hibernating at the zoo

Before we hibernate for the long winter, we made a trip with the kids to the city zoo today - to say hello to the giraffes and elephants... and yes, mole rats too...



Our zoo makes it fun and interactive for kids to explore and learn about the animals around them. Here, Ava crawls underground to reach this bubble, where she could see up close and personal what mole rats do. The idea is brilliant - although I wonder what the mole rats think of people popping in unannounced like that [smile].

There's a playground for tots - where giant-size logs make them feel smaller than spiders...





The kids can also feed birds, pet farm animals, and even stop in the Discovery House for a quick craft...



There's always a lot to do at the zoo - even at the same exhibits. The kids have a new perspective upon arrival, and learn something different by the time they are ready to go home. We absolutely love our annual family membership - and find it enormously beneficial for parents looking for activities to do outdoors - even if it's just for a few hours... or the need to take a walk in nature, where the necks of giraffes can be seen from exhibits away...



After an hour of play, we headed up north to set our eyes on some lights at Frisco Square - known for its incredible display of synchronizing its lights to music...



We're anxious for the holidays to get here - but in the meantime, we're going to celebrate each day preparing for it...

picking out the perfect tree

Picking out the perfect Christmas tree to bring home and decorate the day after Thanksgiving has become no doubt one of my favorite all time traditions. Unlike a trip to a shopping mall, we're outdoors, zig zagging between aisles of green, smelling the freshness of nature ... getting sticky with sap... and giggling all the way...



We finally picked one, brought it home and nourished it back to life with lights, and old and new ornaments. The kids' curiosity of this new winter friend raised eyebrows, as they tugged its branches, and inspected its strength to withhold some serious tugging and rearranging of their favorite ornaments...

And every year since '93, I enjoy placing this one, handmade by my dear friend Karen, whose been my best friend since we were both the age of 2...




As well as these tiny wooden ornaments from Germany - given to my family by my late Uncle Jack more than 2 decades ago. It's been hanging on our family xmas tree all these years, and now I get to hang it on mine...



Last year, Ava picked out this one - no wonder as she has such a fascination with matryoshka dolls...



And this year, we bought a few new ones - that has left Noah simply beside himself... this classic car lights up as it sings a beat of Mustang Sally - it's been played so often, that Noah can actually sing along the lyrics...



But the real topper (since we couldn't figure out how to hang our lighted star at the top) is this one - the Christmas Train Express - that actually chugs across a circular track placed near the top of the tree...



After a few hours, we were done - and Aaron only pulled his hair out once. Not bad considering all that went into this [smile]....

thankful in every way

Fall is always a special time for me - as we celebate both our Muslim and American holiday traditions this time of year. Eid-al-Aha fell on the 27th this year- and it's celebration marks the sacrifices and thankfulness we give to God for our blessings - as is also traditionally in the American culture through Thanksgiving.

And speaking of sacrifice [smile]- we also made a small one. Like standing in line at Wal-mart for 7 hours on Black Friday! But the beauty of the awkwardness was the walks my sister and I had between aisles or coffee breaks at 2am. We talked about everything - mostly about life, parenting, marriage, and the uncertainties of the future. Long uninterrupted conversations we couldn't remember having in a very long time - well... atleast since we both became moms.

And we laughed a lot. At ourselves and with strangers we met in line - from all walks of life. Their humor helped us pass the time quickly, when at 5am we finally scored a ticket to purchase a deal on a plasma screen tv for our parents. In hindsight, the time spent together was such a blessing, and for that, I am forever grateful. It brought us closer, reminding us also how lucky we are - to already be so much...

The day was relaxed and spent at home with our parents - who loved their new tv. By evening's end, we treated the kids to their Eid gifts, and I'll never forget Noah's reaction in anticipation of his gift... with his finger pointed at me, he said, "Mom. You give me cars," and then sat patiently on the fireplace hearth.



I know the kids were very thankful for their treats - but more importantly, we're all thankful for the time we are given to spend it together...

happy thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving wraps families together, bringing us around a table to share a hearty meal in Fall's golden colors and praise... for the food, the family, and the children that embrace each new day with both hands...

We celebrated with extended family - more than 25 of us gathered at Mom & Dad's for a feast... and here, my sisters and I pause for this photo before we stuff ourselves with good 'ol home cooking...





Good news is that they love turkey and all its yummy side companions...



... including sugary pilgrim cupcakes too...

From our family to yours - thank you for being a part of The Art of Family, and sharing all of your wonderful wisdom and spirits with us all.

XO

decorating for the holidays

Because I'm usually behind in decorating for the holidays, this year I asked Aaron to bring down the xmas decorations from the attic along with the fall Thanksgiving decor... so naturally that spawned to spending an evening unraveling the artificial tree and ornaments from years past...






Ava so enjoyed going through the ornaments - while Noah picked through the fall arrangement of flowers on the table - she unwrapped each individual ornament, tucked tight in tissue paper, as if each one was a gift... and it was. Bringing back memories of how they came a part of our collection, and sharing those stories with the kids.





We decked the formal living area with fragile pieces, and saved the wooden ones for our fresh tree we pick out the day after Thanksgiving...

Within one night, our living space transformed into a holiday spectacle, and we made hot cocoa to celebrate and welcome the festive days ahead.