Pirates don't take naps.

I sent a fully-clothed, hatless Freddie to get ready for his nap. Two minutes later, I walked into this room and saw this.

"Deck the Halls" to make Jones jolly ...

Jones Pressley is a Kevin McAlister-kind of kid. By that, I mean that nothing on this planet makes him happier than holiday decorations. I know ALL kids love decorations, but Jones seems to love them more than what is normal - or maybe he's just better at expressing his delight.

Regardless, it is for his pleasure ALONE that I hang hearts on his door in February, put scarecrows on the porch in October, and do the myriad other holiday-specific things that I do, because trust me: those things are not done for ME or even Freddie. He could care less, or so it seems.

Because of Jones's great love, though, I've kind of begged Jeremy to let us do some "exterior illumination" here at the house. He's okay with greenery and white lights, but Jones's appetite is for the tacky, the tasteless, the totally off-the-wall. Give us your inflatable Santa peeking out of a plastic outhouse. Then my baby boy's Christmas cheer will be complete.

Thus far, Jones's hunger for outdoor holiday decor has gone unfed. This year, however, I found a loophole. "Jeremy said inflatables weren't allowed in OUR yard, but what about the BOYS' yard," I wondered as I saw a "very tasteful," 4-foot-tall Santa on sale for $17.99 at the Waynesville Lowe's.

Without much hesitation, Jeremy agreed, and a few weeks ago, the boys and I got the clubhouse all dolled up. We added lights and the wooden Rudolph that used to bedeck the Pressleys' halls, and the result is a display to make Mama's Little Griswold catch his breath every time he steps outside.

There aren't many things that could make my Christmas merrier than that.

More of Music City

Growing up, I loved our annual trips to Nashville more than just about any other place we went. That's one reason why it thrills me that Jones and Freddie get to spend so much time in Music City. I want them to love it like I did.

The bigger reason I love these trips, though, is that it means my boys are getting to be best buddies with the precious son of one of my best buddies. Brooke and I have planned, since before AJ was born, that our tiny trio would someday share a college apartment at the University of Tennessee. The memories they're making now are the foundation for that plan, and the pictures. Well, just imagine how AMAZING they'll look on the gallery wall of that apartment I mentioned.

And before you start, I acknowledge that most college boys don't have gallery walls of boyhood pictures in their bachelor pads. Still, it's fun for us to dream, and it's even more fun for us to make the memories that come with taking the pictures.

In short, it was another great visit. I really feel like these boys are the best versions of themselves whenever they're together. They are so sweet to each other - fits never ... well, RARELY ... happen. It's kind of astounding, to be honest, how well they do.

Here are a few "must-remembers" from this most recent visit:

1) the advent of the Push Pop - on the way to Nashville, the boys and I stopped at a convenience store, and Freddie emerged with his first-ever Push Pop, which he spent the rest of the day eating. As usual, he was very generous with it - Brooke said she saw him stop the Gator and, without saying a word, turn to A.J., pushing the Pop into A.J.'s unsuspecting mouth. He gave his buddy a couple licks of it at dinner, too.

The next morning, after Brooke took some photos of Jones and Freddie, I took all three boys to a convenience store, so each could have his own Push Pop. I imagine these treats will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future.

2) Freddie still sleeps in bathrooms almost everywhere we go. He doesn't mind one bit. This time his digs were upgraded, though. Brooke's redone her guest bathroom, and it looks AMAZING.

3) While we were there, Brooke's neighbor brought a leaf blower over for A.J. to play with. The boys took turns playing with it. I imagine we will be buying a couple of leaf blowers before too long.

My favorite Mexican restaurant in America is right down
the street from Brooke's house.

4) Once again, we brought the Gator with us, and once again, the boys had a BALL riding it all over Brooke's amazing backyard. What was incredible was how they'd stop and switch drivers every so often, without having be told to. I was very impressed with how all three took turns.

I was somewhat scared by the way Freddie drove, which is nothing knew. He likes to ride right around the perimeter of the lot. At the back of their property line is a little lip that goes up, like a tiny hill. It's shaded by tree limbs, and this is probably Freddie's favorite place to drive - thankfully, A.J. rolls with it and instinctively leans away from the tree limbs that, let's face it, could maim them both.

It was another awesome visit. The boys had a ball - and have been asking when we can see A.J. again since we hit the road right around nap time today.

Here's some video footage of our little Kings of the Road.

I love seeing these three in a row.

He may still be sleeping in bathrooms,
but no more Pack & Plays!

the infamous Push Pop

sharing the Push Pop

Freddie doesn't ALWAYS make the
best decisions at dinner.
Then again, when baskets of chips
are involved, neither do I!

Yes. He drinks salsa {face palm}.

Freddie was using A.J.'s camera to take a
picture of me, Brooke, and Michael.
Jones stood behind him, doing tricks
to try to get us to smile.
Wonder where he's seen that before?

I am going gray. Fast.

Freddie did NOT want Jones trying to stop
the Gator by pulling on the flatbed.