At the end of my cleaning session, I was feeling really hot, which isn’t unusual in my house in the summer when I’ve been actively doing chores for three hours. I was getting a headache and my neck was really starting to hurt. Remembering Ada’s day long complaint of her neck hurting, I checked and my temperature was over 100. Let’s hope I don’t reach Ada’s record high of almost 105, or get either of the kid’s crying-over-things-that-don’t-make-sense symptom. And I’d also like to pass on the constant puking, thanks. I don’t get a sick day unless it falls on a weekend. Although, my SIL might be around, so if I’m going to have to suffer this virus, let it be tomorrow.

Mac and I get to go out on a date on Thursday. Without kids. We’ll make up for canceled Saturday and Sunday plans due to sick children by just leaving them at home with someone else.

The kids did give Mac the cards they made. I’ll get photos up. I took Ada to the store last week, and told her she could pick out a gift for her daddy for today. She picked out a package of D batteries. She was really excited about her find and couldn’t wait to give them to him. She jumped up and down with joy as he opened them. He was just as happy to get them^*.

*He was warned about the gift, not to ruin his surprise, but to explain just how excited Ada was. I let Ada pick out gifts for birthday parties for her friends. I keep having to say, “I know you like Hello Kitty, but does [insert name] like Hello Kitty?” This was the first gift where she actually did think of what the other person would like. Mac wouldn’t ever say anything mean to her, but I just couldn’t bear seeing her bubble burst by any other reaction than extreme gratefulness.

We made breakfast together, although all I really contributed was making pancakes. Mac did all the rest. Then I played with a few tiny breaks. Then I made dinner, trying to please everyone: shrimp scampi for the kids, crab legs, mashed potatoes and corn for Mac, ginger and blood orange salmon on spinach with hazelnut encrusted goat cheese for me. Jay insisted that he wanted popcorn, so I gave him some of Mac’s corn because in his eyes it is the same even though it isn’t popped. I had set aside some extra goat cheese for Ada because the last time I made it, she ate hers and then she ate mine. She has recently decided that she hates nuts, so she kind of dug at it, but wouldn’t eat it because of the hazelnuts. Mac got a bag of green peanut M&Ms, and she even turned those down. She’s really serious about the nut thing. She wouldn’t eat a turtle she had gotten in one of those mixed chocolate hearts. She turned down caramel because of nuts.

I played a little bit more after dinner clean-up with Jay’s assistance. He likes to tell me where to navigate my character. It works great until he decides to hit me when I don’t agree with his directions.

Ada doesn’t have school tomorrow which means I get to sleep in a tiny bit. We have Jay’s bed delivery tomorrow between 10-noon. If I try to press my luck, they will be here at 9:50 and I won’t be dressed. If I make an attempt to be up and dressed by 9:45, they will come at 2:00.

My initial search to acquire twin sized dinosaur sheets was a bust. I did find cool retro robot sheets, but he doesn’t really like robots as much as I do. He will have to use one of Ada’s extra sheet sets until then. I think I will venture online for this purchase. I did get the kids new step stools. These both have two steps instead of one, and are wood instead of plastic.

My first Thanksgiving meal will be lunch at Raintree with Ada on Wednesday. All the kids make their Thanksgiving meals. I provided whole walnuts, a block of Parmesan cheese and a bottle of olive oil. So far to prepare for Wednesday, Ada has been cracking walnuts and making butter. Yes, they even make the butter. That’s even more hardcore than I am. I also buy my walnuts already shelled. She’ll be working on more things Monday and Tuesday. This is my first Thanksgiving feast because last year Ada spent the morning puking on Mac and I, so we didn’t get to go.

The one at our house is on Wednesday. Then we have another one in Ft. Scott on Thursday and another one in Branson on Saturday. Here’s a list of what I’m cooking this week:

• Ham with Bourbon, Molasses, and Pecan Glaze
• Cornbread Apricot Dressing
• Caramelized Green Beans with Pinenuts
• Sweet Potato Purée with Ginger and Cider
• Cranberry Challah.
• Apple Cherry Crumble Bars
• Pumpkin Walnut Muffins
• Chex Mix

Mac requested ham. He rarely requests anything food-wise, so I’m happy to oblige. There will be turkey in our future. I think I covered all the standard Thanksgiving items.

The two desserts at the end are leaving with us on Thursday. The Chex Mix was what Mac offered to bring along. He’s going to make that. They are easy to travel and leftovers will go to Branson with us. I’m hoping to get my hands on the blackberry pie from The Merc for my Wednesday dessert. It will not be easy. It may require multiple trips. I may have to fight. I do not participate in the stupid, crazy, Black Friday Consumerism Mauling. I do participate in the stupid, crazy, Blackberry Pie Wednesday Merc Showdown. It is the only time of year that I’m willing to fight over pie.

There seems to have been a huge non-communication about this on Mac and my part. Sorry. I’ll even call people.