Dadisms...

Dadism:  Thunderstorms are always worth watching.

From the time I can remember, my dad would bring me outside any time there was a thunderstorm.  We'd stand in the garage, watch it rain, and talk.  When my father was growing up, his mother was afraid of thunderstorms.  In an attempt to be brave and defiant one day when he was a little boy, my father stood in the middle of a huge storm and told her, "I ain't afraid of this."  And so she beat him.  Which is precisely why he stood and watched every thunderstorm that rolled in over the years.  Now it is so ingrained in me to go outside and watch them, I can't imagine not doing it.  And like any good tradition, I usually drag my boys outside to stand in the garage-- or back porch-- and watch it rain.

A few nights ago one of the loudest, biggest storms I've ever seen rolled in.  I mean, it was crazy big.  I sat out on our back porch, with a glass of wine, thinking of my dad, and listening to Ray LaMontagne.  I asked my dad a long time ago if he liked LaMontagne's music and he said, "Nah.  Radio Paradise [the online radio station my father played 24/7] wears him out."  That's so typical of something he'd say, preferring some obscure band to any popular, "obvious" singers, but I still love his music... and this song always reminds me of my dad.  I love LaMontagne's voice and the song and struggle he sings of is just so sad and heartbreaking.  I bet if Dad could listen to it again, he'd think it was beautiful too.  I can't believe Dad's already been gone 6 months...

"I held you in my arms one time... and lost you just the same..."

Roots...

Today I decided to cook something to honor the boys' Southern roots.  That's right, since 2/3rds of the boys were born below the Mason-Dixon line (James in Georgia and Henry in Virginia), they're Southerners!   I made cooked cabbage and collard greens and you can be sure I'll be the only one in our house eating them...

Yikes, right!?  :) 

We also tried out a new Presbyterian church this morning.  Everyone was so kind and literally flocked to meet the "new" family.  We learned all about Gus Parker, the man who owned the land that this home was built on (we live in Parker's Ridge neighborhood, right off of Gus Drive).  I just love all these cute Southerners... everyone's got a nice, think accent and knows everyone.  One woman I met, Jane, had a beautiful 1950's Jackie O-style black dress with pearls and heels on and told me that she "built a house less than one mile from my momma.  I'm no martyr!  When my kids told me they were hungry I said, 'Put ya coat on.'"  LOVE her.  I wish you could hear and see her telling me too.  Right out of the movie, "Steel Magnolias."  But I told you, I'm a sucker for anyone with a story...

Rejuvenated!

I didn't want to leave on such a cliffhanger.  I have climbed down from the "CrazyTown" ledge.  ;)   Mostly due to lots of Daddy time Chris has had with the boys over the weekend.

On Thursday evening, Chris took all 3 boys to James's soccer practice.  (For all of us moms, this sounds like "not a big deal" and also very much a big deal.  As you know, we've done this 100 times alone and are well versed on how much of a struggle an hour and a half long practice can be trying to entertain those who aren't playing while watching and cheering on whoever is playing, all at 7pm at night.)  But Chris took everyone and said they were "great" for him (of course!).  Meanwhile, I was home alone.... and no one asked for water or a snack or accidentally spilled milk on the carpet or needed a diaper change or wanted to be held or needed help changing out batteries or called out "MOM!!" every 2 minutes.   It was wonderful!

About 15 minutes after the boys left, I received a text message from Cortney asking me how I swung that magnificent feat!  (I laughed when the text came in since I knew she'd find it funny when Chris rolled up to practice with all 3 boys and no Mommy!)  She sent me this picture as proof that everyone was alive and well behaved with Daddy in charge.  Whoda thunk?!

On Friday night, I went out to dinner with several girlfriends to celebrate one of their 30th birthdays.   We had a great time!

After dinner we stopped by this new(ish) wine bar in downtown Fayetteville.  What's really cool about it is that you load a card with however much money you want to spend and then you can "taste-test" as many wines as you'd like.  The dispensers on the left side of the wall allow you to pick and choose different wines and they pour out directly from the wall.  You can get a sample, a 1/2 glass, or a full glass (and pay accordingly).  Or, of course, you can purchase an entire bottle to share there.  

I've also been able to get several good workouts in the past few days which always make me feel better!  The boys love swinging on the rings...

For dinner tonight we had grilled flounder and steak with roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes.  Yum!

So, all in all, the past 2 days have been really good... and Pete's cold is finally gone so while he still loves his mama, we've been able to separate from the hip just a bit over the past 24 hours.  All is right with the world again.  :)

J-U-M-P...

Yes, that's exactly what I feel like doing.  Petey has officially driven me to the edge with his I-have-to-be-right-beside-you-or-I-will-start-to-cry behavior.  Seriously... what gives?  It's not even like I'm that nice.  WHY do my children want to be around me all of the time?  On my lap when I'm at the computer.  Smack-dab next to me on the couch.  Beside me in the laundry room.  In...the...bathroom.  Basically rightnexttomealldaylong.  Sigh.  Chris tries to help but he's at work all day.  And then when he returns, it takes Pete a little bit to warm up to him again.  Sigh.

But, when I was "cleaning" out my iPhone this morning I came across this video of Henry talking to me over the summer (at my mom's house).  I was reminded of God's plan.  He purposefully makes children funny and cute so you don't give them away.  Or put them out on the curb.  Or place a "for sale" sign around their neck.  Not that I've thought of doing any of those things, of course...

(Forgive all of the "interruptions" during our conversation.  And in case you are having trouble understanding him, Henry is asking me-- presumably in a British accent??-- "Do you have any sores, my lady?" and then he switches to, "Would you like some tea, my lady?")

Yesterday when I dropped Henry and Gabby off at school, I noticed a great big picture the class drew, entitled "Friends," on the wall leading into their classroom.  I looked the whole picture over, looking for Henry's name and then I found it.... next to a big mess of color and circles and a little man.

Me:  "Henry... what is this?  Did you draw a picture of your friends?"

Henry:  "Nah.  I drew a picture of a magician in a bottle instead."  

Me:  "Ahhhh, yes."

It ain't easy being 3rd...

First, your mother forgets wet wipes... and doesn't realize this until after you inhale an ice cream sandwich at Sam's Club...

Then your germy older brothers bring home a sick bug...

Then your father misses catching you and you fall down two steps and land in the door frame...

Man.  Life's tough when you're the 3rd boy I guess.  Poor baby.  Fingers crossed for a better day today!

The neighborhood...

Well, I think we had everyone.  At our house.  Most of the weekend.  James and Nicolas have befriended two new boys who moved in up the street from us.  William and Waylan seem to fit right into the mix and are polite and sweet and fun for the boys.  Of course once you add Christian and Jonathan and Kenton... well, I suppose it's a party.  A party Chris would rather not be invited to ;) but I think he's realizing very quickly he's outnumbered!

Here are a few pictures from the boys playing this weekend...

The first of MANY bike races...

Playing Cops & Robbers... again.

Nicolas and James taking a quick break...

Henry blowing bubbles with our new neighbors...
They have a 4 year old son (Tyler) and a new baby boy (Brayden),
Which makes me wonder... doesn't ANYone make girls anymore??!

Now Chris is getting in the spirit!!  Ha ha.
William, Waylon, and Chris taking a rest break...

Once the boys got tired of chasing each other, and riding their bikes and scooters, they all came inside and played in the playroom for the rest of the afternoon.  And while it seems crazy to have that many boys over at once (7 total), it really wasn't.  The boys are all kind and well-behaved... and I don't have any problems sending everyone home if they aren't.  It's worth the extra popsicles, and cheese sticks, and juice boxes, and clean up time, to know that the boys are safe and happy and that their friends are too.  I certainly don't mind having everyone over because I think the older the boys get, the more important it is to know what they're up to and who they're hanging around.  And the best way I know to do that is to have their buddies over.  And feed them.

Chris agrees.  Sort of.   ;)

Pete's new trick...

Seems harmless enough, right?!  But no, it isn't.  And let me tell you why...

1.  He hasn't figured out how to actually hoist himself up entirely so he lingers.

2.  Worse yet, he hasn't figured out how to get DOWN from that little small incline.

3.  Which means he calls my name CONSTANTLY until I remove him.

4.  Or... if I don't get him right away, he loses his grip and, like this morning, falls backwards.  I suppose it's the equivalent to rock climbing the way he makes a show of it.

5.  And then even after I remove him (or he falls), he climbs up almost immediately again because inevitably the big boys have left something tempting RIGHT AT THE EDGE of the table.  Look above... there are markers (that's a treat when Pete gets ahold of them), part of a muffin, stickers, and a used lollipop stick.  Lovely.  And even more lovely when I find them strewn about the house... Love, Pete.  

Happy Friday, y'all!  ;-)