A Blog Post I had to Share

It's a long post, but so worth the read.

http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/

Hanna and the Camellia Bush

Sunday we went in to visit my parents to celebrate my birthday.  After dinner, we went outside to enjoy the nice weather.  Hanna became fascinated with my mom's camellia bushes.  They are big and in FULL bloom.  We brought them home and put them in water.

Homework Time

It seems like our weeks are a lot like the movie Groundhog Day.

I was inspired to blog this evening because Davis is reading Groundhog Day (not the movie version, a 1st grade reader book) this week.  Each night of the week there is an assignment associated with the book.  Monday night he had to make a prediction on what the book will be about by the title and taking a picture walk.  Tonight he was to list a question about the book before he read the book, while he was reading the book and after he finished reading the book.

Each night is much of the same for us.  Vince gets home with Davis before me and Hanna.  He starts dinner, Davis starts homework.  I get home, jump in to help finish making dinner and we eat.  We often give several reminders to the kiddos to eat.  Clean kitchen.  Give baths.  Read.  Bedtime.  On  a good night, they both stay in bed and don't get up.

Interestingly, today was anything but a normal night.  I took a half day off from work to spend some QT with Davis.  I picked him up from school, had lunch at the RDU observation deck and then we went to watch a 3-D movie.  Vince had a meeting at church tonight so I was going solo with the homework tonight.  On the upside, the shift in routine was good because it gave me a chance to work with Hanna practicing her handwriting.

Routines have their advantage, and generally the Walkers like them.  But sometimes it's fun to bend the rules a little.

The kids hard at work after bath time, doing homework.  The Walkers are all kinds of crazy mixing things up!

Some things I just don't understand.

Boys (and men) and their video games is one of them.  Davis loves his Wii.  We were lucky enough to get my brother's hand me down a few years ago.  He wasn't playing it any more and Davis learned the love of Wii sports at a very early age.  The level of skill required for his games have increased over the past couple of years and now he has many that require "battles".  Nothing pleases him more than me or Vince to play with him.  Unfortunately for him, I am not a fan of video games.  Vince does a great job spending time with him in that venture.  After dinner they headed upstairs and I willingly offered to clean up after dinner, because yes, I enjoy cleaning the kitchen more than playing video games.  While doing so, I heard so much hooping, hollering and laughing.  It really is great to hear the boys bonding, but man, can they be that much fun?  Luckily, my husband only plays to spend time with Davis.  Davis went to bed grinning ear to ear tonight.  It's the small things, like always.

Snoopy's

Many years ago, on a whim and a hankering for a hotdog, we unknowingly started a "tradition".  When the weather is nice and we don't have much to do, we go to Snoopy's and "tailgate".  Davis thinks is a great time and I get a kick of how exciting he thinks it is.  I don't mind the hotdog either.  I don't eat them often, but when we go to Snoopy's, it has to be all the way.  We introduced Hanna to it sometime ago and this was probably only the second time she has been.  It's yummy, full of family fun and we make a big pool of shared ketchup (close to 12 packets).  Simple.  Fun.  Delicious.

Family Walk at the Lake

We decided Friday during dinner to try and take a walk on Saturday.  It has been a while and we wanted to feed the ducks, get some much needed exercise.  My motivation was the exercise and to take some current photos of the kids while burning some of Seis' energy.  Anyone with kids knows what it takes to get a family ready and out the door.  There are coats, shoes, and in this instance, me with a camera and the dog all harnessed up.  As soon as we crossed the road it started to sprinkle.  With my camera I was tempted to turn around.  Mind you we were only 3 minutes into the "walk".  We decided to keep going and the sprinkles tapered off for another 15 minutes or so.  I was able to get a few photos and we were able to share our corn tortillas with the ducks.

The ducks coming in for the feeding.

What would you like for breakfast, Hanna?

"Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops!"

Why not, I thought?  Why settle with one when you can have two?  I just love the freedom kids have to think outside the norm.  I wish I thought more like a child sometimes.

Pullen Park Play

We visited Pullen Park yesterday to check out the recent renovations and play with one of Davis' Primrose friends, Camille.  It was a beautiful day, I can't believe the weather we are having in December.  The kids had lots of fun.  Hanna fell asleep as soon as she hit the car seat.  If you know her, that is rare.  I don't think she requires sleep.

Recently, Davis has become a Clemson fan.  No idea where he got it from, but hey, we just roll with it.  He is proud of his hat.

Davis admiring the bamboo.  He still can't believe it grows in NC.  

Post about nothing...

I am sitting outside on our screened in porch in complete amazement with how nice the weather is.

I am passing the time while the kids play outside and thinking about having a little adult time tonight.  How do I prepare for a nice dinner out?  Eat only veggies the day of, so you can enjoy a great dinner without the guilt.  Okay, so I will probably still have some guilt as I enjoy a glass of wine (or two), but I tell myself its okay as long as I don't over indulge the whole day.   Veggie soup full of cabbage was on the menu today.  Zero points if you are counting (on the old WW system).  Likely a ratatouille version of vegetables tomorrow (sans potatoes).

We have reservations with friends tonight at Poole's Diner.  It's a great place to eat if you haven't tried it.  They usually don't take reservations, so I am surprised we actually got them and on short notice.  Must be a New Year's eve special event.

Have I mentioned its been a great week, being off from work?  I am blogging about soup for goodness sake!  We are marking things off the "to do" list (that have been there a while) and just taking they days as they come.  It's so rare that we do that.  The Christmas trees are still up.  I have no desire to take those down yet.

One long over due chore for some time was to give Fishy's tank a good cleaning.  That has been almost a year coming.  I am not sure he could even see in the old water.  With a little scrubbing and rinsing, Fishy was swimming with such purpose in his renovated home!   It's true what they say about Beta fish.  You can't kill them.  They are survivors- we have had him over two years and he is still kicking.  Hope all that fresh water doesn't kill him!

Thanks for your patience, Fishy.

Christmas 2011

I decided to purchase "matching" pajamas this year for Christmas morning (as mentioned in an earlier post).  It's a tradition my mom and I have done for years.  This year, I thought- hey, what not extend it to the whole family!  It was a little tougher when you put a male and two kids in the mix but there are websites that offer family sets.  Vince was a good sport about it.  I ordered the kids a few sizes up (they had saggy bottom this year) so we could use them for a few years at least.  Here are a few pictures- don't you judge my bed head!

We had two excited children Christmas morning!  They of course got way more than they needed.  It was a wonderful Christmas and we continue to be blessed by God's grace.  I am grateful my company is closed this week and Vince was able to take the week off with us so we can have a full week together as a family.  God is good.  I hope your new year is shared with those you love, filled with joy and brings you peace.