requirments to all the teachers. I get how she can feel overwhelmed. It causes me to feel stressed for her. I am by no means making excuses for her, but at least we are on the same page. She is a good educator, just not real warm and fuzzy. I sent her an email on Friday, offering to help her in any way. I would love to take some of the burden off of her. (She is working everynight at home to keep caught up.) I know how crabby I get when I have no down time. I am hoping to hear from her early next week.

Chase sang this morning at the high school. It is homecomming here today. The school district hosted a community event/fair. The songs were really cute. He was so happy he could participate.
Jack and Ben are doing well. Ben told me he has a "best friend in Delaware"-Griffin. It is so cute to see him enjoy spending time with a friend.

We are officially unpacked today. The basement is done.

Have a great weekend-
Lisa

Lehman Family Field Trip: Lancaster County, PA

Did I die and go to heaven?

The boys getting ready to "work in the factory"

Ben keeping an eye on his product in the "factory"


Jack and Ben getting ready to send their products to packaging.


Chase sitting with me on the "ride"

Sunday, we went on another field trip. We headed about two hours northwest to Lancaster, PA. This area is heavily populated by the Amish community. It was cool to see lots of buggies traveling on the roads. The boys were counting, but I think lost count after a while. Our first stop was Hershey, PA. We went to Hershey's Chocolate World. What more could you ask for in a field trip. A place dedicated to chocolate. YUM!! I was surprised how packed the place was. We let the boys "work in the factory". It was cute to see them on the assembly line. Mark was a slave drive, making sure the chocolate got into the containers!! It actually was a little overwhelming to decide what chocolate treats we wanted to take home. From Kisses, to Recese's Peanut Butter cups, it was tough. We decided on 5 different bags of Kisses. The taste testing was the best part. My favorite was the almond kissed followed by the dark chocolate Kisses. The boys liked the melt away Kisses and Mark like the Dark Chocolate. We tried the Candy Corn Kisses and they were not good. Do not buy them if you see them in the store. They were a waste of money. Too sweet!! They have a educational/historical "ride" (like Pirates of the Carribean at Disney, the ones you sit and it takes you around on a track) That was neat. All the boys liked it alot. We all got a little item to take home. It was a fun place to be.

On the way home we drove through the city of Lancaster. We decided to stop and have family craft time. Have you ever done a craft with three boys and a husband? Sounds good in theory, but the excution of the task can be a little hairy. We stopped at the Gem Den. You make your own jewelry and can decorate your own pottery pieces. No choice here, we decorated a piece of pottery. It was difficult to choose the colors and which pottery piece. We decided on a giant bowl. The boys put their hand prints and wrote thier names. It will be a "one of a kind". I actually think it would be a fun place to go with girlfriends. A great way to relax and a great chance to be creative. When found out that Kate Gosselin and her girls were in the same shop and decorated the same bowl. We thought she must have great taste!!

It was a fun afternoon. I am planning our next family field trip. I am open for suggestions. If you know of a great place on the East Coast, let me know. It could be the place of our next adventure.

Thanks for checking in.

Love
Lisa