Big boy!

It's been a big week! Not only did I get up in front of a big crowd I made a big change in my sleeping arrangements!

Grandma Maggy, Mom, Dad and I were asked to light the Advent candles at one of the church services this week so I went Wednesday night to get a sense of how things might go. Afterwards Grandma took me into the bell rehearsal room at church and I got to touch.

Afterwards she came over and read a book she used to read to Dad when he was younger.

Mom's been doing a lot of baking lately and Friday I helped her prep for Grant's Mom's baking party on Saturday.

Saturday was fun for a lot of reasons.

1) Boulevard had their annual "Parents Day Out" party so I got to go to school and have a six hour long non-stop party with all of my friends.

2) One of my teachers came over Saturday night (Miss Nicole) and I got to show her all my toys.

- and -

3) The beard hat Mom found and ordered for me came in! I have a beard like Dad now!

This morning we lit the Advent candle then sat back and watched a nice musical program. Grandma Maggy sang. The orchestra played. It was really nice.

It seemed like the crowd was really big!

This afternoon Mom, Dad and I took down my crib and got my big boy bed set up! I helped Dad take things apart ...

... then jumped and jumped and jumped on my mattress. I jumped so much this is the best picture Mom and Dad could get! (I'm a big jumper.)

I jumped so much it was hard to host the Skype session with Grandma Kathy and Papa that I hosted from my big boy bed. We eventually had to move to the living room but as you can see, my bed is now very conducive to computer work so I may start doing the blog from there!

This week is going to be fun ... I turn three!

Yeah, me!

Much love ... Pierce

The giving of the thanks ...

Hey, gang. It's been Thanksgiving week this whole week and I've spent a lot of time preparing for the big day. (More about that later.)

Since Halloween I've had something on my bucket list ... offering help to the garbage man as he came down the street. Monday morning Mom and I were up and at em early to catch him. I got into my costume and waited for the right moment. (Unfortunately, his union contract and certain liability issues kept me from hopping aboard, but I got a smile and a wave and that was good enough for a cold Monday morning.)

Wednesday was our Thanksgiving lunch at school. All the parents came, including mine, and everyone had a good time. The teachers worked really hard and I was once again reminded of how thankful Iwas for Boulevard.

Thursday dawned bright and full of promise. I was able to watch some of the parade as Mom and Dad prepped for the big meal and we all waited for our guests.

Where are they?! Where are they?!

Finally!

(Dad didn't think this photo should go into the blog but before we got into the section of food prep I thought it was important to remind folks about microwave safety. Specifically, butter + the microwave ='s EXPLOSION!)

Anyway, once Grandma Kathy, Papa, Uncle Eric and Grandma Maggy arrived, Mom got going on our wonderful Thanksgiving meal. Garlic potatoes? Yum!

The grandmas gave Mom her space and seemed to be duly impressed with her efforts.

Papa kept Mom distracted as she stressed about the turkey. (The little red button doesn't pop if you keep opening the oven and letting the heat out.)

Perfection! (But it has to sit for 15 minutes.)

While the bird cooled Papa and I compared notes about the farm equipment we'd like to buy.

Mom, Grandma Kathy and Eric got into a friendly debate about which Palzkill 24 hour salad recipe is best.

And Grandma Maggy stepped in to top off one of the best Miller traditions ever ... green bean casserole!

Here is a pic of the 24 hour salad. I'll be honest, Dad and I just can't get into it but the Palzkills and Houstons dig it! It isn't an official holiday without it.

Let's eat!

And, to top things off we had lots of pie! (Grandma Maggy even made me my own mini pumpkin pie!) Thanks to Uncle Eric for the yummy apple pie.

After lunch and some napping everyone's attention turned to games. My favorite game? Chutes and Ladders.

Late that night Mom, Grandma Kathy and Uncle Eric went shopping. Papa, Dad and I slept.

Friday was kind of a lazy day. Everyone slept. Ate. Watched football. Hung out. In the afternoon Grandma Maggy came over and everyone headed down to the Blank Children's Hospital Festival of Trees. Santa was there and he was quite the dude. It's like he knew me ...

... Mom and Dad! What a great guy!

(Dad was having too much fun to get off his lap and spent a bit too much time taking Santa's attention away from me.)

After Santa we headed in to see the trees. There were lots of cool ones ...

... but the one from IPTV was my favorite and got my vote.

Afterwards everyone stopped for a snack. Yum.

I also got a prize for turning in my scavenger hunt slip. Cool!

Other than Santa I have to admit that the train ride was my favorite part of the Festival of Trees.

Once around in the caboose and I switched to the engine. Choo! Choo!

From there we headed home to celebrate Mom's birthday. I got to help her blow out her candle and open her gifts.

The cupcakes were good!

And I love opening envelopes.

Saturday was busy. Uncle Eric, Papa and Dad moved some furniture then I got to watch videos when they got back.

Everyone scratched their lottery tickets from the night before but only the birthday girl won. Drat. (That's okay, I do better on the horses anyway. Hopefully Howie and I can hit the track soon.)Everyone left after lunch and the entire Miller house collapsed into a family nap. This morning Mom had to teach Sunday School so the clan hit the 11 o'clock service once she was done. More long naps then focus turned to Christmas preparations.

I hung my stocking by our chimney with care ...

... and Dad and I opened the new tree Mom bought early Friday morning.

Somewhere between the Rockefeller Plaza and a Charlie Brown Christmas ... I shall call our tree Jim.

I made sure my ornaments were front and center so look for them in future editions of Life 'O Pierce!

Have a great week, everyone! One more thing ... Thursday was not only Thanksgiving, it was Grandma Kathy and Papa's wedding anniversary - 38 years! Wow.

Until next time ...

Pierce

I'm just saving room for turkey.

This week seemed to go by quickly. I started out by showing Dad how I could make fangs out of two pieces of pizza crust.

Dad was so proud.

Attack!

I helped Mom make dinner ...

... then tried on all of my winter clothes. They were certainly warm enough! Wow ... sweaty me!

It's a good day when the new Little Tykes catalog comes in. I want this. I want this. I want this. I want this. I want this. Etc., etc., etc.

July, 2010. This tractor is awesome!

November, 2011. Either I'm getting bigger or Papa Jack's 4020 is getting smaller.

After some time in the tractor we headed over to the house. Great Grandma Margaret and Papa Jack were great! What a fun visit! (She can drive a mean combine, folks.)

Ah ... better than just about anything ... a great grandma hug. Awesome!

Nice to see you again, Papa Jack. Thanks for the cookie and the nice visit. Love ya!

Our evening was fun. The Dillons came over for dinner and I got quite a kick out of Maguire's newest trick. He's a cool guy!

This afternoon we headed to Westminster for a massive bell choir performance. Grandma Maggy was in a handful of numbers and really had her hands full ... of bells!

Well done, Grandma Maggy! (Soon after this photo was taken Grandma joined us for dinner at the house. It was a nice, quite way to relax as I prepared myself mentally for the epic battle I knew was to come between Mom, Dad and I over whether or not to clip my toenails. Suffice it to say that my toenails are still long and the parents are defeated.)

And a programming note for all of my faithful viewers. Make sure to tune into the 85th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, 9 a.m. - noon CST on NBC Thursday, Nov. 24 ... I'll be debuting my balloon! (Uncle Chris marched in it several years ago while touring with Up With People and recommended that I invest as part of my ongoing brand development campaign.)

Love to all ...

Pierce