Benziger babes

Thanksgiving Dinner (shortly after a 9x13 inch Pyrex dish exploded on the stovetop destroying the amazing and much anticipated sausage and chestnut stuffing and sending shards of glass  all over the kitchen, including  into the much loved turkey gravy...)  Giving Thanks, by Mommy This year we are thankful for so many things. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities and forget to reflect and remember what we are thankful for and the wonderful and fortunate life we live. I was recently reminded after the tragic death of the 7-year-old daughter of a good friend and mentor of mine that life is short. Her premature death reminds us about the things that really matter - family, friends and love. Sometimes, we need to slow down and enjoy the day. The sunshine. The company. Be in the moment and put down the devices and distractions. Forget about work, Facebook, or emails. Spend an few hours being present with those around us. I read a recent article in the Huffington P

My first Halloween, by Marit Marit with PEPS buddies for Halloween brunch A parent from PEPS asked Theo was he was for Halloween and he replied, "First, my was a ghost, then my changed to Lightning McQueen!" "Why?" They asked. "My was tripping on my ghost outfit and it was soaking wet so my wanted to change." It's true, my 3-year-old brother is high maintenance and had not one but two Halloween costumes. Daddy and I had to go get his second outfit half way through trick-or-treating. Good thing we were only a few blocks from home and Theo could continue with his buddies, Elliot and Henry, who went as a ceiling fan and a dragon, respectively. The boys took turns ringing the doorbell and running door-to-door. Theo would grab the candy, yell to Daddy and I, "Look what I got," and then Daddy would kindly remind him to turn around and say, "Thank you," before running to the next house. He was totally into it. Theo's favorite