Christmas: Gators and Nerfers

We worked and played some out in the snow today.  The sledding was good!

And the Gator is a rockinmobile.  Very handy!

But first we had our Christmas fun in the morning. 

 

The kids set their alarms in sync so they all came filing in to our bedroom at 7 a.m. to get us up and get right to the presents.

First, I made them pose for a stair-step picture.

You can’t so much see it here, but Sam is on the verge of tears. 

See? 

It was something about Grant yelling at him.

But tears didn’t last long because, hey, guns for everyone! 

     

 

With all of the craziness of this month, yes, even beyond our normal level of craziness, our Christmas cards this year were admittedly quite lame-o.  I mostly just sent out last minute postcards to update folks on our new address. 

I look forward to next year, producing a real card with some news and pictures. 

This little collage might have worked as our real card this year, if I could only get that one guy to play along and at least fake some festive spirit.   

Merry Christmas ya all and can’t wait ‘til we see you!

Over the Highway and Through the Belleville

Yesterday was the kids’ first day of Christmas break and I was ready for a distraction, so we took a drive to see Ross.  

When we walked in, Sam said, “This is just like a HOTEL!”

It did come with chocolates, chilled soda, video games, and magnets. 

It was homey, but very organized and neat as a pin. 

I am so jeal.

 

I know I was wowed by the math formula decor.   The walls were screaming, This guy is serious.

  

And I did not hear one time Grant telling Ross he hoped Ross still could get his money back on the apartment….as opposed to the first time we walked in as Ross was moving in at Thanksgiving time. 

Ouch, little mouthy 10 year old. 

I’d say a grown-up lives here now, one that’s looking so serious about school and setting forward to a new career.

We’re all rootin for you!  Good luck to you, Ross, but I know you don’t need it.

 

Sam’s Story

 

He came home from school telling me he was tired of having to tell everyone all about his cut on his eye, so, here,  I’ll do the talking.

This was how he looked the morning after last Thursday night when he fell on our icy driveway and got a fast trip to the ER.  They cleaned it and closed with with glue and can this mom just say “Yea, glue, I LOVE no stitches!!” 

And while I am not happy it happened to one of my kids, I am glad I was not sitting in that packed ER with an adult.  There was an entirely-packed waiting room of adults, but only one pediatric case ahead of Sam, so we were in and out relatively quickly. 

They told us we were case number 114 for the day (little, community hospital) and they told us 109 had been ice-related.  It was some bad, bad ice.

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

This is from Day 4 and he’s starting to sport that yellow eye shadow look.  It doesn’t bother him at all and he was so excited to tell me the glue doesn’t come off even in water. 

I don’t really want to know how he knows this. 

Not from checking WebMD, I’m sure.

   

No black eye and barely any tears from the whole ordeal, even though it was a long and gaping, wide split.    For such a tiny, let me tell you, he is tough. 

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

And here he is at approaching one week, Day 6.  This is what he chose to wear to school yesterday.       Looking good, Sam! 

The Honorable AND Festive Grant Gill

 

And might I also add Strong and Granite-like.  We weighed the tuba and it’s an extra 18 pounds the kid gets to lug around. 

Wasn’t it decorated lovely for his band concert yesterday? 

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

I think I forgot to tell you all my new nickname, or rather, maybe it’s my claim to fame? 

One day I walked into Grant’s school, headed to the band room, carrying the tuba.  I noticed a group of kids in the hallway.  They saw me and instantly froze!  And then, just as suddenly, they all hunched their heads together.  They were whispering, pointing,  watching my every step.   

I’m used to goofy kids.  I walked on.  Finally, one apparently gathered the nerve to approach me,  and this is what she said,

       “Are you The Tuba Dude’s Mom?”

MovieMonday—The Blind Side

Hey, believe it or not, I watched a movie.  Now, granted, it’s not exactly one fresh out in the theatres or even freshly out on dvd, but it was a movie…The Blind Side. 

If there is anyone else that hasn’t seen it, you might also like it.  Nice story, especially knowing it was a true story.

Smile Times

During tough times, it’s definitely harder to find your normal joy in life.  I felt like I wanted to see these recent shots and thought maybe you would like them, too.

 

Thanksgiving at our house

Dang, I wish I’d taken more pictures that day!

Fun in our very own woods

 

Our first snow at the new farm, carrots….check!

 

In case you haven’t heard, Sam’s goal is to hit 40 pounds by Christmas and be able to say bye bye to the baby car seat.  I’m thinking this might help:  He discovered a new snack, Nutella on graham crackers.  This might do it, folks!

   

Isn’t it just so easy to smile looking at these kids?  

The Honorable Jack Gill

Panther Honor Roll

MusicMonday—Tighten Up

Just a quickie today without much chit chat.  This is one of the songs I have been listening to lately.  I saw the video last summer and liked it and finally got around to buying the tune. 

Love the music!  Love the vocals! 

Funny video, too!

By The Black Keys, 2010