webcoynes

First "Camping" Trip

2012-01-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

Instead of a big boring bar party, Brian's office decided to have a camping trip to celebrate the four majors pinning on Lt Col. The catch: we were camping in the yard of one of the major's parents' lake house AND it poured rain for about 24 hours.

Not to be daunted by rain, James had the bravest day of. his. life and jumped off this platform (repeatedly) without hesitation.

Turns out, Molly loves marshmallows ALMOST as much as she loves her thumb...

Campers.

Sanibel Island 2011

2012-01-06T17:56:00.000-08:00

Annual soak-a-thon at Sanibel Island, FL.

This year's highlights:

Molly taught herself how to swim and Kevin & Halley got engaged!

Most of the family:

Soaking....

Swimming:

LOTS of walks on the beach:

James and his buds, Crawford and Walton:

and, of course, the annual retina-blinding photo session:

KC & Missy Engagement Party

2012-01-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

Two weeks after moving into our new place, we headed up to the Jersey Shore to celebrate KC (Brian's cousin) and Missy's engagement at Uncle Kevin's place in SeaGirt, NJ. The night before the engagement party, KC and Missy asked me to

OFFICIATE

THEIR

WEDDING.

No, really, read it again.

Yup, true.

I am a rock star.

The icing on the cake: the wedding is in Sonoma, CA (wine country) on the day before my birthday. It's like they planned the wedding for ME! I shall now know it now as "my weekend" and the wedding will be just a fun side note. Ha!

Really, I am honored (honored!) that they would even think of me and I couldn't be happier to use my clergy-status (bah!) to marry them. Missy is "that girl" - so genuine and pretty and fun and easy going and KC taught James (at age three) to hide behind corners with fake guns waiting for bad guys and then pop out and shoot them "to death" and last Thanksgiving he taught James the art of saying, "duh!" but, I mentioned Missy, right? ; )

Anyhoo, back to the Jersey Shore.....

I'd say this is Molly, in rare form, but this is Molly on any given day, in any season.

We have beach babies. Even if the water is about 8 degrees.

One of our "traditions" at SeaGirt: get the kids out of the house asap and feed them donuts in their pajamas while we sip our coffee and open our eyes and discuss the gaming and mayhem from the night before.

The engagement party and us with KC and Missy. James loves KC SO MUCH that he wakes up at 6am asking, "where's KC? Maybe KC wants to play" and doesn't stop until bedtime. KC is ALWAYS obliging so, Brian and I have been known to hit the 3pm mark (after gaming until 2am the night before) saying "Hey, where's KC? Maybe KC wants to play."

Molly really loved this chocolate dessert...

... and then immediately jumped into Brian's lap and wiped it on his shirt. He loves that.

This is Sidney, Missy's little sister. Just one month younger than Molly. I have no idea what their familial relationship will be, but Molly is sure they will be BEST FRIENDS and she proves this by stalking Sidney relentlessly and kissing her for uncomfortably long periods of time...

Perhaps she learned that from KC...

At the after-party: These are just too DELICIOUS not to include. Best potatoes I've ever had in. my. life. Please note the small size of the pieces of potato because that is the key (KROIAN!).

Love these people.
Uncle Kevin ALWAYS has the best travel route from any location and he's been around the world so he's like our own personal google map. For our trip back to Hampton, he suggested taking the Garden State Parkway (beautiful!) and the Cape May Ferry (awesome!). And wouldn't you know that the ferry has a gift shop, an elaborate snack bar, an actual bar, and these fun teak chairs on which to perch and NOT think about the boat swaying back and forth, back and forth.....

Congratulations KC & Missy. Can't wait to see you for MY WEEKEND in April! ; )

Another Town, Another Museum

2012-01-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

If you ask James, on any given Saturday, "James, what do you want to do today?" He will, without a doubt, pause dramatically and then say, "How about a museum?" I think we may have set him up for endless museum-going during our 2 year DC tour (FILLED with FREE museums).

So, we checked out the Virginia Air & Space Center and became members on our way out. We have since (it's January now) been back no less than 10 times and James did a two-day science camp after Christmas.

We love museums.

This particular museum has an actual-size Air Tran airplane in the middle of the 2nd floor. The kids love flying the plane, from the real cockpit and serving us snacks and demanding that we put our seat belts on. It's been more than once, that we have sat there with seatbelts on, feeling like we can't get up for fear of reproach from the flight attendants/pilots, when James & Molly have up and left the "exhibit" when they were done.

Seriously, how about a little "the plane has landed, feel free to move about the cabin?"

And then, lunch at the marina where we discussed how badly James needed a haircut.

July 2011 - Moved AGAIN

2012-01-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

Moved into this little project on the Chesapeake Bay! LOVE IT. There is WORK to be done, but love the beach, love the neighbors, love the sound of waves all.day.long.

Magical 5th Birthday

2011-11-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

5th birthday. At Disney World. With best friends, the Bruces. Gifts from Mickey. Phone calls from Goofy. Magical.

Big Day at Build a Bear

2011-09-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

I write this post five months after the fact and they are STILL talking about "going back to Build a Bear with Oma."

Fill it up

Give it a hug

Put its heart on your forward and make a wish (?)

Give it a bath

Then spend approximately 10 HOURS picking out the clothes and accessories...

Thanks Oma!!

Preschool Graduation

2011-09-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe his kid took 31 hours to get into the world and then the next 5 years went by in what felt like 5 minutes. James "graduated" from preschool in June. In classic James fashion, he had to wear his "dude belt" and "cool guy sunglasses." Thankfully, he removed them before the graduation performance where James hammed it up, sang only half the songs, gave us about 1,000 thumbs-up, and did an astonishingly good version of "the robot powers down" (not a part of the performance). I chose not to be embarrassed, but to laugh hysterically throughout.

James & Molly on the last day of school

James with his AWESOME (and very patient) teacher, Mrs. Bethany

Molly with her teachers (sweetest women EVER), Ms. Keke and Ms. Tashara

Molly with one of her little besties, Meg

after the graduation

and then home to a graduation party in our backyard!

Easter 2011

2011-08-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

Easter at the beach with our Clutter besties...

Cousin Visit

2011-07-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

In blog time, it's just before Easter.

In real time, it's the middle of summer and we've already moved to another state....

Great visit from the cousins and their kiddos!

Peter and James picked up right where they left off.... inseparable.

Uncle Ken introduces Molly to the iPad and she is hooked.

Molly and Calvin struck up a sweet friendship. Just as long as she didn't touch his "bling-bling." (that's Beyblades).
Ken brought several hundred pounds ; ) of elk meat, some of which he was kind enough to let "bleed out" in our fridge and cook up real nice on the grill. Delish!

Day out seeing the "planes on sticks." Jason was relieved to discover that they were actually life size.

Molly. Being Molly.

Inseparable!

TBall Season 2011

2011-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

T-Ball season was INFINITELY better than soccer season. #1) James actually liked it, #2) it was not 1000 degrees outside, and #3) James actually got into it and practiced hitting and fielding balls. Given his usual attention span (equal to that of a gnat), this is no small feat.

Spring Break 2011

2011-04-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

I know I don't need to tell you this, but I am SO behind on this blog. My excuse is as follows: we are too busy LIVING life for me to stop and write about it.

If you know me at all, you know I have my hand in half a dozen projects at any given time. I am selling Stella & Dot, sewing clothes for Molly, organizing baby showers, buying a house, and planning 5 year old's birthday parties at Disneyworld to name a few. I won't even bore you with the VAST amount of laundry that has to be done in this house because Molly insists on changing her clothes five times a day, a fun little habit she learned from James!

Anyhoo, I am not going to be able to do justice to our FUN trip to Florida in this post. We had a GREAT time with Oma and Opa and the week went by too quickly..... Oma and Opa - my apologies for not gushing more... did I mention the laundry?

Here's our first stop in Somewhere, GA - great sandwich shop with a serious cookie display:

We spent the night in Orlando, where the kids shared a room for the first time. We fell asleep to the following:

Molly: James? James. James! Read me a book!

James: Oh, Molly. OK, just one book.

Molly: Another! Another!

James: Molly, I have to get some sleep! Last book.

Then off to Sea World the next day to meet up with our friends, the Carvers.

This is one of those see-through floors with fish underneath.

Personally, I think Molly took it a bit too far, but whatever.

Requisite Shamu pic....

James first "big coaster" ride....

and then to Oma & Opa's.

Molly spent several hours in this swing.....

and, of course, to the beach!

The next day was Brian's birthday and since he's been on an exercise kick as of late, I got him a 50-minute personal training session at The Breakers. In order to eat at their restaurants, you have to be a guest or both be using services at the spa. Thus, I was FORCED to get a pedicure. I could literally see Brian sweating on an elliptical trainer while I sipped coffee and read magazines. Bwah ha ha ha.

Here we are at lunch afterwards. Lunch I EARNED by getting a pedicure...

Inside the fancy Breakers....

Then out on the water in Opa's boat!

Jupiter Lighthouse

Another day at the beach....

Last dinner...

We stopped in Leesburg, FL to stay one night with our friends the Bridges. Heather wasn't with us as she is deployed to Turkey with her reserve unit until June, but Chris was doing a great job holding down the fort with three boys under the age of 6. We were impressed too until Chris started revealing his secrets to success: the nanny, the cook, the maid, and he lives next door to his parents. ; )

the kids getting ready to walk to Chris' parents house for a swim....

One little eensy weensy stop at Ikea for a new couch and five things we don't need and then we were home!

Playdate anyone?

2011-04-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Really, bring your kid here at their own risk. Honestly, they are not in good hands. I am not a daycare. I have no licensing. I am a stay at home mom and you don't even have to pass a verbal exam for that.

I will, on any given day, release your child into my backyard with a can of paint (kid's paint, thank you - give me SOME credit) and say, "Have fun! Let me know if you need anything." and then lock, I mean close, the door.

Chances are when you pick up your kid, they will look like this:

You're welcome.

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

First Medal

2011-04-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

I (I!) signed us up for a one mile fun run at our new grocery store - Earth Fare. It's a whole foods-organic-no high fructose corn syrup kind of place. Truth be told, I don't care about any of that - I just like the enormous deli, cheese selection, and the fact that they are always sending me coupons for FREE things. Like a giant organic chicken. FREE.

So, when they announced a 5K/one mile fun run, I THOUGHT, "oooh, I bet there will be lots of yummy food at the finish line...." I also THOUGHT that Brian would run with James and I would sip my coffee (organic, of course) while Molly and I waited at the finish line, and I THOUGHT I might get a free t-shirt.

Somewhere during our 5 minute ride to the store, James got all amped up about actually doing the race. Like really running in it. We had the stroller with two seats and I'm pretty sure I've run further than a mile to catch an airplane, so I said, "sure buddy, why not?" PLUS, I knew there would be yummy wholesome food at the end.

Here's James (facing the wrong way) at the starting line:

Long story short (ha ha), James barely made it out of the parking lot (like 40 feet) when he asked, "can I ride in the stroller and you guys run and also, can I get the medal at the end?"

So, there we were. Brian and I, pushing 70 pounds of ungratefulness one mile around a shopping center. All they had were organic oranges, bananas and water at the end, my shirt doesn't fit, and I couldn't walk upright for two days.

BUT, James and Molly DID get medals. Really, they are the best stroller riders ever. Truly award winning.

Valentines Day 2011

2011-02-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

Funny, Brian and I don't really "do" Valentine's Day, but I secretly LOVE the holiday! I don't know why! I love the hype, the commercialism, the candy hearts - love it!

So when James' & Molly's classes both had Valentine's parties AND Amy threw a valentines breakfast for Molly and her besties in the morning, it was just pure paper heart doily bliss.

James brought home a school project with instructions for parents to "work together to create a Valentine's box for the party." I said, "ooooh Buddy, what about a valentine monster that eats the valentines?" DONE. I think James heard, "wah wah wah, MONSTER, wah wah wah, EAT" and he was sold.

I did cut the fur and pieces and (aggressively) monitored James with the hot glue gun, but really, he did it.

This says "feed me" with a spanish exclamation point at the end.

Perhaps they'll cover punctuation in Kindergarten....

Molly at Amy's special valentine's breakfast.

Please note the heart-shaped doughnuts....

...and heart-shaped crazy straws

...and tattoos and art projects.

Do you think Molly liked it?

Then back to school for the parties! James with some friends from class.

Like their shirts? "SOME mom" made those! They say "I (heart) Mrs. Bethany" and each child wore one into class and gave her a paper tissue flower. I mean, really, some people! Who would think of such a thing!!

Mrs. Bethany really is an awesome teacher. They all love her and we've been so impressed with how much they've learned this year and how she is preparing them for kindergarten. She also handles twelve 4-5 year olds alone..... CALMLY.

Happy Valentines Day!

Molly Turns TWO!

2011-01-30T05:23:00.001-08:00

Well, that went by quickly. Didn't I just HAVE her? Let's pause to relive that moment here.

Ok, I'm back. Isn't that a fun story?

So, Molly turned two last Friday and she planned (ha ha) a little tea party for her little besties - Maddie & Gracie. She woke up from her nap, sat at the party table, applied her chapstick, and waited...

and waited....

and waited...

and waited.

Unfortunately, these are the hooligans that showed up.

Just kidding. The besties showed up in their Sunday best, ready to get their tea on.

The boys confessed that they "really love a tea party" and both were obsessed with pouring their own "tea." Given that each tea cup was made for a mouse, perhaps they were just really thirsty.

Trying out the sit n spin and quickly learning it's kind of a one-person-at-a-time thing....

New baby cradle from Oma & Opa.

Please note, the custom "mattress" on which the baby is sleeping....

There's a CHANCE that I may have gone overboard with this fabric I found (and love). Can you even see Molly's legs on top of her new blanket? I confess, even the adults' cocktail napkins were made from that fabric.

And after a cupcake made of 20% cupcake, 80% frosting....

...into the bouncy castle!

Happy birthday sweet girl.

The Beach... in January

2011-01-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

Apparently, we are beach people. Who else bundles up in fleece and hits the beach in January?

Well, beachES really. We hit four Florida beaches in less than 24 hours last weekend.

The following photos are really just a blatant attempt, by me, to record all of our beach fun.

This is Molly, trying to roll down a hill....

on the flattest part at the top.....

with a grilled cheese sandwich in her hand.

Beach #1 Seaside, FL

"a sand angel"

Beach #2 Seagrove Beach

Please note how we are the ONLY people who thought going to the beach in fifty degree weather was a good idea.....

Guitar shovel

Our kids are obsessed with making holes.

Giant holes to sit in.

Obsessed.

More hole sitting...

Brian finds an embryonic shrimp? lobster? sea monkey?

View from our room

and up the next day for a nutritious breakfast of chocolate milk and a chocolate chocolate chip muffin....

and on to beach #3 at Deer Lake State Park which has neither deer or a lake.

just a long long long walk to a beach which had...

just guess.

a hole!

and then a short drive to beach #4 Rosemary Beach where James promptly got to work....

digging a hole for Molly.

I'm telling you - OBSESSED.

a bigger hole to share...

Oh beach. We heart you.

DeSoto Caverns

2011-01-13T12:49:00.000-08:00

This one got left out of the "before Christmas" posts because I had to threaten my friend Amy within an inch of her life to get the photos from her camera, on which she keeps photos from as far back as three years ago. Every time we go somewhere, she has to delete a photo before she can take one because her memory card is so full. Like three years worth of memories full.

On this particular day, the kids were out of school for Christmas break, but the guys still had to work. Seemed like a perfect opportunity to walk 300 feet underground and experience the DeSoto Caverns in Childersburg, AL. The population is roughly 5, make that 6 since our tour guide lives on the DeSoto cavern property in a trailer. Not. Kidding. Also not kidding when I say "OUR" tour guide. It was just us and her, 300 feet underground and I forgot my camera.

Here's how that tour went:

DELETE

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A Christmas light show WITH fountains!

DELETE

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Give camera to tour guide.

CLICK

Ha ha. Love you Amy! Best adventure friend ever!

Christmas 2011!

2011-01-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

Bikes from Santa...

Hats from Nanet...

Molly's first laptop from Great Uncle Dave & Great Aunt Evelyn

Fujian grass skirt from Aunt Katie

Full bug/bone discovery set from Uncle Derek & Aunt Natalie.....

Molly's first lottery ticket. NOT a winner.

Bouncy castle from Oma & Opa. They have jumped in this EVERY SINGLE DAY since Christmas with the exception of the 16 degree freezing rain day.

Science experiments with Opa...

and finally, a much needed rest.

Right back at it.

Merry Christmas!

Really?

2011-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

This JUST reported by James' teacher:

James emerges from the classroom bathroom, pulls on the edges of his shirt and says, "Mrs. Bethany, does this new outfit make me look fat?"

Whose. kid. is. this?

Leading up to Christmas....

2011-01-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Yes, we had five house guests for a total of nine people for six days, but the award goes to Brian's sister Katie for traveling all the way from Fiji (!) where she works as a Peace Corp volunteer. In the days leading up to Christmas, we tried to show everyone how much Montgomery has to offer and how much we love it here. I think we succeeded in that Brian's parents started to talk about moving here....

On the 23rd, everyone enjoyed the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts - currently showing an exhibit of Annie Leibovitz' photography.

and we spent that evening at cousin Karen's house (about 30 mins away) where all the Church side had gathered. This is cousin Lilly about 2 months older than Molly.

19 people total and the first time that Brian's mom and her brother, Unc (or "Papa" to Molly) have spent Christmas together in 46 years.

The 24th was the 3rd annual decorating of Santa's cookies (ie, eat all the frosting you can)

and dinner out. This year at a hibachi grill. Molly got her first whack at using chopsticks and we discovered that both of our kids (not a bad thing) are terrified of fire.

Then home to set out food for the reindeer....

and a good night's sleep in preparation for Christmas or as parents of young kids know it: the LONGEST day EVER.

Calloway Gardens Festival of Lights...

2010-12-26T00:02:00.000-08:00

... in a limo. Yeah, that's right. Amy's idea. She's pretty smart.

Cookie Decorating at the Clutters

2010-12-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

Perfect cold, windy, no-school day, activity. Love that Amy!

They are like twins....

A Christmas miracle: all five kids snuggled up together, watching a movie.

The girls showing off the temp tattoos. They are obsessed with their bellies.

Christmas cheese anyone?

The Polar Express!

2010-12-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

Who knew the North Pole was conveniently located just one hour from Montgomery, AL?

School Christmas Parties

2010-12-25T00:22:00.000-08:00

Musical Books: the books moved around the circle, NOT the kids.

James teacher, Ms. Bethany in a FABULOUS necklace.

Best buddy Chase.

Tree Trip 2010

2010-12-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

I am not doing this trip justice here for lack of time.... This was our third annual Cut Your Own Tree Trip with the Bruces. This year, like the others, was SO MUCH FUN and there were elk and turkeys and SNOW! Oh, and a very competitive ping-pong tournament.

No Fear Molly

2010-12-24T00:00:00.001-08:00

The kids had their second dentist appt. James went in solo with a little hesitation from "that spinny thing," but once they told him they had chocolate toothpaste, he handled it like a pro. When they came out to get me and Molly, she just walked away from me and followed the hygienist in - I don't even think I had to go?! They told me "we're just waiting for the doctor. He'll just look inside her mouth, unless she'd let me do a cleaning?" I say, "Oh, I'm sure she will." And so Molly sat - straddling the hygienist for a COMPLETE cleaning. I mean, everything. I will give COMPLETE to you in the terms my kids use: the spinny thing, the squirty gun, and the vacuum. Seriously, the girl has NO FEAR.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

For some reason, I don't have a picture of the group or the turkey(s), but I do have one of Molly and her cousin Sophie

and two of James and his cousin Walton and this little invention.....
a bucket on wheels tied to a tricycle. Boys!

Thanksgiving Turkey

2010-12-23T05:50:00.000-08:00

James' Thanksgiving program. Just another chapter in my book titled, "Proud Mama Moments."

School Pics 2010

2010-12-22T17:40:00.000-08:00

Sure the kids are cute and yes, I did put Molly in a double-breasted houndstooth coat AND a sparkly headband, but the real news here is that you get one 8 x 10, two 5x7s, four 3x4s and 16 wallets (!) for $15. Alabama gets better and better every day.

Nanet Comes to Alabama!

2010-12-22T05:16:00.000-08:00

My mom (Nanet) came for a visit in November and I don't think Molly let go of her hand for even one minute.....

Well, maybe once she let James get in a little love.

My mom loves to read and my kids LOVE to be read to - perfect.

We took her on the usual Alabama tour - historic downtown, The Tipping Point, and the zoo.
For the first time, Molly was hesitant to feed the giraffes and judging by the next pic, I think I know why....

Seriously, that tongue is as long as her arm.

Love you, Nanet! Thanks for the visit!

Calloway Gardens Steeplechase

2010-12-19T04:06:00.000-08:00

Good friends, good food, good kids and temps in the 40s. Eek!

Girls Weekend in Biloxi

2010-12-18T03:51:00.000-08:00

Perhaps because I have a great husband, I am drawn to girls who also have the kind of husband who says, "yes! of course you should go!" to a girls weekend in Biloxi. And so The Sus, Emily and I hit the IP Casino & Resort for a weekend of pedicures and spa relaxation bookended by slot machines and blackjack.

Here are the highlights:

Emily won big money EVERY SINGLE TIME she touched a slot machine.

and the Sus and I crashed a Navy formal ball:

Love you girls!

Halloween Part Two

2010-12-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

The Painting of the pumpkins (far preferred over carving):

Playdate at the park with "decorate your own cookies"

The actual trick or treating:

Molly did the whole thing and didn't miss one house. What that girl will do for candy....

Halloween Part One

2010-12-17T01:37:00.000-08:00

Brian's school (yes, not James' - Brian's) did a Fall Fest where all the students (grown men and women) decorated their classrooms for the kids to come trick or treat. Molly took to trick or treating in a frightening way, like she's been doing it her whole life. There was no room she wouldn't enter, no bowl of candy she wouldn't stick her hand in.

Here are the Brave Knight and the Princess Trapped in a Castle:

Molly had a very specific agenda: take candy, put in bag, take candy out of bag, eat candy while en route to next piece of candy.

Because One Pumpkin Patch is NOT Enough!

2010-12-16T00:11:00.000-08:00

If there's a patch, we will go! This was a sweet one with pumpkins still on the vine and a corn bath? trough? I don't know, the kids were entertained for hours.

Molly's first face painting.

Suspicious....

Anxious....

Done.

The corn situation....

Hayride to the pumpkin patch...

TaeKwonDo Testing

2010-12-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

James' little karate class had a testing session to graduate to the next belt - still white, but with a yellow stripe down the center.

His friend Chase and his family came to watch (shocking, I know). Here, he and Molly are watching James chop a board in half.

No, I am not kidding.

James shows me his "best karate moves" after the testing. Please note the belt - yes, he passed.

First Live Show

2010-12-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

James' class went to see the Alabama Shakespeare Festival perform "The House at Pooh Corner" and I am pleased (and shocked) to report that James sat very still, was very quiet and even asked a reasonably appropriate question of the performers at the end.

Before the show:

Last Soccer Game

2010-12-13T07:01:00.000-08:00

This was done by the coach's wife at the kids' last game. It couldn't be more ironic since it looks like James is right in the fray, cocky about his skills, and enjoying soccer....

I'm pretty sure what he was really saying was, "look mom, I kicked the ball for the FIRST time!"

When asked why James doesn't "get in there and kick the ball," he replied, "but all those other kids are kicking the ball."

So, no team sports for a while.....

Gulf Shores..... the beach... in OCTOBER.

2010-12-03T03:32:00.000-08:00

It is my sincere hope to make this blog into a book someday. Not a "publishable" book, just something our family can have in lieu of a photo album with printed photos (haven't seen one in years) or a scrapbook (not my thing). So, it's come to my attention (thank you, Grandma) that if I don't get caught up to December now, I never will.

So, this Fall shall be remembered, in our book, as that time we were so busy having fun and enjoying life that I never had time to write about it.

So, get ready, lots of bog posts coming soon. Lots of pictures. Not so many words. Just go with this - if we look like we were having fun... we were!

This was a GREAT beach vacation in October with....... yes, the Clutters! Brian's Aunt & Uncle have a place in Gulf Shores, AL and generously let us stay there for the weekend. We left the day after the hayride. It was purrrrfect. Great weather, the kids loved it, and we saw dolphins, rays, crabs, herons, and a few tar balls.

Sweet Chase wanted to walk with Molly and started "kicking the shells out of her way so they won't hurt her feet!"

At the end of the peninsula, is Ft. Morgan. Two little boys + one big fort = very happy campers.

Molly asked me to take these pictures of her. I would take one and then she'd say "another?" and then she would strike a totally different pose.

Happy Fall, Y'all.

Alabama Hayride

2010-11-19T01:31:00.000-08:00

Tour #3: Pumpkin patch, hayride and bonfire in Clanton, AL. 200 people. 200 PEOPLE. And guess JUST GUESS! who was among them. YES! Amy, husband Brett and bestie Chase. Really, we never leave home without them.

The hayride/bonfire and the feeding of 200 people was moderately successful. Successful enough that I would admit I planned it. Stressful enough that I would never do it again.

It's worth mentioning here, that Chase felt that he had hurt his ankle/leg/foot a moment before this pic.

I asked to boys to show me their superhero powers....

On the hayride back to our cars.

Tired anyone?

Pumpkin Carving Party

2010-11-17T01:12:00.000-08:00

So, get ready - I think the next 10 or 12 posts are going to start "My friend Amy" or "Chase and James" because we have seen A LOT of each other in the past 2-3 months....

So, MY FRIEND AMY had a pumpkin carving party to kick of Fall (great idea!). James & Chase and all the other lunatics, I mean kids, ran around doing whatever it is they do. I try not to pay attention.

I should have taken photos of Amy's fun, elaborate, festive decorations inside her house, but instead you'll have to settle for a pic of pumpkin guts:

The 8 minutes that James was actually interested in carving the pumpkin involved 7 1/2 minutes of BEGGING to use the knife, of course.

The finished products. Ours is the best one you see there.

Uh huh, that's right.

Big Day in Sylacauga, AL

2010-11-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Oh, never heard of it? Can't imagine why. Population: about 19,000. Location: middle of nooooowhere, Alabama. Claim to fame: they make marble and it's the home to one of the Bluebell Ice Cream Factories.......

And that's what found us, and the 20 other folks on my tour, in Sylacauga. Oh yes, did I mention? I am organizing the trips and tours for the spouses (and sometimes children) of the 500 students at Brian's school this year. Really, you're not surprised, are you?

James has a new object of his affection these days - it's Chase. A boy in his class almost the exact same age. His mom/my friend, Amy also came on the tour. She's an adventurer just like me so when we got to the ice cream factory 20 minutes early, we both thought it would be a good idea to double-back to the fire station we saw two blocks away and invite ourselves in for a tour. They were very obliging on account of being so bored. Apparently, not a lot of fire drama in Sylacauga.

James and Chase in a fire truck

New Sylacauga besties - the firefighters.

and on to the Bluebell Ice Cream factory tour (no photos allowed inside) where you receive a very generous scoop of ice cream after the tour.

BOTH my kids choose BLUE ice cream, of course.

My Cheese!

2010-11-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Is there a chance, if even a teensy weensy one, that I am taking too many pictures of these kids? Molly is now calling it "my cheese" like it's her time in the limelight and "don't you try to steal it James!"

Molly - 21 months

2010-11-01T00:57:00.000-07:00

Loves to dress herself.

In fact, she loves to do everything herself.

"Self! Self! Self!"

I'm hearing it in my sleep!

Trying to put on her new PJs from Oma & Opa....

Sporting James' new superhero shirt (as a skirt) and his croc slippers...

Not so good at taking clothes OFF.

Picked this little nugget out for herself the other day. No pants, thankyouvurymuch.

Aaaah, Molly. You're a funny one.

Cousin Ken Gets Married

2010-10-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Ken, one of my dearest and most favorit-ist cousins (finally) got hitched over Labor Day weekend (yes, that was back in September and yes, I am THAT far behind in blogging). Who knew Appleton, Wisconsin could be so beautiful?

Here's the beautiful bride, Amy.

Beautiful Molly watching the wedding.

My beautiful cousin, Dani (Ken's sister).

Little pit stop between wedding and reception: local pub with video gambling for children.

Beautiful.

James & cousin Peter hit the slots.

Off to the (you guessed it) beautiful reception. A lakeside affair with delicious food, heartfelt speeches and puzzles and games at every kids' place. BE-A-U-TI-FUL!

James, watching the dancing at the reception. He was all wedding'd out and just kept asking to go home and go to bed.

He wasn't kidding.

Brunch the next day. Look at the grass! Look at the sky! Look at all the ride-on toys for kids - Beautiful!

A sampling of cousins and aunts....

And while everyone else flew home or off to their honeymoon, we stayed an extra night and found, what else?

Oh yes, an air and space museum.

Seriously... Appleton, WI.

It's like someone is playing a joke on me.

Having a little snack outside.

I love this pic because Molly's just looking at James like we all do:

"WHAT are you doing?!?"

Congratulations Ken & Amy!

Wishing you lots of little James and Mollys.

Alabama Grape Stomp

2010-10-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

A PERFECTLY appropriate place to take children! Ha! It really is set up for kids, except for the 1000 degree heat, one tiny food vendor and the only beverage offered is wine. Other than that - perfect! Really, what more would you expect from a winery in the middle of Alabama?

Please note the overheated pink cheeks.....

FYI - the wine from this particular winery tastes exactly like Molly's been putting her feet in it all day...

James, Phoebe, and Chase taking a break in the shade.

Except Me...

2010-10-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Upon arriving at school in his new t-shirt (thanks, Oma & Opa!)...

James to teacher: "Ms. Bethany, look at my new t-shirt. It has all the superheroes on it! Well, except me..."

Budding Picasso

2010-10-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

Brian recently had a nine-day trip to Korea (yes, I got two new bags, thankyouvurymuch) so I took the kids to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.... again. We just really do love a good museum! It was close to closing time and the Children's Museum director was walking around asking kids if they wanted to do an art project. James of course said, yes. I had Molly, too young for the activity so I couldn't really sit with James and monitor the sharp scissor/sticky glue situation.

Didn't matter. He didn't even need me. He did everything she said, didn't do anything she said not to and I'm pretty sure he told a couple of jokes to the group during the activity. Next time, I am going to just roll up to the front door of the museum and let him out. He's good.

The final product:

Molly did some artwork of her own and clearly mastered the "show me what you did!" look.

Girlfriends

2010-10-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

Molly's learned a thing or two from her brother (and mother) and wasted no time in making friends down here in the south. Meet Gracie and Maddie - fraternal twins, born just before Molly, in December, but they were really early and Molly was a little late so they're like the exact. same. age.

Gracie, Molly and Maddie all have "school" together on Wednesdays and they see each other once or twice on other days of the week. Maybe it's just a "girl thing," but the incessant hugging and kissing every time they say hello and goodbye to each other can just melt your heart! They really do adore each other and play like they are twice their age.

A perfect demonstration of the "goodbye hug/squeeze."

Sweeties!

Activities anyone?

2010-09-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

You know the kids you read about that "need a break" when they graduate from high school due to their life being totally over-scheduled in their youth? Meet James. He will be touring Europe, Eurrail pass in hand, dothing N.O.T.H.I.N.G. and debating (!) college and it will all be due to our one year here in Montgomery.

It's just so easy here - nothing's more than 15 minutes away, Molly's pretty flexible, and Brian works a 4 hour day (at most!) so he's available for schlepping.

Here's James' current schedule:

Monday - school 9-1, taekwondo 4-4:30

Tuesday - school

Wednesday - school, big green bus 1-1:30, taekwondo 4-4:30

Thursday - school, soccer practice 6-7pm

Friday - school

Saturday - soccer game 9-10am

Sunday - math intensive, focusing on long division and Pythagorean's Theorem (JUST KIDDING!... about the long division)

If you've ever met James, then you know he NEEDS the outlets. He needs the activity and the instructor/teacher who's not his mom.

Here's where we stand. He asks me to "sign him out" of soccer every other day and he loves the big green bus and taekwondo. He's surprisingly bad at soccer (all you have to do is run towards the ball and kick it) and even more surprisingly - good at taekwondo, which involves a 30 second (!) meditation moment where he sits absolutely still and quiet. Wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes.

Here are the pics you can throw in my face when I cry to you that my 18 year old son "doesn't take life seriously", "isn't interested in college" and "needs more money."

First soccer game...

...although they don't keep score at this age or in this league, let me tell you - we lost 5 to 0.

Buddy Haydn (#3) is on the team.

James asked me (again!) to sign him out of soccer after the first game because he "didn't score any goals." So, a CostCo ice cream was in order.

The Big Green Bus is like Gymboree on wheels.

No, it doesn't move while they're on it.

Oy, if I had a dollar for every person who asked me that...

BEFORE his first taewkondo lesson. he wanted to show me "his karate."

Please note Molly innocently walking in on the action....

Doh!

Love you anyway.

First lesson:

I would like to know: where is the cross-country running league for preschoolers?

THAT'S what we need.

The Price I Pay

2010-09-16T13:14:00.001-07:00

James teaches Molly to WALK ON WATER.

Yes, I am well aware that, instead of correcting the situation, I was taking pictures of it.

You're welcome.

First Days of School

2010-09-11T02:18:00.000-07:00

Last year: James went three days, three hours a day

This year, James goes five days, FOUR hours a day AND Molly goes two days, four hours a day = we're paying $20 LESS than last year. LOVING Alabama!

Their school, Vaughn Forest Preschool is no joke. It's very organized and is definitely getting the kids ready for real school. James walks into class at 9am and immediately sits down to "table work." QUIET table work. Didn't think it was possible. He is writing his letters (upper and lower case) and is being held to a pretty strict (in a good way) behavioral policy.

Molly has four hours of play time with her best friends, twins Gracie & Maddie (more on them later), lunch, and love love love from her teacher, Miss Keke. She had some tears on the first day, but now she walks right into class with a big hug for Miss Keke.

The Price I Pay

2010-09-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

I am starting a new thread of blog posts entitled "the price I pay...." It's a visual momento of the price I pay for getting ready in the morning. And by "getting ready", I mean, brushing my teeth, washing my face and putting in my contacts. You know, hours and hours of luxurious pampering that result in me looking like I just walked out of a salon..... Ha!

In order to get this done, I have to let the kids be on their own for what seems like 2 minutes, but the result looks like I have left them at home, unsupervised, ALL DAY.

This was last week's "shoe store/doctor visit" in which they take out all of my shoes and "treat" each other with the (sealed) contents of their travel toiletry bag.

Just to get my contacts in, people.

So I can see!

Montgomery Mamas

2010-09-09T01:16:00.000-07:00

Also known as the "pool ladies." I have 8 or so new besties in Montgomery. We met IN THE POOL in early July and together, we have survived the heat of an Alabama summer, getting to know a new town and, most challenging - our children.

The week before school started, we had an activity intensive. We did the zoo, a trolley ride around downtown Montgomery, the MOO-seum (seriously, it's a museum about beef), the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, and an inflatable play center. We topped it all off with something I "coyned," The Hub & Grub. It's a potluck dinner, bring some grub and bring your hub. With 500 students at Brian's school, there's a chance that none of our husbands would have met and now the Hub & Grub is a weekly tradition.

And now some random memories from Survival Week:

Here's Nan. She has twin girls, Molly's age and what she really needs is ONE MORE KID slowing her down. Thanks Mol.

This was the zoo trip. I think, when we told the kids we were going, what they really heard was, "would you like to go play in some trees and ask for snacks every ten SECONDS?"

The trees:

The snack begging:

and, of course, the very crowded, very hot train ride.

Trolley ride to the MOOseum...

I couldn't make this up if I tried... it's a museum.

About BEEF.

This is the steak wallpaper in the Mooseum kitchen.

James & Haydn made use of the refrigerator....

James & I had to have a LONG conversation about this cow and why he looked alive, but obviously wasn't and also "where did his back half go?"

My fruitless attempt at a group shot.

Keeping busy on the capitol grounds while waiting for the trolley...

The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts has a GREAT children's section. Unfortunately, they were not prepared for "Survival Week" and after our group arrived, they actually closed the doors to everyone else until we left. Bwa-ha-ha-ha.

Little boys at the first Hub & Grub.

It's a little bittersweet as I know our Air Force paths will not likely cross again, but it's fun for now!

They're Cousins....

2010-09-08T00:10:00.000-07:00

... who WILL NOT look at the camera! aaargh!

It's no secret that we are LOVING living in Montgomery, but the icing on the cake is that Brian's aunt & uncle, his cousin Karen and her kids live about 30 minutes away in Prattville! It's been a LONG time since we lived near family!

We're looking forward to many more "family dinners" while we're here.

We Interrupt This Lapse In Blog Posts....

2010-09-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

..... to report:

Look who's rocking pigtails now!

Good job growing hair, Molly.

Good job.

James Learns to Swim

2010-08-25T00:33:00.000-07:00

We moved here on July 4th. We hit the pool on July 5th. James started swim lessons on July 6. We don't waste any time. Since all the group lessons were done for the summer, James had a little lesson with the "Lifeguard Jason" every morning at 9:30.

He really progressed and can do the breast stroke and freestyle, but refuses to come up for air. Maybe next summer?

Birmingham Science Center

2010-08-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

So nice to have kids that are easily bribed with a "trip to the science museum" in order for us to do a little Birmingham furniture shopping. Ok, really they have no choice, but we are NICE so we bookend ottoman shopping with a toy store and a science museum. I know, best parents ever. And so that's how we ended up at the McWane Science Center.

Amazed by the maze.....

Dancing for the motion TV thingy....

and digging for fossils.

This is an enlarged version of one of those things you put your hand in and you can see the imprint on the other side. BUT this one was TWO SIDED.

James kept trying to put all the "needles" in and Brian kept sending Molly to the other side to do the same.

BWA-HA-HA

Best parents ever, indeed.

Besties

2010-08-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

Of course, James found a bestie in our first week in Alabama.... Because really, how must that intro go?

"Oh you're four and you're a boy? Let's be best friends!"

and in the case of James, upon knowing someone for five minutes... "I love you."

Meet Haydn. (NOT a typo - it's the traditional Gaelic spelling of that name so don't email me!)

Haydn IS James, born into a different family all the way on the other side of the country, but still, they are the SAME PERSON. It's awesome. They hold hands everywhere they go, they like the same superhero/super spy/drawing on any surface/fire-looks-like-fun activities, and they have been known to "go vigilante" on a boy at Chick Fil A who was picking on Haydn's younger brother, Connr. Just kidding - it's Connor.

The best part about this whole "relationship" is that it has procured us two (TWO!) invitations to join Haydn's parents (Angie & Jeremy) on their boat! Well done, buddy. You get to eat tonight.

Ok, so the first invite resulted in a broken boat, but we had fun none the less. A&J rented a cabin on the Lake Martin military property (about one hour from our house). We took the kids to a little swim area and they did what kids do.... James & Haydn repeatedly tried to swim outside the "swim area rope," Connor complained about Molly stealing his bucket/shovel/sand/lake, and Molly almost drowned herself three times. You know, the usual.

But after all that, the boys got to make s'mores.... in their underwear.

It's hot here, people.

Seriously H.O.T.

Angie and I quickly worked out a "playdate exchange" where we take the older kids while the younger ones sleep and it allows us..... wait for it..... a LONG, QUIET, HOT SHOWER. Angie may be regretting this little setup as it seems I have introduced Haydn to Trix cereal, "food experiments," and lots of other activities that involve a mess. BUT Angie and I share a mutual parenting philosophy - it's all washable - even the kids so the playdates continue...

The last time I had Haydn over, I let him and James make their own ice cream.

James picked out the "special ingredients." (Please note his bowl of DOTS is already gone)

They both chose blue for the color and named it "Superman Ice Cream."

Really, who WOULDN'T like that ice cream?

2nd trip out on the boat was far more eventful. Wakeboarding, swimming, and lunch at a lakeside restaurant.

It made us simultaneously miss our boat and be grateful that we don't own one.

Our fearless driver, Jeremy.

Look at grumpy gus. He actually had a great time, but this picture makes it look like we forced him onto the boat and then told him he hate to eat liver and onions.

Molly LOVES Jeremy. She screamed her head off (that life jacket can't be comfortable) and Jeremy holding her, while driving, was the only thing that calmed her down.

Not pictured: me, in the back, eyes closed, while everyone else takes care of my kids....

After lunch snoozer.

Well, good work buddy.

You found your hooligan soul mate.

Southern Livin....

2010-08-07T19:22:00.001-07:00

It's an easy way of life here.... grab some sunglasses,

wander down to the local fishin hole (this is literally IN our housing community),

and do what you need to do.

LOVING the South...

We Zoo, Do You?

2010-08-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Boy, do we love a zoo. You would think (THINK!) that the Montgomery Zoo would be a total letdown after two years of frequenting the National Zoo in DC, right? WRONG! In fact, could not be more wrong!

Not only does the Montgomery Zoo have some interesting animals (15 kangaroos, Bengal tigers, bison - bison people!! have you SEEN the heads on those things?!?), but they have the ONE THING we love the most.... no crowds. This might have something to do with the fact that we live in the bible belt and tend to visit the zoo on Sunday mornings, but whatever.

Here we are on our first visit (FREE thanks to a reciprocal agreement between the Mont Zoo and the Natl Zoo). We were the ONLY people on this train.

See how happy we are?!

Enormous Bengal tigers sitting about 2 feet from the glass....

Molly, pretty excited about that.

And (AND!), you can feed the giraffes! I think it's 50 cents for a branch of whatever it is giraffes eat and you can walk out onto a platform and beg the giraffes to eat out of your hand. These are particularly smart giraffes because they came nowhere near James or Molly, but....

... came right up to me

closer...

eek! I am that close to a giraffe!

So cool.

as an aside.... James kept yelling "Here, Melman! Here, Melman!"

That, my friends, is the name of the giraffe in the movie Madagascar, oh and Madagascar 2. It was like he was yelling "Hey everybody! My mom lets me watch too much TV! And a a lot of it is too old for me! Here, Melman!"

Well, at least there weren't any crowds.... but the bison. Oh, the bison.

I could just feel them judging me.

Molly - 18 months

2010-08-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

and she gets weirder and weirder....

Cute headband from Nanet.

Weird baby knee pads from Korea (thanks Angela!)

The combo? That's all Molly.

Painting in an old apron of mine...

Current paint ratio: 40% on the paper, 40% on the counter, 20% in the mouth.

This is Molly putting HERSELF in time out.

For nothing.

She's just mimicking James, including the fake cry.

I wouldn't know what to do with her if she weren't just EXACTLY me at that age.

Buh-Bye DC, Hello Sweet Tea!

2010-07-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Bear with me folks. I haven't done a post on either of James' two (!) birthday parties, our farewell party, or Oma & Opa's last visit, but I wanted to update you on where we're at. Literally.

After a sad goodbye to neighbors and friends in Old Town, we closed the garage door one last time.

Boo.

and the journey south began... First stop - 30 minutes south to Susannah's house for a three night stay while Brian handled the packing & moving debacle (more on that later).

It was so great to have one last visit with our good friends and we left with all kinds of little goodies like:

How to use a crossbow

and how to run a sugar high at 12noon without even messing up the house.

Thanks Sus & Co!

While the kids and I were overstaying our welcome, Brian was back in Old Town working the delicate matrix that is "getting moving trucks in and out of Pitt Mews" and "how to repair a window when a mover shoves a queen size mattress through it." Ah, the joys of moving.

Next stop, Raleigh, NC. Home of the Bruces. Just a one night stay. We had grand plans to stay two nights at a cabin in Asheville (happened), a quick stop in Georgia to see my friend Marci and her family (happened) and then one night in our new home before the trucks arrived with all of our stuff (hasn't happened).

Anyhoo, always a fun visit with the Bruces. I couldn't help but document that apparently, when Brian reads you a story, you feel like sticking your fingers in your mouth.

Off the next morning to Asheville (really Wolf Laurel, NC) for a little mini-vaca. Our lunch stop was called "Granny's Country Kitchen" and Molly tried (and inhaled) a big plate of fried okra.

Across the state of North Carolina and up one tall, tall, tall mountain later and we are at Hibernation, a two story, three level cabin at the Scenic Wolf Resort with sunsets like this:

and this:

We spent a LOT of time at the glass-enclosed pool where James wore himself OUT on the slide.

This was an antique tractor outside the main Lodge that offered a dinner where you "pick your three meats" and then you get a choice of sides including more fried okra! Love the south!

Day two: done in our typical Coyne fashion - try to do every single thing we can in one day. First stop, Marshall, NC. Population 832 (I looked it up) and home to the cutest little hipster coffee shop.

and they even had a little play area for the kids.

832! Whodathunkit?

Then into Asheville to see the Asheville Health Adventure - a kids' science museum focused on the human body and space. Yes, you read that right. That is the combo. I thought James might come out of his skin in anticipation. It's like they made the museum FOR him.

Molly on a molar.

This was part of an exhibit called the Wizard of Oz which had nothing to do with the human body or space.

James "working a machine" and "No Molly! This is just for big kids!"

Molly sliding down a giant tongue in the little kids room.

(aren't you glad I have pictures of these things and I don't just write down our experiences like "Molly sat in a mouth and slid down a giant pink tongue?")

Lunch at Mellow Mushroom and then back towards our cabin to teach James how to fish. It could not have been more idyllic. This was a trout farm with shady trees and a babbling brook! If that kid only KNEW how I learned to fish! On a hard rock at Mormon Lake in AZ, sun blazing down, fireballs stinking up my clothes, my dad yelling "be patient, be patient!" You could go a whole day and catch NOTHING.

But I digress. Back to the trout farm.... For $4/pound, they give you everything - poles, bait, pliers (to remove the hook) and a bucket to keep the fish in.

James insisted (immediately) that he did not need our help.

and it turned out - he didn't!

Nice work, little buddy. Nice work.

I highly recommend the trout farm for energetic, 4 yr-old, know-it-all, first-time fishermen.

The next day, we were off to see our new home with a short stop near Atlanta to see Marci. I was able to take this picture in North Georgia because all traffic was stopped for this guy to make a left turn.

OK, clearly traveling southbound....

Fun little caboose/museum (and by "museum," I mean they had some pictures hanging on the interior walls) across the street from our lunch place.

and then to Marci's. I have known Marci since seventh grade. She lives in Peacthree City, has three kids and drives this golf cart EVERYWHERE.

I have never seen anything like it. There is an elaborate highway of golf cart paths linking her house to the kids' school, the doctor, even WAL-MART. There is even a CARSEAT strapped to the golf cart so she can tote her little one. Marci drove us about 20 miles (seemed like!) to get a "Rita's." It's a custard/icee blend situation that was DELICIOUS!

I just had to include this picture because Marci and I had just said, "hey boys, can you take a picture of us?" and all of a sudden, we were surrounded by children needing something! It felt very... "Weren't we just wearing plaid skirts and perming our hair? Where did all these kids come from??"

While we were there, Marci was getting ready for a garage sale and GAVE (!) us this great dollhouse! Just GUESS who plays with it the most?

Thanks Marc! Great to see you - as always!

Two hours later, with bellies full of Rita's, we found our home.

Love the neighborhood, love the backyard, and (shockingly) love the weather. We are NOT, however loving the air mattresses. After seven nights and one more tonight, we are ready to see our stuff again. Our stuff, by the way, is here, but there is no one to unload it. Seriously. You know, because the nation isn't currently in an unemployment crisis or anything and there are just NO workers to be found.

Whatever. We have been keeping busy. We arrived on July 4th and James started swim lessons on July 6th. There's a community pool and the head lifeguard does his lesson and then we all swim for a couple of hours.

It's really been fine at home too because, although we don't have our things, we have each other

JUST KIDDING!

What do you do, when you don't have your stuff? Buy more stuff! We actually needed new patio furniture, a washer/dryer and a vacuum and Oma & Opa bought this fun playhouse for James' 4th birthday.

Really, some cheese and crackers and a corkscrew and we're all set.

Oh! ps. Like the new look?

It's very "us" right now.

Barefoot, playing in the grass in our fenced in yard and happy!

Come visit!

James Turns Four, Take Two

2010-06-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

because the real title, "Why must a three year old ALWAYS spoil it for me?" seemed too long. I have visions, people. Not the hallucination kind, but the kind where I put in a lot of effort and I expect all beings under the age of 100 to do what I say. Ha!

Vision for James Superhero Birthday Party? Red capes attached to custom superhero shirts and "power wristbands" as modeled here by a kid who does what he's told. (I am laughing OUT LOUD while I type this...). I saw 12 little kids all flying around JW Tumbles like little superheroes. I saw them beside themselves with JOY at the mere idea that they would get to keep such a great party keepsake.

Meet Patrick.

Patrick does NOT want to wear said superhero shirt & cape.

You will be able to spot Patrick in every photo because he is wearing the yellow shirt he came in.

Patrick obviously has it out for me.

Here's the flying I mentioned.

and here's Patrick... in YELLOW.

James and Mae. Please note you-know-who in the background.....

At LEAST I am still the boss of Molly.

She wore her special baby cape (blue & shiny) all party long. Good girl.

Fun superhero activities...

Again, Patrick NOT doing the event everyone else is doing, but climbing a wall... in YELLOW.

See how this photo could have been so much better????

Amazing cake by Susannah. And "yes" to the first question always asked - it WAS delicious!

Happy Birthday was sung. Cake was eaten....

... and then James hit a wall.

Possibly literally and figuratively.

This was before we even left the parking lot.

Happy birthday big guy.

Next year, let's only invite people who do what I say.... okay?

James Turns Four, Take1

2010-06-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

OK, now let us go back to last month (I am SO behind!)... Oma & Opa came up for a visit and James' birthday/Father's Day (same day this year). The National Portrait Gallery was on our "must do before we leave DC" list so we hit that after a delicious lunch at Gordon Biersch.

James is REALLY into "smushing pennies." I actually own about 10 years of smushed pennies and a penny passport so it must be in his blood.

Mesmerized by books and snacks and TV.

James wanted to go to "the Air & Space Museum, but the OTHER Air & Space Museum" for his birthday. Roughly translated, this is the Goddard Space Center which we had already been to once. I warned everyone about its underfunded-ness and limited working exhibits, but everyone actually had a good time and Molly sat through a movie, on a spinning globe. Wonders never cease.

This is the real reason James wanted to go there. A space capsule with all sorts of knobs and switches and a window "to look for aliens." Uh, too much TV, anyone?

Oma in space...

Molly takes in some galaxies...

...and gets head lice. (JUST KIDDING!)

James opens a well-themed gift: a solar system that hangs on his ceiling complete with orbiting planets and a moon that goes through all the lunar phases.

BUT the highlight of the birthday gifts... this old-school Pac-Man video game "system" from our friends, the Bruces. He was hooked.

it was actually very popular with everyone....

and I mean, everyone.

Happy birthday little buddy.

(and thanks for the visit Oma & Opa!)

Farewell Party

2010-06-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Big, big, BIG farewell party from our Pitt Mews neighbors before we left. Neighbor Pilar insisted and organized the whole thing. We were kind of a party planning team, so it was bittersweet.

My DC bestie, Sus helped too. She made Facebook cookies with custom status updates just for us.

AND, knowing my love for sushi.... a giant "sushi cake." It was all sweet and even the little sushi rolls were coconut rice, papaya, and mango. Delicious (as always).

Ugh, I'm going to miss that girl.... and her delicious treats BUT I have lost five pounds since we left.... ; )

The spread.... many dishes from PITA HOUSE!

Molly walked up to each and every one of these men during the party saying, "Daddy?" and asking them to pick her up. Which they would. It was only upon getting higher than the blue shirt (like to their face), did she realize the man was not, in fact, her daddy. Well, okay, one of them was.

Something to keep the kids (and Neighbor Peter, age 60) busy...

James gave Mae an uncomfortably long goodbye kiss.

Neighbor Cheryl (troublemaker!) brought out the water balloons and water guns...

... which James (and Molly?) loved.

Hardest move to date.

Molly 17 months

2010-06-14T03:32:00.000-07:00

Cute, isn't she? Well, get in line little boys because Molly already has a suitor! James' little school friend, Matty has an older (!) brother named Jimmy (age 5) and he is IN LOVE with Molly.

I thought it was cute when he told her he liked her shoes, sweet when he fed her dinner, but this (THIS!) left me speechless (and you know that doesn't happen very often).

He made this for her at school. It is "a Stegosaurus, a Pterodactyle, and two volcanoes." For Molly. He asked his mom to put it in an envelope that says "To Molly, Love, Jimmy."

He's FIVE.

We're IN TROUBLE.

Welcome Home!

2010-06-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Brian's been going on one-week trips about once a month for the last two years, but somehow, eight days in Korea seemed much longer (see previous post). He's home and all is well now..... because..... he brought presents!!!!

How cute is the mini flight suit? It even has exact replica patches of the ones that Brian wears on his every day.

Molly totally rocked the Korean pajamas (?) ....

and look, LOOK!, at my new Coach bag!

All of a sudden, I am looking forward to Brian going on another trip to Korea....

N.O.T.

Thanks, Babe!