Oh Christmas Tree

This year, we started the tradition of getting our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Our weekends leading up to Christmas are pretty busy, so it just made sense to get the tree and decorate the house early. I decided that the day after Thanksgiving is not too early to decorate; radio DJ's have been playing non-stop Christmas music for weeks now! ;-)

At the Christmas tree farm . . .









Quinn was all about helping Daddy this year . . .






We even decided to let him put the star on top of the tree. We'll let Holden take his turn next year!









This was the first year that we involved the boys in decorating the tree. I've usually done it during nap time so that I could take my time and get it "just so". However, this year, I decided to sit back and let the boys "have at it". Other than 2 broken ornaments (with glass, of course!), I would say that it was a success. The finished product . . .



When our work was done, we sat in front of the tree, watched Polar Express (don't you just LOVE that movie?), and drank "hot" (not-really) chocolate!

'Tis the season!

Shocking, But True . . .

WE BEAT CAROLINA!!!

NC State - 28
UNC - 27






I'll just add today's win to my "things that I'm so very thankful for" list! ;-)

So Very Thankful

I JUST LOVE THANKSGIVING!

It is my favorite holiday. It's a day based on family, food, and counting our blessings. There are no gifts to buy, stress-less decorating, and few social commitments. For our family, it's a day to stay at home, cook, eat, and spend time together. Sounds perfect to me! I am so very thankful for my faith, family and friends. What a great day to remember those blessings!


On this day, specifically, I'm so very thankful for:

1. Help cleaning the house in preparation for the big Turkey Day . . .









2. Help cooking the big meal . . .









3. Sharing the Thanksgiving tradition of watching the Macy's parade in our pajamas . . .



4. A terrific husband who knows me better than anyone else . . . and still loves me bunches!



5. Two incredibly adorable and fun boys who call me "Mommy" . . .



6. Bellies full of good food (nothing says "Happy Thanksgiving" like Batman!) . . .






7. Fun times with family . . .






Happy Thanksgiving from my boys and me!


**And, finally, I'm very thankful for all of you who take a few minutes out of your busy day to read my silly little blog! ;-)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Quinn and Holden . . .



would like to wish you and your family a very . . .



Hope that y'all have a fantastic Thanksgiving tomorrow! Can't wait to see pictures from everyone's festivities! :-)

Mr. Turkey

Quinn has been serenading us with Thanksgiving songs from preschool for the past 3 or 4 weeks. His favorite song? Mr. Turkey

Mr. Turkey song lyrics
*Quinn's version - Yes, I know that we're missing a verse and that the wording is not quite right! Just adds to its charm!
**Sung to the tune of "Clementine"

Mr. Turkey,
Mr. Turkey,
You are getting big and fat!
People eat you for Thanksgiving.
Now, I want
CHICKEN POT PIE!

*Yes, a little morbid . . . however, very delightful when sung by an incredibly cute child!


I knew that he was learning this song, in addition to others, in preparation for his preschool's "Thanksgiving Feast". I have been eagerly anticipating the festivities! And, after weeks of preparation and practice, the day came. Holden and I went to support Quinn and to celebrate the holiday with all of his little school buddies.

We were greeted by Mr. Turkey, himself . . .



Each of the 3 year-olds decorated one of Mr. Turkey's feathers and listed what they were thankful for. Oh, how my heart sang, as I was reading and looking for Quinn’s feather. All of the children were thankful for Mommy & Daddy, sisters and brothers, grandparents, etc. How precious! In fact, there were only 2 children who did NOT say that they were thankful for their families. One little boy was thankful for horses.

And, then there is my child (my first born after 15 hours of labor!) . . .

Yes, he’s thankful for trains! Really?!? Okay, now that I have a little distance from the situation, I can find the humor! ;-)


And, then, we were asked to take our seats and get ready for the show. The class started filing into the Fellowship Hall. The little boys and girls looked so cute. The teachers had made headbands with feathers reading "Princess __________" and "Chief __________". SO completely adorable!!!

I was ready with camera in hand. Ready to capture all of the cuteness! But, where was Quinn? Well, he was THE LAST child to walk through the door, and he was THE ONLY child NOT wearing his hat. Please note his look of Thanksgiving cheer . . .



And, after spotting me in the audience, this happened . . .

Have you ever seen such a sad face?

I did manage to get him to stand up front (with me kneeling beside him) with his classmates, but there was NO singing from Quinn!
*However, he did sing the Mr. Turkey song in the car on the way home!!! Of course!

After the show, I discovered the source of his tears. I was told that he did not want to wear the hat. The teachers were finally able to talk him into wearing it. However, when the assistant teacher was taping it around his head, some of his hair got caught. Then, there were tears of pain, tears for Mommy, and the rest is history!


Guess who LOVED the Chief Quinn hat? Chief Holden . . .



After calming him down with the reassurance that he would NOT have to wear his hat EVER again, Quinn posed in front of Mr. Turkey and actually smiled . . .



A picture with his teacher, Ms. Stacey . . .



The "Thanksgiving Feast" was fantastic, especially the cake. From the looks of Holden and his stroller, I think that he would also agree! ;-)


What a wild and crazy time! ;-)

Happy Friday

Yesterday, I walked out of the playroom to put laundry in the dryer. While I was gone, both boys put their dinosaur hats on and sat down for a movie. They looked so cute sitting there together that I could not resist a picture!





Also, last Friday, we hosted a play date at our home. Charity/Siena/Britain, Maridith/Lawson/Wesley, and Karen/Aiden/Brennan all came over to play. While they were here, I discovered the trick to getting the kids all together for a picture . . .


Put in a movie and give them food! Ha! Fun times! :-)


Happy Friday!

"In the Hood"ie

Just for fun on Monday, I put both boys in short-sleeve hoodie T-shirts. And, then, I just sat back and watched the fun!


First, Holden wanted his hoodie "up" . . .



Followed by Quinn . . .



And, then socks got divided up and moved from their feet to their hands, and they were off . . .





On this Thankful Thursday, I am extremely thankful for 2 wild and crazy boys who become hoodie-wearing/sock-hand superheros and who thoroughly enjoy a loud, rousing game of "chase each other around the house"! What fun they have with each other! And, because of this, I am thankful today!

Bloggers Unite

March of Dimes
Fight for Preemies
"Every year, 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick. Nov. 17th is when we fight"

In celebration of my sweet Holden (a 32-weeker), I "fight for preemies"!



For more information, visit:
www.bloggersunite.org/event/fight-for-preemies

Papa Tom's Visit

Papa Tom (Brant's dad) came for a visit over the weekend. The boys had a TERRIFIC time and really enjoyed hanging out with Papa Tom!

A picture by Quinn . . .



A picture of all the boys . . .



A few weeks ago, Daddy and Quinn were flipping through TV stations and happened to see an old episode of Incredible Hulk. Although Quinn only watched about 5 minutes, he is now FASCINATED by this big green man stomping around with no shirt on! So, now he takes off his shirt and BECOMES the Incredible Hulk daily. He had to show Papa Tom his Incredible Hulk impression and his "big muscles". And, of course, Holden wanted to do the exact same thing! And, they had to do it in a picture, too! ;-)



Holden even got a piano lesson from Papa . . .




Papa Tom - Great to see you! Hope to see you again soon!

The Blanket Game

One day last week, Quinn and I were playing (after Holden went down for his nap). Quinn said that he was cold and asked me to wrap him up in a blanket. He kept wanting me to wrap him "tighter please" until he could barely walk or sit down. He thought that "the blanket game" was super fun. It kept him entertained until his own naptime. Go figure! ;-)