Countdown to Christmas

Andrew is a complex boy to be sure.  At times he is an utter mystery; I have no idea what's going on inside his head.  Other times, he is as transparent as glass, hinting, smiling, eager to be the recipient of something special.  He can be a pure pessimist, claiming the inability to do anything, easily frustrated by simple tasks of life.  On the other hand, he is ever the optimist: UPS, Fed-Ex, or USPS trucks cause him to pose the same question/statement day after day after day (no exaggeration).  "Wouldn't it be great if we received a box with all of the toy NASCAR racecars?"

Being as there is now exactly 2 months (less than 9 weeks until that blessed-birthday-turned-commercial-craze), Andrew set to work writing down a list of the most-desired NASCARs.

Little does he is know that Christmas is now being reduced to a formulaic endeavor.  I've always been a year-long shopper, picking up items of interest and stashing them away for the holiday season.  Most of time they are corralled into a central location, but on occasion I have followed in my mother's footsteps of losing things then declaring in the midst of paper-tearing-mayhem, "Oh, wait!  There's one more!"

Sometime last year I stumbled upon one mother's solution to equality under the tree (all children shall have the same number of presents) and a more systematic method of shopping: 

Want * Need * Wear * Read

While all kids want a pile of shiny presents, I'm not a fan of buying cheap stuff just to have lots of gifts.  I think it's much better on many levels to concentrate on quality of construction and length of play rather than the current fad (nothing's worse than the exciting gift that immediately breaks, leaving you holding a bunch of useless plastic).

With this, child gets item of great desire, but I don't have to feel bad about gifting something that's needed.  Clothes are always useful (pjs, anyone?), and good books are always appreciated.

"I don't get around much anymore" to hit the clearance racks of nifty stores, but when I do stumble across interesting items, I can match it up with the checklist.  (NASCAR falls into the "Want" category).  So far, Andrew is covered at 100%; Stephen 100%; Matthew 50%; Jonathan 75%. 

This doesn't include my favorite part of all - stockings - but that's a whole different story!

For Mamaw

I am inspired by this woman who reared three boys to adulthood

though I'm sure it wasn't always easy.

Happy 90th Birthday!

Salt in the Wound

Since I'm now in the market for a new camera, I started doing a little research this evening and came across the following giveaway from Pioneer Woman.



Seems the contest ended Friday night.  Just my luck.

Suggestions anyone?

A Small Mishap

Be forewarned that there will be no more pictures for awhile.

The boys and I enjoyed a fun afternoon downtown by the river.  We viewed replicas of the Nina and Pinta, sledded on cardboard, played on the playground, studied numerous school buses, and generally explored.  I had some wonderful shots of the kids at play....

That is until I somehow managed to trip and tumble while trying to capture a shot of Andrew jumping over a fountain.  In the ensuing crash, my dear camera hit the cobblestones and is now out of service.

I believe the boys were just in shock and didn't have much to say about the event until Doug arrived home and they reported: "Momma broke the camera."

I Spy

It all started with a single book.

Inspiration struck.

Designing began.

Accessories were added.

The Chief Engineer surveyed the progress.

A Hotel.

Busy streets.

Plenty of emergency vehicles.

Tunnels.

Multi-use facilities.

A job well done.

Jonathan turns One

You've come a long way baby from those first days.

You were late to be born and slow to come home but definitely worth the wait.

You are wild and crazy but oh-so sweet and lovable.

Happy birthday, dear boy!

Still Here

I think my brain is turning to sludge.

Every conversation of  late has incorporated NASCAR, peanuts and/or hotdogs.

"Why?" you may ask.  I wish I knew.

I usually just respond with "underwear" which sends them into fits and leaves me shaking my head.

The Good Ol' Days

My parents took the Big Boys for a few days last week so it was just me and the Mini Men, and I was struck by how quickly one can forget the sheer intensity of life with two needy younguns. 

Four years ago, this was our life: carefree days moving from meal to playtime to nap, endlessly repeated and sprinkled with cries and laughter.  I've been waxing nostalgic lately, a bit sad that a part of that lifestyle has given way to (a few) daily requirements in the form of reading, writing, and arithmetic.

On the other hand, I quickly remembered that life way back then was not all fun and games.  Days are endless stretches of constantly shifting activities: trying to synchronize naps; heading off tantrums; interpreting one wail from another; filling cups and pouring snacks; changing diapers and assisting with potty breaks; reading Truck Trouble five times in a row. 

Each stage has it ups and downs; there are joys and trials with each child at each moment of the day.  And whether it's interpreting Toddler or feigning interest in NASCAR, being awakened to demands for food or shuffling over-tired kids to bed at night, being a mom is the best job by far.

Snaggletooth

If the Tooth Fairy keeps bringing M&Ms, he may pull them all out, loose or not!