In the Holiday Spirit

We did pretty well this weekend, readying the house for the Holidays, and that all-important visit from Santa. The tree is up, and that means decorating the outside of the home is next.


You know it's serious business when Doug pulls out the 20-foot ladder.


Our little elves were more than happy to help. Can you tell?



Each boy was so eager to hand Daddy things he needed to put up the outdoor Christmas lights. Wonder where they'll be when it's time to take them all down?

Under the Sea

We have a membership to our local aquarium. So, we've had the chance to stop by several times over the last few months, with Amah and Akong, and Grandma and Grandpa.
But, when we paid a visit yesterday, it was through new eyes, apparently.



The boys couldn't get enough of the underwater life on display. The fish mesmerized them.



Michael, with his impish grin, was desperate to touch a stingray.



Of course, it was Jason who was closer to reaching that goal. He boldly stuck his hand in the water so he could feel a passing ray. I don't think he's ever done that before without much coaxing.



You know it's a good time when Michael refuses to leave. And, after our visit to the aquarium, that's what Michael did. Thankfully, we're still a bit stronger than he is!

Holiday Parade

It feels like the holidays "start" earlier and earlier every year. This year, no exception. We got the chance to go to our local Christmas parade. It took place the week before Thanksgiving.

I'm really slacking on the photos. This is the only one I captured.



We came with friend Tommy, and his parents, Claire and Mike. For a while the kids watched the floats and moved to the beat of the marching bands. Then, well, it's tough for little boys to sit still. They started running around the people around us.

Until Santa showed up.

Then they wanted to know why HE wasn't first in line.

I guess because it would result in a very short parade.

Group Hug

They look pretty tough, don't they?

Backing the Bulldogs

Boy, it isn't easy being a Bulldog.

The Georgia Bulldogs are on a roll right now--not the same story for the Bulldogs of soccer however.



The soccer season is now over. Above is the stretching session before a game a couple of weeks ago against a team that has the next David Beckham. The team really needed the workout.



We are so proud of Jason, though.

He tries so hard.

Last week, he scored a goal. It was such a triumphant moment.

Fast forward to the game above, though, where the mood was a little different.

Halfway through, the kids were asking Coach Doug if the game was over yet.

Not quite. Beckham, wearing a hat with fuzzy balls on top, had to score 6 or 7 more goals.

So this is how soccer moms become soccer moms....

Hair Emergency--Squashed

It was inevitable. The boys desperately needed a haircut. Jason looked ok, but Michael was getting the shaggy pieces that stick up behind his ear. I called ahead to the shop where the boys have spent many an hour since they were born. I knew one day I would hear it, and there it was.

"Kim doesn't work here anymore," the lady on the phone said.

Talk about kicking you out of your comfort zone.

I did some chatting with friends, who highly recommended a BARBER SHOP, of all places, for my boys.

Ok. We can try it.



The people in the shop have about 150 years of experience in cutting hair, combined. Mmmm, I guess that's good enough. I think we have found our new home for hair.

What do you think?

The Best Halloween--Ever! (so far)

For Jason, Halloween evening got better and better. For Michael, well, let's just say, he is learning how much energy it takes to get chocolate!

Let me explain the costumes. I was all ready to get a Spiderman costume, Buzz Lightyear, whatever Jason wanted. But, for several weeks, he's been resolute. "I want the M&M costume," he said. He wore it two years ago, and it still fit. So, I pocketed the money and let him wear it. Michael's costume is new. However, I just realized (Thanks, Walter!) that it LOOKS very much like the costume he wore last year. THIS one is a monkey. So, Michael believed he was not only a monkey, he thought he was Curious George.



We started with dinner at TA's house. Her kids, Cecelia and Verona were there, of course. Emily joined us with Matthew and Eli. Thanks for the great meal, and wonderful company! The kids scarfed down home-made pizza and pumpkin cookies. Then, it was time to scare her neighbors into coughing up candy...



For a while (like two houses), the younger ones enjoyed the running.
From door to door, the waiting (for the door to open), the anticipation ("Trick or treat!"), and the payoff ("She gave me TWO chocolate bars, mom!").

The older kids couldn't be stopped.

They didn't even really stop long enough for me to snap a picture. That must be why it's blurry.



But, the two-year olds didn't quite enjoy the action. After about a half-hour, Michael wanted to go home. Uh-oh. What to do? Thank goodness, Cecelia's daddy was smart enough to bring along a stroller. With a small bribe of candy, the two agreed to sit and watch while their siblings raked in sweets.

Take a look.



But, even the energizer bunny gets tired. By the end of the evening, these three needed a rest before moving on.



We finished out the evening pretty tired, and with heavy arms (carrying all his loot).
And, a buffet of candy STILL awaits him at home!
What a great Halloween!!!

Parade of Tears

Michael, in general, is an extremely happy boy. Really.

But, I suppose, a beautiful (hot) Halloween day, plus a furry (hot) monkey costume that covered almost every square inch of his body, plus a parade outdoors in the (hot) October sunshine didn't sit well with our little boy.



Michael's teachers are really wonderful. They are nurturing and kind, and they tell me all the time how cute and well-behaved Michael is. So, automatically, they're keepers. But, even they noticed how tough a day Michael was having.

His friends in class tried to cheer him up. They wanted to snap a few pictures.




But sometimes it's just not enough to WANT to have a good time.




The kids' preschool is so ambitious. As if on cue, most of the children in Michael's 2-year old class freaked out at the possibility of heading outside for a parade. Michael included.




I only got a couple of shots of Jason. I was too busy convincing Michael that it was a good idea to keep on all his clothes as we walked down the street. Finally, I decided a half-naked boy was better than a crying monkey!