Update on Collins

Before I get a phone call from my mother, I am well aware that Collins needs a hair cut in these pictures.  Now, we shall move on. :)

Collins is a wild man.  He likes to wake up around 6 (5:30 some days, 6:30 other days).  He will typically snuggle with me in the bed until David is dressed and ready to have breakfast.  Oh, and by snuggle, I mean be a leech on my back or use my head as his pillow.  It's great, really.  Because of his early rising, he still takes a nap in the afternoon.  I'll be sad when those days are over.

He has lots of words but his intelligibility of his words is the problem.  I can understand most of them.  We'll probably be 3 for 3 in the speech department.  He starts three-day preschool next year and I think he's going to love it.  At least, I hope.  

Check out that hair picture!

He says "mama" at least 2 million times a day.  It's so cute but also exasperating at the end of the day.  He loves to call for Hughes and Banks and often asks them for help.  He loves race cars or, really, anything with wheels he can push (grocery cart, metal cars, wagons).  

We're going to start potty training soon.  However, I just bought a whole new box of diapers so give me a few weeks before I'm totally sold on the idea.

Collins is easy-going, loves Nutella and Mickey Mouse, and just an easy boy.  He loves his big brothers and often mimics what he hears them say.  Although, his mimics are often garbled language.

Update on Banks

Banks is ready for kindergarten.  He talks about going to the "big school" where Hughes goes and how he'll get to play on the same playground.  He's been having his speech therapy there all year so he's already familiar with the school a little bit.  He's had a great preschool class at Aldersgate and hopefully he'll land in a class with some of his friends.  

He definitely takes life by the horns.  He's always up for any kind of sports event and loves to play with his friends.  He is fiercely competitive which is not always a great attribute.  We're still learning to lose with dignity.  He still loves Nutella sandwiches (aka chocolate sandwiches) for lunch and is normally pretty good brother to Collins.

He's moved up to Hughes' old bike because he blew out the tire on his.  And by blow out, I mean he skidded one to many times and wore the rubber completely off.  This kid lives life in the fast lane.  Sound familiar, Kent?

He loves the Wii and especially loves it when David plays with him.  He told me I could put his superhero toys up because he didn't play with them anymore.  I'm still in shock because he's been into superheroes since he was 3.  Now, he's into Ninjago and he loves the knights and castle he got for Christmas.

I'm looking forward to him putting his swimming lessons to the test this summer, lots of adventures in SC and Va, and just relaxing and having fun.

Update on Hughes

Hughes has been growing up and maturing so fast that it's hard for me to realize that he's at the end of first grade.  Here are some stories/updates of our Mr. Hughes.

*Hughes does not like writing.  It's his absolute least favorite thing to do.  One day during journal time, he told his teacher "you can't make me do it".  Thankfully, his teacher is calm and played the "I'm going to call your mother and see what she says" card.  He ended up writing in his journal and getting an earful at home.

*He lost another bottom tooth.  His adult teeth are coming in behind his baby teeth so we haven't gotten any snaggle tooth pictures because the moment the baby tooth is gone then the adult tooth is right there.  No telling what his top teeth are going to do.

*He came upstairs one day and told me to check him out.  He then lifted his arm and said, "I'm a man". He has glued brown fuzz underneath his arm to look like armpit hair.  GROSS!  I cracked up laughing because it was out of the blue.

*Hughes has been doing pretty good at baseball.  When he played catcher, the coach told him that it was some of the best catching he had seen all season.  FYI, PopPop played catcher for Auburn

 baseball :)

*Hughes had his end-of-the-year reading assessment.  I knew it was coming and Mrs. Wightman had given me the heads up about it being timed and she was concerned if Hughes would make it in the allotted time.  Of course being the teacher that I am, I discussed with him about reading faster.  And when that didn't work, I told him when his teacher took him out of the room to read then that was the time to read as fast as he could.  So, the time came and he read as fast as he could and then he saw Mrs. Wightman stop the timer.  He then told her "oh, my mom told me about this"  Whoops!  It worked, however, because he did it in the allowed time frame.  Sometimes, he just needs a little push.

*At Hughes' yearly check up with our new pediatrician back in October, Dr. Russell detected a heart murmur.  I told him that I had never been told that Hughes had a murmur.  With all of Hughes' other quirks (cleft lip, hypospadias, speech delay, etc, etc) he wanted us to see a geneticist to see if there was a bigger picture connecting all of these little dots.  So, today was finally our appointment.  It only took 9 months but I'm glad we waited because I really like Dr. Rosenbaum at Children's National.

Dr. Rosenbaum talked with us for a long time discussing Hughes' background and checking him over.   He told us that a child born with a cleft lip, hypospadias, and a speech delay was about a 1 in 30 million chance and then add the heart murmur just added a couple of zeros to that last number.  He confirmed the heart murmur and has referred us to a cardiologist.  We go next Tuesday so I should have an update then.  

Soooooooooo, I've been MIA

I've taken quite an unexpected blog break.  I didn't mean to go so long but one thing happened after another and, well, time flew by.  My desktop computer is being temperamental so that was one problem and then, well, time flew by.

I love to be able to go back through my previous months or years and reads posts about the boys.  Most things I've already forgotten but, thankfully, have written down and documented the event/mishap/funny story.  I have lots of pictures to share.  So, bear with me while I get you caught up on the Holman boys.

What a scraggly bunch?

Easter 2013

We had a low-key Easter this year.  The boys and I had just gotten back from a whirlwind spring break trip to SC and so our (my) energy level was a little low.  Thankfully, the Easter Bunny had done some prior shopping so the baskets were not in jeopardy of not being filled.

We started with a picture before church and then my camera battery died.  Unfortunately, this is the only picture of the boys in the Sunday finest.  Banks was not happy about something and Collins had his precious smocked Easter jonjon covered with a sweater.  It was 48 degrees.

On our way to church, I was explaining the reason for Easter and telling them the story of Christ's resurrection.  I was putting it in kid-friendly terms and thought I was doing a good job until Banks asked "so when does the Easter Bunny come into the story".  Hughes then asked if the bunny was fake.  I went back to the resurrection story and then decided to turn the Kid Bopz music up and just hope somebody in Sunday School has a better answer.

After church and a lunch out, we came home to rest (me) and beat some character on Super Marios Brothers (David and the big boys).  After those very important activities, it was time to hide eggs.  Unfortunately, it had just rained so we were stuck to hiding in our front yard.  

The boys sporting there new work out shirts that the Easter Bunny brought.  They were huge hits.

Collins wasn't too sure what was going on.  He eventually caught on and was happy to find two eggs.

Nice outfit, Hughes.  Workout shirt, down coat, pajama shorts, navy socks and brown shoes.  Looking good, kid.

Look at that sweet hand.  He loved carrying around his basket.

After many more egg hunts in the front yard, we retired inside for a family movie.  Hughes went back to school today but Banks still has today off.  I was looking forward to going to the grocery and restocking the house but Collins had different plans.  He woke up with his first stomach bug this morning.  So, I'm now chasing a two-year old around with a vomit bucket because he's not old enough to know how to aim for the bucket.  

Happy Easter, folks.

It's Your Dad's Birthday!

Dear Boys,

      Today is Dad's birthday.  I hope when you are a father that you are just like him.  I thought I would list 36 (in honor of his age) things you should know and remember about your dad.

1.  He's really smart and has a crazy amount of self-discipline when it comes to studying hence the Ph.D. and J.D.
2.  He makes the best car crash noises and sound effects while playing with y'all.
3.  He makes up songs and sings them to y'all on request.  Even if it is has been 6 months since he first made it up, he always remembers the song.
4.  He can look up anything on YouTube and learn how to fix it.  He's done it with his car window and our washing machine.
5.  He's crazy patient with y'all.
6.  He always treats your mama with respect and love.
7.  He loves his Clemson Tigers and graduated from there in 1999 with a B.S. in microbiology.
8.  His first car was a Bronco.
9.  He had long hair in high school.  Believe it.
10. He works extremely hard.  Like crazy hard for us.
11. He loves DC.
12. He never wore braces and has excellent dental hygiene.  Flosses every day.
13. He's pretty good at Super Mario Brothers and Batman Lego due to the ridiculous amount of practice he's had playing with Banks.
14. He's impressed with Hughes' drawing ability.
15. He never complains about anything I cook whether it be burnt, too salty or just yuck.
16. I met your dad when we were both waiters at Hyman's Seafood in Charleston, SC.
17.  I've convinced him to retire to Charleston.  (hold him to it, boys)
18. He wore his first bow tie when he defended his thesis(2005) and never went back.  Bow ties always.
19. He is plays the guitar and trumpet albeit it's been a long time since the trumpet.
20. He is much more patient with reading books and night time routines than your mom.  Y'all can get him to read 5 books and then still want to talk or make up stories.  I
21.  He loves G.I.Joe and Transformers as much as y'all do.
22. He was born in California but grew up in York, SC.
23. Y'all get your blues eyes and dimples from him.
24. He loves that Banks is into football.
25. He wants to go on an African safari one day.
26. He loves fish and had an aquarium before we moved to DC.  He wants one in his office one day.
27. When he was little, he was obsessed with sharks.
28. He was in a band in college and played at the Esso Club in Clemson.
29. He loves the beach.
30. He knows how to snowboard.
31. He cried when each one of you were born because of happiness and pride.  He was also a great diaper changer and get-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-and-bring-baby-to-mama-so-she-can-nurse dad.
32. He always compliments your mama and holds doors for her.
33. He's a true gentleman.
34. He loves to come home to three boys yelling "Dad, Dad" and running to give hugs to him.
35. He got glasses in 2nd grade.
36. He loves y'all to no end and is always proud of you.

Happy Birthday, David!  We love you and are so very proud of you!

Anne Wimberly & your boys

Playdough Time

The other week we had a snow day.  As exciting as that sounds, it wasn't anything that you could play in.  Mostly very wet snow that switched back and forth from snow to rain.  Our yard was a mud pit and, thankfully, the boys never asked to go outside and play.  We hunkered down inside next to the fire and enjoyed a "day off".  

I pulled out the playdough in the late afternoon because I was losing my sanity.  Nevermind that the boys are still in their pajamas.  Isn't that what "days off" are suppose to look like?

Collins was obsessed with the balls of playdough.

Banks and Hughes loved making twists with one of the tools and, subsequently, mixed a lot of colors together.  No more beautiful, solid red or blue or green.  We now have an assortment of mixed-up colored playdough.  It kind of irks me.

The fun lasted a while and then I cursed under my breath that they ruined all of my colors :)

Life at 37

Holy Moly, I'm 37!

I had a great birthday weekend.  It started off with a shopping excursion on Friday with two friends and ended with a dinner on Saturday night.  The boys gave me a mani/pedi gift certificate which I can't wait to use and David gave me the gift of not asking how much I spent on my shopping trip :)  I think 37 is going to be a pretty great year!

In honor of my birthday, I thought I would list 37 things about yours truly.  In no particular order :)

1.  I think God gave me three of the cutest boys on earth to be my sons.

2.  I'm pretty good at interrupting/understanding children with speech problems.

3.  I went shopping on Friday for me and for the first time in seven years did not buy one single kid item.

4.  I started back running in January and I feel pretty good.

5.  I love my suburban and will probably choose to get another one when the time calls for it.

6.  I like to visit the snow.  Not a big fan of it in my yard.

7.  I'm terrible at keeping in touch with friends.

8.  I like to make lists and scratch things off.

9.  I'm a beer snob.  Wine doesn't really interest me.

10. Sapphires are my favorite stone.

11. If I could live on mexican food and great steaks then I would.

12. I love to travel and have a list of places for David and I to go visit.

13. I have two burns on my right arm both from food - grits and popcorn.

14. I know all of the words to Sir Mixalot's I Like Big Butts.

15. My Mom's nickname for me while I was growing up was Suzie.

16. I walked the picket line with my Dad when Eastern Airlines went on strike.

17.  My Dad was hijacked in 1982/83 to Cuba.

18. I was a tomboy growing up.  

19. My first car was a yellow Volkswagen Beetle.  It's still in my Mom's garage.

20. I would like to become a better seamstress so that I can make curtains like my mom.

21. I don't mind driving long distances but if I'm the co-pilot then I will be asleep in two seconds.

22.  I drink one Coke a day.

23. I love to eat out.

24.  I love to shop but do not have enough endurance to hang with BecBec when she shops.

25.  I'm going to buy an extra-large bicycle seat for my bike.  The current one is as wide as a banana.

26. I have one doggone great husband.

27. I love college football but don't want my boys to play it.

28. I was an exchange student in Italy and studied in Spain for the summer during college.

29. I typically only read books during the summer and then I'm voracious.

30. The color green and tan skin are my favorite colors on me.

31. The beach calls my name.  I crave flip flops and sand between my toes.

32. Friends really are the best medicine.

33. My favorite candy bar is a Butterfinger.

34. I can make a mean guacamole.

35. When I think of my dad, it is always with him smiling.

36.  I think often about "what if we had a 4th child".

37. Hughes and Banks remind me of Bill and Kent.  Lawd, help me!

Say What?

I was doing some measuring of our office window when Banks walked in.  He took the measuring tape and tried to measure himself.  We talked about how he was getting so tall and growing every day and then I started to measure him.  

He told me he was 24 inches tall.  I told him "no, that he was almost 44 inches tall and that 24 inches tall would be right about here (while pointing to his hip)".

He then exclaimed, "Mom, my penis is 24 inches".  

And the fibs start now.

**********************************

Someone please tell me what am I going to do with this precious boy.

We never used the word "penis" with Hughes.  We referred to it as his "teetee".  I'm not sure at what age we introduced the anatomically correct word but Banks has never used anything but the correct word.  It has definitely led to some interesting conversations in some definitely awkward environments. Like in restaurants and he tells me his zipper is hurting his penis and we have to tell him to lower his voice because the diners next to us don't want to know that information.

I think I'll revert back to "teetee" with Collins.

Sorry about the post.  I guess I should have forewarned you about it.  I'm  sure BecBec is trying to delete it from her laptop right now.  Sorry, Mom.  It's life.

Globetrotters

On Sunday, we went to see the Globetrotters with Hughes' cub scout troop.  We got to go behind the scenes and have a private meet-and-greet with some of the players and get autographs.

They all had nicknames that I can't remember but I think the one above is called Cheese.

The boys listening quite nicely.

This is Globee - Globetrotters mascot.

Warming up with some dunks

Practicing their dribbling and fast passes.

At halftime, the boys were able to go on to the court and give the players high-fives on their way to the locker room and on their way back onto the court.

And they won the World Championship.  The whole time during the game Banks was cheering for the Selects.  I kept telling him that this was a pretend game and the Globetrotters were going to win.  He didn't believe me and kept cheering wholeheartedly for every basket the Selects made.  

We had a great time.  They were very entertaining but it could have been about 30 minutes shorter.  

Since then I've witnessed the boys doing some crazy dunks on Collins' basketball goal in the playground.  I think they got inspired.

Photo Dump

Here are a bunch of random pics from February.

Collins trying to figure out which superhero he's going to identify with.

Hughes' cub scout troop walked in the George Washington Day parade in Old Town.  Of course, it was a freezing day but he enjoyed being the big shot handing out the candy.

 

Collins with the warmest seat on the block.

Banks and Barrett ready for some candy.

 Ol' Honest Abe was there to celebrate.

Here's Ol' George and Martha

Here comes Pack 1504

Hughes being a great big brother and giving candy to his brothers.

I've been in the middle of a very long hunt for new bedding for the big boys.  

I finally found some in Pottery Barn Kids that I love.  The boys' room is looking great.  Now, to tackle some blank walls and the playroom which is in constant disarray.

Hughes' had Wacky Day at school this past week. 

Here we have baseball pants & socks, fleece and crazy hair.  

And, last but not least, Hughes has his first adult tooth.

No, he hasn't lost any baby teeth.  This tooth decided to come in behind his baby tooth.  We were given a heads up about this from the pediatric dentist in Charleston.  It wasn't until last week when i was putting him to bed and questioning him on whether he brushed his teeth or not.  He opened up his mouth for me to examine it and, BAM, he had a tooth.  He was/is so proud of it.  He showed his teacher the next day and she said "that's a beauty".  We go back to the dentist in the spring so it will be interesting to hear what she suggests.  Hughes is not scared about the teeth pulling.  He's focused on the money or cash as he calls it.

BecBec and MaeMae are back from China.  I think they had a great time minus their "smuggling-a-bullet-into-China-and-then-getting-detained-for-30-minutes" experience.  Lesson learned:  Never borrow a bag from your husband who use to hunt 20 years ago.  You never know what could be lodged into the lining.  The crazy thing is that this specific bag made it through security at three different airports in the US and it had previously taken a trip to Russia with Al and Elizabeth, too.

I guess BecBec and MaeMae can take the occupation of smuggler off their resume now.