Breck 2014

My favorite time of year:

Mimi and Papaw and Mop and GayGay were so kind to keep Silas and Avery while Bruce and I headed out to Colorado for skiing with friends.  Breckenridge was the locale this year and did not disappoint in the least.  It was a wonderful vacation!
Before day one:

Our crew - the Gold Club.  Brad, Lake, Morrow, Meredith, Bruce, and Todd.

Theme song, sung by my quads…  (and yes, there was PLENTY of snow in April:-)

Old friends.  Literally.

I could never get tired of this view.  Never.

Springing Forward

Several weeks ago, we ventured up to Grenada for a day to play - included was Jack's 4th birthday party… so much fun.  Even though the yard was full of a crowd of boys, these two had no trouble finding their place:

And Silas was right at home on a pop scooter!

The birthday boy wanted to be a policeman for his birthday… so a policeman he was.  He acted out the part as well as any I've ever seen!  And his posse had no trouble playing along.

Happy Birthday, Jack!

No caption needed here.  To say these two LOVE Mimi and Papaw's house is an understatement.

Not just for boys… bows fit in too.

Back home, we are loving these beautiful spring afternoons… on a bicycle built for two!

Maybe not loving the yard work… but our helpers sure make it fun. (we must credit Millie with the large holes… )

Family taco night began with a lesson on how to take the perfect bite utilizing the head tilt, open wide method.

Also on the order for Spring 2014:  Preschool choir (3s and 4s) sings in church… always a fun event.   Sweet Silas  gave me one last hug before joining his friends on the stairs.  (Remember, this poor guy is in a class of 15 girls and one boy…)

Peer support.

I love hearing these wonderful voices singing and doing motions - this song was called "The Way" and the verses named all the books of the New Testament in order - pretty impressive if you ask me!  
(Just in case you wonder:  Avery and a few others are turned around, facing the big screens, looking and admiring the pretty faces singing and moving to the music)

Saturday morning, the Pedicure, and more.

Last Saturday morning with the sunshine and slightly warmer air, three of my buddies and I set out for an early walk around the lake.  I only spilled my coffee twice.

There are no words.  Except maybe little diva.  Hollywood.

Mimi came into town for a few days this week and had a great idea to get pedicures.  Avery LOVED hers.  She was a little nervous at first, but quickly welcomed the pampering.

The sweet family who owns this nail shop has a precious 7 year old - she and Avery quickly made friends and chatted the entire time.

Meanwhile, this cool dude stayed close to me and observed the whole event.  In his google glasses.  Okay, maybe ninja glasses.  (Notice, he won't let me take the sticker off the front left lens).

That night, Silas and Avery, sweet-talker extraordinaires, bargain-hunters… wheezled their way into Mimi's bed.  Mimi needed her glasses to read a bedtime story and Silas and Avery needed theirs, too. 

And I was not present for this picture, but had to share it. I'm not sure of the situation here, but I think I can infer plenty.  There is no better Mimi in the world!

Then, don't you love it when you find the "hide until Christmas stash" that you forgot you hid?  Totally happened.  So we made a gingerbread house on Friday night, March 14.  So what.  It was fun.

Date Night

Chick-fil-A does such an outstanding job of community events… they hosted a 'Daddy-daughter date night' the week of Valentine's Day and these two couldn't wait to get there!

So, of course, Mommy and Silas had to go on a date as well! 

From the looks of the pictures, she ruled the party: 

Meanwhile, Silas and I had a blast at the Corner Bakery.  Sometimes it may be hard to see when Avery is around, this little guy is hilarious.  He is goofy and keeps me laughing at his dry wit.  Here's one happy guy with his big plate of mac and cheese:

And an even happier guy with his ice cream! 

Silas and I beat Avery and Bruce home by about 10 minutes.  He had the sticker from the ice cream shop on his shirt and was sitting in my lap as they walked through the back door.  Avery was all smiles and on cloud 9 running in telling us about "Chick-a-lay"… she ran right up to us and stopped mid-sentence when she saw Silas' sticker on his shirt…. her face suddenly deflated, shoulders drooped and she said "you went to ice cream shop?" as if she had been betrayed.  I had to quickly re-direct and ask all about Chick-a-lay and the Valentine party, etc.  But rest assured, she awoke the next morning wanting to go to the ice cream shop.  And the next.  And the next.  Until we finally went again.

These two.  Here's an example of morning hugs.  I pray they are always this close!

Little Chefs and Singers… are Three and a half!

The two best sous chefs around!  They are busy making the special sauce for our tri-tip steak rolls that night.

Saturday mornings = Mickey Mouse pancakes.  Of course.

And I can't believe these two are three and a half.  Where has the time gone!

I always love the moonlight serenades…  I'll post a video soon.

Silas and Avery-anisms, March 2014 edition…and a few pictures.

As the Winter Olympics came to a close, Silas and Avery participated in the Mother's Day Out Games… Looks like someone was triumphant with his torch held high… another was less than satisfied with what must have been bronze…

We are loving these spring-preview days of sunshine and warmer weather!  We decided to create some original artwork for Silas and Avery's big bed room.  Check out these Picassos! 

They had a blast and did a great job painting their letters!

And oh, the tents.  Or "hot castles" as Silas and Avery call it.  I have no CLUE where they came up with it, but it sure is fun.  Sometimes the hot castle is on the living room couch, sometimes it is on the keeping room couch… and sometimes it is the tent we build.  Whatever it is, they are FIRED UP about it!  Too funny.

I'm trying to remember/record everything I can - Silas and Avery are sooooo funny - typical three year olds - hilarious. We literally just sit and laugh at their lively imaginations and conversations.  

For example:  Avery is riding on Silas' back like a horse, but she calls him 'puppy'. "Okaaaay, let's go puppy".   Silas replies, "Not yet Avery, you have to say the magic word."  Avery quickly replies, "yes, ma'am."  Close, Miss Avery. 

Ten o'clock one night, I am lying in my bed listening to them laugh and carry on.  The noise is actually escalating, and I holler into their room, "kids, it's time to go to sleep!  be quiet!" Silas replies confidently, "Mom, we just jumping on the bed.  Just a coupla minutes."  Um….no.  

Truths spoken from Silas and Avery:

We're riding in the car on the way to friends' house for supper.  Somehow vegetables comes up in the conversation and Silas pipes in, "Mom (he now calls me mom…no clue how he got that), I don't want begebles." I told him, "Silas, you need to eat your vegetables so you will be big and strong."  He says "No mom, I big enough."    True little buddy, true. 

Meanwhile, in the transition to their 'big bed' room, Silas wanted to get in his "little bed" instead. I told him he is too big for the little bed now.  "Mom, I want to get littler".  I know little buddy, big things are scary sometimes.  

After two weeks of cold, dark, rainy weather, we awoke one Saturday to a beautiful sunrise.  Avery came out of her room and jumped into my lap, "mommy, look! the sun waked up!" I said yes, look how pretty.  Avery said, "Mommy, we say thank you Jesus."  Exactly Avery, we do.   Melts my heart! 

Dixie National Rodeo

Last week, I had just mentioned to Bruce that I wanted to find something fun to do with the kids that weekend while he was working at Upward when I received an email from my Dad. He suggested the Rodeo - perfect!!  Silas and Avery were PUMPED all week about going to see the hor-sees and cows - having no idea what a rodeo was.  
We awoke on Saturday (and had our chocolate pancakes) and met Mimi and Papaw and the Sturdivants at Broadstreet for a pre 'hor-see' lunch!  Mimi brought Grace's and my old cowboy hats for the kids.  So cute!

They loved every minute of the walk to the coliseum for the show!  Silas was serious about the tractors, horses, lassos - he was in heaven.  Avery enjoyed it, and added her own "ballet" touch to the scene.

Be still my heart!  Is this not the cutest cowboy you've ever seen?!

Two special cowboys here…

I remember growing up and driving down for the Dixie Nationals - they still put on a great show.  After the show, we enjoyed walking through the stables to see the 'baby cows' and the 'mama cows' and the 'pretty cows' (where they all were lying down and having their coat brushed and dried….).  Much to our surprise, Mr Silas led the charge on the mechanical bull!  Ride 'em cowboy!!

Soon after the bull rides, it was time for a funnel cake…. then back home.  A great day!  They are still talking about it and can't wait to go back next year.