Sunday, October 21, 2012

Arthur's Baptism

Waiting for the service to start

Eleanor stood up in the front with us, and while the pastor was talking she walked over to the fountain and said, "I'm so thirsty."  I picked her up very quickly before things got crazy!

Buela and Papa Bob with 4 out of 5 grandkids


Arthur checks out the pastor - I love this one!


Buela and the girls

Evan wanted to be in the picture too!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Thankfulness

I have been doing a study at my church on the book The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith and I have really enjoyed it.  In one chapter he talked about thankfulness, and I just wanted to share a few passages that I really liked:
A lecturer to a group of businessmen displayed a sheet of white paper in which was one blot.  He asked what they saw.  All answered, "A blot."  The test was unfair; it invited the wrong answer.  Nevertheless, there is an ingratitude in human nature by which we notice the black disfigurement and forget the widespread mercy.
I fuss about my "cups," little and large (not having enough money to do this or that, a problem at work, a strain in a relationship), and never once stop and thank God that I have eyes to see.  If I lost my sight and had a million dollars, I would gladly pay it to get my eyesight back.  My eyes are worth a million dollars.  So is my heart.  And my ears.  And my wife.  And my children.  If I were wise, I would spend time each day thanking God for the "vast treasure" he has given me.  I could start, but I could never stop.
He goes on to suggest that we all make a list of things we are thankful for and continue to add to and edit the list over time.  So, here is my list (borrowing a couple of items from his).  It's a work in progress!

Air conditioning
Fall in the mountains
Technology
Snuggling with my children
Indoor plumbing
Opportunities to travel and learn more about the world
Cool mornings when you can open the windows
Sleeping children
Christmas trees
Candles
A clean house
Enriching conversation
Watching my children learn new things
Reliable transportation
Picnics
Eating chili on chilly nights
Affirming words
Clean sheets
Coffee
High quality education available to my children
Saturday morning pancakes
Digital cameras that allow me to take all the pictures I want
Modern cloth diapers and a washing machine
Birthdays
Books that I don't want to put down
People who love my children
A variety of healthy food available to my family
The night sky away from the lights of a city
Living within walking distance of multiple parks

Thursday, October 4, 2012

One Year Old!

My boy is 1 year old today and I can't believe it!  Arthur has brought so much joy to our lives that it's hard to believe he has only been around for one year.

He started off his birthday with a Delta IV rocket launch!
Somehow I didn't realize my lens was all fogged up thanks to the humidity.  Maybe I can pretend I was trying to be artistic?

How do you pick just one?






Arthur's loves at one year

His sister!  If he gets up in the morning and she's still in bed, he goes to her door and tries to open it to find her.
(This was their first time together in this cart.  I avoided it in the past because I was sure they would fight, but they loved it!)

Being chased!  He laughs hysterically and crawls away at lightning speed.

FOOD, especially cheese and strawberries.  And cake.  And whatever Mama has on her plate, even if it's identical to what is in front of him.

Legos...he can actually put them together sometimes.

Splashing in the bath.  He loves it when I pour water on his head and always hands me the cup that we use like he's asking me to do it.


Music!  He loves to dance and clap his hands and play instruments to make music.

Books.  I love how he will sit and "read" to himself for long periods of time.  He's not quite as into them as his sister was at this age, but he's definitely a little bookworm.

The color orange.  I'm not making this up.  Any time there are lots of brightly colored toys, he ALWAYS picks out the orange one and carries it around.  He got this toy for his birthday and before I handed it to him Hunter said, "Guess which one he'll pick up first."  Sure enough, he immediately grabbed the orange gear and wouldn't put it down.  What else would you expect from the child of two Clemson grads?
Melissa & Doug Caterpillar Gear Toy
Riding on his little scooter.  Cutest thing ever!

Sleeping with his little bottom in the air

Attention from anyone and everyone!


Happy birthday to my silly, happy, affectionate, smart, handsome little boy!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

First Birthday Monster Party!

 Monster sandwiches

Monster cups

Monster cake

 Monster shirt

Being a monster :)






Gopher tortoise in its burrow

Time for cake!

This is fun!


He played with the frosting for a while
(And yes, he is wearing a diaper!)

Once I cut it open, he got right to work!


Final product (and he was still going)

Happy 1st birthday to my favorite boy!

Fall is here

Well, sort of.
This is how preschoolers learn about fall in Florida.


Arthur loves his (early) birthday present!
Gotta love $90 toys that go for $25 on Craigslist.


Eleanor enjoys it too!


Eleanor was trying to get Arthur on the blanket so she could drag him around the room.

Julie reads to her brother and cousin




And a few videos for your entertainment...



And here is a conversation that made me laugh.  We were listening to a song in the car on a new cd that was clearly not in English.

Eleanor:  Is this Spanish?
Me:  No, it's not Spanish.  I'm not sure what language it is.
Eleanor:  It is English, but a very different kind of English.
Me:  No, it's not English.  I wonder what language it is.
Eleanor:  I will help you Mama.  It is French.
Turns out it was Hebrew, not French, but she sure was trying! :)

Friday, September 28, 2012

Haircuts!

All ready for his first haircut!

He sat very still for the first few minutes...

...and then not so much.  :)  No tears though!

"Mom, what have you done?"

Eleanor's turn for her second haircut ever.  She just got a trim.
Her eyes were on that candy jar the entire time!

Terrible picture, but at least you can see their hair!