Scholarship?

Maybe all the hours we've spent at Mercer Basketball games will pay off in a scholarship for Alex someday? Check out these moves!

Big-Boy Bike

About two days ago, Alex graduated from his tricycle to a two-wheeler with training wheels! All the way to our cul-de-sac and back he chanted, "Go Diego, Go!" He loves his Diego bike and he quickly mastered the backward-pedal-stop. Meanwhile, Evan is fast as lightening on his "red rocket!"

Go Bears!

Will is serving on the Dean search committee to identify and recommend the next Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Yesterday was his first of two Saturdays in Atlanta to conduct interviews. Meanwhile, the boys and I enjoyed two back-to-back birthday parties, followed by the last Mercer Bears Basketball home game.

Savannah's Birthday Party

Clayton's Birthday Party

We miss you, Grammie.

Little Romeo

The scene: Ani and Alex pulling into the preschool parking lot.

Alex: There is Bewwa (Bella) and her Mommy! Bella is wearing a red dress! She looks booteeful.

Ani: Yes, she does! You can tell her that when we get inside.

(Only three seconds elapse, during which time Alex releases his seatbelt, jumps down from the car seat, rolls down the window, and half-hangs-out-of-the car. Ani is still parking)

Alex: (screaming in a part-construction-worker/part-Romeo kinda-way) YOooooooU LOOooooooooooK BEAUTIFUL!!!!


Alex could not get into the building fast enough. He skipped and ran to greet his little friend Bella. After the screamed compliment, Bella looked at her mom, smiled, and said, "Momma! Did you hear that?"

Macon Snow 2010

On Feb 12 2010, it snowed in Macon! School was canceled for the kids, and Mercer closed its doors at 2:00 pm. We had a great time playing in our yard and at the home of our friends, the Stewarts. (We played in their backyard in "sleds" made from diaper boxes! You see, my Northern friends, there is no place to buy sleds down here!)

Our snowman lasted several days longer than the rest of the snow in the yard. It was a real treat to see a snowman out our windows!

Breakfast for Dinner

What could be better than eating free Chick-Fil-A breakfast -- at dinner time - while wearing your PJs?

Underpants!

Monday, Feb 8, 2010. Alex's first day of school in underpants! He told Mrs Williams (as he rubbed his bottom) that his "underpants are soooo soft!" I also have him convinced that underpants make him run faster than diapers. Hey - whatever works!

The pictures above are from the day he and I bought his Transformer Underpants. It was a battle of wills at Wal-Mart. I knew the plan to go cold-turkey last weekend, so I put some Pixar pants into the cart. Alex screamed and threw them out. I put them back in... and so it continued. Finally, Alex spotted the Transformers. He was SOLD. Bye bye Nemo... Alex is moving to robot underpants!

In Training

Someday -- but not today -- it will be funny that the weekend we decided to go cold-turkey with Alex's potty training was the same weekend that he got the diarrhea stomach bug. Right now, it is not funny.

For the record, soft soap cleans almost anything.

gag.

Evan's PreK Valentine's Show

Go Meat!

I did not think this day would ever come. Alex ate half a cheeseburger. I'm not sure he has ever eaten red meat. The trick? I spent much of the day talking to Alex in a high-pitched voice, pretending to be his stomach, begging for a cheeseburger. It finally finally worked.

We have been worried about his hands hurting him, and wondered if it was a b-12 deficiency. The doctor tells us otherwise, but we are trying to widen Alex's diet nonetheless.

Go Meat.

Grey World

While the boys and I were in Iowa over the MLK weekend, my cousin Erinn told the adults about her project for preschoolers regarding Martin Luther King. Evidently, Evan was listening intently, for he shared this with us several days later:


Evan: Here's a poem I learned from Erinn, Mommy. "Wouldn't it be sad if all the crayons were the same color?"

I took this opportunity to talk to him about differences, etc...

(long pause, during which time I questioned my explanation...)

Evan: A long, long time ago -- around the time of Andy "Griffer" -- the whole world was gray.

Still here!

We are still here -- and busy as ever! Since our last published post, we've had Christmas in Colorado, New Years in Macon, flown to Chicago, driven to Waterloo, IA, and returned home. I've started many a blog-post, only to hit "save" in the hopes of completing at a later time. One of these days, we'll surprise you with a month of catching-up! In the meantime, a belated Happy New Year! :)

Four Sixteen

One of the many highlights of the trip to Iowa was taking the boys to see my Dad's childhood home in Cedar Falls. Four Sixteen, as we refer to it, has been in Dad's family for generations and Mom and Dad still own it, although it is currently rented out. I have fond memories of visiting my Grandmother and even my Great Grandmother in this house. It was special to have the boys see it, too.

A Day Trip North

With major home improvements behind us, we wanted to get out of the house! Since I just received my new National Parks passport book for Christmas, we wanted to go somewhere with passport cancellation possibilities! We opted for the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area north of Atlanta. After hiking around in the 26 degree weather (that is COLD for GA folks!), we continued North to the best outlet mall in the whole world, where I spent NO money, but enjoyed window shopping. From there, we continued to Dahlonaga, toured the historic downtown, and toured the Consolidated Gold Mines (the largest Gold Mine East of the Mississippi). We even panned for gold! It was really fun. What a full day!

New Year, New Floor!

Happy New Year! We celebrated by tearing out the icky carpet in the kids' room and replacing it with hardwood floors. Our upstairs feels like a new house. Thanks, Will!

Outback Bowl

We really really cheered for Northwestern,
but to no avail.
Better luck next time, Wildcats!

Christmas in Colorado

We spent Christmas with Will's family in Colorado this year. The week was full of fun, food, and great company. Some of the highlights included

SLEDDING



PLAYING



and a WHITE, Western-Themed CHRISTMAS




Thanks, Nana & Gramps, for hosting a magnificent Christmas!

An Early Christmas in Macon

We celebrated an early Christmas in Macon with gifts to/from one another and from Ani's family. Later, we will fly to CO to celebrate with Will's family. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts, Mom, Dad, Grampa, Em, Chris, Sarah, Erinn, Beth, Gordie, and Lenore! xoxox

Cookies!

Silent Night

Alex's School Christmas Party

I snapped a few pictures at Alex's school Christmas Party. The slideshow above includes pictures of him with his two teachers, and a few pics of him with his friends. The kids sang Christmas songs and enjoyed exchanging little gifts.

Holiday Shop

The latest fundraiser at Evan's school is a "Holiday Shop." Kids are allowed to shop for family members during the school day, probably wasting away the cash that we send, but ideally buying something that the rest of us will love.

Evan was given $5 and instructions to buy something for his brother.

He came home with no money...
a wrapped gift for Alex...
and an even bigger wrapped gift for himself!

He said "Mommy, I just couldn't resist."

~~~~~~~~~

update: The gift was a ball attached to an elastic string and a wrist band. Alex's had already been opened at the store; I think Evan chose the floor model for his brother! Evan's was brand new, PLUS, Evan also bought himself a flashlight. Alex didn't seem to mind, though. Look at these two monkeys together. What great buds:

Christmas Outings around town

As you saw in an earlier post, I took Evan to see the Nutcracker last night. I had been anticipating this day from the minute I found out I was pregnant. With such fond memories of seeing and dancing in the Nutcracker as a kid, I couldn't wait to share it with my own children some day.

The evening was all I'd ever hoped for. The production was surprisingly excellent and Evan was on the edge of his seat the entire time. We talked about dancing, choreography, set design, music, costumes, Acts, scenes, etc. Strangers commented on how handsome he looked, how well behaved he was, and how he was a perfect little gentleman. Then, he skipped all the way to the car after the show and I scurried to keep up, holding back the tears of joy in my eyes. What a wonderful evening.

We knew two little girls in the show, so Evan brought flowers to Sydney (the daughter of one of my friends) and Anna (the daughter of Evan's teacher). He looked like such a Romeo with two bouquets of flowers, I had to snap a picture. What a guy. I'm already looking forward to the show next year!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Alex and Daddy spent time together. They went to Mercer for the Student Government Association's Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by a Mercer Bears Basketball game. As is tradition at the games, they chowed on pretzels and sprite!

Citizenship and the Culture of Freedom

Will's Summer Program for Georgia High School Teachers is coming together! A short summary of the program is included in the most recent edition of The Mercerian, Mercer's Alumni Magazine (pg 8). (Incidentally, our friends the Byrons are also featured in this magazine on page 30.)

We've updated his Center website and included an application form. Fancy brochures are in the works, and limited direct marketing efforts have begun. Exciting!

Are you a Georgia high school teacher in the areas of history, economics, or government/civics? Do you know someone who is? Please spread the word. This promises to be a fantastic opportunity.

A terrible mistake

Never. EVER. confuse your blue nail polish remover for your blue eye makeup remover.

I'm just saying...

Elfie Whispers

Meet our Elf on the Shelf, Elfie Whispers.
He joined our family on December 5th 2009
... and he has been watching us and reporting back to Santa ever since...

Each morning, the boys race downstairs to see where E.W. is hiding (a new spot each day). You see, Elfie Whispers travels to the North Pole every night to give reports to Santa!

Naming him was difficult... Evan wanted Elfie Frosty (not catchy). Evan's classroom elf in PreK is named "Sponge Bob" and I disallowed that right away. Alex briefly considered Chick-a-boo (the name of his imaginary Indian friend, a member of the "Chick-a-maw" tribe). I liked Jingle, but Will offered Whispers and it stuck. After all, that is the job of this elf: to whisper to Santa!

Lets hope E.W. remembers to hide somewhere new each morning! If he forgets, you'll hear about it here.