The Apple Didn't Fall Far From the Tree.

I don't make a habit of laying down with my boys at bedtime. When it comes to bedtime, I have always ascribed to the Mary Poppins Philosophy: it "is to be STRICTLY observed."

Last nite, though, I heard Freddie crying about twenty minutes after I'd put him down. I went in there - primarily to quiet him down, so he wouldn't wake up Jones. As soon as I got in there, he said exactly what I expected him to say: "I wantchu." Then, "I wantchu to hole me," so I did.

I scooped up the sweetest three year old I know and held him in his harvest gold rocking chair, and then, his cuteness convinced me - for the first time in a LONG time - to lay down with him. We "cuckled" and re-capped our day. He'd ask, "Do you like the train or the ferris wheel? Do you like Dollywood or the fair?" and after answering every, say, three questions, I'd say, "You've GOT to go to bed." He'd wrap my arms around him and say, "Five more minutes."

Since I was enjoying it as much as he was, I stayed - until it'd been twenty minutes or so. That's when I started worrying that he'd wear himself out and not be rested enough to start school in a good mood, so I got up to leave.

"I want to cuckle you," he said.

"Well, cuckle your animals, Buddy. You've got lots of animals!"

"But they don't talk!"

And instantly, I thought of the other Thomas in the family - the one whose second grade report card mentioned how Tommy was a talker - "not quietly to his neighbor but out loud for everyone to hear."

Come Friday, I'd better warn Mrs. Shana.

Jones starts Catechism class!

Jones kicked off his Catechism career tonite!

He is finally old enough for the Pre-K curriculum, which means most every Wednesday nite between now and fifth grade will be filled with learning the foundations of the faith.

I am so excited about this - and he seemed to be, too.

Tonite's truths were two of the three he already knew:

1) Who made you? God made me.
2) What else did God make? God made all things.

There are 150 catechisms to learn. No better time to start than now!

This is actually what he did on the drive
home - for the first few minutes, anyway.
He was so excited about that book!

another Day at Dollywood

Since school starts on Friday, a day-before-the-day-before-the-day at Dollywood seemed perfectly in order. Our favorite 10 year old came along for the ride, and a good time was had by all - but even more so by Freddie, who rode the kiddie coaster no fewer than five times. And also the ferris wheel.

Jones did great, too - he's learned that he doesn't like the fast rides, and since Freddie will ride them with me, I'm not forcing Jones to, until he's ready - mostly because Security would probably be called as soon as someone heard Jones's maniacal screams. Seriously. There is NO FORCING that child to do something that scares him.

Eye roll.

One funny thing he said, though, while driving the "Oso Cars." Both boys and I were in the same car. As we went through the tunnel, Jones said, "I'll have us outta here in a jiffy." Pretty sure that's a direct quote from any number of different "Mickey & the Roadster Racers" episodes, but still. It was funny.

Something adorable from Freddie: as they played on the playground outside the Barnstormer, there was a little girl climbing up the slide ramp at the same time they were. I told the boys, "Remember: ladies first." They both let the little girl go first, and that was that.

From there, we went to the "Granny's Garden" playground - or whatever it's called. They were doing laps around it, sliding over and over and over again. I looked over and saw Freddie at the foot of the slide ladder. Every time a little girl came by, he'd step out of her way and say to her, "Ladies first." In fact, one time, he was already climbing up the steps when a little girl came up behind him. He climbed over the railing to get off the steps, so she could go in front of him.

I honestly can't remember a moment when I've been more proud. That child's heart is honestly ten sizes too big.

All in all? Another awesome day at Dollywood. Can't wait to go back - but first: DISNEY WORLD!

("Here we goooooooo! I LIKE ferris wheels!")


(I love the boys' little exchange at the beginning of this video.)


(I'll be honest; I was surprised at how willing Freddie was to give Jones a turn behind the wheel. I was just as surprised that Jones even WANTED a turn. He's usually content to just sit shotgun.)

Meet the Teacher!

School starts on Friday, and after tonite, the teachers have officially been met. Well, Jones met one of his teachers this summer. Mrs. Doris was his primary teacher at day camp all summer, but during the year, he'll also have Mrs. Janet, while Freddie is in Mrs. Shana's class, though, for the life of him, he cannot understand why he doesn't still have his "Chocolate Girl," so-called, because of her long (amazingly straight) brown hair.  The "Meet the Teacher" experience was mostly positive. We headed first into Jones's classroom. Rookie mistake. As soon as he realized what we were up to, he started to panic, so we switched course and went to Freddie's room instead. Freddie did better - he was obviously nervous but handled it like he'd been in this position at least a time or two before. 

After meeting Mrs. Shana, Jones was much more relaxed about seeing Mrs. Doris and meeting Mrs. Janet. Afterwards, Nana and Mayme joined us for dinner at the the Blue Rooster, and both boys said they're ready to get started in a few days. 

I guess time will tell!

Jones has an outfit identical to Freddie's, which I had person-
alined earlier this summer. I took for granted that the polo would
pull over his head, but when I went to dress him tonite, it was
pretty quickly clear how wrong I'd been to assume.
It would.not.budge, so we had to call an audible
in the 11th hour, and, for the first time ever, I felt very
glad the boys have way more clothes than they can ever wear.

When I tried to take a picture of the boys
at school, Freddie fell. That's why he's
crying, and he wouldn't calm down.

Since Freddie wouldn't calm down,
Jones took matters into his own hands,
literally using his paws to turn Freddie's
frown upside down.
"Give her a BIIIIIIIIIGGGG smile,"
Jones told his baby brother.

Lake Season 2017: Trip Four

Trips to Marco Island, Boston, and Disney World (for which we leave one week from yesterday - EEEEEKKKK!!!!!) have kept us out of our Lake Chatuge routine this year. It seems almost criminal that we've only been able to be there four weekends this summer. Still, I'm glad we got the time out there that we did, and this weekend's visit was one of the best!

Once again, the boys proved they'd rather play on the boat ramp than ride on the boat. Sunday morning, Jeremy walked them down to play in the water for nearly an hour before coming back for the bath that would get them ready for "Lake Church."

Saturday, however, was all about riding the boat (though the boys did start off the day asking for the ramp). The four of us went out for a ride in the morning and were joined that afternoon by "the Kids."  The boys were so excited all day, waiting for them to get there. When they finally arrived, we hit the water for a wonderful time.

First stop was Boundary Waters, because ... of course, it was. I love that place. Then, we swam and pulled the big kids behind the boat. Jones was laying on the cushion at the back of the pontoon, like a lookout. Whenever someone would wipe out, he'd yell, "JEREMY!!!! BESSSSS!" or whatever. Then, when the person would reboard the boat, he'd say, "Are you okay?" or "Did you have fun?" It was really cute.

The cutest thing, though, happened as he laid there beside Bobo. Randomly, I heard Jones say to him, "Truuuuuuuuuusstttttt me. You're my best pal!"

Though traveling to meet Mickey will keep us from our traditional Labor Day at the lake, this weekend's 2017 Chatuge Swan Song was a beautiful one.

As soon as we got to the "No Wake" buoy at the mouth
of McCracken Cove, Freddie threw up the throttle
and said, "Now, we can go FAST."