What I Didn't Post

It's 3 am on December 31st.  I'm nursing my baby.  And I've decided I have to catch up on the ol' blog before the new year.  It's been a while.  And I've got a lot to share.  But I haven't edited a photo in two months (coincidentally, that's how old my baby is!) I'm typing one-handed, and I can't see the keyboard (a challenge for anyone, but for those of us who never bothered  to learn typing it's really fun...).  So what I'm trying to say is, here's what I wanted to tell you but didn't.

We had a baby.  I guess I did tell you that.  But it was kind of a big deal.  I love him.

His brothers and his Daddy love him, too.  What is it about seeing your big kids with your new baby?  Pure bliss.  And your husband with his new little one?  Swoon.

 My brother is an artist.  And thank goodness for that, since we had a boy who needed to be Darth Maul for Halloween.  

My house has been taken over by Pokemon.  Camden was having some, let's call them "discipline issues," and needed an "incentive.  He worked hard on his behavior and finally earned the pack of Yu-Gi-Oh cards he'd been wanting.  Upon getting to the store - and figuring out he could get either ten pokemon cards for the price of five yu-gi-oh... we've become a pokemon family.  Mandisa doesn't quite get it.  But she's willing to give it a try for her boys.

I took photos of my sweet little one-week-old Nick.

Then I took pictures of my sweet little two-week-old Nick.

Speaking of two-week-old babies, how many do you know that were already smiling?  Because mine was!  Have you ever seen anything so cute in your whole entire life?  

I kinda like my siblings.  Just a little bit.

Camden played soccer.  He is awesome.  If I do say so myself.  His biggest problem this fall was that sometimes he played too well.  And then his coach would tell him to hold back.  No need to run up the score in U8 soccer...

Jake's class gave a concert.  There is absolutely nothing more entertaining than watching a bunch of third gators stand in front of a crowd.

Twenty-five cents a bag and the chance to use "power tools" means Mommy gets an almost clean yard.

Move over Michaelangelo.  Nick's discovered ceiling fans.  Your Sistine Chapel's got nothing on these things.

Twelve years ago, as I was getting ready to go out one evening, my grandmommy asked me where I was going.  I told her I was going to be Mary at the Temple.  She looked a little shocked and asked, "With who?"  "Dan."  She thought I had said I was going to be married at the Temple, and was just a little surprised since at that point I had only been out with this guy once.  No worries, Grandmommy.  I was just going to freeze my bum off being Mary in the live Nativity.  But I got to look at those pretty blue eyes while freezing my bum off.  And went to be married at the Temple - with Dan - the next Christmas.

This year we got to hold a real live baby.  And we were inside, so no freezing bums.  But he's still got those pretty blue eyes.  And I think his new baby might be lucky enough to have them, too.  Maybe...

Jake turned NINE.  We celebrated with a Harry Potter party.  It was pretty much the coolest party ever.

Camden is - hands down - the best, most attentive big brother ever.  I'm so glad he gets to be one!

And then there's Mandisa, who takes her responsibilities very seriously.

Okay, the baby is going back to bed, and so must I.

DAY 2

DAY 2: A picture of you and the person you've been close to for a while.

Mayo and Me, Together Forever

Mandisa and I are close.  I mean, really close.  Like, less than a foot apart, if she's got anything to say about it.  Makes cooking dinner, washing the floor, or walking across the room kind of difficult.  But at least I'm never lonely.  I love my neurotic mess of a dog.

A Paradox

My African dog loves nothing better than to frolick in the snow. Honestly, I will never understand her.

A Good Day

This afternoon I took a big long nap. It was very nice, and very necessary. Probably because yesterday was so great. Ever noticed how the best days are usually the most tiring?

Granny and Poppy came to watch some baseball games. This is not Granny. Or Poppy. This is the dog. I brought a nice blanket to put down for the grandparents' comfort, and the dog was very grateful.

I haven't written a ton about this baseball season, but suffice it to say it's been a good one. Both boys have done very well, and improved all of their baseball skills considerably. At yesterday's game, Jake had an RBI and made a spectacular out at first! He also took a ball to the ribs while playing catcher, but got back out there after only a few minutes. Phew! Glad he's tougher than his mama!

Cam played his last tee-ball game ever and, not to be outdone by his brother, he too made an impressive out at first. He also scored several runs, but is always more impressed by the outs he makes because in tee-ball we don't keep score. He can't wait for next year. After the game he ate a slice of pizza the size of his head, got a trophy, ate several slices of watermelon, got a game ball, ate a cookie, and got squirted in the face by Poppy.

In the evening, after Granny and Poppy went home, we had a buzz-cut extravaganza. Dan and I thought it was lots of fun. The boys thought it was the end of the world. And the neighbors - I'm sure - thought of calling social services.

My Excuse

We were late to church on Sunday. It wasn't our fault. It was the dog's. But to help you fully understand, I'll have to back up a bit...

On Saturday morning we went to a very fun Easter party at our neighbors' home. There were games and crafts and even a story. And of course there was an Easter Egg Hunt. Because you can't have an Easter party without an egg hunt. Obviously.

It was a wonderful time. We had so much fun! And the boys came home with the loot to prove it. Candy galore! Happy boys!

Well, as I'm sure will come as no surprise, my boys have a mean mom. Their mom offers one piece of candy OR one treat and calls it a special day. So in our house, candy lasts a long time. Really. Our candy bowl is still full of chocolate eyeballs and gummy tongues from last Halloween.

The grandparents were visiting for the day, and there were yummy, Granny-made sugar cookies available. So the candy got saved for later. But not put away. No, it was spread out on the couch to be admired. Worked for me!

Well, this arrangement appears to have worked for the dog, as well. But we didn't know how much she appreciated our display of wrapped candy bars until the next morning as we were racing out the door to church.

Apparently, candy bar wrappers are indigestible.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Don't let her fool you.

That dog knows exactly what she's doing.

Thank you, Mandisa, for being so very cooperative.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.