Decorating 101 with BecBec

So, while Mom was up here I had a few projects that I wanted to complete.  Knowing that Mom is a whiz with the sewing machine, I set out to challenge here.  First challenge was to make slipcovers for two new dining room chairs that I bought from Ikea*.  We only had four with our table and when guests came we had to improvise pulling in chairs from here and there.  

Mom earning her keep.  She worked hard and, in return, made two beautiful slipcovers that will be the envy of our neighborhood.  

Aren't they beautiful?

 Project #2 - curtains for the boys' room.

I've been looking for fabric or pre-made curtains for the boys' room for forever.  After countless hours searching the web,  I found a blog where someone used shower curtains from West Elm and turned them into curtains.  I ordered 5 (4 windows and one extra to add extra length to the bottom) and then bought some black-out liner and poof - custom drapes that I absolutely love and was definitely the look I was going for.  I bought the rug from Urban Outfitters.

Next up, is to find bedspreads and bedskirts that I love.  I'll have to deal with the lamp later.

Project #3 - bedskirt for my bed.

I made this on Sunday after Mom left.  Now, I can hide all sorts of junk underneath my bed and no one will be the wiser.

 And, while we were sewing Collins was ruining his eyes as he watched Mickey Mouse.

*Sidenote - Ikea lets you check in kids who are potty trained.  Unfortunately, our time limit was 30 minutes so I had mom walking about mock 20 to get through the store, pay for the chairs and back to pick up the big boys in time.  Not an easy task if you  know how BecBec loves to shop.  We made it back in time and then she wanted to go do another lap through the store.  Clearly, she doesn't remember what it's like shopping with three children  :)

Pinewood Derby - Tiger Cub

Hughes has been participating in Tiger Cubs this year.  I'm pretty sure that the derby has been his favorite activity.  He worked really hard on his car (both car 1 and car 2).  We learned lots of tips for next year.  Like, wait for the night-before-workshop to put on your wheels so that a skilled craftsman can do it with a special tool oppose to a "stressed out mama" wielding a hot glue gun.  

Here is Car #2 - Bear Racer.  Car #1 is M.I.A. due to a certain 2-year old with sticky fingers and ridiculous hide-and-go-seek winning streak.  I'm guessing his hiding spot was the trashcan.

Some fellow Tiger Cubs - Hughes, Jackson and Ryan.

Bear Racer pulling in 3rd.

Hughes' cheering section.

Hughes was proud of his certificate until he realized that the fastest car got a ribbon.  Next year, we'll work on speed.  I'm thinking we need to call in the big guns - the Barnhill boys.  Surely, Big John can get us a ribbon next year!

Hughes' car got the Most Awesome Car certificate.   I was super proud of him doing it all by himself except for the hot glue gun work and I'm also super proud of myself for not taking over the painting and color scheme.  

Way to go, Hughes!

Massanutten 2013

The last weekend in January, BecBec flew up and we went to Massanutten Ski Resort for a few days.  This was the first time the boys have skiied and I think they did pretty good for a first time.  Of course, I called too late to get them signed up for ski school but I was able to get them private 2-hour lessons.  

The condo had the biggest jacuzzi tub that I've ever seen.  A family of 5 could easily fit in there.  The boys loved it and ended every night with a long soak.

BecBec hung with Collins on Saturday while we hit the slopes. 

Getting ready to go.  I was talking to Hughes and said, "this is the day that we go skiing".  And Hughes said, "but not real skiing, right?".  I wasn't sure where we were heading with this so I asked him what "real" skiing was.  He said that it was going down a mountain dodging flags.  I think he thought I was entering him in a slalom race!

I didn't take my camera on the slopes and my iphone camera stopped working on this trip.  So, you'll just have to believe me when I say the boys did awesome and were wanting to go back and do it again.

If it didn't cost an arm and leg then we would probably do it again this winter.

Family shot on Snow Tubing Day.

BecBec and the boys.

Hughes and I with the tubes.

Hughes and I dominating David and Banks.

Hughes only went down a few times as he said it hurt his bottom.  He hung with Collins and BecBec throwing snowballs.  Sadly, David had to leave to go back to DC after snow tubing.

On Monday, we hit the indoor waterpark.  Lots of fun.  The big boys loved the freedom I gave them.  The entire water park was only 3.5 feet deep.  

BecBec found them on the lazy river here.

Collins did this frog slide a million times.

On Tuesday the weather started to warm up and it was 65 degrees outside so we hit the playground  for a quick play and then a hike.

This was coming down the "shortcut" that Hughes found.  I'm 100% positive that he led us off a cliff to come down from the top of our hike.  Here is BecBec skiing down.  She's got mad skills.

We left Massanutten on Wednesday morning and stopped at Luray Caverns on our way home.

 It was quite spectacular.  Behind Hughes is a  perfect mirror-image lake in the cavern.  

The walk is about a mile but with all the stopping the tour guide does the kids handled it quite well.  Collins, of course, insisted on being held the entire time.

If you're ever near Luray Caverns, I would definitely recommend stopping by.  Truly Amazing.

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!

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

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!