Foreshadowing

Apparently Jonathan thinks that I am not getting enough to eat (quite the contrary). His latest craze has been feeding me every time he has food. And Jonathan finds food constantly!

Between my dear son's generosity and the impending holidays, I can already see my New Year's resolution peeking from behind the curtain - lose that extra weight!

Comfort of Routine

We're back! We really enjoyed our holiday time with all of our family. There is something to be said for the joy of returning to the everyday routine, however. Even the boys seemed more relaxed today (and no complaints about schoolwork! Yea!).

Vacations are great, but it sure is nice to be home!

Oh, and I am looking forward to a relaxed Advent as well. I was one of those crazies out the day after Thanksgiving. Lines were long, but people in Oklahoma City were generally friendly to each other - no fights you hear about on the news! And the bonus - I am done with my shopping, minus one big item that we have to get in a few weeks! Who hoo!

Necessities

A look in Nicholas's backpack (packed for our trip up to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving):

Snoopy stuffed toy
LarryBoy stuffed toy
Special blanket
A shirt
Soccer ball
Plastic play food - Turkey and bread slices


I guess he is providing dinner!

It seems like yesterday...

...that I welcomed my firstborn into the world. And now he is 7 years old - it just doesn't seem like it should be so! And then, Brennan has been a part of our lives for so long, I really strain to remember our pre-baby days!




Brennan, you have shown me what it means to sacrifice, and to love completely! From the moment I held you, I wanted to protect you from everything evil in the world. Now that you are 7, you are starting to see the things around you. Yet you don't fret about them as I do. Instead you always remind me that "things will be alright". We can be 20 minutes late to an appointment. I could read about something sad happening elsewhere, and you still will give me your big hug and remind me that "it will be fine, Mom".

You are such a great big brother! You are so careful with your little brothers and cousins, and they look up to you for it too! You jump to their defense when you feel they are being wronged. And they love you!

Happy 7th Birthday Brennan! Hope your day was great! Just always know that Mom, Dad, Nicholas, Philip, and Jonathan love you very, very much! It wouldn't be our family without you!

What you see at the zoo...

...when you go with a entourage of little boys is this: You might just see the 6 year old howling at the lions. The 5 year old would throw dirt into his hair, just like the elephants. The 3 year old gets on the ground and walks on all fours after a visit with the monkeys. And even the one year old tries a nose dive off of the park, just like his new found friends, the sea lions.

Life with little boys is so much like a zoo. But what a wonderful zoo it is!

Growing up too quickly

The boys have been enjoying the Do-A-Dot markers lately. So this morning, I let them get the markers out a little early. The pictures all turned out great, but my favorite this morning is Nicholas's.

He started on a blank piece of paper. He drew a happy face. And then he added a beard. Deciding this was ultra cool, he proceeded to add a beard to his own face.

And the critics response? Courtesy of Brennan: "Great beard Nicholas! Now you are a man, just like Dad."

Obligatory Costume Pics

This year, they only took me a week to get on the computer!

The infamous last minute Captain America! That shield was made from a frozen pizza box! Talk about recycling!

Nicholas really wanted to be Snoopy. Thank goodness he settled for Charlie Brown!


Our scarecrow - Philip really took to Wizard of Oz after a family movie night viewing!


And the baby always looks cute in costume! Although he only wore it for about 4 houses - who could blame him, it was 85 degrees here in Houston!

Choosing to be Thankful

Today, instead of tensing up at the thought of breaking up the umpteenth fight between all of these little boys, I will instead choose to be grateful that we all have each other. Because the good moments always outweigh the bad.

Thank you Margaret, for reminding me to keep things in perspective!

It's Already Happening...

When "Spring forward, Fall back" times arrive at our household, my husband changes the clocks around here. He is the fanatic about correct time. Myself, I used to set my clock ahead 20 minutes on purpose, hoping that the jolt might pull me out of bed each morning. Once Colin and I married, this little trait of mine drove him nuts. So instead, the clocks were appropriately set and he would nudge me out of bed (I had to get up earlier than he did).

These years have changed me. I have grown accustomed to our clocks being set to the precise time (Greenwich Mean Time, Central Zone). Yet my husband has had a change of heart. As each time change rolls around, certain clocks get set: our bedroom, the computer, the car. But my kitchen clock doesn't get changed right away. Not until I realize "oh yeah, that time's not right". It happened this morning.

I was congratulating myself on a smooth Monday morning. Lessons were proceeding nicely. Moods were chipper. I think to myself "I have plenty of time for that second cup of coffee before Math". As I am making the coffee, I look at the clock - 11:15! Time for lunch already? In a panic,I start to call the boys in for a rushed Math lesson and I go to quickly check email. Lo and behold, the computer clock says 10:15! Oh yeah! Time to change that kitchen clock...

I am just grateful that I am on time this morning after all!

Trick or Treating Economics

If you ever went trick or treating (or at least went to a fair which left you with a decent sized candy stash), did you Dad ever help himself to it? My Dad did, so it was no surprise when Colin began to help himself to our own boys' candy each Halloween. But what I love is that Colin never misses out on a teachable moment.

In our house, the boys get a complete lesson in political economics. As Dad raids each Halloween bucket, he responds to each protest with a reasonable explanation - this is his tax that he must levy against the boys, much like the government taxes Dad's paycheck. Sure the boys do the leg work for the candy, but dear Dad provides security and support during the walk. His income provides the overhead that makes the costumes possible. He examines the treats once we arrive back at the house (quality control). Without Dad, the opportunity to earn that candy is impossible, and so he deserves a cut of the profits.

Of course, the boys begin to look at him like he is nuts at this point. I just laugh. After all, he does make a good point. Besides, my Dad never offered up that good of an explanation!