H.A.S. been...: January 2015

Sunday, January 25, 2015

My Two Year Old

Oh Beezer. How can I not have a baby anymore? Though you probably have technically been considered a toddler for at least a few months, I have held onto the fact that you are "still just 1." Today, you roll over to official toddlerhood.

And this is Bennett.

You are awesome! Your brothers worship the ground you walk on.

You love Hunter and he is so patient with you and basically gives you whatever you want. Ashton, as he does with all of us, can annoy you the most however you always run to him when you want a snack. We think it is because he secretly sneaks you snacks during the day. Shepherd is your playmate. He is so good about playing with you. They all cater to your ipad watching demands.

The boys with their cupcakes.

Speaking of ipad. You love watching "things" now. You are a Chuggington addict. This is my first experience with Chuggington so I had to buy you a Chuggington train or two for your bday. You are finally sitting for a reasonable amount of time to have a book read to you. You love the Brown Bear What Do you See and Polar Bear What Do You Hear books.

Shocked over the noise of the Happy Birthday song.

You love wrestling with your daddy but you are still a total mommy's boy. You give the best kisses and give full out bear cub hugs. You have the widest smile and your eyes squish up when you give your biggest smiles. You are a bit behind, in my opinion, of your speaking. You understand everything I ask you but verbalizing it is not your strong suit. You have probably close to 30 or so words and occasionally string a couple word together like, "dada go" or "dog no." Some of your other words are: mama, dog, ball, juice, uh oh, blue, yellow, green (you can identify probably 6 colors already), snack, uh huh, no, Bru (Brewster from Chuggington), Elmo, yes, stop, and of course tractor, truck, car. Those are the ones I hear the most.

Getting a massive amount of help opening his presents

I think I am/ was in denial about you turning two. I mean, it was really just yesterday that you were born. Just yesterday that we added the last member of our family. Just yesterday that I fell in love with yet another little man.

My last picture of Bennett as a 1 year old.

Bennett, you are claimed by our Maker. You are set apart. Please seek first His kingdom. Follow the narrow life. Stay true to the way you were raised. And smile. Life is good.

We are having his party next week so today was pretty low key. A couple presents, some cupcakes (donated by the Touchdown Club.... they had some leftover after the football team banquet yesterday... does that make me lazy or resourceful?!?!)

He loves his dogs and disciplines them appropriately. Moses wanted in on the birthday action.

Happy Birthday darling boy! I love you so ridiculously much!

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The Kings of New York... or Charlotte

First, you must understand my family's obsession with the 1992 movie, Newsies. And by family, I mean, my brothers, my mom, and myself. We have watched the movie a ridiculously number of times. Zach and Nolan can do many of the dances. We are obsessed.

So, when we heard that the Broadway Performance of Newsies was going to be in Charlotte, it was a no-brainer that we would be there.

The performance was this past Sunday. My kids and Zach's kids were given the choice to go. Queenie would pay $50 of the ticket and they would have to pay the remaining $30. Hunter and Owen were the only ones who decided it was worth $30. Chad also decided that he did not want to pay $80 to go so, he had the great privilege (haha) to watch Ashton, Shepherd, Caelum, and Bennett. He did a great job and got them all in bed. GrandmaDean also opted out so she had Esme.

The group that went was Mantis, Queenie, Zach, Anna, Owen, Nolan, Aunt Christy (mom's sister), Hunter, and me. We had the best time. We ate at a great Italian place in the heart of Charlotte and then had a short little walk to the play.

Hunter Owen, Mantis, Aunt Christy, and Mom (chessing it while holding up the program less anyone forget where we are)

Nolan, Zach, and Anna

Hunter and his cousin, Owen.

Selfie.

The singing and dancing was great. The storyline had a couple changes to it that we didnt really appreciate, but overall had a great evening.

I also had my new dryer delivered, dad and I installed my new light/ ceiling fan for our den, dad got a big ol cabinet put into our garage as well as hung Ashton's corn hole boards in the garage. So, thanks dad for always jumping in and doing my little projects.

And, if you have never seen Newsies... you must. It is the movie that made my little 10 year old heart fall in love with Christian Bale. All I can think of when I see one of the new Batman movies and hear him his gruff Batman voice is, "ah Jack Kelly" (the lead character in Newsies.) Go watch it!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

The Christmas and the Crud- A Poem

There once was a family of 6 who were anxious for the break of Christmas.
The break began with such promise - shopping and wrapping in honest.
The 21st of December, a Sunday, saw the largest member go under.
Chills and a fever he ran, first time ever he cut off the ceiling fan.

That Monday we opened our family gifts, everyone spirits had a lift.
The biggest still felt like crud, but still was touchy with his hugs.
Our plans did not deviate, by Tuesday we hit the road to celebrate.
Sunset was the first stop on our 4 day quest, we had to take two cars to get things to fit the best.

Tuesday and Wednesday brought lots of familiar faces, good food, and the predictable places.
Rounds 2, 3, and 4 of gift opening also did occur.
We left Sunset feeling quite blessed, then headed west.
Clemsaca saw us arrive Christmas morning, according to my husband to the place that is never boring.

Christmas Day is where the smallest of our crew decided that he wanted to run a fever too.
A quick run to Walgreens we did, to dope him up on ibuprofin.
The largest was feeling better by far, looking back that is now quite bizarre.
By the 26th, God stopped the rain, but Biggie went crashing down hard again.

Joining the fever crew of the biggest and littlest was one in the middle- the skinniest.
Saturday- time to go home. Biggie had to wait at Minute Clinic for four hours. Oh no!
Diagnosis of flu plus sinus and ear infections validated his whimpy holiday actions.
Got home and came barging through my door and dismantled Christmas so fast you could have swore.

On Tuesday, the brother in Asheville with his family in tow visits our house on a day of cold.
The zip line present goes up courtesy of brother named above, the Queen gets stuck and I laughed - kind of.
The Biggest slowly gets better, the littlest does not.
By Thursday, Minute Clinic gets to see us again, another diagnosis of ear infection infiltrates our land.

A New Years meet up with a friend and her kids turns out to be a much needed reprieve.
Friday, by myself I got in my car to paint and decorate with baby brother. It was one of the best days by far.
We think this sickness started with the boy with some curl in his hair as his fever started the week before Christmas break was even here.
I just want to add that if that is true, I have no idea how I did not come down with some form of it too.

We think we are finally out of the woods, until oldest son of 9 wakes up Sunday with this crud.
His ear hurts him now so off we go again to support our local Minute Clinic Men.
Ear infections the reason even the Queen and a nephew hear similar news this Christmas season.
The oldest boy hears a pop in his ear and the oozing begans he says he cant hear.

Monday we head to Greenville to visit with a friend- despite all the infections. ears are best served to lend.
Yesterday, a Tuesday, the oldest boy still bleeds from his ear. To Greenville this time his pain is severe.
Perforated ear drum the doctor did say, anitbiotics drops are his future the next 7 days.
Finally, finally, the routine is back. I finally got back to the "Y", how about that?
Despite the crud, the sickness and such, this Christmas was great... Happy Birthday Jesus!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------