Thursday, January 24, 2013

Mickey Mouse




This is Collins' best friend - Mickey Mouse.  When he picks up the phone he pretends to talk to Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie or Mickey.  I think he may have the Disney fever!

The Temples Come To DC


Back in early December, the Temples came to DC.  Adam was doing some business so Rachel and her brood joined along.  It was the first time that we met sweet North and, let me tell you, he is a doll.  We met them at their hotel and got in a quick swim before heading to dinner.



This was the perfect pool for them because the pool was only three feet deep.  Deep enough to swim yet also shallow enough for them to put their feet down.


Collins and baby North.


Banks wasn't too sure at the beginning.  He's been taking lessons up here to get him ready for this summer.


The swimmers.  They had the pool all to themselves and would switch between the hot tub and the pool.  After the pool, we showered and went and met David and Adam for a delicious dinner.  It was lots of fun to have old friends visit and pick up conversation where we left off.

Come back to visit, Temple family!

It's snowing!




After many false alarms, it finally snowed up here.  The boys were thrilled to wake up this morning and see the yard covered.  Schools were on a two-hour delay which meant Hughes did not go until 11 and Banks went at 10.  It was quite a relaxing morning filled with snow time and indoor time.


Collins' first time in snow.  He refused to keep his mittens on and, therefore, wasn't out there very long.


Banks and Hughes immediately started a snowball fight the minute they got outside.  I had to call them back inside to put on their jackets.



Hughes mid-throw.


Collins switched between pushing the ever-popular dump truck and riding on his sled.  You can see he has his mittens on in these pictures.


Our driveway is the perfect small sledding hill - not too steep and just long enough where they can get up enough speed to be happy.  Cam and Avery came down this morning with their sleds.


Banks trying out his Christmas sled from G-Daddy and Dawa.


The sledders.


Hughes was working on the Christmas gift that the boys picked out for David - a snowball sculptor and thrower.


The first perfect snowball.  I think it took them about 20 minutes to make one.  By this time, Collins and I were inside nice and toasty watching the big brothers out the window.

We are taking the boys skiing this weekend at Massanutten.  They have Monday and Tuesday off and Mom is coming up to join us.  The bibs, boots, gloves, hats, and everything else is all packed and ready to go.  

Pray for no broken bones, ski lessons that go terrific, and the end result of boys who love to ski!








Sunday, January 13, 2013

To the future Hughes (before he goes to college)



Hughes, you need to read this before you go to college and you need to go ahead and apologize to your roommates.  You, my son, are a sleepwalker.  Not only a sleepwalker but a urinating sleepwalker.

You have been caught several times already in your short 7-year life in the process or about to "shake the dew off your lily" (Bull and Kentos use to say this).  

Since moving to Virginia, you have done it twice.  Once in the corner of the bathroom.  Yes, you made it to the correct room but you didn't make it to the toilet.  Instead, you found a nice corner of tile and proceeded to unleash.  

This last time happened a few nights ago.  I had already gone to bed and left dad up working.  You came wandering into the den in a sleepy haze while fidgeting with yourself.  You then made your way to the kitchen where Dad heard you opening cabinet doors.  Thankfully, your dad got up and found you opening the "pots and pans" drawer and pulling down the front of your pajama pants.

It was a close call.  Your Future Scholar account was about to be charged for new pots and pans but they were saved.  You were escorted to the toilet and all was right with the world.

And, if at 7 and sober you already have a propensity for doing this kind of thing then no telling what kind of antics you are going to do in college.  Remember, I've been there and done that.  Well, I have not done what you are doing but I've heard about boys doing the aforementioned.

So, take my advice and go ahead and apologize to your roommates because you most likely are going to shower their closet.

Love,
Your mother who is tired of picking up Legos but loves you immensely





Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Christmas Blessing


On Christmas Eve, we gathered around the dining room table at Mom's house to bless the food.  The question was put forth "Does any body want to say the blessing?".  Hughes volunteered.  I know I've mentioned it before but Hughes' is known for some pretty sweet blessings.  I love to hear them because it gives me a little glimpse into what he's thinking.

Well, this is what he said:

Everybody put your hands together and think of your friends.  Dear God, thank you for this delicious food.  Why were you born on Christmas Day?  Amen

It was the perfect blessing for our Christmas Eve meal.  I don't think anybody wanted to venture there for the sake of breaking down into tears but Hughes was brave enough to do it for us.  I know Dad was smiling down.


Germs, Germs, Go Away



Oh, the sickness.

Oh, the germs.

Oh, the exhaustion.

David has had a nasty cold with extreme coughing fits in the middle of the night. (i.e. waking me up in the middle of the night numerous times for lengthy periods of time).  Mind you, David is not the only one sick in this house.

Collins is also sick.  Running a fever (102), nasty cold and altogether just doesn't feel good.  He goes between being on my chest feeling terrible to a Tylenol high running around like a madman only to come down off the high and end up a crying puddle of sadness on the floor because he feels so terrible. I took him to the doctor on Monday to make sure it wasn't an ear infection or something else but all tests came back negative (strep and flu).  So, we just wait it out.

So, between Collins waking up in the middle of the night because his Tylenol has worn off and David waking up in the middle of the night with coughing fits, I'm grumpy and exhausted, too.  Hughes and Banks are going strong and at this point I think they may have an immune system as strong as an ox.  

I hope I also have an immune system as strong as an ox!



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