Advent Preschool Christmas Program

My little sweet hearts were in their very first play together and it was about the cutest thing I have ever seen. Brooks' class was first to hit the stage since they are the youngest of the lot and wouldn't you know it, Brooks broke right out into front and center. They had the Reindeer Hokey Pokey as their song and it was hilarious. Unfortunately, Robert was not able to be there because of work so I had the task of filming AND capturing photos. Technology and I are not quite friends so the pictures did not come out looking all too good. I did manage to get some pictures so I guess that counts for something. And Harrison actually got upgraded in his performance as the main speaker because he was the only one out of the group that did not shy away from speaking in public. So proud!

Both Brooks and Harrison did a great job in their school performance and it was such a joy to watch all the children celebrate Christmas. I really am going to miss their school when we head to Naples and I know they will too.

Fort Matanzas

Last Sunday we took a random day trip to Fort Matanzas in St. Augustine. It was one of those days where you wake up and say, "let's do something fun and different" and hope that it turns out for the best. I can gladly say that it was worth the trip. We spent an hour or so at the fort where Harrison was able to hammer the reenactment soldiers with questions. His persistence in asking them if they were "sure that they weren't pirates" was pretty remarkable but I think by the end of our visit he was comfortable with the fact that they were only mere Spanish soldiers. After our tour, Harrison and Brooks took some quality time to roll down the hill outside of the fort. And after all of that excitement, we cooled down with ice cream on St. George Street.

 

 

Riddle Me This

I get it. Kids ask a lot of questions. But for some reason, I feel like Harrison has taken it to the extreme. One day I think my head is going to simply explode if I hear a another question, answer it, and then hear why? Why, why, why, why, why? Why is this even a word!!! I love his quest for knowledge and his questions can really be extraordinary. Sometimes I am plain stumped. Other times I am strategically planning an answer that can only end badly if answered wrong. And lately I've heard a few too many awkward questions regarding other people that happen to be standing right in front of us. The point is, I can handle the truth, what I can't handle is the questions! Is there some kind of guide line for this? Maybe an almanac for how not to ruin your child's day by answering incorrectly or inappropriately to their questions. Because so far, I am struggling.

But I will say this, that boy has some serious brain power going on. He is definitely the most inquisitive person I know but he also has the sharpest memory that I have ever seen. Don't try to slide anything by him if you've already told him differently in the past. He will remember. He also notices almost everything. For a mom who pays very little attention to detail and already has a terrible memory (I blame part of this on my kids) I am in BIG trouble. Why???

Honey Badger

Oh, the honey badger. She has been one nasty little animal. This girl is on a mission to make me into a lunatic but little does she know...I'm already there. I was not ready for potty training. Quite frankly, I was happy keeping brooks in diapers so that our trips to the public restrooms were not duplicated by Harrison's last minute requests to find at potty at the most inopportune times. Yes, diapers are expensive. However, it's a sacrifice I was willing to make so that two seconds after we get into a car from Harrison needing to "go" which he conveniently notifies me only 3 minutes before an actual accident, I don't have to be screamed at again to go "potty" for the Badger. But stalling on potty training has not been an option. And as you can imagine, just like Harrison, Brooks is an extremely independent child. She will rip off her diaper, tell you that she has to potty, and then scream at you to close the door so that she can do her business. Please don't let it fool you. Having you close the door is not a sign of modesty, it is her way of conveying that she can do it on her own, just like the car seat buckle, her attire and just about anything else that she wants to say, "no, I can do it" to. I know modesty is not an issue for her because her favorite part of potty training is actually AFTER she goes to the bathroom. It is that sweet moment once she bursts out of the bathroom, naked, and is able to announce, "I pooed"...repeatedly. It's a proud moment for everyone.

And wouldn't you know, not only is she extremely independent, she is also highly opinionated. Favorite color, blue. Don't even try to pass off pink as an option. Second favorite color, purple. But that is only if blue is not available. I'm still trying to squeak by a few pink items in her wardrobe without argument but if given a choice, which I have been trying NOT to do, Brooks will tell you what she wants! She is a funny little girl and has a lot of sass. And Robert and I are well aware that we are in a lot of trouble. Don't mess with the badger!

Thanksgiving in Athens

It was an Athens Thanksgiving this year with lots of activity and people to see. We stayed there for almost a week and even though we had a blast, I know why cocktails are ever so popular over the holidays. Harrison and Brooks both kept their annual tradition of arriving and leaving Athens with some form of a cold. They also both decided that sleeping in their own bed, through the night, was not an option. But even with these minor setbacks, the holiday was a huge success because we were able to spend lots of time with family and have fun at the same time.

Brooks and Harrison played in the leaves, jumped on the trampoline, met Uga before the football game (a crowd favorite), and played with friends at the tailgate, just to name a few. Harrison even got to have a couple special trips just with his daddy. They went to Mama and Da's house with Uncle Zach for a day of fishing, shooting, and hiking. They also went to a basketball game with Grand Dad Bill where Harrison got in on a few snapshots with Harry Dog. On top of all that, we ate, drank, took pictures, did some shopping, accessorized with fake mustaches, met up with friends, and drank some more.

We are very thankful for all the wonderful family and many blessings in our life!