Webkinz clothes

A couple of years ago we embraced the Webkinz craze. Cooper and Katie have so many that we've lost count. They play with them more offline than online these days.

Yesterday, for example, Cooper used pillows and crates to create movie theater-style seats for about eight of his "babies." Together they watched Swiss Family Robinson.

He's fascinated by Webkinz clothing and perhaps is expecting some for Christmas. (As far as I know, Santa won't be delivering any. Santa's helper thinks that clothes for Webkinz are somewhat unnecessary.)

A few days ago he crafted a paper crown for Rudolph, the reindeer Webkin, and declared the furry fellow the "king of Christmas."

Tonight he fashioned a tail cover for Tigey the tiger and a cap for Snappy the turtle.

See, no one needs to buy clothes! We can just make them at home.

Wise men's gifts

Cooper is working on homework, drawing something meaningful about the holidays. He chose to draw a Nativity scene.

As he was drawing the wise men, he said, "What are the three gifts? Gold, kindness and friendship?"

I just love our sweet boy.

Santa

Cooper decided he wanted to be included in the annual visit with Santa. Yay!

The kids and I drove to Allen after school on Friday. We waited for about five minutes to chat with the Big Guy -- the shortest line ever. I'm worried that his obscure outdoor location is keeping folks away.

Katie jumped up and down while we waited. And then she giggled the entire time she was with Santa. She didn't say hello or Merry Christmas or even request a gift. She just hee-hee'd until our time was over.

Cooper asked for the Lego Batman game for Wii. It's rated E-10. Santa and his helpers are considering if a 7-year-old should have an E-10 game.

Pie in my face

Cooper specifically asked that I write about this in my blog.

He sold more than $300 in popcorn for Cub Scouts this year. As a reward, he and other Scouts were allowed to throw a pie in an adult's face at tonight's pack meeting.

I was certain he would choose his den leader. I was wrong.

Cooper was jumping up and down, he was so excited at his chance.

I was called to the stage (the den meets in an elementary school cafeteria). I took off my glasses and waited. Cooper taunted me for just a few moments and then slammed the whip cream in my face. It splattered in my hair and all over my clothes.

The crowd went wild! Well, not really, but there was applause and laughter. And a great big Cooper smile.

Pre-Thanksgiving fun

End of Santa photos?

Today I had hoped to take Cooper and Katie to visit Santa (the real Santa!). I know, it's before Thanksgiving. But I want to avoid long lines. And Thanksgiving is late this year!

Cooper said no. He says he doesn't want or need anything for Christmas this year, so he doesn't need to visit.

I told him I need a photo of him with Santa and his sister.

He couldn't be convinced. We'll try again next week. And then I may need to give up and just have Katie in the photo.

Nice surprise

Last year I worked on two projects for Fodor's -- updating Web listings for the Dallas-Fort Worth area and writing the D-FW chapter for the new Texas guidebook.

My editor on both projects was Mike Nalepa, who works for Random House in New York. He was so gracious about this time last year, when I turned in the chapter about 95 percent complete. My deadline was the day after Steve's first MRI. I knew that if I touched the text from that point forward, I would likely make mistakes.

He arranged for others to help with parts of the chapter and filled in the rest himself. He was the kind of editor you want to work for again.

Today we received in the mail four different books from Mike -- Fodor's guidebooks for London! I'm guessing he reads the Steve blog and discovered our big summer getaway. What a great guy.

Katie's Thanksgiving feast

Before church Sunday

Running

For months I've been training to run the Dallas White Rock half-marathon in Steve's honor.

I am not a natural runner. In high school, the mandatory 12-minute run was more like a 1-minute run, 11-minute walk for me. I always hurt my shins, and my breathing wasn't right, and I didn't like to sweat.

For years Steve has been running, for fun and in races. I never joined him. I would walk at night or sometimes swim, but never run.

Last year I started running and then stopped when the weather turned cold. And then Steve was diagnosed with cancer, and I didn't do any exercise at all. I did lots of running around, but no running.

This summer Liz convinced a small group of us to run in some way to honor and support Steve. Sadly, she hurt her knee and hasn't been able to train, though she is an excellent motivator.

Allison has been my steady running partner. We run for 2.5 minutes and walk for 1, over and over. We've worked our way up a little at a time, and last Friday morning we ran 10 miles!

We ran past grocery stores, restaurants, banks, child-care centers. We ran all the way to a major highway, and then we turned around and ran home.

When we run we talk. It's a great way to get ideas, talk through troubles, set goals and vent when necessary.

Our schedules don't mesh well this week, so I ran 3 miles on my own this afternoon. I knew I would miss Allison's conversation, so I grabbed Steve's iPod. My little iPod Shuffle is loaded with relaxing music -- not ideal for running.

On a day like today, when Steve is feeling extremely wobbly and sluggish, running is a little emotional for me. We both wish he were able to zip up and down Teel Parkway like he used to. I am running for him, but I wish I were running with him.

Well, those emotions were compounded when I decided to listen to Steve's running playlist. A U2 song and a Coldplay song had me in tears. But that didn't last long. A Beastie Boys song came on, and there was nothing to do but smile and laugh. I could so picture Steve singing/rapping along. Later tonight, I'll play it again for the full Steve effect.