Christmas List?

Mama: Jon, I really want to see what you want for Christmas. Would you please put your list on the fridge?
Jon: No need to, Mom. My list is short.
Mama: Really?
Jon: Yep! (bursting into song) All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth! (BIG SMILE!)
Mama: Uh... you already have them...
Jon: Oh, yeah. Well, in that case, it's a shorter list. (bursting into song - again) I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS! (HUGE GRIN!!! he knows he is funny) ONLY A HIPPOPOTAMUS WILL DO!!!

Second Child Singing

Ben was part of a musical for Venture. He was in choir, and he usually had a look on his face like he was going to pass out or throw up. We finally got a few more animated faces, but then he wouldn't stop being silly. Tonight's experience will definitely mean *I* am going to be praying a lot more that the church musical goes smoothly!!

Twelve

Happy birthday, Will!!

 ...always a clown :P

Thanksgiving in Melissa

This year we headed to Melissa for a long Thanksgiving weekend with Allen's family.

Wednesday night, Randy and Shelley treated Jason, Jenn, Allen, and I to a wonderful dinner out for the six of us while sitters stayed with the six kids. Thursday morning, Nana gave the kids a project to keep them busy -- they created place cards and decorations for the dinner table. (Ok...I had to join in, too.) Thanksgiving day was as quiet as can be expected with four adults and four kids, and Jason's family joined us later that evening to watch football.

Friday, instead of shopping with the rest of the world, our group headed to an indoor rock-climbing facility. It was a great way to get out of the house and be active, and I expect we will all do that again sometime. At one point this weekend, I looked up and Will's and Allen's profiles were lined up just right to show that Will has a nose and chin like Allen.

Saturday night and Sunday morning, Maddie made a birthday cake for Will. One of her cake-decorating badge requirements is to start with a sheet cake and make it into a different shape. She chose to make a Batman cake under Nana's supervision. Sunday at lunch, we celebrated Will's birthday with the creative cake.

Finding the words

Will was working on writing an essay for school that was supposed to be about a season -- he chose to write about autumn, and his essay was supposed to describe the season using all five senses. Since he was struggling to describe things clearly, Will, Ben, and I stopped at the store for some apple cider and we headed out to the nature reserve for a little stroll through the woods on a crisp autumn day.

 Below is the essay he submitted:

A Walk in the Woods

        Fall is a beautiful time to take walk in the woods. It is a gorgeous autumn evening, and when night draws near, the red-gold sunlight streams through the yellow, red, and orange leaves. Ashy, and barren, the other trees host few homes of cheeping titmice and cardinals. The dry needles cover the dry earth like a piney blanket. Walking towards the house I can smell the spicy apple cider and hear cheering on the football game. When I sit down, I enjoy my slice of sweet, pumpkiny pie. The hot fire is a very different feeling than the cold fall outside. The fall day ended peacefully. 

Watching the Farm

Will picked up this ant farm at a garage sale. We ordered ants several months ago, but they don't ship until the temperature outside is just right. I meant to take pictures when there were more ants, but I forgot to do that. Several weeks later, there are a few left, but they still build neat sand structures and they are still neat to watch.

Middle School Dance

Tonight, we were supposed to stay awake. Will went to his first dance (yes, on a Tuesday). It was a decades-theme that Venture middle school and high school were having. He dressed up as someone from the 1920s. He had a great time hanging out with friends, and even ended up helping with the clean up crew since he rode home with the Carliles who were also helping. That meant he got home late -- Allen and I had both fallen asleep watching TV, but we really did TRY to stay up. I am so thankful for friends who don't mind taking the late shift for the 30-minute drive home from the dance. I am even more thankful for a great group of friends with whom Will can have fun!

I am not really sure how the moments snuck up on us like they did. Sometimes it seems like just a few days ago that I was up every three hours feeding a little toe-headed baby...or tucking him in with his fuzzy white bear... or wiping his nose. Now? Now... I fall asleep waiting for him to come home from a dance. And that makes me feel a bit (ahem) old. I am not sure I am ready for that part.