Month: November 2012

The tree lighting ceremony was at 5:30 pm. That didn’t really leave time for dinner beforehand, but it also didn’t leave time for me to do much cooking. Wade had a genius idea. We fed the boys leftovers and put them to bed a little early. Then he ran out to our new favorite place, Jackson’s Blue Ribbon Pub. We stumbled onto it a few weeks ago when we had a date night and needed a quick dinner close to home. Wow, they have amazing bar food – definitely not healthy. Our favorite is the big pretzel, which we have been looking for an excuse to order again.

It occurs to me I never posted a picture of Teague’s announcement. I found it on pinterest, but could never trace it back to an original site. After much searching for a way/place to purchase the announcement, I just had Wade create it for me.

Alex and Teague got to spend time with both grandmothers today. Judy and Jerry drove up for about 24 hours to see the boys. Unfortunately, Jerry got sick about halfway into the drive up and spent the entire visit sleeping at their hotel. Alex was in heaven with all the attention he got.

1. Alex is helping Gram make meringue for the chocolate pie. 2. The Barbie car that Aunt Lissy is holding was the favorite toy all visit – for both boys. 3. Alex is “reading” Granny a book.

My Uncle Tommy has been working on family history. He brought by my Grandmother’s scrapbook for me to look through. What a treasure! My favorite was the note from my Granddad to my Grandmother when they were still in school. I’ve typed it up to the best of my ability below – some of the writing was a little difficult to decipher.
December 14, 1934
Dated with Kisses
Of 1934 Blue****
Dearest Gelah,
It has been so long since I wrote a letter. I hardly no how to start but will try to scribble you a few lines being as it seems I’m not going to get to talk to you.
I thought I would get to talk to you in chapel this morning but you were sitting by Ezra so I just let it go and didn’t get to see you this evening either. I asked Frances what was the matter with you and she said you were mad at me. I don’t see why you should unless because I didn’t sit by you in study hall. I put my books over on table where we sit and you went over to where Frances was so I thought you maybe didn’t want to sit by me so just went over and sat at another table not thinking much about it, until after Frances told me what she did. That’s the only thing I could think off and if it is or anything else I am sorry as I can be.
I have been feeling bad and in the don’t care stage and just let it run on not thinking so much about what I was doing. I am not mad at you for I don’t think you have done anything for me to be mad at you for.
It is now ten thirty and no one up but me, Please Please Please forgive me, you know when you say please three times you are supposed to do so. I feel like I have done my part and I am closing hoping to sleep good and hoping you are doing your part and things will seem like they used to.
Love,
Andrew
Please answer and tell me what the matter is anyway and maybe we can be friends.
(And they were married friends for 63 years)

We decided to venture out today to YaYa’s Island – similar to Monkey Joe’s, but not exactly. We were the only ones there so the kids got to run free. Alex and Teague each went through the bouncy houses once and were done. Their favorite activity (other than Alex finding a TV in the snack area) was the little roller coaster.

This afternoon we had quite a few visitors. After everyone left, the kids opened their books from Mary Ann and were entertained the rest of the evening.

Wade and Chris left for Nashville last night. Wade is flying home to recover from sickness and go to work on Monday. Chris is returning home to refinish two bathrooms. Melissa and I are staying in town with the kids! We decided to attempt church. I was a little unsure how Teague would do (he’s been a little more tentative than usual), but he didn’t have a single issue. (It probably helped that they fed them chocolate chip cookies the entire time they were there – personal annoyance when kids are dressed up and going to lunch immediately afterwards.)

Then it was on to brunch, naps, and back to the horses. Laura has a new horse, Pepper, who is incredibly gentle. Melissa set Harper on Pepper and then we tried Teague. He seemed to enjoy it! While Alex was taking his turn riding one of the ponies, I worked with Teague to sit on the other. Then we got everyone to clap and cheer when Teague finally got in the saddle. That definitely made the difference – he loves clapping and “Yaying”.

My personal favorite picture of the day.

We spent the entire day at B’s house. We started the morning off right with Chick-fil-a biscuits!

Everyone’s favorite activity of the day was visiting the horses. Alex loved being the helper. Alex and Harper both loved riding the ponies. Watching Alex help B carry the saddle blanket almost makes me want to saddle Trigger (my horse) and ride. Then I remember that Trigger hasn’t been ridden in years and is a HUGE horse. Maybe next time…

We spent the morning at Mom’s house being lazy.

Then we went out to my Dad’s after naps. Harper loves the horses and I couldn’t wait to see Teague’s reaction. He was happy to pet them but wanted no part in sitting on the horse. Alex loves jobs and B was happy to let him help with the feeding.

We have a full house this year – Five adults and three kids. Melissa and I wrangled the kids while Wade slept (he is crazy sick) and Chris ran out to get us all breakfast. There was a lot of playing, parade watching, and even a lesson in making Grandma’s Macaroni and Cheese (definitely a family favorite).

Then we all got ready for visitors and “the big meal”. The weather was great so we got the kids outside with all the cars.

We put all three little ones down for a nap and had a grown up Thanksgiving dinner. They woke up in time for dessert and visiting. One of the funnier incidents was when Harper decided to share her apple with Teague – by feeding him. He was agreeable and would take a bite as offered.

We attempted our first road trip today as a family of four. I am planning to stay a few extra days with the family so Madison got to come too. (We know this will most likely be her last road trip.) The boys did great other than only taking a 45 minute nap. The rest of them time Alex was content with books and movies while Teague ate his way to Paducah. The funniest incident is when Madison decided she wanted her old seat back (before we had two car seats in the car). Alex was quite annoyed when she kept getting in his lap.

We arrived at my Mom’s house to find El Chico chips (my favorite) and Chick-fil-a nuggets. Then we attempted a group bath before getting everyone tucked in for the night.

It took us much longer than usual to get motivated, but the tree is decorated!

We spent most of today at home. Alex is allowed to go up to the third step on the ladder and would happily spend all day there. Teague just liked taking it all in. As I really got into my Christmas decorating we decided to put on some Christmas music. Alex immediately got out the guitars to join in.

Alex loves to “help”. Sometimes this works out better than others. I was folding laundry and he really wanted to help. I told him he could put up the clothes, which he sometimes does. He immediately grabbed the washcloths/towels and ran out of the room. I asked him if he knew where they went (up high in a cabinet he can’t reach). He replied, “Of course”.

It’s the Saturday before Thanksgiving so we made our way to the Christmas Tree Farm. Alex was very into the process this year. He called himself “toolman” and insisted on having the tape measure on his jeans (which we then had to tighten so they didn’t fall off). Normally getting the tree is a little bit of an ordeal. The necessary type and height of tree we need tends to be on the back of hte property. The owner doesn’t run the tractor and wagon until later in the season. That means one of us pulls the tree on the dolley and the other carries a child on our back. This year the trees right behind the barn were finally mature (we had eyed them last year)! It was our quickest, easiest tree cutting yet.

Jonah celebrated his 3rd birthday tonight and Alex couldn’t wait for the party. The house was full of little boys (and one little girl) and they were crazy. Amazingly there were few fights over toys and Jonah was nice enough to let the other boys help open his gifts. Did I mention the party started with tattoos (or tutus as Alex calls them)?

Just in case you were curious what Alex wants for Christmas. (One of these items we don’t know anything about – our best guess is a vague memory from Target shopping last January. And to reiterate – we don’t condone stealing.)

I had no no idea signing Alex up for Kindermusik would mean homework for both of us. Last week we had to make a rain shaker. This week they needed a rain hat. (I was quite relieved to see that other kids had paper hats, one made from a milk jug, and even an ordinary sock hat with no decoration).

Wade gave up on cleaning the bathrooms months ago (he is quite busy). I figured if I was doing the cleaning then I could bring back finger painting in the shower. Alex couldn’t wait to show Teague how it worked.

We spent most of the day in our pajamas. Alex wanted to play construction site and Teague alternated between his playmobil and Madison.