New Toys

We are back home after spending the days since Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  As always, we had a great time.  We got to see family, eat our weight in desserts, and play with our new toys....


Everett got to play with the new guitar his Grandpa got him....

And Meggan and Amelia got to play with our new nephew, Reed....

Merry Christmas

Today was another great Christmas in our house.  That said, for the first time in history, we took zero pictures.  We tried this weird thing where we just opened presents, had fun, and enjoyed each other's company.  Luckily, I did sneak a few shots of the most beautiful choir girl at church during the Christmas Eve service.


She's the small one in the red dress...

 The highlight of Everett's day was when she got put up on the big screen singing one of the songs.  Also slightly pictured over her left shoulder is the most beautiful choir woman at church, Meggan.

Sweet Sweet Music

Amelia got to perform in her first orchestra concert last week.  As her dad, I feel like I can make the very unbiased assessment that she was the best musician on the stage.  If I weren't her dad, I think I'd probably say they all sounded great and I can only assume Amelia was a part of that greatness.

Trip Pt. 2

We're finally settling back into our normal routines after our trip to the big apple.  The kids should be perfectly back on schedule just in time to go on Winter Break.  Speaking of our trip, here are a few more highlights...


We got to toast marshmallows in the middle of the city...

 We got to visit FAO Schwarz to pick out an early Christmas present...

Ev even found time to hang out with an old friend of his from Night at the Museum...

No Place Like Home

We have returned home from our trip to New York City.  The kids survived miles and miles of walking.  I survived flying in a plane.  Meggan survived dealing with the three of us and 9 million of our closest friends.  I'll post more about the trip over the next few days.  For now, I'm just happy to be back in my own bed...


The view from my seat on the plane...

 The view from our hotel room on the 28th floor...

On A Jet Plane

It was very hard to break the news to her that she wasn't coming with us on our trip to New York City....

For those of you that know me, you probably can guess how many times I offered to stay home with her instead of getting on an airplane...All.the.times.

To The Hole

My man just kicked off another hoops season.  I'm not going to hold my breath, but I'm hoping he gets his first dunk this year.

Who Shot Him?

When we saw this display the other day, Everett, who loves all Christmas decorations, said "look, for $14.99 we can get bullet-wound Santa".  While hilarious to me, I do wonder where his little mind goes sometimes....

There Are No Bad Questions

We've been sitting around the Christmas tree each night and talking about Advent.   Amelia had some deep questions regarding how we know the strength of God's grace,  how we know if we sin too much, and what we expect to happen when Christ returns.  Everett, however, had questions related to Christ, but not at all what we were discussing.  His big question tonight, and he asked it as earnestly and seriously as he could, was "If God talks to you in a burning bush, which is burning with Holy fire and not regular fire, and you touch the bush, will you get burned?  You might because it is still fire.  But you also might not because the bush doesn't get burned. I don't know.". 

Goalie Moves

Everett got to play in his first ever Futsal game this weekend.  As part of that game, he also had his first opportunity to play goalie.  While he didn't have to defend any shots, I haven't seen a goalie with better moves....

Thanks

Another great Thanksgiving is in the books.  Unfortunately, a few guests weren't able to make the trip, but we still made the best of it. We were able to survive with great food (thanks to Amelia for making peanut butter balls and Meggan for making nearly everything else) and great company (thanks to my sister, my aunt, and my uncle who made the trip),  Hopefully everyone can make it next year.  For now, we're enjoying the day. 

Second Opinion

My man is old enough to want a second opinion as to whether his hair looks cool or not .... and yet still young enough to ask to send a photo to his grandparents for that second opinion....

Showstopper

Is there a better way to spend a Friday night than in a packed out 500-person theater?

When you love one of the cast members, I certainly can't think of one...

Funny Guy

I took my main man to the movies this weekend.  He really enjoyed the movie.  I really enjoyed him...

Growling at me when I asked to take his picture....

Showing how strong the blow dryer is at the theater...

Brrrrrr

I'm not sure who is more embarrassed, Olive for having to wear this bear suit since it is so cold outside or me for having to walk her while she wears this suit...

Work Release

When you break your mom's favorite lamp because you're wrestling on the couch, you get put on staff until you earn enough to buy her a new one....

Wild Kingdom

Despite living in a major city, there seem to be a lot of animals around lately. 

This guy was hanging outside my office, looking in at me like I was a caged animal....

 This big buy was outside the fence in my back yard.  I guess he thought it was a good place for a rest...

And this animal tried to suffocate my wife in her sleep two nights ago...

Starving

Poor little puppy.  She's so hungry she can't even hold up her head.  If only a few crumbs would drop from the dining room table..

Report Cards

Today was report card day.  As it turns out, we didn't even have to open them to know what they said....

Everett is strong at math,  but can work on writing. 

Amelia is strong in all things to do with words, but can work on math.

Everett is a hard worker, very participatory, and talks too much when it is not appropriate. 

Amelia is a conscientious friend, a thoughtful student, and needs to participate more in class. 

Everett took it in stride and said "hmmm, I did a good job"

Amelia focused on the one or two less flattering marks and bawled her eyes out. 

Try, Try Again

Well, as expected from my last post, Halloween was a wet mess.  Luckily, much of the neighborhood was up for trying again the next day.  It might not have been on Halloween night, but our trick or treating was a smashing success....


These two kittens (and pumpkin) were safely under the watchful eye of their knight in shining armor...

One Year Early

This is the weather forecast for Halloween tomorrow......

If only Amelia had gone as Mary Poppins one year later, we'd have a magical umbrella to take with us.  Oh well, maybe I can convince Everett to go as Jim Cantore.

Identity

This little guy flew down and visited us at soccer practice.  None of us could figure out what it was.  By the time it flew away, I'm pretty sure the boys hand landed on the only two logical options ... either an alien or a tiny monster.

Estoy Mal

Everett brought this home from Spanish today.  My man has a very good "mal" face ...

Window Shopping

We did a little dream shopping with Grandpa this weekend.  Turns out, the Christmas list this year is going to include a pontoon boat and a few ATVs.  I hope Santa has a trailer on his sled.

Pics

The kids' school pictures came in this week. I know what you're thinking...and yes, it is hard having kids that are so smart, funny, AND this good looking...

1st

Somebody got to dig into some birthday ice cream for her 1st birthday last night...

Looks like she took it much better than Amelia took her first birthday...

Supervisor

All successful projects need a good supervisor.  Today, we were lucky to have one of the finest project managers in the land watching over our work in the front yard...

Class

Amelia and Meggan went to a mother-daughter class today to talk/learn about all things girl.  While they are morally obligated to remain silent on the inner workings of the class, it seemed like they both really enjoyed it.  I will now patiently wait for my turn to take Everett to a similar class.  In the meantime, I'm studying up on all the different ways to tell Amelia "that's a better discussion for you and Mommy". 

Riding Style

This is what a bike ride with Amelia looks like if you are next to a road with cars....

.... she's nothing if not overly responsible. On the bright side, I am a nervous wreck when she rides near cars, so I'm fine with it.  We rode 6 miles for some frozen yogurt the other day.  A dessert date with your daughter is always worth the walk-along delays.

Grinch

Amelia asked some very pointed questions about our favorite characters from Rise of the Guardians. We weren't looking forward to this day, but knew it would come eventually.  We were honest with her about all of them - the bunny, the one who pays for teeth, and the one who sneaks down chimneys.  Ultimately, she was upset, but understood.  She also understands her role in all of it and the importance of letting Everett ask his own questions in his own time.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go mourn the loss of innocence.....

Watchful Eye

Olive and I stumbled across 5 deer hanging out and using our flower beds as a salad bar late last night.  I chased them out of the front yard and moved on with my weekend. Olive is not so forgiving.  She's on high alert for a repeat visit...

Missing

Everett spent 5 minutes in his room and somehow managed to leave it looking like this...

I'm looking for him to make him clean it up.  I can't seem to find him anywhere. If you see him, hold him until I can get there.  So far, I only have 1 witness.... This guy I met in the dining room said Everett left and probably isn't coming back...

Party Animals

I had the pleasure of partying with these two yesterday.  Even after 3 hours of jumping on trampolines, climbing ropes, and winning a total of 10 stuffed animals from the crane game, they weren't ready to quit... This morning, when he woke up with a sore back and legs, I'm guessing Ev wished we left when I wanted to.

Still Looking

Everett may have outgrown his "Woody" cowboy hat, but apparently his fascination for Christmas villages is still going strong.


Ev at 2.5 years old....

Ev at 7.5 years old....

MIA

Amelia is on a two night sleepaway field trip for school.  She was a bit nervous, but excited for the trip.  I'd like to let you know how it's going....but, we are not allowed any contact while she's gone.  So, aside from this picture showing her about to do a ropes course (pink shorts), I have no idea how it's going...

....I'll just assume no news is good news. 

Flash Forward

Every once in a while, you see a picture of your kids and it gives you a glimpse into the future.  I'm pretty sure if you replace the Fruit Loops with granola, the juice with coffee, and the book with papers from the office, you could take this exact picture of Amelia in 20 years.

Night Owl

As you could probably guess, we aren't exactly late night party animals in this house.  That said, in the last 3 nights, I haven't been to bed before midnight.  Meggan and I went on a date to a concert Thursday night.  Then, I spent Friday and Saturday in the land of all things good and Holy....the University of Florida.  I was able to get together with several friends from college, my sister, my brother, and two of my nephews.  While I missed everyone (and every pup) back here at home, it was a great few days of unplugging, spending time with loved ones, and certainly not least importantly, watching my Gators take care of business...

Toss and Turn

Despite all guarantees I made, ultimatums I laid down, and agreements we had, Olive ended up sleeping in our bed.  She didn't make it in on her first night like Sophie did, but she wasn't far behind.  I was certain I was going to kick her out if she tried, but I have no idea how I was supposed to say when she snuggles under the covers....

Or on a pillow....

 Or on Meggan's head....