The Birthday Celebration

My dear husband is an almost Christmas baby.  When a birthday falls a few short days after Christmas it can be a bit of a bummer. Just being honest, usually the plans for his birthday start on December 26th and involve some groaning and harried shopping.

I wanted this year to be different.  I wanted to plan ahead and make sure the hardest working husband out there felt a tiny bit of the appreciation I fell.

I planned a getaway weekend for us to Seaside.  A chance for us to just be together and enjoy the quiet.



We slept in, ate un-rushed meals, enjoyed the scenery,  finished conversations, and enjoyed being able to focus on each other.



With baby number four coming soon, it was not lost on either of us that this was probably our last getaway sans kids for a while.  We soaked it up.

Happy (35th) Birthday, Dear.  So glad to be marching through these years with you.

And here we are, the one picture of us both from our little escape.

Comfy Christmas

I love when we get to Christmas and the only celebrations left are the immediate family ones which are casual and relaxing. The big gatherings and parties are fun, but I look forward to the quite (okay maybe not that quiet) easy times of celebrating with our little crew.

There was lunch with Pops and Grandma Jayne.



Where, quite obviously, the dress code is blue jeans and rockets are shot to the roof.
  


There is the chaos of six grandchildren (and dogs who think they are children) and all their surprises with Gammy and Grin.



And waiting for Santa on the fire truck, even if he never comes it is still fun to run around in the yard together (some of us in our new Christmas slippers).



And then the waking on Christmas morning, the joy and excitement through sleepy eyes.



And the building, building and building.



Not so long ago, Santa had to build all the toys before delivery.  Now the present is the boys getting to build their Legos. Oh time, how you are flying.



The new train even got a ride on blankie.



And it is just as much fun to watch mommy and daddy open their prizes that have been  (mostly) well kept secrets for weeks.









Pretty much my favorite day of the year. Homemade breakfast, staying in PJs, busy children, and being washed over with gratitude.

Introducing the McCay Elves

Because they would never willingly dance for a camera.

The reactions were mixed: Walker giggled, Colin thought it was hilarious and wanted to watch it a 100 times, and Eli was mad and demanded I not show anyone ever. Oh well, we can't always get what we want.

Santa 2012

We have made our annual trip to see Santa and look at our darling boys.



Oh, what? Someone is missing?  Really?

I couldn't tell if it was a fear of the camera or of Santa, but C Mac was not getting in that photo.



No matter how much brother tried to convince him it would be fine.



No matter what candy or toys were promised, he would not move.



So Walker and Eli shared their thoughts with Santa while little brother watched from afar.



And then we tried to get a picture of all three boys near Santa, and well, that wasn't meant to be either.



But Santa was visited and Chick-fil-a was eaten so Christmas traditions can continue forward. Ho, ho, ho.

And because it does a Momma heart good...

2011


2010 (so maybe Colin hasn't always exactly looooooved Santa)


2009


2008


2007


2006 (well we had just seen Santa, but for some reason beyond my understanding I do not have a digital copy of this Santa pic.  Oh, the horror)

School Days

We are slowly finding our school rhythm with these three busy boys, and even more shocking they are learning.  Occasionally we even have fun.

I want to keep some documentation of these days.  It can become a daily grind of checklist and plans, without noticing the highlights. I want to remember the highlights.

We met some friends at the science museum last week and had a blast.



Upon our arrival home they had to write about their favorite thing at the science museum.  Both of the boys decided their favorite thing was riding the zip line.  Walker had never done it in years past, but with a bit of maturity and a lot of friend induced bravery he gave it several rides. Mr. Cautious is growing up and taking risks.

1st Grade perspective:


Kindergarten perspective:


Clearly we could all use a lesson on writing the letter "Z" you know, not backwards.

There is no homework (well, technically I guess it is all homework), but the boys love sharing with Daddy what they have accomplished during the day.


School lunch with Daddy. No mystery meat or square pizza here.


Santa letters as part of school.  I did this in my classroom years ago, but I wasn't shopping for the items on the list as my students were writing.


These little daily tasks are slowly adding up to this amazing growth and development that our little boys are having before my very eyes.  Thankful for the blessing of being here with them.