The Guys

Maybe, just maybe, there will come a day when everyone will be looking and smiling at the same time. For now, the sight of my little boys with their daddy makes me feel like a very blessed woman.

Let's just say I've been thanking God profusely for the warmer weather--this boy needs to be outside on a daily basis (in fact, he'll inform me: "Mommy, I need some fresh air now"). Ahh--the joys of big wheels, lawn mowers, t-ball sets, and even art projects (a new interest).

Another blog entry cop-out: Cute kid pics...

Yep, I realize I haven't been very wordy lately (nothing really new), but I do like showing y'all my (youngest two) men. Here you go--

I feel guilty when I see this one. I was trying on clothes in Target when Thomas fell off the dressing room "bench." Can you tell he landed on his mouth? He's OK--I promise. And in case you're wondering, he is indeed dragging around a putter, as he did all afternoon yesterday. Maybe there is hope Colin could have a golfing buddy down the road.



When I see him coloring or eating at the kiddie table, it kills me how "old" he seems. Though don't get any ideas (mom!)--there will be no new G's headed our way anytime soon. It's nice to sleep for a change.


Can't take our eyes off this one--he's a climber.


After Will buried him with stuff. Thomas didn't mind.

He looks evil here, but Colin likes this picture for some reason.

Enough with T--I'll update you on big bro next.

Love these guys.

And yes, they do wear pants from time to time. Just not after naps.

Snow!

My guys

Housekeeping. Literally.

I adored my lightweight Electrolux Pronto while it lasted, which sadly was less than a year. Now I'm dustbusting my whole house on a daily (or hourly, depending on what the boys are doing) basis, which might just turn me into a hunchback. Please PLEASE let me know if you have a vacuum that you really like...it's got to be light and good for hard floors & carpet.

On another note, have I mentioned recently how much I love, love, love thrifting for my kids' clothing? Gone are the leisurely hours at the mall, and I have no intention of paying a ton for my boys' apparel. I mean, these children get dirty. But I can spend 20 minutes in my favorite thrift store and come out with a TON of high end stuff in great shape. Like Will's $4 Columbia ski coat for next year. And Thomas' $3 Strasburg spring ensemble. And the multitude of Gap/Polo stuff for $1-2. And last but not least--Will's tacky Spiderman shirt. I'm not one to dress my kids in cartoon characters, but it was a couple of bucks...and it made him so very happy.

OK, it's off to enjoy this gorgeous weather. Nearly 70 degrees in February is just fine with me. Will went swimming in our backyard creek, Thomas wanders outside in a diaper and tee, and it's almost Valentine's Day. Gotta love the Southeast.

I know, I know--it's been awhile...

So I'll try to get back into the swing of things and update this little blog of mine. You mean you don't want to admire my Christmas photos for another 11 months?

Big news #1--Will is (during the day at least) potty trained! Woo hoo! Though I've got to say--with the "I want to do it myself" wiping jobs and "Mommy I didn't mean to [not make the deposit entirely in the commode]," diapers sometimes seem the less-messy route. But it's time, and he is adorably so proud of himself.

#2--Thomas is walking! He's perfected this crazy army crawl for months now, but he finally decided that using his feet is more fun. He's also getting at least six teeth right now, so he's been acting uncharacteristically cranky recently. Super. And doesn't he look like a big kid with his new haircut?

#3--My sister is pregnant with #2! Since our mom already blabbed the news to all of Richmond & the facebook community, I figure it won't hurt to share. Yippee for Carson's baby brother/sister coming in October!

#4--So Will got this butterfly house for Christmas...You know, you send away for the caterpillar larvae, watch them get disgustingly large and fill their plastic cup with poo, transfer the chrysalises into the mesh house, and wait... Will is mildly interested, Colin is grossed out, and I'm reliving my grade school science experiment days. I don't care if you think I'm a dork, it's fascinating.

That's all the excitement and profound thoughts for today. Happy weekend, all!

We had a lovely Christmas, and as of yesterday we're home. Seeing as how someone gets ill every trip (can't forget two Christmases ago when we infected 10 family members with a "memorable" stomach bug), we learned last night that Thomas has pneumonia. He seems to be doing a little better after beginning antibiotics, but he's pretty pitiful.

In random order and without explanation, here's proof of our fun and family-filled several days in VA.

He's 3!

Celebrating Will

Yep, big Will is turning 3! Not quite yet--Monday, actually--but we had an early celebration when my parents, sister, brother in law and nephew were in town this weekend. It was Will's first real "party," since I am convinced no kid younger than three would care about it anyways. Or maybe I'm just depriving my children. (They'll survive.) So we did the whole plastic tablecloth, matchy matchy Cars Movie paper products, streamers, balloons, hats, presents, pizza, cupcakes & ice cream. Being my offspring, he of course licked the icing off three Dewey's cupcakes & neglected the actual cake. The poor child had such a great time that he was left forlorn when the party ended and his guests headed home. So now I need to figure out how to make the real day special too...


He'd already opened several the night before, so here's Will opening the remaining gifts. His favorite part, I'm sure.
Some of the enthralled guests...

Bet you'd never guess these guys were related...

Little bro had a blast too. After all, now that Will has fresh loot, maybe he'll allow access to the old toys.

Check out the pirate cupcake. SO cool.

FOUR G'S

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

December so far

I know, I'm a blog slacker. Since I'm tired and not motivated to write a detailed update, here's my synopsis:

A week of two sick kids, two infected ears, fevers & snot galore. No sleep for days. Self-medicating with diet coke and chocolate. Quite glad time & the pink stuff finally kicked in.

Fun Thanksgiving with friends Annie & Neal in Durham. Hopefully our kids didn't scare them too much, seeing as how their babe will be here soon. (We only broke one bowl, after all. Not too bad.)

A decorated house (nothing says Christmas in the USA like a Walmart-purchased fake tree with colored lights). Endless Christmas tunes. Coats and mittens and hats (finally!). Wrapping paper. Toys R Us. Addressing cards. Nostalgic TV Christmas specials.

Staring at our nativity and remembering. Reading books to Will and remembering. Mary and Joseph. Bethlehem. The census, the stable, the manger, the star, the shepherds, the angels. Jesus! Remembering the birth of our Savior.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
And now I present--Thomas with his big boy haircut:
The shovel doesn't stop this thumb-sucker.

A plastic pool filled with rocks makes a boy very happy.