Trader Joe's and Conversations

James and I made our weekly Trader Joe's run this morning. Later than usual, but we got lucky and hit a lull.

The weather is still damp, cold, and grey. Low lying cloud whisps hovered above the vineyards and hugged the bottoms of the foothills. The air was loaded with moisture. Armed with a grocery list, bags, bottle returns, and a reading test with a 100% grade, we took a cart and headed in.

Wow, Trader Joe's has a ton of holiday food and treats. Despite the awful week, I am comforted by the festive packaging and the helpful crew in our local store. James found Schroeder  (he's in the stuffing section today, Santa Rosa folks) and collected his sucker. He helped me get items from our list. He chose a new type of cookies to try in his lunch.

On our way out, he ran into one of his crew friends, and showed off his history test. Even though the crew member was busy, he took a moment to look at the paper and listen to James. He then gave him a high-five for his grade. Guess who got another sucker?

On the way home, I asked James about his music class at school. He told me they were practicing rhythms with sticks. He said he was alone with his aide. After some more questions about why he wasn't with the mainstream class, I understood: a leaf blower was being used outside the music class, so James got to go to a quieter room with his aide and practice.

Then we sang some of out favourite Christmas carols. Small things. They help.

PS: Trader Joe's is running a Customer Choice Awards contest. Nominate your favourites through tomorrow, December 6th.

Throwing Back to Pumpkins Past

I was looking back through the pictures of the kids, visiting a local pumpkin patch over the years. Hard to believe these were taken 5 years ago!

And here are a couple that are 4 years old:

....

and then there's this year:

SOOC St. Patrick's Day

All this week the kids have been building and checking out leprechaun traps, footprints, and gold pieces. Had so much fun watching I did not take pictures.

However I did get to thinking about my trips to Ireland. Unfortunately, I lost most of my photos in the Oakland Hills Fire, but I do have a few copies from friends.

Beautiful St. Patrick window from St. Peter and Paul church in Athlone.
Copy of a print from my Kodak film days, circa 1987.

We will celebrate the day later with my father and my mother, whose family came from both Northern (Omagh) and Southern Ireland (Athlone). I did not meet any family in Athlone, but I was fortunate enough to drop in on a surprised, related couple out of the blue in Omagh. They were wonderful, giving tea and a tour of the local graveyards to myself and my traveling companion. What lovely people. Oh the stories I heard about the family!

I wish they and my grandmother could have seen James, wearing his Irish shirt and dancing for joy outside the library this morning. This guy has enough charm and blarney to rival a native. And don't forget, he loves to sing and be with people as well:

Makes me wish I still had some photos from  my Irish dancing days.

Getting on my Irish and joining in the SOOC action at Marvelous Mommy's blog. Come on over to see more or join in!