We started out the beginning of the month with a trip to Savannah to see my brother, sister-in-law, and niece Annelise. The kids did well on the ride down, especially now that Luke will watch a DVD. We tried to mix in other entertainment, but I'm not going to lie, I am super duper thankful for that built-in DVD player and I feel very sorry for the parents of my generation and older who had to brave the road without it.
We got there, played, and caught up a little before heading out to dinner. Saturday morning, after the guys returned from an early morning fishing trip, we took the kids to a Disney on Ice show in downtown Savannah. They all loved it (even Luke!) and were absolutely mesmerized. We went out to lunch afterward, then back to the house for failed naps and some play time outside. My sister-in-law cooked a yummy lasagna for dinner that night and we bathed everyone and tucked the girls into Annelise's room for their "sleepover." The second night they had a little trouble getting to sleep, but they still had a blast being in the same room. On Sunday, my sister-in-law and fellow runner Kim and I got up early and left the kids with the guys while we went out and ran 11.5 miles together. It was really neat to have a partner to chat with, and especially cool to get to spend that quality, uninterrupted time with her. The trail ran along a marsh area and it was gorgeous. We got back to their house just in time to shower and for us to pack up. It was a really fun weekend of the girls playing (and talking) nonstop and Luke doing a great job of tagging along and staying an arm's length away from the kitties he loved to watch. I've said it before, but there is something so special about seeing your kids and your siblings' kids make memories together. I pray there are a lot more visits and some FaceTime in between!
While we were away that weekend, we had our hardwood floors and banisters refinished. Well, they started on them at least. They were supposed to be finished by Monday the 4th and ready for us to walk on that evening. Instead, it was Thursday before they were out and then they still had to come back the next week for a little touch-up. It was all well worth the wait, mess, and inconvenience, though, because they look amazing and we love them. We also finished our main floor bathroom remodel by replacing the faucet, light fixtures, towel racks, and other hardware.
Once those two main projects were complete, we turned our attention to piecing everything back together and deep cleaning it all. I'm sure there is still sanding dust in crevices I overlooked, but for the most part, we have managed to get it back to normal.
In other news this month, my nephew James turned two and we partied hard Veggie Tales style at his birthday party. We also had my mom out to celebrate her birthday. We picked out a new table and chairs set for the kitchen, which was especially interesting since it was done via text message pictures between David and me while he was at work. I got to be Mystery Reader for Audrey's class one Friday and coordinated one of her teacher's birthday presents of a flower from each child and earrings and a gift card from the class. I also got to have a ladies' night out (line dancing lessons, no less!), a long-overdue dinner out with a girlfriend, and a short visit from my sweet friend Kara who now lives in SC. David and I went on a wonderful date night complete with Christmas shopping. In the midst of all that, I ran 81 miles while training for my second half marathon, which was on Thanksgiving Day (more on that later, hopefully).
The third weekend of the month, I couldn't wait anymore and dragged out the Christmas decorations early. I justified it by saying that Thanksgiving is late this year and that last year we were moving and didn't get to enjoy it. It sounded good enough to me, so we went for it. We cranked up Alabama Christmas and decked out three trees and the house with 20+ boxes of decor. It was so fun to really take the time this year to place things around and find new homes for all of our favorite pieces.
So, that was the month! I don't have a lot of updates on the kids, but here are a couple of quotes and facts:
- While our hardwoods were being redone, the kitchen and most everything downstairs was inaccessible. I set up a "silly" picnic in our master bedroom walk-in closet and we all ate in there for breakfast. AJ got in the van this afternoon and said, "I told Ms. Natalie I ate breakfast in a closet this morning, but she didn't really laugh." I asked her if she explained WHY and that we all ate together and she said she couldn't remember whether she did or not. I emailed the teachers and they both wrote back saying they were laughing themselves silly over that one and promised they learned a long time ago not to believe everything they hear.
- This month I witnessed our first real Big Sister sticking up for Little Brother situation. A little boy kept taking Luke's paci at the playground. Audrey intervened and used her body to block the kid while holding it in Luke's mouth until I could help. I'm pretty sure she was ready to use deadly force if necessary. It was awesome.
- Luke has started doing this hilarious half-whisper, half-mouthing words at you while squinting up an eye like he's telling a secret. It's really difficult to explain, but it is absolutely precious and hilarious to encounter!
- Audrey is reading like c-r-a-z-y and even charged some of the adults in our family money to hear her read a book. It was all in the name of a good cause, though, of course. She put everything she earned in her bank for church and in the end collected $30 for the church offering by reading and doing chores!
To make up for my lack of good kid stories and updates, I'll give you a mega Picasa gallery
update:
Enjoy!
No Comments Yet, Leave Yours!