Merry Christmas

Friday Photo Favorites

Walking into the house after the explosion of breakfast and getting ready for an early meeting my Joy Boy confides in me with a heavy sigh, "I really like staying at hotels. Do you know why? Because when you walk in they are so clean."

Sure are kid, sure are. 

Friday Photo Favorites

She is a Poppy's Girl.

She already says his name too.

Friday Photo Favorites

Two very excited boys came running in during dinner prep.

"Mommy, come watch what we can do! Can you take a picture of it!?"

Pictures taken! Tons of laughter and hollers.

Me, "Ummm, wow that's pretty crazy!"

Avery without missing a beat, "That's because we're men!"

Mary Colette brought me this note, she beamed and said, "This is my handwriting!"

How to Get a Texas Accent

You never really know what is going to come out of the bedrooms once the children have gone to bed. Bangs, bumps, screams, laughter, whispers and the little humans themselves are regular players in the drama of bedtime.

That drama transformed into comedy a last night. Laughing as hard and as silently as ever, we overheard this monologue from PT:

"Hey Avery. [In the thickest southern drawl he could muster] Do ya know how ya git a Texas accent? Sweatin' all day."

Snickers from Avery. Wide-eyed disbelief from us. He continued,

"Do you know know how you get a Michigan accent? *sniffle* Walking around sniffling all day. *sniffle* *sniffle*."

Obliviously

As I changed a diaper I was thrusted into the middle of Mary Colette's game.

"Ah, Oh....I have to go to the hospital!"

Me only half playing as my focus is on a slightly smellier task, "You're going to the hospital?!"

Mary Colette with as much expiration and sassy that the oblivious situation called for, "Yes, to have the baby, Gramma!"

Ummm...wow never I have I felt so old and strange!

Yes, head cocked and one hand on hip with other juggling the hospital bag...it was too much for this Grandma. As Grandpa rounded the corner, we both just burst out laughing knowing this scene will more than likely repeat itself in, let us pray, 20 years.

Friday Photo Favorites

We are trying something new this term...

uniforms.

Avery has been the most excited about these and they all look stellar.

Mary Colette has started with a bit of school work this term, just enough to hopefully satisfy her while still leaving time to work with the boys.

They also decided on a school name; Two Hearts Academy. For the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Birthday Food...

Last Saturday as every Saturday was left over lunch. After the kids were settled with their various lunches I sat down with mine, a bratwurst among other delicious leftovers. Looked up to see...

The biggest saddest eyes...He didn't know there was one lonely bratwurst left. It was clear that if I continued to enjoy my lunch his little food heart would be torn into pieces. Thank you for providing me an opportunity to detach from food more, my Avery.

Avery, I have never known anyone who gets so giddy about food (not sweets) as you! You absolutely love mashed potatoes and gravy, fish and homemade mac and cheese. So as I relinquished my bratwurst I asked you what you would choose for your next birthday dinner. Oh how your eyes lit up, the possibilities. You were too excited to decide. However Mary Colette had no problem with her meal, "cucumbers, pickles and watermelon."

All are invited.

Friday Photo Favorites

Sometimes you just need a coonskin hat,

and a calculator phone,

to be a good stroller pusher.

(George, you are so funny! You never mind being dressed up by the other kids and will wear anything with pride and style.)

Your Lovely Face: Week 41

Your a Big Shot Jousting Face.

Your Growing Up Beautiful Face.

Your Making Far Away Discoveries Face.

Your Ate an Apple all the way to the Seeds at only Eight Months and Four Teeth and Won't Eat Anything Else Face.

Four Year Old Theologian

After dropping off Gia, Mary Colette in a very sad voice said, "I don't want Gia to move!"

"I know, maybe God will let us move close by them," trying to console myself more than her.

After a bit in a frustrated, exasperated, forlorn tone, "Why does God get to make all the decisions!"

After looking for a bit at the pictures on the cover of one of our rosary books she got worried and said, "Mommy, Mommy look! That's where they put Jesus on the cross! I wish they didn't do that. Then Jesus would still be with us today!"

"That's how much Jesus loves you. He was willing to die for you on the cross." Really one needs to witness all the facial and body expressions that go along with any discussion with this cherub...hands over mouth in anticipation and worry, swaying and arms crossed over heart at the mention of love.

"Yeah, that's good because now he's in heaven."-Mary Colette

A moment to reflect...(this was all happening while I was wrestling a very wiggly baby into a diaper.)

"Maybe we have to get on the cross to be with Jesus in Heaven!" She said this in a very hopeful and matter of fact tone, as if to say "that's that...dust off your hands and get on your cross." She then happily skipped away.

Oh my little one, how profound those words are.

Friday Photo Favorities

Have been trying for a while to get your "Ohh" face...wouldn't you know that when I finally did, I forgot to reset the ISO so these are very noisy. However as your Momma, I will still cherish them as a reminder of your quirky personality. 

Just a Pinch

We were discussing how it is so hard to hear the differences between certain words, especially if you are blest with a Texas' twang. Words such as: pin, pen and tin, ten and pill, peel and whale, well. With the latter pair Paul Thomas, puts it nicely, "I think in 'whale' there is just a pinch of 'h'."

Your Lovely Face: Week 40

Your Oversized Mustache Face.

Your Great Big Brother Face.

Your Face, Your Face, Your Lovely Face.

Your Rocket Face.

Your So Many Words Face.

Your Flying High with GeeGee Face.

Your Sister and You Face.

Your Lovely Face: Week 39

Your Lovely Fair Face.

 

Your Lovely Face: Week 38

Your Silly String Face. 

Your Silly Sting Face.

Your "Complete-Wheelie" Face.

Your Proud, Just Like the Boys Face.

Your Off to Conquer the Backyard, You and Teddy Face.

Your You and Annie Anne in Overalls Cause Your Momma is Just Sappy Like That Face.

Your Captivating Face.

Your Oh So Happy Face Because You Are Walking All The Time and Now You're Part of the Kids Face.