two evenings.

The end of the nap. How sad, but it is happening. We are still in that 'nap purgatory' stage of sorts... He can make it two days sans nap, but then he's gotta crash. Here are two evenings juxtaposed. The first was a nap afternoon. Today was not.

Last night RM kept getting out of bed. Finally, very exacerbated, he explained, "My bed is taking forever!" We think he believes that his bed is his vehicle to dreamland much in the same way a microwave is to Tyson's chicken nuggets.

This evening I braved the grocery store. 6pm on a Friday night, with a 3 year old and 18 month old in tow. He hadn't napped. I strapped them in the over sized 'car-cart' and steered the enormous load around the store for an hour, wielding coupons and list. He dragged his fingers along the floor as i cruised one aisle. Then legs started dangling out of the 'windshield' then the 'door' then the 'back window' and finally across Junie's shoulders. Three times I rescued Nemo fruit snacks, Starburst, and Captain Crunch 'All Berries Cereal' from his grip. He sobbed all the way to the car. Crashed at 7:45 after a good scrub down to eliminate the grocery goo. I can't tell who was more tired.

Oh, and I lost more than my sanity in that grocery store. If anyone visits Publix tomorrow and finds a sock and a hairbow, both disappeared, most likely in the frozen food section. We did find both shoes, I am pleased to report.

PS - I saved $54. I still hate couponing.

This Ain't Yo Mama's Pot Pie

So, like my friend Ru, I took the Southern Living challenge and took a stab at their cover dish this month. My mouth literally started watering the second I looked at that magazine. I'm pleased to report it was DELISH!!! I'm not a big fan of the same old green beans and peas and what not in my pot pie, so when this one called for leeks, gobs of fresh parsley, and peppered hashbrowns -- well, it's GOOD. If you don't believe me, make it yourself!

swinging in the sun

Fresh air... and signs of spring on the way. Can you see his face? ELATION. Her? She's tired. But life is great!

Balemtines Breakfast

Valentine's dinner

Floyd grew up with a tradition of a family 'valentine's dinner' celebration, which we are trying to recreate and continue with our family. RM has an extrordinary zest for holidays and celebrations in general. Sometimes at night he asks me to tell him about birthdays, and whatever holiday is nearest. We have been celebrating Valentines for a week, I think. He loves it.

My Floyd

My Floyd wears a lot of hats. Doting Father. Supportive Husband. Extraordinary Musician. Accidental Carpenter. Former Teacher, Barista, Industrial Project Manager, Contractor, Sonic Branding Marketer. Waterfall Jumper. Worship Leader. Professional Leaf Blower in October. Pollen escape artist in March. Pyromaniac when dead Christmas trees are found. Some of these 'hats' were worn years ago, some are in regular rotation. No matter what, he is always my constant source of encouragement and companionship - I couldn't have asked for better.
Recently, we found out that he will yet be wearing another, as our lives take a different direction this fall. Last week he received a confirmation letter telling us that he will be a student again, pursuing a J.D. over the next few years. I am so proud of him, and glad to stand alongside him as we pursue this opportunity for his career.

talking on the phone.

he is so big. this photo was taken while mommy was at work. RM: "Mom, why do you have to be at the office? Mom, Mom, we're gonna play basketball, and go in the creek, and play trains. is that a good idea? Mom, check your gmail. Bye, mom."

when i checked my gmail, this photo is what i found. i love technology.

Bug run after bath.

this little number is ridiculously cute and silly.

hi

hi. yes. a short entrance back from a rather long silence here. but the last several weeks have lacked structure - snows and breaks and holidays and starts and stops... for now just a cute shot of these two from this afternoon. inspiration struck in the form of 'organize-one-drawer-and-cupboard-at-a-time' in my kitchen. i came across the two bibs from my alma mater, Converse College, which were used quite frequently when they were babies. did i just say 'when they WERE babies?' strange that i blinked and now have toddlers. who will turn 2 and 4 in this new year of 2011. crazy. their expressions are so telling - him with his wide animation, live every moment fully and loudly. making a joke and yet tenderly showing affection to his sister all at once. one day he's going to ask me how on earth his haircuts always looked like the barber was blindfolded. and her with her pursed lips and knowing grin. barely a dimple showing, but i can tell she is on the verge of a full blown laugh - just holding back. she wants to tell her brother 'NO!' and 'MORE' all at the same time. these little people: i hope they are friends for decades and decades.

conversation

Sometimes, i think about a conversation with Floyd an hour later and realize, that was hilarious. i need to document that. rarely, do i follow through.

Context: Floyd, earlier this evening, was reading a catalog for middle-aged people that came to our house today. I was washing dishes about five feet away.

Floyd: "Wow, stonewashed, fleece-lined jeans."

Me: "Hmm." Hmmm, those sound gross.

Floyd: "Those sound awesome."

Me: "Yeah??
"Now you see how middle-aged people sacrifice fashion for comfort?"

Floyd: "No, these don't look that bad actually."

PAUSE.

Floyd: "oooooh, that's how."

merry and bright

Well, maybe if i just keep singing, and intersperse that with shouts of 'SIT STILL, RM!' and a hefty dose of 'Bug! Stop that fussing!' they will eventually pose perfectly. But at this precise moment, there is no photographer bone in my body that is going to create a picture perfect moment. I'll opt for a preview of reality.

ps - did i put the dress on June before i took the tag off? Classy, momma.

Lately.

Life has been a blur lately. That makes for incomplete thoughts, and very lousy attempts on my part to quantify 'what we've been up to' if you will. At least the disclaimer is out there.

Tonight Floyd was out, and I found myself just sitting on the floor in RM's room with the matchbox cars and playmobil, watching a knight slay a dragon, and then the dragon asking the knight to come to school with him. The Bug has a new game where she tries to carry as many stuffed animals as she can, and runs across the room with them. This is always disastrous, but never dull. Afterall, she doesn't get upset, only enjoys the excuse to exclaim "UH OH!" and do it all again.
Uncle Thomas has spent the night a couple of times recently. He is such fun to have around. RM wakes up and starts to spill every thought onto Thomas' listening ears in the morning over cereal bowls. As the green-thumb of the family, Uncle Thomas always bears gifts. Last week it was a bunch of black-eyed susans for my garden, and these crazy Super Mario cuttings. I am hoping they root! See how happy they are?

Bug? She is looking at a picture of her daddy on the fridge and saying, "Hi Dada!" "Hi Dadee!" VERY proud of her words these days. Particularly "Dog! Hi Jimmy!" He is a major object of her affection.

RM's eczema, which has been dormant for a season, flared up with a vengeance this week. We have a new cortosteroid ointment and antibiotics as it has become infected. I hate it for him. He has been so sweet and patient despite the pain, swelling, and itching.

He has been drawing. Multiple times a day. He begs for a coloring book, or paper of any sort, and will BE STILL as he works. Thank you Lord for fine motor skills. And for the age when boys discover them.


I've finally started drilling down on TASKS. In the car before we get home, we talk about exactly what we are going to do when we go inside. Where RM is expected to go, what he is expected to do, etc. Communication at this age is tedious, but I'm learning as much as he is - maybe more. Hah. This particular task was 'RM, shuck this corn for me.' And he loved doing it together. The other shot is a 'flex your muscles' picture attempt, only the double flash gets him everytime. Oh well! At least you see his cute Freedom Fighter t-shirt.

Went to the park on Saturday. We brought some chips for a snack. Had to snap father & son duo on the bench. And the Bug snacking in the swing. It was a beautiful day, and honestly we didn't talk much, we just pushed swings and watched slides and stood in the Fall sunshine. I think our brains are in overdrive all week, and sometimes on Saturday all we can do is just 'BE' without filling the moment with words. I hate that, because I feel like i have some fog sitting on my brain, but there is also something calming about just being together as a family without an agenda. And for now, I'll take it.

snazzy good time

Turns out after a big, wild, fun, crazy election year, you get to celebrate. And - see? We did. I even have this cute picture to prove it. Maybe we dressed too snazzy for an election night. People might have asked me where the Oscar party was afterwards. But I didn't mind. How many times in your life do you get to throw down for a good re-elect? EXACTLY.

Happy Halloween!

Saturday night we had planned to return to our 2009 venue: Highlands, NC. But RM was rocking a fever and croupy cough still, so we opted for dinner in front of cartoons at KK & Grandad's house. He's feeling much better already. If we look tired in this picture, you're not mistaken. The thing about Oct. 31st is that it falls so close to Nov. 2nd in a busy midterm year, to say the least!


I know, there are a lot of ladybugs this year - but not too many JUNEBUGS! RM's bruiser on his forehead got more attention than his superhero muscles. He is dressed as the old comic book character, "The Green Lantern" and even carried his lantern that matched! Score, Meredith. :)


Oma & Pops came by the house to see their sweet grands visit a couple of houses. It was such a lovely surprise to get to enjoy the walk with them!


The great thing about ages 3 and 1 for Halloween? Four houses is plenty! That's a wrap, home again for bedtime.

fresh flowers

there is something wonderful about fresh flowers on the table. these flowers were given to me before my birthday from Will, and are still going strong. my wonderful mother-in-law gave me the table runner, which I love. funny that the lilies are the exact same burnt orange color - happy fall!

Boy in Boots

From the hallway we heard a little voice, and a CLUNK, CLUNK, CLUNK.
"Wook Dad! I'm wearing your boots!" Impressive that he could walk, honestly.

Pumpkin Carving with Meredith

last week, on the day that Meredith was keeping the kids, she went for the gold and gave RM his first experience carving a jack-o-lantern. The bug was taking an awesome morning nap, which rarely happens, so it was a superb 90 minutes for all.

Bugglish Faces

Every child has a hundred facial expressions.
J is no exception... here is a sampling.

saturday morning pancakes

helpers 'mix' the batter. daddy flips the pancakes. mommy drinks the coffee. daddy even make sure to drop a few chocolate chips in some of the cakes to make for an extra special saturday morning breakfast. two out of two munchkins agree - it is a wild success.

apple picking

This is becoming a biennial tradition... as I'm noticing the last times were in 2008 and 2006. It was fun to meet the Batts & the Griggs up at the orchard this year. RM was thrilled to skip along with Anna, show Liam, Lily & Bug the ropes, and quite literally talk to every human being or four legged animal we passed.
Ridiculously cute, right? Yes, it was just as adorable in real life. RM was so enamored with the picturesque scene that he forgot to tell me he needed to pee. No harm done, I don't think she held it against you this time Buddy. When you are three, you get a pass.

Oh, and tonight we had dinner at the Fishers' where we brought the Sky Top apples we picked, and had the most divine apple pie after dinner. Is half of it still in my fridge? Oh yes. Do you think I might serve it to my son for breakfast? Don't judge.