Christmas Traditions - part I

I've neglected this poor site for a while. Since life got crazy with "the holidays" to be exact. I don't just mean the big Christmas one. I mean Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don't know why they save all the big ones for the end of the year but it creates havoc for my schedule.
I've settled down and have a few spare minutes so I'm posting some holiday highlights. I've also done a bit of soul searching in preparation of my New Year's resolutions, trying to decide how get better control of my life so that our schedules aren't driving us to the edge of insanity. That will result in cutting some things out, and this might be one of them unless someone can give me a good reason why. (Is anyone out there actually reading this?)


We ushered in Christmas with the hanging of the greens - which would be our christmas tree.

I started a tradition last year to give each person their own ornament and those are the first ones hung on the tree that year.

We took a small trip (only a 14 hour drive) to North Carolina to visit Grandaddy, Mimi, and Uncle Sam.

It was brief but it was quality time and we already miss them.  I was able to go eat lunch at my brother's school and it made my trip. I wish I could be more involved in his life like that.
The boys love their Uncle Sam and Miles tears up talking about him because he misses him so.

And this past weekend Miles performed with his friends in "Big Church" Sunday morning. The boys were shepherds and the girls were angels. We have video and will post it later.

And then we went across the street to our church Christmas lunch. And guess who stopped by?

 I'm really glad he did because we had promised Miles that he would get to tell Santa that he wanted a scooter (or skateboard) but had not gotten around to it. Miles was relieved to get that off of his chest.

Every year since we have lived here we visit the capitol to see the lights and decorations. I guess you could call that a tradition.

And there is more to come. The big stuff like Santa, and more family, and holiday baking...

Thorn in my side...

My mantle and bookshelves in this new house have been my decorator's thorn in the side. I shuffle, take everything off and put everything back on, and do this and that and it never looks right. I was trying to make it look like someone else's mantle and that never works.

My bunco ladies came over and I wanted it finished before they arrived. I finally was true to myself using a set of guidelines from the nesting place and I think it turned out acceptable. I like it. I am sure I will change it in 2 or 3 months - or weeks - ( I can't wait for Christmas!) but for now this makes me happy. And I would not have said that a week ago.

Scale - There's big stuff and small stuff - and then some in between. I could probably use some even bigger stuff but I am going with what I have now. (I am NOT USED to these big spaces yet.)

Height Variations kind of also fit in here because big stuff and small stuff are different heights.

Layering - things in front of things. (That is a very technical definition.)

From 2010-09-14

Textures - plants, shiny, smooth, rough, glass, wood, metal - all different stuff.

Natural - the simple addition of the plant and few sticks that I picked up from outside made a huge difference. And you know you love the blackbird on the mantle (which is one of my favorite songs of all time.)

From 2010-09-14

Meaningful - there are several meaningful things - family photos (and don't hate because I have a few empty frames up and some with the people that came in the frames), a little red vase that I loved from my grandmother's home in LA, a pitcher that was my favorite wedding gift, an autographed E. Faye Jones architectural print that we got when living in Fayetteville, and a knick-knack that belonged to my parents. Those are all a few of my favorite things.

Essentially I just put tastefully together all the things that I love even if they didn't seem like mantle stuff and it worked. How silly was it for me to sweat over it all these months. Piece of cake. I think the largest lesson learned was that I need to forget all the pottery barn catalogs and blog sites and just be true to myself. I can glean from them, but I need to quit trying to duplicate.

Night and Day

From 2010-08-12

Have you ever seen a two year old furrow their brow any harder? I can't imagine. This picture displays the difference between these two boys even though they came from the same gene pool. Upfront they are both delightful children to be around (most of the time.) They are both good eaters, good sleepers, and well behaved for the most part. But their temperaments are like the difference between night and day.

Miles takes 15 minutes to wake up in the morning and heaven forbid if you have to wake him from a nap before he is ready. He would rather be in his PJs all day (with no shoes), and will tell me he does not want to go outside. He would rather sit on the couch. Grant wakes up running, and wanting to go out the door - in the car, outside, to the store, to church - anywhere. He wants his shoes on and his "new clothes" on by an hour after he is awake.

Miles has never known a stranger since the day he was born. He loves all people. Waves to everyone at the store. He has never been much of a clinger because he loves being with people. Grant has to get used to people before he is going to even LOOK at you. My grandmother, who we see about once a month, thinks that I have somehow told him stories on her because he will not run up and give her a hug. Grant likes his inner circle of friends and anyone else is going to have to earn his attention.

Miles will sit and watch tv all day. Grant might watch it for 15 minutes. Miles loves reading books. Grant does not have the time for a book.

Miles is not Mr. Independent. He will gladly accept your help, in fact you can do it all for him and he doesn't care. He is very laid back - borderline lazy. Since Grant could speak, he was asserting his independence. If I try to help him into his car seat, he immediately slides out and climbs back in by himself. 

I mentioned they are both pretty good eaters but Miles likes his fruits and veggies (preferrably raw) and pasta. He doesn't care so much for meat. Grant is a meat and potatoes kind of boy. He will eat a few veggies but his portfolio is much more limited than Miles'. Now sit a bowl of mashed potatoes in front of him and he will clean it out for you.

Night and day they are, but I know big things are in store for both of them. I'm praying they can find productive outlets for these traits and that I will figure out how to teach them according to these strengths and weaknesses. 

#2

From 2010-08-14

Grant has officially endured birthday #2. In the middle of the everydayness of parenthood, it has seemed like quite the long journey but on the flip side I can't believe my baby is 2!! When did that happen?

Grant a couple days after he was born ... (THOSE CHEEKS!!!)

Grant on his first birthday...

From 2010-08-14

And here he is at his second birthday party....

Apparently genetics influence more than just the way you look, but your taste buds as well. Grant has received Mason's taste for all things ice cream and we decided to go with an ice cream party to celebrate Grant's birthday. I'm not sure why but Grant's parties are much more low key than Miles' and we had mostly family and a couple friends in attendance. We played, grilled burgers and just enjoyed the company of those we love.

From 2010-08-14

An essential for every child's party is a bouncy house. It is a shame it was 110 outside and we could not enjoy it for a longer period of time.

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This is Pop and in case you didn't know it, he hung the moon (according to my boys.)

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The spread...

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These are our friends Amelia and Mrs Kaky (as Grant calls her). Amelia and Grant are only a couple weeks apart.

This is Amelia at last year's birthday bash. She has changed a lot as well but she is as cute as ever!

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No party would be complete without Aunt Kimmie and Matt. (Sorry Matt, they don't call you uncle??)

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Singing Happy Birthday to Grant. (I believe I was demonstrating how to blow out the candle.)

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Enjoying the cupcakes (and ice cream) with cousin Allison.

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Toddlers and cupcakes are always a winning combination.

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Amelia's brother Sam and his daddy enjoying a book in the air conditioning.

This is Miles' best friend who is also only a few weeks older than Miles.

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It's not a birthday at our house without the birthday banner. Now we have a proper mantle to display it.

From 2010-08-14 We opened a few gifts...

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including a Cozy Coupe. It has been quite the hit here.

Happy Birthday Grant. You will always be my baby.

Graduation to the top bunk

Miles has informed us lately that he is "growing big." He means growing up, but we all know what he means. And indeed he is. He has grown up so much over the summer - his demeanor, speech and phrasing, and memory abilities. He has going to the potty down. He is sharing better and following instructions better. And physically he is growing up; shorts that fit at the beginning of the summer are getting looser because he is getting taller and leaner. And now for the icing on the cake, he has graduated to the top bunk.

From 2010-08-08

I pulled out the baby monitor for the first few nights. I was terrified he was going to fall out of bed. I don't know how I thought that was possible with the HUGE bed guard. Worry seems to be a second nature for mothers and as always, it was all in vain. He is a pro at going up and down the ladder and avoiding the ceiling fan. I am sure we will have a misstep somewhere along the way, but it won't be because he is not able.

From 2010-08-08

Words do not express how proud he is of his top bunk. Can you tell it by the picture? Anyone who stops by the house, he pulls into his room and shows them the top bunk. It was his decision. He said he wanted to sleep up there and we put it all together for him. We practiced going up and down the ladder and getting in and out of bed. I asked him over and over if he was sure this is what he wanted to do. He jumped up and down and said "YES, pleeeeeeeeease!"

From 2010-08-08

It has turned out really well. The surprising part was that he chose to do this even after I told him I could not come up there and "snuggle". We have had 30 min (or longer if I fall asleep) snuggle sessions in order to fall asleep. As sweet as it is, it is probably not the best habit to fall into. He told me he understood I could not come up there and was okay with it. He now reads a book until he falls asleep with his lamp or a flashlight. A big boy indeed...

Catch-up part III: HOT, HOT, HOT...

It's been hot, hot, hot here. I would say it has been an abnormally hot summer in general. So what happens when you go to the park on an abnormally hot day? You get it all to yourself. We were the only crazies who ventured out this morning.

From 2010-07-21

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Miles didn't seem to mind the heat too much. We got some good swinging in before naps!

Catch-up part II: Peach Picking

I followed through on my intentions of an annual peach picking excurison for the Hazelwood House, and we went back to Suzanne's Fruit Farm for some tree ripened peaches.

From 2010-07-17

We went first thing in the morning. It was overcast and cooler, with a storm thundering in the background. We were some of the first people there. It was a pleasantly peaceful morning. I don't get many of those. A good cup of coffee and a park bench would have made it perfect. I wish we had lingered a little bit longer.

From 2010-07-17

We picked two varieties: Goldhaven and White Peaches. This is a white one. They were much firmer and sweeter than the traditional golden ones but didn't quite taste like a peach to me. Still very good.

From 2010-07-17

I have a little secret to share. It might come as a surprise to those of you who know me, but I have a dream of owning a little farm (even after a very brief jaunt of working on one) and having an orchard - with peach trees of course. I would also have a cute roadside stand and I would wear cute aprons and make jelly and pies and people would drive from all around. (Can you see the daydreaming fog around me now?) Maybe that can be my "retirement" project. I will have to acquire a much greener thumb for that dream to work.

From 2010-07-17

It did not take long to fill that bucket - maybe 5 minutes. No joke.

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They were very large peaches. I usually prefer smaller fruit because as a general rule, smaller fruit and veggies are more tender. It was a difficult task to find one smaller than your fist.

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They were weighing the branches down hanging off the trees...

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As were the plums.

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We picked a small bucket of them but they were not good for simply eating. They either rotted or were hard as rocks and SOUR. I ended up boiling them all and making jelly. I also made some peaches into jelly, and froze 4 quarts of the peaches because we could not eat them fast enough. But that is what happens when you have 50 lbs of peaches.

From 2010-07-17

Another year towards a budding dream and our developing tradition. Here's to many more ...