Then and Now.. Happy Thanksgiving..

It seems like just yesterday I took that picture a year a go.

This thanksgiving I am most thankful for my family, and friends. Same as every Thanksgiving before. Except the older I get, the more loss that comes into our lives, the more I appreciate those I have. It doesn't always ease the pain of what we have lost in this last year, and people Darrian won't get to form his own memories about.. but it helps get us through those tough moments. Our son has been the greatest gift I ever could have asked for, his health, his smiles, his candid innocence... for having him I am very thankful. Enjoy your turkey days. Be thankful for your loved one's and friends, and remember those not here. That is what we will do. Enjoy your holiday! Love, The Thornton's.

Passing on my childhood..

So when wanting kids I couldn't wait to show them the things that I LOVED as a kid. Of course I won't be signing D up for cheerleading, instead football :). and boyscout instead of girl scouts.. and some of my favorite Cartoons. K and I were talking about one's we loved and Fragglerock and Frosty came up. I told him I was going to get them on DVD. SO I was at Target and look what I found! I can't wait to share them with D.. K thinks he will be the only kid in pre-school talking about Fragglerock.. but I don't care :0) . I hope he loves it as much as I did.

Super Cute outfit..
Here is this outfit I got for D, the jacket is a bit big still.. but all together really cute. :)

He is such a ham, this is his "awe Mom" look.

A busy three day weekend.

I took friday as a vacation day, just so I could have some extra time to spend with the boys. Friday baby D and I swung by to see Grandma at "work", where he didn't want to leave, and cried when I took him from her. I think he thought he was staying to play. We then headed over to Studio Grow. A really fun indoor play space for kids. They have different rooms with fun toys, blocks, a gym area, and a little dance studio. D LOOVVVEED it. We met up with some of his friends, and he enjoyed playing for almost 2 1/2 hours! He would have stayed longer too. He loved the ball pit, and dancing. He also loved painting, he kept sneaking off to belly up to the paint tables. After that we came home took a nap, and then played outside for a while. Saturday we went to Sonoma with Grandma to have lunch, go to a park, and then to train town. He was pooped by the time we got back. Sunday we went to the park so I could get pics of him in his super cute outfit.. he had other things in mind.. .like running for a pond even if a hill was between him and the pond. He has no fear and is a very determined little guy. It was hard to get pics of him.. note to self next time try a park with out a bunch of ducks and a big pond.

here are some pics..

Studio Grow ..

Sonoma ..

Dressed up pics coming in another post. if you can't see pics go to http://www.dnmthornton.blogspot.com/

A new favorite outfit..

I love this little outfit I picked up at H&M for Darrian, Daddy picked out the shoes (shocker I know). So cute , and such a little man in it. I caught him in the middle of a laugh.. :)

Happy Monday!

Wasn't the weather amazing this weekend?! Couldn't believe how nice it was. Natalie was in town this weekend for some business, and some fun. Keith went to LA to go visit his nephews this weekend. So it was the ladies and baby D. Grandma watched Darrian on Friday, he kept her on her toes. Friday Night we ordered pizza and watched some movies. Saturday we got out pretty early.. we went to Muir Woods, Marine Headlands, and Chrissy Field. We tried to hit up the places Natalie has never been. Amazes me when people have lived here for a long time, or visit often and don't get to see some of the amazing places the bay area has to offer. I told her next time we will have to go to the Napa Valley where she has never been. Darrian loved having Auntie Nat around to play with, and bond with. He wanted her to hold him lots.

Sunday Keith came home early, and Natalie ran around a bit, had lunch in Berkeley and then headed out. Mom stopped by with fresh crab that evening, to cap off the weekend.

A Letter To My Son, in this historic time.

Dear Son,
November 4, 2008 was a night that your father and I restored our hope in America. It gave us hope not only for our future, but for yours also. On that night, as you danced around the living room, we took the biggest step in my lifetime as a country. The majority of American’s voted on the dream that the country was built on, and not the racism that has plagued it for the past 200 plus years. We took a chance on hope and change, and won. We elected a black man as President of the United states.

I am glad to know that this means when I tell you anything is possible, you can believe it. I hope that it means that in your lifetime it will not be out of the ordinary to have a black person as a role model for you to look up to. Most of all I hope you dream big, and achieve all that you put your mind to. I hope that the country that I lived in that was set up to make it harder for people not from a certain class or race, is full of nothing but promise for you. If I learned anything from this moment in time-- it is to rise above those who say it is not possible, or who try to pull you down, and really truly believe in the power of change and hope-- because those things are unstoppable.

I am proud of what your Grandma did in her generation to make this possible, and I am proud of my generation for continuing the change America needs. I look forward to see what you, and your generation does for America and how you will make it better. Never doubt your voice, always know that it is worth something. I will always be there to support you in your dreams. And again.. Dream big. Real BIG.

Love always and forever,
Mom

Fall is here.

I know it has been here, but the leaves are changing and it is brisk out. Not to mention the time change. Saturday I had a wedding, it was close to home so that was nice. Sweet couple too. I did miss the day with Darrian, but getting home at 6 was nice since I had time to play with him. After he went to sleep I went over to my friend's Katie house to pick up a catalog of Body Works stuff she is selling. Lots of cool stuff, and stocking stuffers.. if you want to see it let me know.

Sunday was a great day. The three of us hung around in the morning, Darrian took a nice long bubble bath, then we took a nap together. Darrian and I got lunch together then, we then went shopping together, to H&M and then Target.

After that we went to the park, which is a trail really in Clayton. To walk around a bit, and D tried out a brand new trick! Running! He was off. I was trying to keep up. Of course I got pictures of all of it. The walking thing was fun but this running thing.. not so sure.