Snow, Snow Fun

Snow Day 2010. My boys were SUPER excited, and I even kept J home from preschool so we could play in it together. I'm so glad I did. We went out to play in it throughout the day, had snowball fights, built a snowman, and warmed up by drinking a few cups of hot chocolate. We had to make it special - it hasn't snowed here in six years, and it snowed ALL DAY!

Hubby was still home when I woke up (his work was delayed) and as soon as we realized it had stopped sleeting and was snowing, we woke up J (L was of course, already awake), got the boys dressed and started playing. This picture was taken around 8 a.m. and the boys were lovin' life.

We soon discovered L has a love of the cold. Snow was blowing in our faces, but did he cry? Nope.

He just giggled and had a great time. Until we went inside, and he laid on the floor by the front door crying because he wanted to back outside.

Later, when L was taking a morning nap, J and I went back out to play.

We caught snowflakes...

...made snowballs...

...and had SNOWBALL FIGHTS! (He actually nailed me right in the eye with this one. Took it off our video camera to show you the hilarious look on his face!)

Proud of his aim!

After Dad got home, we went back outside to build our little snow friend. J was sooooo proud!

L was still in awe of the white stuff. He would have stayed outside all day if we had let him. His little nose was so red by the time we went back in! (And yes, he cried again...)

What a fun day! We ended it with a snow angel (caught on video and so funny) and back inside for some more warmin' up snacks. Precious time with our precious boys. And also a good reminder of why we love livin' in Texas...brrrrrrrr it was cold!!! lol

Words of Wisdom by JWM

Sometimes I am amazed at some of the things that come out of our 5 year old's mouth. He sounds so grown up at times. Here are a few recent gems -

When talking about his grandparents trip out of state...
Me: Ghee & Papa are flying out of state, to a place they've never been before.
JWM: The more places you go, the more things you know, right Mommy?
Me: Right! They will learn new things by visiting museums and historical places in this new city.
(JWM thinks for a second.)
JWM: Good thing we live in Texas and know everything already!!! (LOL! Daddy was super proud of this comment!!!!)

A couple of nights ago, driving home right around nightfall...
JWM: Wow, look at the moon!
Me: Ooh, that's pretty. It's called a crescent moon. Some people call it a fingernail moon.
JWM: (sighing) You don't see that everyday.

And my personal fav, laying down with him at bedtime, rubbing his back last night...
Me: What was your favorite part of today?
JWM: I think this is my favorite part.
Me: No, I mean not including being with me or daddy.
JWM: But this is my favorite part!
(I start smiling, but don't respond.)
JWM: Mommy, now you are supposed to say, "What, me rubbing your back is your favorite part?"
Me: Oh, ok. "What, me rubbing your back is your favorite part?"
JWM: (with the sweetest smile) No, being with YOU is my favorite part.

Is this little guy already a charmer or what????

We Just Mailed A Letter, We Just Mailed A Letter...

It's official! Our little man J is going to be a Sterling Soldier. Here he is mailing our commitment, course selection and registration fees on Saturday. He seems to be just as excited as we are, and believe me, we've talked to him at length about the type of school he will be attending in the fall.

In a nutshell (No, this is me in a nutshell. Help! I'm in a nutshell!..couldn't resist lol), but seriously, for those of you wondering, Sterling is a university model school, with a fusion of Christian, Classical Education and the Charlotte Mason philosophy of learning. That translates to a part-time private school (like universities – you go to class and get the core instruction, then work more on the subject on your own time, teaching children the important lesson of self-discipline and time management), taught in the classical trivium (schools of grammar, logic and rhetoric), with the belief in hands-on teaching, all taught with a Biblical world view.

There are so many things about this school that are incredible and if you want more info, I'd be happy to share with you (just ask our family - hehe). What this does mean is that I will have the big man J at home with me every MWF, with him going to school Tues/Thurs. While that may overwhelm some, it excites me. I'm sure there will be days that will be trying, but at the same time, I'm going to be a HUGE part of my child's education. And that is exciting. Scary? A little. But way more exciting than scary.

And for those of you worried about my sanity, Baby L will be starting his own preschool program come September, and he will also be in school on Tues/Thurs, so I WILL have two days of glorious ME time. Guess since he'll be going to preschool and will turn 2 this summer, I'll have to stop calling him Baby L. Maybe just for a little bit longer... ;)

Happy Birthday Burrito Man

Today is my darlin' husband's birthday. I know that all I have to do to make him happy on this special day is take him to Freebird's. So today, Baby L and I met the birthday boy at the Grand Opening of a brand new location, just about 15 minutes from our house. How cool is that? An easily accessible, brand new Freebird's that opened on JMcD's birthday???!!! Not to mention, they had a "practice" run on Tuesday, which we found out about, and got FREE birds that day. Twice in one week for the price of one - SCORE! This marks the 12th year in a row that we have eaten at Freebird's on his ACTUAL birthday. It's become a very important tradition in our family, and one that is much easier to accommodate with so many locations so close by now.

This is one of my new fav pictures of my three guys and I thought it was appropriate to share today. This is one of the reasons I love my husband so much. He is an AMAZING daddy. Our little dudes love him so much and literally wait for him to come home. We have the most fun when we're all together. And now that we have been enjoying Daddy's birthday present (which he received early thanks to a certain little 5-year-old who was about to spill the beans), we have even more fun at home. Please do not run if you come to the door and hear some crazy music and less than on key vocals. That would just be the McD Family playing Band Hero. And rockin' it. ;)

I love you, Husband. Thank you for loving your boys more than I thought possible, and for loving me even more than that.

RIP Leo the Goldfish

January 2009 - February 2010

Today, the J man stumbled upon a very upsetting site. His lil' buddy, Leo, was not moving. Floating belly up. Without trying to look too panicked, J very quietly said, "Mommy, what's wrong with Leo? Why isn't he moving?" My heart fell. I quickly walked over to the tank and it was truly a depressing site. I didn't have to say anything. After looking at Leo, I turned to J about to speak, but before I could get one word out, he broke. Who knew a fish would bring so many tears? (Yes, even I had one or two in my eyes...it was tough to see J so upset. I should have known he would be, as tender-hearted as he is.)


We're o.k. now. Ghee & Papa stopped by for a couple of hours to bring the boys valentine surprises and take us to dinner. It was just what we needed. J perked up, and even though he is still sad, he is o.k. We had a nice burial at sea for Leo, and J said his good-bye's. Leo was a good little fish, and I know J will always remember him as being a great first pet.


Now off to snuggle with my sweet, big-hearted boy.

Future Blackmail

I am pretty sure that one day our two sweet boys will be at odds with one another, and they may even (gasp!) fight. Until that day comes, I will snap as many pictures like this as possible. I just happened to be near a camera as L was huggin' and kissin' on his big brother.

One of my favorite things about this age and stage - how they love each other and aren't afraid to show it.

Some days I can't believe how blessed we are - actually, most days. As they both get older, our family time is becoming more precious and FUN! Who could have predicted that I, the original barbie girl herself, would have so much fun playing with cars, footballs, legos and aliens? Of course, it helps that I have nieces and Goddaughters to escape and play dress up with! lol

Hammin' It Up

I decided to take a few pictures of L this week the day he hit 19 months. He was in RARE form. As you can see below.

He has had a mini-language explosion. I say mini b/c they aren't really words anyone can understand, other than mommy. But boy, he's really started jabbering and at least trying to say things. And yesterday, he busted out with "Dona" for Donald Du*k. He still calls Go0fy "Dada" though. Wonder why....

Laughing more at himself than me.

Silly goober. He thinks falling is funny. It is on the couch. Not so much when he does it elsewhere.

I have to say, he is pretty funny. I joked with my mom that I didn't know how she was able to stand having a kid as cute as this when I was little. ;)

Some of his new favorite things - sports balls and running from me when I try to take his picture (or in this case, at me). We are practicing throwing and catching, and I must say, he is starting to get the hang of it. The first time he caught the little football by himself, we both froze, then started laughing. I think it shocked both of us!!!