Happy Valentine's Day

Tonite, we had our third annual family Valentine's date at Ruth's Chris. This year, we were very excited for "Auntcy" to join us. The boys made us very proud with their behavior, and that chopped salad is one of my favorite things in all the world treat.

Speaking of "favorite things," here are some pictures of my very handsome little boys.

Oh, Happy Day!

As we usually do, we spent New Year's Day at the Pressleys' house, celebrating the New Year, Freddie's birthday, and, today, A WILDCAT IN OVER PENN STATE IN THE CITRUS BOWL. Only slightly more unbelievable to me than the fact that my BABY will wake up a five year old on January 2nd is the fact that UK WON THE CITRUS BOWL.

We had the traditional New Year's meal - ham, collards, cornbread, and, Freddie's favorite, "chocolate beans" (black eyed peas). That was followed up with birthday cake and explosion of Double Bubble from the Spider-Man piñata that Freddie'd requested for the occasion, having heard Jones talk so much about them since his "Christmas Around the World" unit at HCA.

Between opening presents and popping the piñata, the boys had a ball playing outside with Ellery and Evan. It was a great kick off to what I hope will be another great year for my blue eyed boy.

Freddie Bear's Pajama Day

For his last day of the semester, Freddie had Pajama / Polar Express Day!

As luck would have it, his new, red robe showed up in the mail last nite. He was VERY excited to pair it with his snowman jammies and even told me that he'd look more like Santa if he wore his black belt with the robe instead of the red one that came with it (he also wore the Santa hat that he bought with his own money at Dollar General; he was very generous and bought Jones one, as well, which made me so proud of his kindness).

I agreed, so off he went for what he tells me was a great day in Pre-K!

the last snow of 2018?

Growing up in the Upstate of South Carolina, I had a very hard time trusting weather people. Time and again, they'd promise Winter, yet I can count on one hand the number of times it actually showed up.

Here in the mountains, it's not exactly the same. If snow is threatened, it's more than likely that we'll get it, and last weekend - boy, did we get it ... to the tune of about 15" falling from Saturday nite through Sunday afternoon. The boys missed three full days of school and ended the week with a pair of two-hour delays.

The boys, of course, were THRILLED. They had an absolute ball playing outside. They sledded down the hill in the front yard and onto the road below. They ate COPIOUS amounts of snow (we warned them against sampling the yellow stuff), and when the new neighbors stopped by, they were quick to share their collections of sleds.

Inside, things were just as fun. We introduced them to both "Home Alone" movies, and, in their 10,000 viewings of each, an instant affinity was felt with Harry and Marv. They say that's who they want to be for next Halloween. I know that'll change between now and then, but it's been really fun, watching them run around the house, saying things, like, "That was the sound of a tool chest, falling down the stairs," and "Shut up, Marv! GEEZ!" (it's the only time I'll let them get away with saying "Shut up"). Since they look nothing like me, I'm proud they at least have the Stultz family affinity for talking in movie lines.

I'm not sure I ever got around to blogging about all the snow we had last year (I am SO behind), but if I had, I'm sure I'd have mentioned that, for as much as adult me has hated snow, I kinda love it, now that my boys enjoy it so much.

Letting them watch 'toons in our bed was
("is always," I should say) our way of
staying in there longer ourselves. 

Selfie Stick for the Win!

As he did last year, Freddie has a real knack for walking in
the snow and then face planting in it.

The snow wasn't originally perfect for snowballs.
Here, they attempted making one, but it was
too powdery to toss.

"Hey, Freddie. I've got a surprise for you!"

They LOVE that sled. Jeremy used
it as a boy, and it has a handbrake,
so it's a favorite forever.

This is the sled that Freddie and I impulse bought as we
picked up snow rations at Ingles. He was VERY proud of
how he was able to carry it around the store. 

I was amazed at how "Clark," the Christmas
tree from mine and Jeremy's first holiday
together, bent under the weight of the snow.
As soon as the snow melted, the limbs
bounced back to normal. There has to be a
spiritual lesson here, but I'm still
chewing on what that might be.

Day Two

 

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!" 

My hair may be getting more gray than I bargained for.

"Home Alone 2" - for the 2,000th time